Abstract: Concurrent first and second uses of a consumer's credit card are made during a POS transaction to effect information sharing. The first use includes conventionally executing a primary transaction, while the second use includes a presentation to the consumer at POS with information sharing opt-in and/or privacy notices from the consumer's financial institution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that permit the transparent bridging of a broad range of backup storage devices, such that backup software will identify an intermediate device as a one of those storage devices and will transparently send their backup data-stream thereto as part of the existing standard backup process. Upon receipt of a backup data-stream from the backup software, the methods and apparatus provide for analysis of the data elements in the data-stream, collection of management information about those data elements, and storage of the management information in an easily accessible format for subsequent review and query by users and administrators of the original data. The same backup data-stream is stored on any standard backup storage device, including the imitated backup storage device.

Abstract: A method for distributing geographically and socioeconomically targeted media, advertising, and electronic coupons via non-telephony wireless methods to portable consumer electronic and communication devices, based upon the cross-registration meta data of the manufacturer product warranty information to a local digital signage network.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system (100) can connect groups of capacitive sensors (112-1 to 112-N) to a common node (106) to detect change in capacitance. States of a set of capacitive sensors (112-1 to 112-N) can thus be scanned faster than approaches that scan such sensors one-by-one. Faster scanning can allow for reduced power consumption in applications that only periodically scan the set of capacitive sensors (112-1 to 112-N).

Abstract: Metadata is associated with videos and photos that are posted on community websites. The metadata represents information about the camera that generated the content and/or information about the content itself, and is associated with demographic information of the image provider. Targeted advertising can be generated for service on the community website using the metadata with demographic information, and advertising revenue may be shared between the community website, camera manufacturer, and videographer/photographer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for wireless communication with adaptive beamforming. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a processor, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter having a digitally controlled phased array antenna coupled to and controlled by the processor to transmit content using adaptive beamforming, and an interface to a wireless communication channel coupled to the processor to communicate antenna information relating to the use of the phased array antenna and to communicate information to facilitate playing the content at another location.

Abstract: A deformable panel member is provided for absorbing the energy of a moving object impacting the panel member. The panel member is adapted to be connected to a rigid member and has a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls extending between and interconnecting the front and rear walls. A support member in panel member extends between and interconnects at least two of the walls. The side walls are adapted to be angled relative to the rigid member in a direction of movement of the object when the panel member is mounted to the rigid member. An impact on the panel member will tend to deform the panel member toward the rigid member in the direction of movement of the object. This deformation allows the panel member to absorb the energy of the object for decelerating and redirecting the object subsequent to impact. An energy absorbing barrier is also provided comprising a plurality of the panel members mounted at spaced intervals along the rigid member.

Abstract: A deformable panel member is provided for absorbing the energy of a moving object impacting the panel member. The panel member is adapted to be connected to a rigid member and has a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls extending between and interconnecting the front and rear walls. A support member in panel member extends between and interconnects at least two of the walls. The side walls are adapted to be angled relative to the rigid member in a direction of movement of the object when the panel member is mounted to the rigid member. An impact on the panel member will tend to deform the panel member toward the rigid member in the direction of movement of the object. This deformation allows the panel member to absorb the energy of the object for decelerating and redirecting the object subsequent to impact. An energy absorbing barrier is also provided comprising a plurality of the panel members mounted at spaced intervals along the rigid member.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator for adjusting a spacing. A first body has an electrically conducting surface, and a second body has a body surface separated by the spacing from the electrically conducting surface. A conductor layer and an actuator electrode are recessed in the second body, and an electrode face faces the electrically conducting surface across the spacing. The actuator electrode comprises a semi-insulating material with a combination of electrical resistivity and thickness which prevents shorting of the conductor layer to the electrical conducting surface through a dielectric breakdown in the spacing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed that permit the transparent bridging of a broad range of backup storage devices, such that backup software will identify an intermediate device as a one of those storage devices and will transparently send their backup data-stream thereto as part of the existing standard backup process. Upon receipt of a backup data-stream from the backup software, the methods and apparatus provide for analysis of the data elements in the data-stream, collection of management information about those data elements, and storage of the management information in an easily accessible format for subsequent review and query by users and administrators of the original data. The same backup data-stream is stored on any standard backup storage device, including the imitated backup storage device.

Abstract: A device for accessing data stored on a medium includes a substrate that has a transducer on a back side, a bottom side facing the disc, and a surface that protrudes from the bottom side. An insulation layer is placed on top of the surface. An electrostatic actuator electrode is placed on top of the insulation layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode faces the medium across an electrostatically charged portion of an air layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode protrudes above the surface into the electrostatically charged portion of the air layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing voice message control is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises recognizing at least one recipient and a subject matter of one or more audio files stored in a storage facility, generating a text message representing the subject matter of the one or more audio files, and transmitting the text message to the at least one identified recipient over a packet data network channel without transmitting the contents of the one or more audio files.

Abstract: An electrostatic actuator for adjusting a spacing. A first body has an electrically conducting surface, and a second body has a body surface separated by the spacing from the electrically conducting surface. A conductor layer and an actuator electrode are recessed in the second body, and an electrode face faces the electrically conducting surface across the spacing. The actuator electrode comprises a semi-insulating material with a combination of electrical resistivity and thickness which prevents shorting of the conductor layer to the electrical conducting surface through a dielectric breakdown in the spacing.

Abstract: A device for accessing data stored on a medium includes a substrate that has a transducer on a back side, a bottom side facing the disc, and a surface that protrudes from the bottom side. An insulation layer is placed on top of the surface. An electrostatic actuator electrode is placed on top of the insulation layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode faces the medium across an electrostatically charged portion of an air layer. The electrostatic actuator electrode protrudes above the surface into the electrostatically charged portion of the air layer.

Abstract: A biogas flare system for burning biogas generated primarily by a landfill includes at least one burner for igniting a mixture of biogas and air. A main supply line supplies a mixture of biogas and air to the burner. A biogas supply line feeds biogas into the main supply line. An air supply line feeds air into the main supply line. A mixer structure mixes the biogas and air prior to the mixture being supplied to the burner.

Abstract: A biogas flare system for burning biogas generated primarily by a landfill includes at least one burner for igniting a mixture of biogas and air. A main supply line supplies a mixture of biogas and air to the burner. A biogas supply line feeds biogas into the main supply line. An air supply line feeds air into the main supply line. A mixer structure mixes the biogas and air prior to the mixture being supplied to the burner.

Abstract: A method and system for providing diagnostic services for a computer system is provided. The diagnostic application presents to the user of the computer system a graphical representation of a computer system (202). The user is able to click on graphical components of the graphical representation. The diagnostic application performs diagnostic services on the particular component clicked on by the user. The diagnostic application may determine if the most recent version of the appropriate software driver is installed in the computer system. The diagnostic application may perform diagnostic tests on the clicked component. The diagnostic application may also permit the user to access online diagnostic services to permit the user to access the most recent version of the applicable software driver, communicate with a diagnostic support specialist, or receive additional diagnostic tools from a location remote from the computer system.

Abstract: Dynamic inheritance for data in a replicated tree structured database which is dynamically inherited from parent objects is provided by only replicating original modifications, and then causing each system to propagate inherited information across it's local tree of objects. When a change to a security descriptor or a reparenting of objects is received, a breadth first tree traversal is used to find all the affected objects. An ID list is incrementally deleted as each object is updated. A security descriptor propagator queue is used to track the progress of updates, and items are taken off the list only after they are committed to the database. A gate is used to ensure that that transactions which add new objects and the security descriptor propagation transactions which write new security descriptors are mutually exclusive.

Abstract: A biogas flare system for burning biogas generated primarily by a landfill includes at least one burner for igniting a mixture of biogas and air. A main supply line supplies a mixture of biogas and air to the burner. A biogas supply line feeds biogas into the main supply line. An air supply line feeds air into the main supply line. A mixer structure mixes the biogas and air prior to the mixture being supplied to the burner.