Abstract: A method for operating a power consumption metering system and a power consumption metering system are disclosed. In an embodiment a method include measuring, by a sensor deployed at a monitored site, high speed power consumption values over time to obtain a high speed value pattern of power consumption with a resolution of more than 1000 values per second, determining one or more harmonics of the high speed value pattern, measuring, by the sensor, low speed power consumption values over time to obtain a low speed value pattern of the power consumption with a resolution of less than 100 values per second, providing the harmonics and the low speed value pattern to a cloud based data processing system and identifying a status of a power consumer of the monitored site dependent on the measured harmonics and the low speed value pattern.

Abstract: A method for operating a power consumption metering system and a power consumption metering system are disclosed. In an embodiment a method include measuring, by a sensor deployed at a monitored site, high speed power consumption values over time to obtain a high speed value pattern of power consumption with a resolution of more than 1000 values per second, determining one or more harmonics of the high speed value pattern, measuring, by the sensor, low speed power consumption values over time to obtain a low speed value pattern of the power consumption with a resolution of less than 100 values per second, providing the harmonics and the low speed value pattern to a cloud based data processing system and identifying a status of a power consumer of the monitored site dependent on the measured harmonics and the low speed value pattern.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for facilitating real-time bidding in paid search. In some implementations, a real-time bidding agent receives advertisement context data that is related to presentation of an advertisement in response to a search query. Thereafter, a determination is made as to providing a real-time bid and a real-time advertisement for participation in an advertisement auction associated with the search query using the advertisement context data. A desired real-time bid and real-time advertisement can then be provided to an advertisement selection server for participation in the advertisement auction associated with the search query.

Abstract: Traffic quality on online properties may be assessed continually, and the traffic quality may be used to determine the price of a click-through for an ad placed on the web property. Advertisers bid on keywords, and the bids are used by an advertising engine to place ads on web pages and other online properties. A benchmark price may be set based on the bids. When a user clicks on (or otherwise activates) an ad, the advertiser pays an amount for the click that is based on the benchmark price and on the traffic quality of the property on which the ad had been placed. Machine learning may be used to create a model that predicts traffic quality based on observable feature of a property, thereby allowing the traffic quality of a property to be assessed in real time rather than historically.

Abstract: Various embodiments pertain to techniques for utilizing confidence indicators to adjust bidding values used to obtain impression opportunities. In various embodiments, a system clusters a plurality of ad impression opportunities according to received information regarding each of the ad impression opportunities. Information about the clusters, referred to as data spots, is calculated and utilized to classify the data spots into one or more categories. Bidding strategies are assigned to each category. When the system receives an ad impression opportunity from an impression provider, the system identifies a data spot to which the received ad impression opportunity corresponds and determines a bid for the ad impression opportunity according to the bidding strategy assigned to the category into which the identified data spot is classified.

Abstract: Methods and systems for estimating the value of a contextual ad impression are provided. Requests for value-based bids for ad impressions are received from bidders and the value of the ad impression is estimated based primarily upon leveraging sell-side data (user and publisher). The estimation is highly economized through a fast implementation of k-nearest-neighbor (kNN) regression. Embodiments of the present invention further address the cold-start problem or the exploration vs. exploitation requirement by Bayesian (hierarchical) smoothing using a beta prior, and adapt to the temporal dynamics using an autoregressive model to decay importance of certain data.

Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal at a distant object, an acoustic signal receiver for receiving a reflected acoustic signal reflected from the distant object, a temperature sensor detecting air temperature, a humidity sensor detecting air humidity, an amplifier amplifying the reflected acoustic signal, a comparator coupled to the amplifier comparing the amplified reflected acoustic signal with a reference and generating a comparator output when the level of the amplified reflected acoustic signal exceeds the reference, a gain controller increasing the gain from transmitting an acoustic signal until the comparator output is generated, a threshold generator providing the reference to the comparator and decreasing the reference at an exponential rate from transmitting the acoustic signal until the comparator output is generated, and a controller determining use of only the air temperature, velocity of the acoustic signal, and distance traveled from transmitti

Abstract: A multiple sensitivity stud sensing device for determining a location of objects behind a wall lining has a housing with a surface for moving over the wall lining. Within the housing are a capacitive sensor with first and second capacitances provided adjacent the surface and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a detecting circuit connected to the sensor for providing a detection signal related to an imbalance between the first and second capacitances, a comparator having a reference signal for providing a comparator signal related to a difference between the detection signal and the reference signal, and a controller for receiving the comparator signal and providing a display signal. A display is provided on the housing for indicating a location of an object behind the wall lining. An input device is provided on the housing so that a user of the device can select a value for the reference signal.

Abstract: A baby monitor has a nursery unit and parent unit. The nursery unit has a controller for generating a privacy code, a microphone for detecting baby sounds and a transmitter for transmitting a signal made up of the privacy code and the baby sounds. The parent unit has a receiver for receiving the signal, a controller for comparing the privacy code to a reference code, and an amplifier and speaker for outputting the baby sounds. The baby sounds are output by the parent unit if the privacy code matches the reference code. The nursery and parent units have a scrambler and descrambler respectively for scrambling the signal.

Abstract: A multiple sensitivity stud sensing device for determining a location of objects behind a wall lining has a housing with a surface for moving over the wall lining. Within the housing are a capacitive sensor with first and second capacitances provided adjacent the surface and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a detecting circuit connected to the sensor for providing a detection signal related to an imbalance between the first and second capacitances, a comparator having a reference signal for providing a comparator signal related to a difference between the detection signal and the reference signal, and a controller for receiving the comparator signal and providing a display signal. A display is provided on the housing for indicating a location of an object behind the wall lining. An input device is provided on the housing so that a user of the device can select a value for the reference signal.

Abstract: A device for locating an object behind a wall lining includes a housing having a front portion fitting substantially in the palm of a user's hand. Operating switches are located in juxtaposition to the grip portion so as to be operable by the user without substantially altering grip on the housing. The device also includes a sensor including a first capacitor plate and a pair of second capacitor plates. The capacitor plates are arranged serially, and calibrated by a pulse width modulator and integrator. Operating electronics are incorporated into an application specific integrated circuit.

Abstract: A baby monitor has a nursery unit and parent unit. The nursery unit has a controller for generating a privacy code, a microphone for detecting baby sounds and a transmitter for transmitting a signal made up of the privacy code and the baby sounds. The parent unit has a receiver for receiving the signal, a controller for comparing the privacy code to a reference code, and an amplifier and speaker for outputting the baby sounds. The baby sounds are output by the parent unit if the privacy code matches the reference code. The nursery and parent units have a scrambler and descrambler respectively for scrambling the signal.

Abstract: An object sensor for sensing objects hidden from view behind a first wall surface. The object sensor has a housing having a front surface with a display and a rear surface. The object sensor also has a sensing system and provides additional functions. The additional functions can include a distance detector, a computing system working in conjunction with the distance detector to determine the distance between the object sensor and a second wall, a tracking mechanism, and a projector to project a beam at predetermined distances. The object sensor may further have a level or a location marker.

Abstract: A method for checking the position of alignment marks after a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process and automatically compensating for alignment of a wafer stepper based on the position checking is described. A wafer is provided having an alignment mark thereon for the purpose of aligning a reticle in the wafer stepper. The wafer is polished by CMP. Thereafter, alignment mark positioning is checked for deviation from a normal vectorial position of the alignment mark whereby information about the deviation is fed back to the wafer stepper and wherein the wafer stepper automatically compensates for correctable alignment error based on the deviation information.

Abstract: A method of removing excess metal, particularly copper, in the fabrication of interconnects has been achieved. In accordance with the objects of this invention, a new method of removing excess metal in the formation of an interconnect has been achieved. A semiconductor substrate is provided. A dielectric layer is provided overlying the semiconductor substrate. Trenches are formed in this dielectric layer for planned damascene or dual damascene interconnects. A barrier layer is provided overlying the dielectric layer and lining the trenches. A metal layer is provided overlying the barrier layer and completely filling the trenches. A masking layer is deposited overlying the metal layer. The masking layer is patterned to form a mask that only overlies the trenches. The metal layer is etched down where not covered by the mask. This etching down is partial so that the barrier layer is not exposed. This etching down leaves the metal layer underlying the mask thicker than the metal layer not underlying the mask.

Abstract: A portable device for selectively locating a wooden object, a metal object or a live AC wire positioned behind a wall surface covering when the device is moved along a wall surface is disclosed. Wood is detected by changes in effective dielectric constant, metal is detected by changes in magnetic reluctance and a live wire by detecting modulation signals at mains frequency. The device is controlled by a microcontroller to provide discriminating visual and audible signals when each of the kinds of objects are proximate the device.