3304 results about "Control software" patented technology

A novel network manager for use with a cable television system headend capable of monitoring and managing headend components and set top terminals in a television delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus that manage and coordinate the reception of various programming and control signals at a headend. The invention manages and coordinates the storage of such signals for intelligent selection and distribution to set top terminals. The invention makes use of a receiver or set of receivers, a work station, a program control information processing component, a network management CPU, databases, control software and an instruction memory. The invention uses these components to manage and monitor certain headend components, such as signal reception equipment, an authorization component, a file server, MPEG decoders, a digital buffer with frame repeat and channel modulators. The invention is particularly useful in processing and responding to upstream information and subscriber communications received from set top terminals. In so doing, the invention accommodates various system services, including (1) near video on demand (NVOD), (2) virtual video on demand (VVOD), (3) video on demand (VOD), (4) interactive program services, (5) program suggestion features, (6) advertisement targeting, (7) generation of standard and custom menus, and (8) data spooling and text overlaying.

A system is provided for delivering Internet and digital content to a variety of thin client devices. A web portal for accessing and selecting content is used in conjunction with graphical user interfaces on a personal computer for setting up and controlling the content channels. The user interfaces, scheduling, and communication management are controlled by a system control software application running on a local server with an Internet connection. A high speed local area network provides for streaming content from the Internet or local server to thin client devices. A digital audio playback device is connected to the local server via the local area network connection and decodes streamed audio files, and converts them into analog audio signals for input into a conventional stereo. Digital content is streamed automatically from the local server to another Internet playback device, based on end user content preferences and schedule selections.

A platform, method, and computer program product, provides virtual machine technology within a processing platform. A computing platform automatically deploys one or more servers in response to receiving corresponding server specifications. Each server specification identifies a server application that a corresponding server should execute and defines communication network and storage network connectivity for the server. The platform includes a plurality of processor nodes and virtual machine hypervisor. The virtual machine hypervisor logic has logic for instantiating and controlling the execution of one or more guest virtual machines on a computer processor. In response to interpreting the server specification, control software deploys computer processors or guest virtual machines to execute the identified server application and automatically configures the defined communication network and storage network connectivity to the selected computer processors or guest virtual machines to thereby deploy the server defined in the server specification.

The present invention provides control methods, control systems, and control software for microfluidic devices that operate by moving discrete micro-droplets through a sequence of determined configurations. Such microfluidic devices are preferably constructed in a hierarchical and modular fashion which is reflected in the preferred structure of the provided methods and systems. In particular, the methods are structured into low-level device component control functions, middle-level actuator control functions, and high-level micro-droplet control functions. Advantageously, a microfluidic device may thereby be instructed to perform an intended reaction or analysis by invoking micro-droplet control function that perform intuitive tasks like measuring, mixing, heating, and so forth. The systems are preferably programmable and capable of accommodating microfluidic devices controlled by low voltages and constructed in standardized configurations. Advantageously, a single control system can thereby control numerous different reactions in numerous different microfluidic devices simply by loading different easily understood micro-droplet programs.

A programmable lighting control system integrates time-based, sensor-based, and manual control of lighting and other loads. The system includes one or more groups of controlled lighting areas, which may be, for example, floors of a building. Each group may have one or more lighting zones, which may be, for example, individual rooms or offices on a building floor. Each lighting zone includes occupancy and/or daylight sensors that may be wirelessly coupled to a gateway of the group. Each gateway is coupled to a network, such as, for example, a local area network (LAN). Control software, residing on a computer (e.g., a personal computer or a server) coupled to the network and accessible via the network, remotely communicates with and controls the lighting zones either individually, groupwise, or globally. Each lighting zone can also be locally controlled at the gateway and can function independently of the control software and the gateway.

A computer system and computer control software is provided which allows for secure document delivery between remote parties, and control by the sender of the further distribution and handling by the recipient of an electronic document or other computer file. A file in an application may be stored on a server and manipulated by the file's native application. The recipient of the file information is given preferably automatic operation to view the user output of the server application, via a thin-client system. The recipient of the file is thus limited, as dictated by the sender, as to the operations it can perform on the document via the server application. Files attached to electronic messages may also be removed and stored on a server, thus eliminating any possible effect on the recipient machine by the computer file. Also provided for is an adaptable thin-client system which adapts to local environmental and use conditions to provide the correct degree of thin-client or local application reliance.

A system that interfaces with a workstation endocardial mapping system allows for the rapid and successful ablation of cardiac tissue. The system allows a physician to see a representation of the physical location of a catheter in a representation of an anatomic model of the patient's heart. The workstation is the primary interface with the physician. A servo catheter having pull wires and pull rings for guidance and a servo catheter control system are interfaced with the workstation. Servo catheter control software may run on the workstation. The servo catheter is coupled to an RF generator. The physician locates a site for ablation therapy and confirms the location of the catheter. Once the catheter is located at the desired ablation site, the physician activates the RF generator to deliver the therapy.

A method and system for monitoring and analyzing at least one signal are disclosed. An abstract of at least one reference signal is generated and stored in a reference database. An abstract of a query signal to be analyzed is then generated so that the abstract of the query signal can be compared to the abstracts stored in the reference database for a match. The method and system may optionally be used to record information about the query signals, the number of matches recorded, and other useful information about the query signals. Moreover, the method by which abstracts are generated can be programmable based upon selectable criteria. The system can also be programmed with error control software so as to avoid the re-occurrence of a query signal that matches more than one signal stored in the reference database.

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for downloading software into a remotely located cellular telephone via wireless communication. The cellular telephone includes two memories for storing software with one memory storing the current software and the second memory available for downloading new software. The present invention further includes a processor in communication with the cellular telephone via cellular telephone network. The processor contains the new software and controls the downloading of the software from the processor into the cellular telephone memory. The cellular telephone includes a controller for loading the received software into the cellular telephone memory and for performing a checksum on the new software.

A synchronous bi-directional active power conditioning system (11) suitable for wide variable frequency systems or active loads such as adjustable speed drives which require variable voltage variable frequency power management systems is disclosed. Common power electronics building blocks (100, 200) (both hardware and software modular blocks) are presented which can be used for AC-DC, DC-AC individually or cascaded together for AC-DC-AC power conversion suitable for variable voltage and/or wide variable frequency power management systems. A common control software building block (2, 5) includes a digital control strategy/algorithm and digital phase lock loop method and apparatus which are developed and implemented in a digital environment to provide gating patterns for the switching elements (3, 6) of the common power-pass modular power electronics building blocks (100, 200).

An apparatus and method for self-healing of software may rely on a distribution object in a directory services of a network to provide data for controlling distribution of software and installation of files associated therewith. A software object may represent a software product, system, data structure, application, or the like, from a single byte, to a complex program. A directory services system is responsible for maintaining a data store of inter-related logical entities (directory services objects), including software objects and a distribution object containing all distribution information associated with certain distribution processes. Maintenance methods may be programmed into a directory services object or some other executable to verify the existence of files required for particular software. Verification may be completed in association with a launch request, by explicit request, or in an ongoing maintenance procedure. Maintenance may include executables and data to control, complete, and record integrity of distributed files as a distinct activity or as an ongoing, routine, periodic process of verification and appropriate re-installation of files, operating transparently to a user.

This document describes the design and control of a modular wearable electronic system that integrates an electrical interconnection harness, human body electrode modules, physiological sensor modules, electronic circuit modules, control software, and power supply modules into a single assembly. The design is intended to allow medical sensors and electronic circuits from different manufacturers to be connected into the system with relative ease. This system will enable a platform that can be expanded to incorporate many different kinds of physiological sensors and electronic circuits as and when they become available. It will also allow for different sizes of wearable electronic system to be constructed by simply changing the lengths and shapes of the electrical interconnections between the electrical modules.

A medical infusion pump with a bar code reader having simplified and enhanced security features. The infusion pump with bar code reader is comprised of an infusion pump with a housing, a control display screen and control software for operating the infusion pump according to input infusion data. A bar code reader is contained in the infusion pump housing and operatively attached to communicate scanned bar code infusion data to the pump display screen and to the control software. At least one initialization button for starting execution of a bar code scanning program is operatively connected through circuitry in the pump, the program activating the bar code reader to scan for an authorized user code, for an authorized user ID code, for a patient ID code, and for infusion data compatible for operating the infusion pump. A confirmation program and confirmation buttons manually operable by the authorized user. Acceptable scanning of authorization code, authorized user ID code, patient ID code and infusion data must be manually confirmed by the authorized user prior to activating the pump to infuse fluids according to the infusion data.

System and method for putting control of incoming telephone calls in the hands of subscribers with the aid of computer software and the Internet. In effect, a very efficient multiplexer is provided that does not require a change in the behavior of the called party or the calling party. This system permits the called party to hear a spoken message by the calling party in real time, and the content of the spoken message permits the called party to decide how to handle the call. The system adaptively learns and captures the rules of the called party for handling calls, and learns which callers the called party always wishes to talk to. The system uses special control software on the called party's computer which is connected to the Internet. The system employs a central server in which all of the required intelligence is resident. Audio signals are exchanged via non-data channels provided by the telephone companies and by the Internet. Either a very simple Internet busy pick-up is provided, or a very complex messaging system is provided, as desired. A feature is the monitoring and screening of incoming calls before deciding how to handle them. Another feature is the capturing and storage of the decision making profile.

The invention provides a software license control system and a software license control equipment that control a license for a software (application program) used in a computer, that realizes to make the license control of the software efficient, to enhance reliability of the license, and to simplify control operations by users. In order to achieve the object, the system according to the invention is provided with a software execution equipment that executes the software on which a license control software is added and a software license control equipment that controls the license for the software. The system is so designed as to interchange information relating to the license for the software between the software execution equipment and the software license control equipment by means of an electronic mail.

System and method of systems and methods of controlling an IC test equipment in response to verbal commands issued by test equipment users. A control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a speech detection device operable to detect verbal commands and test control software configured to control operations of the test equipment. The control software is added with verbal command recognition capabilities. Program action commands defined in the test control software are associated with respective recognizable verbal commands. Upon a recognizable verbal command is detected, it is interpreted into the corresponding program action command which triggers the intended test program actions. The control apparatus may also have a gesture detection device, through which user gesture commands can be detected and interpreted into corresponding program actions commands.

A touch screen assembly for an electronic device such as a cell phone or PDA. The touch screen assembly generally comprises a floating lens suspended over the display and, optionally, the keypad to allow a degree of freedom. An underlying thin connecting layer such as a flex film is attached beneath the floating lens, and a plurality (for example, four) differentially-mounted pressure sensors are mounted beneath the floating lens and are electrically connected to the electronic device via the flex film. The pressure sensors are differentially positioned along an x- and y-axis for registering a pressure z from a touch to the lens at each of the four positions, to provide four data sets (x_1-4, y_1-4, z_1-4). Control software then interprets the exact touch-coordinate from the four data sets and generates a control signal. An optional haptic response generator and/or motion sensor are also contemplated. When used in a smaller electronics device such as a cell phone or PDA the touch screen sensor technology of the present invention is exceedingly thin and is capable of modular assembly for more-or-less “snap-in” construction.

A system and method for improving digital communication in a wireless mobile ad-hoc network. More specifically, the system includes one or more portable network devices operable to support the seamless operation of a self-initializing, self-healing, adaptive portable network. The portable network devices implement protocols that provide bandwidth management capabilities for use with radios, routers and other wireless network devices. Each portable network device includes at least one wireless transceiver, a processor and control software. The processor and control software are logically coupled to the wireless transceiver to facilitate digital communication via a plurality of communication channels with other network devices.

Abstract of the Disclosure The present invention is directed to a method of dynamically controlling and displaying an Internet browser interface, and to a dynamically controllable Internet browser interface. In accordance with the present invention, a browser interface may be customized using a controlling software program that may be provided by an Internet content provider, an ISP, or that may reside on an Internet user's computer. The controlling software program enables the Internet user, the content provider, or the ISP to customize and control the information and/or functionality of a user's browser and browser interface.

A method for software control using a user-interactive display screen feature is disclosed that reduces stylus or other manipulations necessary to invoke software functionality from the display screen. According to the method, a graphical feature having a surface area is displayed on a touch-sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen is coupled to at least one processor and the graphical feature is generated by an operating system and uniquely associated with a particular software program by the operating system. To control software executing on the processor, a user-supplied writing on the surface area is received and the software is controlled responsive to the writing. In alternate embodiments, the method further controls data stored in a memory device responsive to the writing or further controls transmission of data from a radiation emitter, which may be coupled to voice and data networks.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling asynchronous distribution and installation of software updates affecting applications installed on terminal devices of a wireless network. A versioning schema enforced by the application development environment enables the runtime environment of a terminal device to evaluate a software update to identify potential compatibility issues and control installation of the update.

This invention involves the configuration of locker sizes during installation that can be reconfigured periodically to conform to the packages that arrive at the locker location. Locker control software can enable the efficient selection of locker size so that the locker bank can be optimized to the size of the packages that are delivered to the locker location. The reconfigurable lockers also may include a modular locker control module that can assist in the easy facilitation of changing the locker size. Also, the locker software can be flexible enough so that customers can have a direct communication link to the locker software that would allow the customer's mobile device to input authentication and access codes that would open up locker door(s). The locker software could also be enabled on the cloud providing an e-commerce goods seller, shipper or locker operator with information about goods that are shipped to locker locations and when customers stop by to pick up their goods or to return their goods to the e-commerce seller.

The present invention includes systems and methods for the controlled deployment of software in a web-based environment where multiple versions of a single application are supported to provide field experience of various versions before general deployment. The systems and methods of the invention support backwards compatibility, which allows older versions of the same software to be accessed concurrently with newer (revised) versions. Likewise, data item opaqueness is supported whereby data items not recognized by a software level or tier are not rejected but are passed on to another tier or level where they may be recognized.