Extensible data path

US Patent 9,053,114
June 9, 2015
Embodiments are directed towards storing data in a storage system using an extensible data path. Data files may be provided to a caching tier in a storage system. If data files remain in the caching tier longer than a time limit, those data files may be removed from the caching tier and provided to a processing pipeline. The processing pipeline may be coupled to a capacity tier of the storage system. Filters to include in the processing pipeline may be determined based on the type of the data files. The data files may be updated based on applying each filter, such that each update corresponding to each filter may be cumulatively applied to each data file. Each updated data file may be stored in the capacity tier of the storage system after each filter in the processing pipeline has been applied.

Language translation based on speaker-related information

US Patent 9,053,096
June 9, 2015
Techniques for ability enhancement are described. Some embodiments provide an ability enhancement facilitator system (“AEFS”) configured to automatically translate utterances from a first to a second language, based on speaker-related information determined from speaker utterances and/or other sources of information. In one embodiment, the AEFS receives data that represents an utterance of a speaker in a first language, the utterance obtained by a hearing device of the user, such as a hearing aid, smart phone, media player/device, or the like. The AEFS then determines speaker-related information associated with the identified speaker, such as by determining demographic information (e.g., gender, language, country/region of origin) and/or identifying information (e.g., name or title) of the speaker. The AEFS translates the utterance in the first language into a message in a second language, based on the determined speaker-related information. The AEFS then presents the message in the second language to the user.

Systems for obtaining and using incident field transfer functions of electrical stimulations

US Patent 9,052,346
June 9, 2015
A method of estimating response of a medical lead to an electromagnetic field includes providing a medical lead having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end, and a plurality of conductors extending along the medical lead and electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminals; individually applying a test field at each of a plurality of test positions along the medical lead using at least one excitation probe; for each application of the test field, determining a response to the application of the test field at one or more of the electrodes or terminals; generating a transfer function using a combination of the responses determined for the applications of the test field; and using the transfer function to estimate a response of the medical lead to an electromagnetic field.

Cranial burr hole plug with adaptable mounting surface

US Patent 9,050,191
June 9, 2015
A burr hole plug includes a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The plug base is configured to accommodate a variety of cranium forms without requiring deformation of the plug base. A plug base holding tool is used to secure the plug base to the cranium, wherein the tool aligns fasteners with the plug base for insertion through the plug base and into the cranium. The burr hole plug further includes a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device. The retainer includes a clamping mechanism that secures the elongated medical device in the burr hole plug, wherein the movement of the clamping mechanism is controlled to prevent skewing of the clamping mechanism.

Vehicle seat belt retention apparatus and method

US Patent 9,050,918
June 9, 2015
An integrated belt retention apparatus for use with a vehicle seat having a seat part with a backrest and with a belt retention apparatus integrated with the vehicle seat, comprising a belt suspension having a fastener for fastening to the backrest, wherein the vehicle seat is characterized in that the fastener comprises a crash element with a deformation region for reducing kinetic energy in the event of activation of the belt retention apparatus as a result of an accident.

Captains bed having integrated shelving and slideout features

US Patent 9,049,940
June 9, 2015
A bed is disclosed including first and second platform portions, the first including drawers and slideout features that are vertically offset to serve as chairs and a desk. The second platform portion supports a portion of a mattress and a panel for supporting the mattress. The second platform may include vertical supports flush with lateral panels of the first platform portion and may include laterally extending shelves and a horizontal support positioned to support the mattress. The drawers and slideout features may be mounted in modules positioned in rows to define the first platform. A slideout platform may slide out from a foot of the bed and may include a vertical panel that is flush with a back panel of the second platform portion.

Hotkey access to legacy application tasks

US Patent 9,049,152
June 2, 2015

Methods, systems, and techniques for assigning hotkeys to legacy tasks as part of modernizing such tasks are provided. A user can assign a hotkey to an individual task so that the user can have instant access to a legacy or a non-legacy task without needing to navigate to “sub-” tasks of the legacy task. Hotkey access may be used with role-based modernization of legacy tasks to provide navigation to and from legacy tasks without starting and stopping sessions. Example embodiments provide a Role-Based Modernization System (“RBMS”), which uses these enhanced modernization techniques to provide role-based modernization of menu-based legacy applications.

(Clonazepam)

Apparatus, systems and methods for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events

US Patent 9,047,632
June 2, 2015
Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events are described. Some embodiments provide a shopping facilitator as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. As the media device presents a media content event showing multiple items, the shopping facilitator is configured to receive an indication that a viewer is interested in purchasing one of the multiple items. The shopping facilitator then identifies the item of interest, and at a later time provides a shopping facility that can be can be used by the viewer or some other user to purchase the item. In some embodiments, the media content event is presented without any indication that items shown in the media content event are for sale. Furthermore, the shopping facilitator may perform its functions without interrupting or otherwise disrupting the viewing of the media content event.

Apparatus, systems and methods for securely storing media content events on a flash memory device

US Patent 9,047,492
June 2, 2015
Systems and methods are operable to securely store media content events on a flash memory device. An exemplary embodiment receives user-provided authorization information, compares the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information.

Floatable boat ramp

US Patent 9,045,205
June 2, 2015
A floatable boat ramp is disclosed including a plurality of hollow planks arranged parallel to one another such that the upper surfaces thereof define a drivable surface. A plurality of flexible channels couple cavities defined by adjacent planks of the plurality of hollow planks to one another a first end plank defines one or more openings to allow inlet and outlet of air and water in order to cause the boat ramp to sink or float. The interior cavity of the planks may be divided into right and left hand portions. Left and right hand channels coupled the right and left hand portions, respectively, of adjacent planks to one another. A second end plank includes a continuous cavity and allows fluid communication between left and right hand portions of the other planks. The planks may be coupled together by cables extending through sleeves rotatably mounted to the ends thereof.