Abstract: The present invention discloses a small integrated greening device and method for recycling wastewater, including a wastewater collection system, a microorganism and plant purification system, and a reclaimed water collection and distribution system. The method includes the following process: greywater or wastewater is collected through a pipeline and enters a water collection tank of a wastewater collection part. Lifting is performed by submersible sewage pumps, such that the lifted water enters a microorganism and plant synergistic purification and greening part. Each submersible pump is controlled by one corresponding automatic water level controller to transport the treated water to the reclaimed water-use sites.

Abstract: In an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for discovering backups of a database running on a database host, for use by a centralized backup system to validate backup compliance. A report agent executing on the database host can implement a discovery process configured to gather metadata for the backups of the database from a number of dynamic performance views of the database. The metadata is recorded in a control file of the database, and can include one or more commands used by the backup tool to create the backups. The report agent can categorize the metadata into one or more groups based on the backup commands, map backup files associated with each backup to that backup, create a backup report to describe the mapping information and additional information for each backup, and send the backup report to the centralized backup system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a small integrated greening device and method for recycling wastewater, including a wastewater collection system, a microorganism and plant purification system, and a reclaimed water collection and distribution system. The method includes the following process: greywater or wastewater is collected through a pipeline and enters a water collection tank of a wastewater collection part. Lifting is performed by submersible sewage pumps, such that the lifted water enters a microorganism and plant synergistic purification and greening part. Each submersible pump is controlled by one corresponding automatic water level controller to transport the treated water to the reclaimed water-use sites.

Abstract: A multipurpose vehicular emergency tool has a power source and a plurality of electrical outputs sufficient to act as a jump-starter for a vehicle or to charge mobile electronic devices, in addition to powering a light source to act as a flashlight. A plurality of emergency tools are provided, including a seatbelt cutter and a window breaker, in order to facilitate one's safety and survival in an emergency vehicular situation. Additional features include an emergency flasher light, a plurality of reflective bands, a compass, an emergency alarm, and a thermometer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for discovering backups of a database running on a database host, for use by a centralized backup system to validate backup compliance. A report agent executing on the database host can implement a discovery process configured to gather metadata for the backups of the database from a number of dynamic performance views of the database. The metadata is recorded in a control file of the database, and can include one or more commands used by the backup tool to create the backups. The report agent can categorize the metadata into one or more groups based on the backup commands, map backup files associated with each backup to that backup, create a backup report to describe the mapping information and additional information for each backup, and send the backup report to the centralized backup system.

Abstract: Described is an elemental analysis system and methods for use thereof that can be utilized in examination of samples in their native state. The systems utilize a liquid sampling—atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) device for ambient desorption sampling and excitation of a solid sample in combination with optical emission detection. This approach can find application across a broad spectrum of analytical challenges including metals, soils, and volume-limited samples.

Abstract: Described is an elemental analysis system and methods for use thereof that can be utilized in examination of samples in their native state. The systems utilize a liquid sampling—atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) device for ambient desorption sampling and excitation of a solid sample in combination with optical emission detection. This approach can find application across a broad spectrum of analytical challenges including metals, soils, and volume-limited samples.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system and a method for presenting streaming media content delivered through a peer-to-peer overlay network. During operation, a data-transfer mechanism sends requests to a plurality of peer nodes to receive data for streaming media content. The system stores received data for the streaming media content into a buffer. Next, a server local to a media presentation mechanism serves the buffered data to a media presentation mechanism. The server controls the data serving in response to a signal received from the media-presentation mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method facilitate dynamic QoS-based billing in a P2P network. According to one embodiment, a peer node identifies a plurality of partner peer nodes that transiently stage streaming media data the peer node requests and receives from the partner peer nodes. The peer node further collects QoS information for the received data and communicates a QoS information report to a remote node to facilitate QoS-based billing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a peer-to-peer (P2P) data-storage system. The system includes a P2P network, a file upload module configured to receive a file uploaded by a user, a file processing module configured to disassemble the received file into a plurality of file blocks and select a plurality of peer nodes from the P2P network, and a file distribution module configured to distribute the file blocks to the selected peer nodes. A respective file block is distributed to a respective peer node.

Abstract: A system and method facilitate a credit system for providing user incentives to encourage data sharing in a P2P network. The credit system maintains a user credit database and respectively increases or decreases a user's credits based on the data uploaded to or downloaded from other peer nodes. The credit system can also associate a user's credits with economic value or rewards to encourage the user to share data with other peer nodes. In one embodiment, the credit system maintains a credit record for each user. The credit system increases the credit for a user based on the amount of data a peer node associated with the user uploads to other peer nodes in the P2P network. The credit system also decreases the credit for the user based on the amount of data downloaded by the peer node associated with the user.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method and a system for expediting content delivery in a peer-to-peer overlay network. A local cache and directory server caches a multiplicity of segments for multi-media content, and maintains a mapping between cacheable content and one or more local partner nodes that transiently stage segments for the cacheable content. The local cache and directory server receives a request identifying requested content, which may or may not be cached or mapped. The cache and directory server determines a match to the requested content in the mapping and sends a list of local partner nodes that transiently stage segments for the requested content based on the match.

Abstract: A system for delivering streamed content over a large digital network such as the Internet. Distributed functionality executes on nodes in the network to achieve functions such as assigning partner nodes for transfer of content to or from a target node, scheduling transfer operations among nodes, adding or removing nodes from the network, maintaining security, and other operations. Different embodiments may use one or more of the functional features. In a preferred embodiment, video content is segmented and streamed through multi-path routing. An overlay network uses nodes in partnership groups so that a target node can obtain segments from multiple sources. Partner nodes can provide the segments within a given time window, including simultaneous delivery from multiple partner nodes, so that a more reliable data stream is supported.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer (P2P) probing/network quality of service (QoS) analysis system utilizes a UDP-based probing tool for determining latency, bandwidth, and packet loss ratio between peers in a network. The probing tool enables network QoS probing between peers that connect through a network address translator. The list of peers to probe is provided by a connection server based on prior probe results and an estimate of the network condition. The list includes those peers which are predicted to have the best QoS with the requesting peer. Once the list is obtained, the requesting peer probes the actual QoS to each peer on the list, and returns these results to the connection server. P2P probing in parallel using a modified packet-pair scheme is utilized. If anomalous results are obtained, a hop-by-hop probing scheme is utilized to determine the QoS of each link. In such a scheme, differential destination measurement is utilized.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system and method for facilitating expedited delivery of media content to a node over a network. During operation, the system communicates a request to a media server to present media content. The system then presents the media content based on the data received from the media server. In addition, the system communicates requests to a plurality of peer nodes within the network for the media content at a same proximate time. Next, the system discontinues receipt of data from the media server and presents the media content based on data received from at least one peer node without significant interruption in presentation.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system and a method for presenting streaming media content delivered through a peer-to-peer overlay network. During operation, a data-transfer mechanism sends requests to a plurality of peer nodes to receive data for streaming media content. The system stores received data for the streaming media content into a buffer. Next, a server local to a media presentation mechanism serves the buffered data to a media presentation mechanism. The server controls the data serving in response to a signal received from the media-presentation mechanism.

Abstract: A network performance (e.g., latency and bandwidth) measurement infrastructure for large scale networks based on self-organized probing groups of devices. Each group of devices has a lead device that measures network characteristics, and then shares the measurement information with other devices. This grouping method reduces the amount of network bandwidth needed for adequate measurements, while still providing necessary information to individual devices. The system utilizes a novel multicast-based algorithm that is adopted for both intra-group and inter-group performance measurement. The measurement groups (MeGroups) are dynamic and self-forming, and use a set of heuristic algorithms to optimize the dynamic groupings.

Abstract: A system for delivering streamed content over a large digital network such as the Internet. Distributed functionality executes on nodes in the network to achieve functions such as assigning partner nodes for transfer of content to or from a target node, scheduling transfer operations among nodes, adding or removing nodes from the network, maintaining security, and other operations. Different embodiments may use one or more of the functional features. In a preferred embodiment, video content is segmented and streamed through multi-path routing. An overlay network uses nodes in partnership groups so that a target node can obtain segments from multiple sources. Partner nodes can provide the segments within a given time window, including simultaneous delivery from multiple partner nodes, so that a more reliable data stream is supported.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer (P2P) probing/network quality of service (QoS) analysis system utilizes a UDP-based probing tool for determining latency, bandwidth, and packet loss ratio between peers in a network. The probing tool enables network QoS probing between peers that connect through a network address translator. The list of peers to probe is provided by a connection server based on prior probe results and an estimate of the network condition. The list includes those peers which are predicted to have the best QoS with the requesting peer. Once the list is obtained, the requesting peer probes the actual QoS to each peer on the list, and returns these results to the connection server. P2P probing in parallel using a modified packet-pair scheme is utilized. If anomalous results are obtained, a hop-by-hop probing scheme is utilized to determine the QoS of each link. In such a scheme, differential destination measurement is utilized.