118results about How to "Increase speed and efficiency" patented technology

Network systems and processes for delivery of electronic content to recipient processors may be configured to facilitate the delivery of relatively large content items and / or a relatively large number of content items. In one example, a movie rental system and process delivers (downloads) movie files to customers across the Internet. System network architecture includes three or more layers of servers, including a main server supporting an interface for recipient processors to request content items, a plurality of parent servers, and a plurality of edge servers. Edge servers are distributed throughout a region in which the system provides content delivery services to recipient processors. Parent servers, spaced across the service region, support edge servers. A copy of each content item available through the service is distributed from the main server to each parent servers for storage. Parent servers distribute content to edges servers, pursuant to instructions from the main server or requests from the edge servers. The main server receives and processes requests for content items from recipient processors and directs recipient processors to edge servers for obtaining requested content items. The main server also authenticates licenses and publishes rules for the distribution of content items.

A method and apparatus aids consistent, high-quality input of meta-information associated with items inserted into a database by coupling a hierarchical subject taxonomy, used to definitively assign an element, with sets of attributes appropriate for each category. Each attribute in turn is itself associated with a set of legal values drawn from a universe of appropriately typed values. The method and apparatus can be used to enable a user of a database management system to input or augment a set of semantically relevant and consistent meta-information associated with content in or being placed into the database management system. The content in the database system is placed into one or more of a set of hierarchical taxonomic categories. Zero or more semantically relevant attributes are associated with each taxonomic category. Relevant sets of values for each attribute, drawn from a universe of appropriate values, are associated with each attribute at each level in the taxonomic hierarchy. The placement of an element into a category adds the hierarchical set of attributes associated with that category to those relevant to the element. The value sets associated with those attributes may then be used to select consistent and appropriate meta-information to be associated with the element.

An interactive method for radiation treatment planning is disclosed. The method applies to staged treatment planning algorithms, as used, for example, with arc therapy. It allows the user to hold the optimization algorithm at a stage in order to make adjustments to the objective function before advancing to the next stage. If adjustments are made, the user can revert to an earlier stage and re-run the optimization process using the adjusted objective function. While a hold is imposed, the treatment planning software may continue optimization at the current stage.

A method and system for providing a thin film recording head are disclosed. The method and system include providing a first pole, providing a second pole and providing a write gap separating the first pole from the second pole. The method and system further include providing at least one coil having a plurality of turns. A portion of each of the plurality of turns is between the first and the second pole. The plurality of turns wind around the second pole.

The present invention generally relates to the methods and systems for developing, specifying, and assigning descriptive information relating to the contents of a file (i.e., metadata). User interface controls on a computer screen implement a dynamically changing display which responds to user input by presenting new categories of choices. Additional controls allow optimization of the process of specifying and assigning descriptive metadata.

An apparatus for drilling underground having at least one optical fiber for transmitting light energy from a laser energy source disposed above ground to an underground drilling location and a mechanical drill bit having at least one cutting surface and forming at least one light transmission channel aligned to transmit light from the at least one optical fiber through the mechanical drill bit by way of the at least one light transmission channel.

An apparatus and method for inspecting a structure are provided which include probes with sensing elements and are disposed proximate the opposite surfaces of a structure, where only one of the probes need be driven. A tracking probe may be magnetically coupled to a driven probe and move in coordination therewith. Ring magnets may be used in the driven and tracking probes to provide the magnetic coupling and align sensing elements disposed in the centers of the ring magnets. The probes include ball bearings such as ball and socket bearings for supporting the structure and maintaining the desired orientation and spacing of the probes relative to the structure. A fluid, such as water or pressurized air, may be used as a couplant between an ultrasonic transducer and the structure. A water column skirt may be used to with a probe employing ball bearings for support.

A method and system of security screening of packages before packages are shipped by a commercial shipper. The method and system compares the configuration of the contents of the package when it is packed to the configuration of the contents of the package just prior to placement of the package on a commercial carrier. A first image of the configuration of the contents of the package is created when the package is packed. A second image of the configuration of the contents of the package is created by scanning the package at the shipping station. The images are compared to determine whether the images are the same within preset parameters. The package is segregated if the image differs beyond a preset amount.

Computer-implemented systems, apparatus and methods for managing information, operations and functions in a complex medical environment and providing a command control center interface for receiving / sending / displaying data, relating to products, instructions, diagnosis, consultation, patient's information, supplies and their provision, registration, scheduling, updating and like operational functions and features, and updating on an ongoing basis to coordinate, control and synchronize necessary and / or desirable operations within the environment, whereby the “hospital of the future” is effectively facilitated with proficiency and efficiency in an accurate and reliable manner. Such systems may also include one or more client terminal devices in communication with a data interchange subsystem.

Embodiments of parallelization and / or instrumentation in a producer graph oriented programming framework have been presented. In one embodiment, a request to run an application program is received, wherein object-oriented source code of the application program includes methods and producer dependency declarations, wherein the producer dependency declaration for a given method identifies a set of zero or more producers with outputs that are an input to the given method, wherein a producer is at least an instance and a method associated with that instance. Further, execution of the application program may be parallelized based on dependency between producers of the application program using the runtime. In some embodiments, the application program is instrumented using the runtime.

A data conversion system, method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for applying source data a data target in a computing environment. There may be an extraction module for extracting source data and a conversion module for performing a data conversion process. The data conversion process is graphically configurable; stored and streamed in machine language; and includes integration objects, organized in a drag and drop hierarchical structure, including subordinate integration objects, wherein a property of an integration object may be set at a run time. There is a documentation generation module configured to display data mapping. The extraction module handles large records, parses records into sets in a single pass, permits visual analysis of source data, includes parse objects, permits creation of parse objects by click and drag, and creates key fields at run time.

A server system having one or more processors and memory receives, from a requestor, a select distinct query. In response to the query, the server system identifies a set of index portions according to requestor-specified filter criteria. The server system identifies one or more distinct value combinations for entities satisfying the filter criteria, including: obtaining an initial value of a query cursor; retrieving candidate value combinations; comparing candidate value combinations to identify distinct value combinations, if any, in accordance with the query; and updating the current value of the query cursor. The server system repeats the retrieving candidate value combinations and the comparing candidate value combinations one or more times for the set of index portions until at least a respective distinct value combination has been identified and transmits information corresponding to the respective distinct value combination to the requestor.

Embodiments of parallelization and / or instrumentation in a producer graph oriented programming framework have been presented. In one embodiment, a request to run an application program is received, wherein object-oriented source code of the application program includes methods and producer dependency declarations, wherein the producer dependency declaration for a given method identifies a set of zero or more producers with outputs that are an input to the given method, wherein a producer is at least an instance and a method associated with that instance. Further, execution of the application program may be parallelized based on dependency between producers of the application program using the runtime. In some embodiments, the application program is instrumented using the runtime.

An interactive method for radiation treatment planning is disclosed. The method applies to staged treatment planning algorithms, as used, for example, with arc therapy. It allows the user to hold the optimization algorithm at a stage in order to make adjustments to the objective function before advancing to the next stage. If adjustments are made, the user can revert to an earlier stage and re-run the optimization process using the adjusted objective function. While a hold is imposed, the treatment planning software may continue optimization at the current stage.

Event handling in multinode data processing networks, in which data structures are shared between nodes and are subject to concurrent requests for access, is facilitated through the use of a separate small data structure (bit array or linked list) which permits an event handler to hand off the task of accessing the data structure to an event handler which is already accessing data from the same data structure. This eliminates the need for locking arrangements and / or the use of special coordinating event handlers.

A method and apparatus to inputt Korean characters using a touch screen, the method including: if a first input that selects a consonant key displayed on the touch screen is sensed, vowel keys including a Cheon (•) key, a Ji (-) key, and an In (┐) key are displayed around the selected consonant key; and, if a second input that selects at least one of the displayed vowel keys is sensed, a consonant corresponding to the first input is determined as an initial character of a syllable and a vowel corresponding to the second input is determined as a medial character of the syllable.

A method and system of security screening of packages before packages are shipped by a commercial shipper. The method and system compares the configuration of the contents of the package when it is packed to the configuration of the contents of the package just prior to placement of the package on a commercial carrier. A first image of the configuration of the contents of the package is created when the package is packed. A second image of the configuration of the contents of the package is created by scanning the package at the shipping station. The images are compared to determine whether the images are the same within preset parameters. The package is segregated if the image differs beyond a preset amount.

A server system having one or more processors and memory sends, to a first database, a first request for data based on first data-retrieval criteria. The first database is schemaless and operates in accordance with first database processing capabilities. The server system receives, in response to the first request, a first set of data from the first database, where the first set of data is selected by the first database in accordance with the first data-retrieval criteria. The server system generates a second database from the first set of data selectively retrieved from the first database. The second database has an associated schema and operates in accordance with second database processing capabilities different from the first database processing capabilities. The server system provides access to the first set of data in the second database in accordance with the second database processing capabilities.

A data processor arranged so that a block transfer control unit (12) can initiate block transfer in response to the execution of a particular instruction by a CPU, in order to increase the speed and efficiency of the data transfer between a CPU-accessible internal memory (5) and an external memory (25,26). When an address specified by the addressing field coincides with an address mapped to the internal memory, the particular instruction sets a logical address as one of the transfer source or transfer destination addresses of the data block transfer. The internal memory is allotted to a part of virtual address space; the internal memory allotted so is associated with the physical address space, to which the external memory set as the other address is allotted, by a process in which a TLB is used when the MMU is in ON, and a given register is used when the MMU is in OFF.

Thermal control devices adapted to provide improved control and efficiency in temperature cycling are provided herein. Such thermal control device can include a thermoelectric cooler controlled in coordination with another thermal manipulation device to control an opposing face of the thermoelectric cooler and / or a microenvironment. Some such thermal control devices include a first and second thermoelectric cooler separated by a thermal capacitor. The thermal control devices can be configured in a planar configuration with a means for thermally coupling with a planar reaction vessel of a sample analyzer for use in thermal cycling in a polymerase chain reaction of the fluid sample in the reaction vessel. Methods of thermal cycling using such a thermal control devices are also provided.

It is intended to provide a process for producing a packaged drink whereby filling can be performed at room temperature without resorting to using a chemical or sterile water, the favorable taste and flavor of the content can be maintained while relieving the thermal degradation thereof, it becomes unnecessary to employ a heat-resistant container or to thermally sterilize or cool after sealing, and thus both of the equipment cost and the running cost can be largely reduced. After thermally sterilizing the content to give a definite sterilization value, it is quickly cooled to room temperature and then stored in a storage tank that has been preliminarily sterilized under such conditions as being equal to or exceeding the thermal sterilization conditions for the contents. While maintaining the storage tank under positive pressure with the use of a sterile gas, the content is fed into a filling machine that has been preliminarily sterilized under such conditions as being equal to or exceeding the thermal sterilization conditions for the contents. Thus, the liquid-feeding system ranging from the storage tank to the filling machine is made a closed liquid-feeding pathway free from the invasion of air from the outside. The drink is filled into a container having been sterilized with hot water in an environment-controlled space isolated from the outside wherein the surroundings have been thermally sterilized and washed with hot water at 65° C. to 100° C.

The invention provides methods for extracting energy from organic materials through the production of carbon and water by contacting the organic material with a carbon-oxide gas such as carbon dioxide and / or carbon monoxide at a temperature between about 200° C. and about 600° C. The reactions may be enhanced through the use of microwave irradiation, catalysts and pressure. These methods are helpful in the production of energy while utilizing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases and limiting the landfill of organic materials.

The invention discloses a website scanning apparatus for performing a security vulnerability scanning on a target website, which apparatus comprises: a web page obtaining component obtaining current content and / or features of a web page corresponding to a link to be processed; a link processing component including a change judgment device for judging whether the web page corresponding to the link to be processed has been changed based on stored web page content and / or features corresponding to the link to be processed as well as the current web page content and / or features of the link to be processed; and a vulnerability detecting component for performing a security vulnerability detection on a web page corresponding to a link to be processed for which the web page has been changed. The invention also discloses a website scanning method corresponding thereto.

A narrowly defined range of zinc silicate glass compositions is found to produce High Energy Beam Sensitive-glass (HEBS-glass) that possesses the essential properties of a true gray level mask which is necessary for the fabrication of general three dimensional microstructures with one optical exposure in a conventional photolithographic process. The essential properties are (1) A mask pattern or image is grainiless even when observed under optical microscope at 1000× or at higher magnifications. (2) The HEBS-glass is insensitive and / or inert to photons in the spectral ranges employed in photolithographic processes, and is also insensitive and / or inert to visible spectral range of light so that a HEBS-glass mask blank and a HEBS-glass mask are permanently stable under room lighting conditions. (3) The HEBS-glass is sufficiently sensitive to electron beam exposure, so that the cost of making a mask using an e-beam writer is affordable for at least certain applications. (4) The e-beam induced optical density is a unique function of, and is a very reproducible function of electron dosages for one or more combinations of the parameters of an e-beam writer. The parameters of e-beam writers include beam acceleration voltage, beam current, beam spot size, addressing grid size and number of retraces. A method of fabricating three-dimensional microstructures using HEBS-glass gray scale photomask for three dimensional profiling of photoresist and reproducing the photoresist replica in the substrate with the existing microfabrication methods normally used for the production of microelectronics is described.

A method of using automatic whole body personnel contamination monitors and / or means for decontaminating individuals exposed to radioactive material contamination is provided. The inventive method involves the use of these monitors and / or decontamination means in intermodal containers of mobile-unit structures dedicated to responding to radiological emergency situations. Also provided are such mobile-unit structures, as well as systems that employ such mobile-unit structures.

The present invention provides methods, systems and computer program products for altering video images including superimposing objects onto the images, particularly addressed to identifying fastener insertion locations onto displayed images of a work pieces. The invention is capable of importing an image of a work piece contained in a computer file, displaying the image, and altering the displayed image and / or superimposing objects onto the image to show the location(s), sequence(s) and / or type(s) of fasteners to be inserted onto the displayed work piece according to operator input and instructions. After each insertion is completed, the display is again altered to show the completion. During use, the system is capable of tracking the fastener installations and updating the video display to show the current status of insertions on the work piece.

Disclosed is a method and structure that partitions an integrated circuit design by identifying logical blocks within the integrated circuit design based on size heuristics of logical macros in the design hierarchy. The invention determines whether the number of logical blocks is within a range of desired number of logical blocks and repeats the process of identifying logical blocks for different hierarchical levels of the integrated circuit design until the number of logical blocks is within the range of the desired number of logical blocks. This serves as a guide to partition the chip as opposed to a grid-like partitioning.