| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080226130 | Automated Location Estimation Using Image Analysis - An implementation of automated location estimation using image analysis is described. In this implementation, an image of a place is obtained and matched with previously stored images. The matching may be achieved by employing methods based on key feature extraction algorithm, color histogram analysis, pattern matching or other image comparison techniques. Upon determining a match, the location information associated with the matched previously stored images provides the location. The location information may be in the form of location tags or location keywords and the location information may be used by the user or other applications for the purposes of location determination. The above technique also allows for the user to enter location information to improve accuracy. The location information may also be assigned to the previously stored images residing in local and remote databases for users and applications to automatically assign information or keywords to images. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080263061 | Self-Tuning Index for Flash-Based Databases - Techniques for self-tuning indices for databases, including flash-based databases, are described. Using a data tree structure wherein the nodes of the data tree may operate in two modes (e.g. disk mode or log mode), a self-tuning index determines whether it is more economical to perform a requested operation on a node in its current mode or in an alternate mode. The operation is then performed on the node using the more economical mode. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080263114 | EFFICIENT ACCESS OF FLASH DATABASES - Techniques for efficient access to flash databases are described. In one implementation, a method includes performing an operation on a flash database, supplementing at least one portion of a node translation table corresponding to at least one node involved in the operation, and semantically compressing at least one portion of the node translation table. The semantic compression includes discarding at least one log entry that is rendered obsolete by at least one subsequent log entry, and incrementing a version number of the log entries corresponding to the at least one portion of the node translation table. In further embodiments, discarding at least one log entry includes discarding at least one log entry that is at least one of opposed by or overruled by at least one subsequent log entry. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080263196 | Programming techniques for distributed multi-party networks - Architecture for programming in a distributed computing environment where different components of a system are owned or controlled by different entities and heterogeneous in terms of resource availability and a willingness to share. Multiple devices can be programmed when a task requires human intervention. Method are described for using a tolerance level provided by the application developer to control the execution of the application instructions at multiple devices with varying resources, and for using an involvement level provided by the sensor or computing device owner for the purpose of automatically adapting the execution of application code at multiple devices to suit the individual owner's willingness to share resources, and the capabilities of resources available with that owner. Code distribution allows an application developed by one entity to be distributed to multiple devices owned by multiple entities, where each of the entities has varying connectivity, resource availability, and sharing willingness. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080273796 | Image Text Replacement - Image text enhancement techniques are described. In an implementation, graphically represented text included in an original image is converted into process capable text. The process capable text may be used to generate a text image which may replace the original text to enhance the image. In further implementations the process capable text may be translated from a first language to a second language for inclusion in the enhanced image. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080310707 | VIRTUAL REALITY ENHANCEMENT USING REAL WORLD DATA - Techniques for enhancing virtual reality using transformed real world data are disclosed. In some aspects, a composite reality engine receives a transmission of the real world data that is captured by embedded sensors situated in the real world. The real world data is transformed and integrated with virtual reality data to create a composite reality environment generated by a composite reality engine. In other aspects, the composite reality environment enables activation of embedded actuators to modify the real world from the virtual reality environment. In still further aspects, techniques for sharing sensors and actuators in the real world are disclosed. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080320087 | SWARM SENSING AND ACTUATING - Sensing information from a multitude of remote sources can provide a user with a vast amount of information as well as a better granularity of the information. A user can also actuate or move remote sources to obtain the desired information or more information and/or to expend energy in a remote location with one or more of the remote sources. Thus, a swarm or large group of devices, sensors, actuators, equipment, and so on can be utilized to provide a user with a desired action. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090089610 | RAPID CRASH RECOVERY FOR FLASH STORAGE - Recovery is expedited for crashes involving flash memory. Rather than requiring an entire flash memory to be read to reconstruct lost information, only a subset of the memory need be read thereby reducing system down, among other thing. In particular, state information such as a logical to physical mapping is captured via a checkpoint operation periodically. Moreover, a deterministic usage pattern is employed to facilitate recovery of actions performed after a checkpoint. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090119246 | AUTOMATED CAPTURE OF INFORMATION GENERATED AT MEETINGS - Meeting information is collected in an automatic or automated manner utilizing user devices among other devices likely to be present at meetings. Devices can detect the occurrence of a meeting and initiate data capture. Subsequently, aggregated data can be processed to facilitate access and/or dissemination of the data. For instance, data can be contextualized and/or indexed. Further, data can be generated in or converted to forms more suitable for information distribution (e.g., summary, points of interest . . . ). | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090125918 | SHARED SENSING SYSTEM INTERFACES - Various interfaces such as application programming interfaces (APIs) are employed to allow developers to construct applications that use multiple shared sensors. In one instance, a coordinator can be utilized to facilitate coordination of sensor data contributors and applications desirous of utilizing such data. Standardized interfaces can be employed to aid interaction between all entities including contributors, applications and a coordinator, amongst others. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090327478 | SELECTION OF SENSORS FOR MONITORING PHENOMENA CONSIDERING THE VALUE OF INFORMATION AND DATA SHARING PREFERENCES - A system that facilitates selecting a sensor from amongst a plurality of sensors from which to request data is described. The system includes a receiver component that receives a value of information for data that corresponds to a segment of a phenomenon model that models a phenomenon. The receiver component also receives user-defined preferences regarding sharing data from at least one sensor. The system further includes a selector component that selects the at least one sensor from amongst a plurality of sensors based at least in part upon the value of information and the preferences. The determination of the value ascribed to sensors may include considerations of the utilitarian benefit of reduction of uncertainty to a population of people. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100063644 | ENERGY COST REDUCTION AND AD DELIVERY - The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates managing energy consumption with an energy sink device in order to reduce energy costs. An energy sink device can consume a portion of energy. An interface component can receive a portion of data related to at least one of a real time energy rate or a user presence. An energy manager can dynamically control the energy sink device for efficient consumption of the portion of energy for reduced energy costs based at least in part upon the evaluation of the portion of received data. The energy manager can leverage the real time energy rate and the user presence in order to employ at least one of a power on the energy sink device, a power off the energy sink device, or an adjust a setting for the energy sink device. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100185456 | MEDICATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A system that monitors and tracks compliance to a medication regimen or schedule is provided. The system can measure and track dosage amounts together with the time in which tablets, pills or liquid are removed from a container. The information can be stored for compliance analysis. Additionally, the system can alter a user of a dosage schedule thereby enhancing compliance. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100262842 | Computational Energy Measurement Without Hardware Support - Techniques and technologies are disclosed herein for measuring and managing energy consumption of the individual hardware components and software modules of various systems and devices. Such techniques and technologies do not require the addition of hardware to the systems (or devices), the modification of software modules hosted by the systems, or other modifications to the systems. Moreover, some of the techniques and technologies measure the energy consumed by the individual software modules as a result of the hardware operations which they call. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20110003583 | SELECTION OF SENSORS FOR MONITORING PHENOMENA CONSIDERING THE VALUE OF INFORMATION AND DATA SHARING PREFERENCES - A method disclosed herein includes the act of computing a value of information for obtaining data from a personal sensor of a user for utilization in a utilitarian computing application, wherein a mobile computing device comprises the personal sensor of the user. The method further includes the act of requesting that the mobile computing device transmit a data packet to the computing device based at least in part upon the value of information for obtaining data from the personal sensor of the user. | 01-06-2011 |