Showing papers on "Interface (computing) published in 2010"

elastix : A Toolbox for Intensity-Based Medical Image Registration

Abstract: Medical image registration is an important task in medical image processing. It refers to the process of aligning data sets, possibly from different modalities (e.g., magnetic resonance and computed tomography), different time points (e.g., follow-up scans), and/or different subjects (in case of population studies). A large number of methods for image registration are described in the literature. Unfortunately, there is not one method that works for all applications. We have therefore developed elastix, a publicly available computer program for intensity-based medical image registration. The software consists of a collection of algorithms that are commonly used to solve medical image registration problems. The modular design of elastix allows the user to quickly configure, test, and compare different registration methods for a specific application. The command-line interface enables automated processing of large numbers of data sets, by means of scripting. The usage of elastix for comparing different registration methods is illustrated with three example experiments, in which individual components of the registration method are varied.

S4: Distributed Stream Computing Platform

Abstract: S4 is a general-purpose, distributed, scalable, partially fault-tolerant, pluggable platform that allows programmers to easily develop applications for processing continuous unbounded streams of data. Keyed data events are routed with affinity to Processing Elements (PEs), which consume the events and do one or both of the following: (1) emit one or more events which may be consumed by other PEs, (2) publish results. The architecture resembles the Actors model, providing semantics of encapsulation and location transparency, thus allowing applications to be massively concurrent while exposing a simple programming interface to application developers. In this paper, we outline the S4 architecture in detail, describe various applications, including real-life deployments. Our design is primarily driven by large scale applications for data mining and machine learning in a production environment. We show that the S4 design is surprisingly flexible and lends itself to run in large clusters built with commodity hardware.

Nanostructured carbon and carbon nanocomposites for electrochemical energy storage applications.

Abstract: Electrochemical energy storage is one of the important technologies for a sustainable future of our society, in times of energy crisis. Lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors with their high energy or power densities, portability, and promising cycling life are the cores of future technologies. This Review describes some materials science aspects on nanocarbon-based materials for these applications. Nanostructuring (decreasing dimensions) and nanoarchitecturing (combining or assembling several nanometer-scale building blocks) are landmarks in the development of high-performance electrodes for with long cycle lifes and high safety. Numerous works reviewed herein have shown higher performances for such electrodes, but mostly give diverse values that show no converging tendency towards future development. The lack of knowledge about interface processes and defect dynamics of electrodes, as well as the missing cooperation between material scientists, electrochemists, and battery engineers, are reasons for the currently widespread trial-and-error strategy of experiments. A concerted action between all of these disciplines is a prerequisite for the future development of electrochemical energy storage devices.

Interface investigation and engineering – achieving high performance polymer photovoltaic devices

Abstract: The contact between the polymer active layer and the electrode is one the most critical interfaces in polymer solar cells. In this article, we report the progress of interface engineering in polymer solar cell research, where the multiple functions of the interfacial materials will be discussed. The vertical composition profile in polymer:fullerene blends is an emerging topic, and the interlayer effect on the vertical phase separation and device performance will be highlighted. We also discuss the energy level alignment at the bulk heterojunction (BHJ) interface, with the aim of providing a better understanding towards the route of high efficiency polymer solar cells.

Apparatus, systems, and methods for gathering and processing biometric and biomechanical data

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for measuring and analyzing movements of a body and for communicating information related to such body movements over a network. In certain embodiments, a system gathers biometric and biomechanical data relating to positions, orientations, and movements of various body parts of a user performed during sports activities, physical rehabilitation, or military or law enforcement activities. The biometric and biomechanical data can be communicated to a local and/or remote interface, which uses digital performance assessment tools to provide a performance evaluation to the user. The performance evaluation may include a graphical representation (e.g., a video), statistical information, and/or a comparison to another user and/or instructor. In some embodiments, the biometric and biomechanical data is communicated wirelessly to one or more devices including a processor, display, and/or data storage medium for further analysis, archiving, and data mining. In some embodiments, the device includes a cellular telephone.

Methods and systems for automatic configuration of peripherals

Abstract: Peripherals and data processing systems are disclosed which can be configured to interact based upon sensor data. In one embodiment, a peripheral, which is configured to be used with a data processing system, includes an interface to couple the peripheral to the data processing system, and at least one sensor, such as a proximity sensor, to sense a user of the peripheral, and a processor coupled to the interface and to the at least one sensor, wherein the processor configures the peripheral in response to data from the at least one sensor. The peripheral may communicate sensor data from its sensors to the data processing system, which may be a wireless PDA, and the data processing system analyzes the sensor data from its sensors and from the peripheral's sensors to decide how to configure the peripheral and/or the data processing system based on the sensor.

Wearable Gestural Interface

Abstract: This invention may be implemented as a wearable apparatus comprised of a camera, a projector, a mirror, a microphone and a digital computer. The camera captures visual data. This data is analyzed by the digital computer to recognize objects and hand gestures, using color tracking and edge detection techniques. The projector is used, along with a mirror to adjust the direction of the projected light, to project images on objects in the user's environment. For example, the images may be projected on surfaces such as a wall, table, or piece of paper. The projected images may contain information relevant to the object being augmented. Indeed, the information may include current data obtained from the Internet. Also, the projected images may comprise graphical interfaces, with which a user may interact by making hand gestures.

Collecting Performance Data with PAPI-C

Abstract: Modern high performance computer systems continue to increase in size and complexity. Tools to measure application performance in these increasingly complex environments must also increase the richness of their measurements to provide insights into the increasingly intricate ways in which software and hardware interact. PAPI (the Performance API) has provided consistent platform and operating system independent access to CPU hardware performance counters for nearly a decade. Recent trends toward massively parallel multi-core systems with often heterogeneous architectures present new challenges for the measurement of hardware performance information, which is now available not only on the CPU core itself, but scattered across the chip and system. We discuss the evolution of PAPI into Component PAPI, or PAPI-C, in which multiple sources of performance data can be measured simultaneously via a common software interface. Several examples of components and component data measurements are discussed. We explore the challenges to hardware performance measurement in existing multi-core architectures. We conclude with an exploration of future directions for the PAPI interface.

Remote device management system and method

Abstract: A remote device monitoring system including a host server including at least a processor, system bus, user input interface configured to communicate with a user input device, display interface configured to communicate with a display, network interface configured to communicate with at least one remote device and at least one data storage means including a database, a performance look-up table and at least one analyzer module including program instructions that, when implemented by the processor, receive at least one performance parameter value from at least one remote device and query the performance look-up table.

System and method for participation in energy-related markets

Abstract: A multidimensional energy decision system, comprising a plurality of server systems, including at least a statistics server and an interface adapted to receive and send digital information from at least a client system, and further adapted to optionally communicate with the digital exchange via a packet-based data network, wherein the multidimensional energy decision system periodically optimizes operational parameters of client system for a specific time period and a specific energy asset from client system based on forecasted conditions, and directly, or upon decision confirmation from a client system, procures or makes dispatchable energy resources, related externalities, or related derivative financial products, available to a digital exchange or other parties, wherein upon the purchase of a listed asset by another party or across digital exchange, implements dispatch procedures to satisfy the issued contract and, optionally, provides monitoring and verification of performance, is disclosed.

Data collection module and system

Abstract: A data collection module including an illumination assembly and an imaging assembly, a processor configured to operate the illumination and imaging assemblies, at least one network interface configured to communicate with a terminal module, at least one power supply and a terminal module interface configured to communicate with a terminal module when the data collection module is mated with the terminal module.

System and interface for monitoring information technology assets

Abstract: An application service provider (ASP)-based interface and system for analyzing performance and costs of respective enterprise information technology assets from the correlation of metrics data of enterprise SNMP-enabled devices.

Centralized management of motor vehicle software applications and services

Abstract: In one example, a network device stores a mapping of application operation modes to vehicle conditions such as a first condition of the vehicle powered but not moving and a second condition of the vehicle moving. The network device receives a wirelessly transmitted request for a particular application to utilize an interface powered by the vehicle. The network device compares an application identifier specified by the received request to the mapping. The network device then identifies a portion of the vehicle interface according to the comparison and signals control software on the vehicle to grant the particular application access to only the identified portion of the vehicle interface itself. The application can reside on the mobile device and utilize the vehicle interface as an extended interface, or the application can reside on the vehicle.

Portable power supply device for mobile computing devices

Abstract: A portable power supply device for a mobile computing device is provided. The portable power supply device comprises a retention structure to retain the mobile computing device, a power source, and an inductive signal interface. The inductive signal interface is used to inductively signal power from the power source to a corresponding inductive signal interface of the mobile computing device.

Apparatus and method for providing goal predictive interface

Abstract: A predictive goal interface providing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The predictive goal interface providing apparatus may recognize a current user context by analyzing data sensed from a user environment condition, may analyze user input data received from the user, may analyze a predictive goal based on the recognized current user context, and may provide a predictive goal interface based on the analyzed predictive goal.

Contact picker interface

Abstract: An interface for enabling a user to quickly access contact information automatically displays a list of expected contacts that are most likely to be selected by the user when attention is directed to an appropriate object requiring contact information. When a contact is selected, the corresponding and appropriate contact information is automatically entered. If a user does not select a listed contact, but instead begins manually typing in the contact information then the interface performs a search and displays a list of unexpected contacts having contact information matching the typed input from the user. Various criteria can be used to identify which contacts will be presented to the user and how they will be presented.

Accessing virtual disk content of a virtual machine using a control virtual machine

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for facilitating access to content stored remotely, for example, as part of a virtual machine infrastructure or elsewhere in a networked environment, using a uniform mechanism are provided. Example embodiments provide an Enhanced Virtual Desktop Management Server/System with a Content Abstraction Layer which enables users to access their data stored as part of a virtual machine environment, or replicated otherwise on a network, using a generic API. The API can be incorporated into a web browser or other third party interface to provide access to the users' data without needing to remote a bitmap representation of a virtual desktop display. Accordingly, users can access their data, applications, and settings regardless of the type of access device and regardless of whether the corresponding virtual desktop is running in the data center, provisioned in the datacenter but running on a client device, or not running at all.

Systems and methods for use in providing local power line communication

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for implementing and controlling local power line communication (PLC) networks. Some embodiments include a central controller communicationally coupled with a PLC power line, a sensor adaptor coupled between the PLC power line and a consumer product, with the sensor adaptor comprising a current detector that detects a current usage level passed through the sensor adaptor, a PLC interface through which the current usage level is communicated over the PLC power line to the central controller, and an adaptor switch that interrupts current flow to the consumer product in response to a command received over the PLC power line from the central controller when the current usage through the sensor adaptor has a predetermined relationship to a first threshold.

Accessing virtual disk content of a virtual machine without running a virtual desktop

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for facilitating access to content stored remotely, for example, as part of a virtual machine infrastructure or elsewhere in a networked environment, using a uniform mechanism are provided. Example embodiments provide an Enhanced Virtual Desktop Management Server/System with a Content Abstraction Layer which enables users to access their data stored as part of a virtual machine environment, or replicated otherwise on a network, using a generic API. The API can be incorporated into a web browser or other third party interface to provide access to the users' data without needing to remote a bitmap representation of a virtual desktop display. Accordingly, users can access their data, applications, and settings regardless of the type of access device and regardless of whether the corresponding virtual desktop is running in the data center, provisioned in the datacenter but running on a client device, or not running at all.

CMOS Interfacing for Integrated Gas Sensors: A Review

Abstract: Modern gas sensor technology is becoming an important part of our lives. It has been applied within the home (monitoring CO levels from boilers), the workplace (e.g., checking levels of toxic gases) to healthcare (monitoring gases in hospitals). However, historically the high price of gas sensors has limited market penetration to niche applications, such as safety in mines or petrochemical plants. The high price may be attributed to several different components: (1) cost of a predominantly manual manufacturing process; (2) need for interface circuitry in the form of discrete components on a PCB; and (3) fireproof packaging, making the cost of gas detection instruments typically many hundreds of dollars. Consequently, there has been a considerable effort over the past 20 years, towards the goal of low-cost ($1-$5) gas sensors, employing modern microelectronics technology to manufacture both the sensing element and the signal conditioning circuitry on a single silicon chip. In this paper, we review the emerging field of CMOS gas sensors and focus upon the integration of two main gas-sensing principles, namely, resistive and electrochemical and associated circuitry by CMOS technology. We believe that the combination of CMOS technology with more recent MEMS processing is now mature enough to deliver the exacting demands required to make low-power, low-cost smart gas sensors in high volume and this should result in a new generation of CMOS gas sensors. These new integrated, mass-produced gas sensors could open up mass markets and affect our everyday lives through application in cars, cell phones, watches, etc.

System And Method For The Collection And Monitoring Of Vehicle Data

Abstract: A communications hub for a vehicle includes a telematics device including a first communications interface to an external wireless network, a second communications interface to a plurality of vehicle sensors, and a global positioning system (GPS) interface. The telematics device is configured to (i) identify the driver of a vehicle; (ii) retrieve a profile for the driver including a profile permissions log; (iii) establish communications with the wireless network; (iv) establish communications with the vehicle sensor; (v) gather location information from the GPS interface; (v) collect data from a plurality of vehicle sensors; and (vi) send the collected data to an external recipient based on the profile permissions log.

Data visualizations including interactive time line representations

Abstract: Interactive data visualization features are provided, including an interactive graphical data representation, but the embodiments are not so limited. An exemplary computer-implemented method provides an interactive data visualization interface that includes a graphical time line representation and a number of visual change indicators used in part to provide symbolic cues and highlight changes made to adjustable aspects of the graphical time line representation. An exemplary computing architecture includes at least one client and server including a data communication interface used in part to provide visualization data to display an interactive time line representation as part of providing an interactive data visualization tool. Other embodiments are included and available.

Digital biosensors with built-in logic for biomedical applications—biosensors based on a biocomputing concept

Abstract: This article reviews biomolecular logic systems for bioanalytical applications, specifically concentrating on the prospects and fundamental and practical challenges of designing digitally operating biosensors logically processing multiple biochemical signals. Such digitally processed information produces a final output in the form of a yes/no response through Boolean logic networks composed of biomolecular systems, and hence leads to a high-fidelity biosensing compared with traditional single (or parallel) sensing devices. It also allows direct coupling of the signal processing with chemical actuators to produce integrated "smart" "sense/act" (biosensor-bioactuator) systems. Unlike common biosensing devices based on a single input (analyte), devices based on biochemical logic systems require a fundamentally new approach for the sensor design and operation and careful attention to the interface of biocomputing systems and electronic transducers. As common in conventional biosensors, the success of the enzyme logic biosensor would depend, in part, on the immobilization of the biocomputing reagent layer. Such surface confinement provides a contact between the biocomputing layer and the transducing surface and combines efficiently the individual logic-gate elements. Particular attention should thus be given to the composition, preparation, and immobilization of the biocomputing surface layer, to the role of the system scalability, and to the efficient transduction of the output signals. By processing complex patterns of multiple physiological markers, such multisignal digital biosensors should have a profound impact upon the rapid diagnosis and treatment of diseases, and particularly upon the timely detection and alert of medical emergencies (along with immediate therapeutic intervention). Other fields ranging from biotechnology to homeland security would benefit from these advances in new biocomputing biosensors and the corresponding closed-loop "add/act" operation.

Design of a Novel Efficient Human–Computer Interface: An Electrooculagram Based Virtual Keyboard

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to present the design and application of an electrooculogram (EOG) based on an efficient human-computer interface (HCI). Establishing an alternative channel without speaking and hand movements is important in increasing the quality of life for the handicapped. EOG-based systems are more efficient than electroencephalogram (EEG)-based systems in some cases. By using a realized virtual keyboard, it is possible to notify in writing the needs of the patient in a relatively short time. Considering the biopotential measurement pitfalls, the novel EOG-based HCI system allows people to successfully communicate with their environment by using only eye movements. Classifying horizontal and vertical EOG channel signals in an efficient interface is realized in this study. The new system is microcontroller based, with a common-mode rejection ratio of 88 dB, an electronic noise of 0.6 μV (p-p), and a sampling rate of 176 Hz. The nearest neighborhood algorithm is used to classify the signals, and the classification performance is 95%. The novel EOG-based HCI system allows people to successfully and economically communicate with their environment by using only eye movements.

Finger-pointing, gesture based human-machine interface for vehicles

Abstract: An adaptive interface system includes a user interface for controlling a vehicle system, a sensor for detecting a position of an extremity of a user and generating a sensor signal representing the position of the extremity, and a processor in communication with the sensor and the user interface, wherein the processor receives the sensor signal, analyzes the sensor signal based upon an instruction set to determine a pointing vector of the user, and configures the user interface based upon the pointing vector of the user.

EOG-based Human-Computer Interface system development

Abstract: Several Human-Machine/Computer Interfaces (HMI/HCI) had been developed in recent years. Some designs were specifically made for people with disabilities such as injured-vertebra, apoplexy or poliomyelitis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Motor Neuron Disease, (MND). In this paper, we proposed an eye-movement tracking system. Based on Electro-Oculography (EOG) technology we detected the signal with different directions in eye-movements and then analyzed to understand what they represented about (e.g. horizontal direction or vertical direction). We converted the analog signal to digital signal and then used as the control signals for Human-Computer Interface (HCI). In order to make the system ''robust'', several applications with EOG-based HCI had been designed. Our preliminary results revealed more than 90% accuracy rate for examining the eye-movement that may become a new useful human-machine user interface in the near future.

System and method for mobile smartphone application development and delivery

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed invention include a design and development interface for mobile smartphone applications; the generation and delivery of content customized to the smartphone application execution platform; and the support of update functionality within the mobile applications. In one embodiment, a development environment provides templates via a website interface to easily create and design a smartphone application. This design interface can also be used to create updates for deployed smartphone applications. Within the mobile application, the application content is provided by XML data sets and non-textual data (such as images), and displayed within a set of modifiable containers. These containers and the data displayed within the containers may be updated and modified, enabling full customization of the application and its displayed content.

Calibration free, motion tolerant eye-gaze direction detector with contextually aware computer interaction and communication methods

Abstract: Eye tracking systems and methods include such exemplary features as a display device, at least one image capture device and a processing device. The display device displays a user interface including one or more interface elements to a user. The at least one image capture device detects a user's gaze location relative to the display device. The processing device electronically analyzes the location of user elements within the user interface relative to the user's gaze location and dynamically determine whether to initiate the display of a zoom window. The dynamic determination of whether to initiate display of the zoom window may further include analysis of the number, size and density of user elements within the user interface relative to the user's gaze location, the application type associated with the user interface or at the user's gaze location, and/or the structure of eye movements relative to the user interface.

Comparing the Dynamic Performances of Power Hardware-in-the-Loop Interfaces

Abstract: This paper presents an evaluation of two interface design solutions for power hardware-in-the-loop experiments. The evaluation is performed according to four figures of merit that focus on both the dynamic and steady-state performances of the interface systems. An analytical process is then used to both compare the different interfaces and, more importantly, to define a design procedure based on an optimization problem. The primary advantage of the proposed approach is that the figures of merits can be calculated by accounting not only for the topology of the interface but also for the structure and characteristics of the controller adopted for the interface itself.