Avocado tool
US Patent 8,806,759
August 19, 2014
An avocado tool includes a handle having a first end and a second end, with a different tool head on each end. At the first end, the tool head is in the form of a tool configured for slicing avocados. At the second end, the tool head is in the form of a masher.
Audible assistance
US Patent 8,811,638
August 19, 2014
Techniques for sensory enhancement and augmentation are described. Some embodiments provide an audible assistance facilitator system (“AAFS”) configured to provide audible assistance to a user via a hearing device. In one embodiment, the AAFS receives data that represents an utterance of a speaker received by a hearing device of the user, such as a hearing aid, smart phone, media device, or the like. The AAFS identifies the speaker based on the received data, such as by performing speaker recognition. The AAFS determines speaker-related information associated with the identified speaker, such as by determining an identifier (e.g., name or title) of the speaker, by locating an information item (e.g., an email message, document) associated with the speaker, or the like. The AAFS then informs the user of the speaker-related information, such as by causing an audio representation of the speaker-related information to be output via the hearing device.
Snap-fit measuring container
US Patent 8,806,935
August 19, 2014
One or more measuring cups or spoons include a handle and a measuring container. The measuring container is formed with a volumetric capacity such as a fraction of a cup, a teaspoon, or a tablespoon. The handle of a first measuring container includes a feature that interacts with a complementary feature on the handle of a second measuring cup to secure the first and second cups together. In one version, a downwardly extending rib on the handle of a first measuring container is received within a channel formed on the handle of a second measuring container. A set of containers is formed in which each of the containers has an attachment feature allowing the set to be attached together.
Portfolio optimization for media merchandizing
US Patent 8,812,608
August 19, 2014
Embodiments are directed towards modifying when to publish content to a channel for distribution based on monitored actions associated with previously published content. A plurality of publishing slots may be determined from a plurality of time slots. Each publishing slot may indicate a time to publish content to the channel. Content may be published to the channel at each of the plurality of publishing slots. User actions associated with the published content may be monitored. The plurality of publishing slots may be ranked based on these monitored actions. At least one of the plurality of publishing slots may be modified to a different time slot based on the rankings of the publishing slots. The publication of content at a publishing slot may be delayed based on a success of other content published at a previous publishing slot being above a threshold.
Reducing payload size of machine-readable data blocks in shipment preparation packing lists
US Patent 8,812,409
August 19, 2014
Example embodiments provide a Shipment Preparation System (“SPS”), which facilitates the preparation of shipments, such as by producing shipping labels. In one embodiment, the SPS is configured to receive shipment preparation information from a bar code or other machine-readable data block in a packing list. The shipment preparation information identifies a uniform resource identifier (“URI”) that identifies a code module that is remote from the SPS. The SPS determines the URI based on the shipment preparation information, such as by performing a local lookup or requesting the URI from a URI shortening service. The SPS then uses the URI to communicate with the code module in order to obtain information for the preparation of the shipment (e.g., obtaining a destination shipping address) and/or for transmission of information about the preparation of the shipment (e.g., posting an indication that a shipment is ready for pick up).
Remedying identified frustration events in a computer system
US Patent 8,812,909
August 19, 2014
A data processing system comprising: a constantly updating database of a plurality of processes having a plurality of operation times, relating to a plurality of applications, relating to at least one user activity, and using a plurality of computing resources; a monitor arranged to identify a plurality of clashes between the processes, a plurality of frustration events and to correlate between the frustration events and the clashes between the processes; a cause identifier arranged to identify, for each frustration event, a cause for the correlated clash of processes; a remedy generator arranged to generate, for each cause, a remedy arranged to solve the frustration event; a communication module arranged to provide the remedies to users in relation to respective user activities in view of their frustration events; and an analyzer arranged to monitor an efficacy of the remedies in respect to their corresponding frustration events.
Obtaining high availability using TCP proxy devices
US Patent 8,804,512
August 12, 2014
The present invention relates to increasing performance of Wide Area Network (WAN) communications and in particular to a redundant proxy device associated with one end of a transport layer connection that monitors packet traffic and selectively reroutes packets to a proxy application.
Seeding of a workspace to optimize codec operations
US Patent 8,804,814
August 12, 2014
Various embodiments are directed toward compressing and/or decompressing data communicated between one or more network devices (e.g., codec operations). In particular, embodiments are directed towards improving codec performance by seeding the computation workspace that may be used by various codec processors. The seeding data may be determined based on at least one characteristic of a particular codec and the characteristics of data that may be processed by the codec processor. Also, the codec processor may be employed to generate data for the codec workspace based on the determined seeding data. Workspace data may be generated by processing the seeding data with the same codec processor that is used for normal codec operations. The workspace generated from the seeding data may be stored for future use, such as, when a matched data stream arrives.
Systems and methods for remote electronics device testing
US Patent 8,805,635
August 12, 2014
Testing systems and methods are operable to perform diagnostic testing of a remote electronic device under test (DUT). An exemplary embodiment establishes a communication link between a diagnostic test device and the electronic DUT, receives a plurality of diagnostic commands from the electronic DUT, each of the plurality of diagnostic commands defined by at least one device diagnostic instruction (DDI) and a corresponding DDI description; generates a diagnostics script based upon selection of at least one of the diagnostic commands, wherein the generated diagnostics script includes at least one return device diagnostic instruction (RDDI) corresponding to the selected at least one diagnostic command; and transmits the at least one RDDI from the diagnostic test device to the DUT.
Insertion tool for paddle-style electrode
US Patent 8,805,544
August 12, 2014
A system for lead implantation includes a lead having a paddle-style electrode extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the paddle-style electrode, having a back surface; an active surface; a plurality of electrode contacts disposed on the active surface; and a longitudinal lumen extending into the paddle-style electrode and defining an opening at the proximal end of the paddle-style electrode. The lead also has at least one lead body extending from the paddle-style electrode. The at least one lead body includes conductors that are electrically coupled to the electrode contracts. The system also includes an insertion tool having a distal portion for insertion into the longitudinal lumen of the paddle-style electrode. At least the distal portion of the insertion tool or the longitudinal lumen (or both) includes a low friction material forming a surface with a coefficient of friction of 0.1 or less.
