Abstract: A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to power management and the like, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium for providing power controlling functionality to generate configurable power signals and to deliver power during fault conditions. In at least some embodiments, a power control unit can generate power signals having configurable attributes as a function of a mode of operation, a fault type, and the like.

Abstract: Administration of storage space requirements on personal video recorders (“PVRs”), including recording a show having a storage space requirement, and incrementing the show's storage space requirement. Embodiments include tracking a recording period for the show and actual storage space used during the recording period; comparing the storage space used with an amount of storage space projected to be used during the tracked recording period; and incrementing the show's storage space requirement if the storage space used is greater than the storage space projected to be used. Embodiments include incrementing the show's storage space requirement in accordance with a predetermined overallocation rate. Embodiments include incrementing a show's storage space requirement in dependence upon genre.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for providing consumer healthy habits incentives are provided. A consumable item, consumed by an individual, is detected. A health factor is detected for the consumable item. An electronic incentive is selected for the individual according to the health factor, such that the individual is encouraged to consume a healthy selection of consumable items. An electronic incentive may be further specified according to the personal health history, exercise history and consumption history of an individual.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for indicating a reaction response associated with the content of a communication to provide a context for the communication are provided. The content of a communication and the reaction responses to a communication provide the context for a communication. Varying portions of the content of a communication are analyzed to identify a particular reaction response associated with each of the varying portions of content. During a display of the content of the communication, a color within any of the varying portions indicates the associated reaction response. A reaction response may indicate a sender's intended response or an anticipated or actual response of a recipient. The colors may be added to a proposed communication and edited by a sender to achieve a particular desired response.

Abstract: Personal video recording including identifying a message point in operation of a PVR and transmitting a message. Embodiments include associating a message type with the message point and selecting, in dependence upon the message type, a message to be transmitted. Embodiments include receiving a response to the message; selecting, in dependence upon the response, a command to be executed; and executing the selected command.

Abstract: Machine learning for control of a personal video recorder (“PVR”), including providing records of transmissions of messages; identifying a message point in operation of a PVR; selecting, in dependence upon the message point, a message to be transmitted; and determining in dependence upon the records of transmissions of messages whether to transmit the selected message. Embodiments include determining whether to transmit the selected message in dependence upon a frequency with which the message is transmitted to a user. Embodiments include transmitting to users messages prompting for responses identifying commands; storing records of transmissions of messages, including storing records of responses; and selecting a message to be transmitted in dependence upon the records of responses to messages. Embodiments include structuring the selected message in dependence upon the records of responses to messages, including inserting in the selected message choices for a set of sequenced commands.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling a phase transformation temperature of a shape memory alloy is provided. The device includes a primary wire composed of the shape memory alloy. The primary wire defines first and second ends, the first end being attached to a fixed structure and the second end being able to displace. An activation source is thermally coupled to the wire and is operable to selectively cause the primary wire to reversibly transform from a Martensitic phase to an Austenitic phase during a cycle. A loading element is operatively connected to the primary wire and configured to selectively increase a tensile load on the primary wire when an ambient temperature is at or above a threshold temperature, thereby increasing the phase transformation temperature of the primary wire.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated device capable of stress inducing the SMA to its martensite state to reset the device. The device having at least one SMA wire utilized to move a movable member from a first position to a second position. The device further configured to utilize force from a first source to reset the device when the SMA is at or below the first temperature, and utilize force from at least a second source to reset the device when the SMA is above the first temperature.

Abstract: A method and system for tailoring a multimedia presentation of an event on a computerized multimedia system to meet a user's desires. In a preferred embodiment, a set of video streams and a set of audio streams for the event are provided to the user via a network coupled to the multimedia system. From the set of available video streams for the event, one or more video streams are selected for presentation to the user. From the set of available audio streams for the event, one or more audio streams are selected for presentation to the user. Furthermore, the relative volumes of the different audio streams may be adjusted. In response to user input, the selected video and audio streams are assigned to respective portions of video and audio output devices. The event is presented to the user according to the selected video stream assignments.

Abstract: A secondary player receives a wireless broadcast of an electronic work from a primary player. Responsive to a playback of the electronic work from the secondary player, the secondary player requires a recipient of the electronic work to rate the electronic work. Responsive to the recipient rating the electronic work or an automatic rating selection made based on the recipient's preferences, the options available to the recipient may be dynamically adjusted.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to power management and the like, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium for providing power controlling functionality to generate configurable power signals and to deliver power during fault conditions. In at least some embodiments, a power control unit can generate power signals having configurable attributes as a function of a mode of operation, a fault type, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to power management and the like, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium for providing power controlling functionality to generate configurable power signals and to deliver power during fault conditions. In at least some embodiments, a power control unit can generate power signals having configurable attributes as a function of a mode of operation, a fault type, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to power management and the like, and more particularly, to an apparatus, a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium for providing power controlling functionality to generate configurable power signals and to deliver power during fault conditions. In at least some embodiments, a power control unit can generate power signals having configurable attributes as a function of a mode of operation, a fault type, and the like.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system in thermal communication with a hot region and a cold region includes a hot end heat engine in thermal communication with the hot region, a cold end heat engine in thermal communication with the cold region, and an intermediate heat engine disposed between the hot end heat engine and the cold end heat engine. The hot end heat engine includes a hot end shape memory alloy (SMA) element, the cold end heat engine includes a cold end SMA element disposed, and the intermediate heat engine includes an intermediate SMA element. A hot side of the intermediate SMA element is in thermal communication with a cold side of the hot end SMA element. A cold side of the intermediate SMA element is in thermal communication with a hot side of the cold end SMA element.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a heat engine that operates using a shape memory alloy active material. The shape memory alloy member may be in thermal communication with a hot region at a first temperature and a cold region at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. The shape memory alloy material may be configured to selectively change crystallographic phase between martensite to austenite and thereby one of contract and expand in response to the first and second temperatures. A thermal conduction element may be in direct contact with the SMA material, where the thermal conduction element is configured to receive thermal energy from the hot region and to transfer a portion of the received thermal energy to the SMA material through conduction.

Abstract: A liquid feed material such as a heavy hydrocarbon feed in liquid form is contacted with a fluidized bed of heated solid particles which have a bulk horizontal velocity which is generally perpendicular to the flow of a fluidizing medium. The liquid feed material reacts on the solid particles to produce a vapor phase product, which vapor phase product is collected in a vapor collection apparatus.

Abstract: A second player detects a first player locally broadcasting an electronic work. The second player accepts a distribution cookie from the first player at the second player with the broadcast of the electronic work. The second player updates the distribution cookie with tracking information about the broadcast of the electronic work to the second player. The second player updates the distribution cookie with a plurality of electronic work ratings of a plurality of electronic works by a recipient at the second player. The second player, responsive to detecting a network connection provides the distribution cookie to a tracking server enabled to analyze the distribution cookie.

Abstract: A question of a first caller from among multiple callers waiting in a hold queue of a call center is published. Responsive to a second caller from among multiple callers indicating a readiness to answer to the question, the first caller is connected with the second caller. Responsive to the second caller answering the question, the second caller is awarded an advancement token for storage in association with an authenticated identifier for the second caller in a caller profile for redemption by the second caller for a value selected by the second caller.

Abstract: A particular consumable item, purchased by an individual for potential consumption, is detected. Separate health index values each associated with a separate one of multiple health index components are determined for consumption of the particular consumable item. At least one electronic incentive for the individual is selected based on the separate health index values matching at least one health index value requirement specified in a database of electronic incentives.