Remote user interface updates using difference and motion encoding

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=24&f=G&l=50&d=PTXT&p=1&S1=graphic&OS=graphic&RS=graphic

The abstract for US patent 8,127,233, application number 11/860,008, reads:

"Frames of user interface graphical data can be remotely rendered at a client during a remote session with a server by providing graphical data commands to the client. The commands include motion commands derived from objects that change position between a current frame and a new frame and delta commands derived from differences between the frames. The delta commands can be generated from a frame update after applying motion commands or without applying motion commands. A server identifies moving objects having a first position in the current frame and a second position in the new frame, generates motion hints for the moving objects, and reduces the motion hints based on collision detection, motion verification and other factors. Motion commands are generated for the reduced set of motion hints and applied to a copy of the current frame at the server. Differences between the modified current frame and the new frame are then encoded as delta commands. The server then sends the motion commands and delta commands to the client. The client receives and applies the commands to the current frame to render the new frame."

This relates to our senior design project because it uses similar pixel differencing methods that we have envisioned using to determine when activity has taken place in our security videos.

Optimization for Engineering Design; Introduction Summarry

Engineers see optimization as an esoteric technique use only in mathematics and research related activities.  An optimization algorithm is a procedure which is executed iteratively by comparing various solutions till the optimum or satisfactory result is found.  There are deterministic and stochastic optimization algorithms. 

Optimization algorithms are used in engineering design activities that emphasize maximizing or minimizing a certain goal.  Only the designer can formulate the optimization problem for the design they are designing. 

The purpose of the formulation procedure is to create a mathematical model of the optimal design problem, which can then be solved using an optimization algorithm.  This formulation begins with identifying design variables.  The speed and efficiency of the optimization algorithm depends on how many design variables are chosen.  The first rule of optimization is to choose as few design variables as possible. Constraints are then chosen.  These identify functional relationships between the design variables.  Constraints can be of an equality type or an inequality type.  Equality constraints should be avoided whenever possible because they are difficult to handle.  The objective function, which defines what should be minimized or maximized, is the next task in the optimization formulation procedure.  The final task is to set the variable bounds, minimum and maximum for each design variable.

After formulation the optimization problem can be written out in nonlinear programming format.

Maker Faire: Inovative designers show their stuff . . .

Strait Power:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99ohs1fD-gQ&t=40s

Very cool bio-inspired hydro-electric turbine.  Based on the biology and behavior of the basking shark to put in the river in the Downriver Detroit area and hopefully restore industry in the area.  Anthony Reale, the designer, estimates that there is equivalent energy to a 120 mph wind flowing through the river.

Little Bits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ITIng-ksQg

Fast electronic prototyping parts for school children and non-engineers.  Made to inspire electronic engineering for the lay-person.

Beatjazz Controllers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHMI50ESguQ

Onyx Ashanti designed motion controllers that integrate with a 3-way wireless network to control his musical synthesizers he uses to create his music.  This allows him to control all his instruments through one convenient interface.

Reconfigured Elmo-TMX:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYoVQZXDCw8

Adrianne Wortzel reconfigures Tickle-Me-Elmo-TMX to a swarm-bot configuration.  She uses the robot swarm to reenact historic battles.

Lasersaur:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wWTw4B7v9I

Neat open source laser cutter.  For the individuals who just need a laser cutter, but don’t have the money of a large corporation.  Targeted to artists and hobby engineers.

The ACTA dilema

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a European document that attempts to combat the proliferation of counterfeit and pirated goods and the infringement of intellectual property.  This is causing outrage among European citizens as many of them see it as outlawing certain everyday activities they believe they have the right to engage in.

One of the possible contentions is that the document allows the right holder to hold third party participants in the infringements accountable for the infringement.  These third parties may only be factory workers who did not know they were counterfeiting goods or infringing on intellectual property.  ACTA states, “Such information may include information regarding any person involved in any aspect of the infringement or alleged infringement and regarding the means of production or the channels of distribution of the infringing or allegedly infringing goods or services, including the identification of third persons alleged to be involved in the production and distribution of such goods or services and of their channels of distribution . . . Each Party shall provide that its judicial authorities have the authority to order prompt and effective provisional measures:

                (a) against a party or, where appropriate, a third party over whom the relevant judicial authority exercises jurisdiction, to prevent an infringement of any intellectual property right from   occurring, and in particular, to prevent goods that involve the infringement of an intellectual    property right from entering into the channels of commerce;
                (b) to preserve relevant evidence in regard to the alleged infringement.”

A second objection may be that the provision allows for criminal procedures against those individuals who use a trademark that is similar to an existing trademark.  ACTA states, “Each Party shall provide for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied in cases of wilful importation 10 and domestic use, in the course of trade and on a commercial scale, of labels or packaging: to which a mark has been applied without authorization which is identical to, or cannot be distinguished from, a trademark registered in its territory.”

Third, a taping of a school play that uses similar scene choreography to a copyrighted movie and then is posted on YouTube may create criminal liability under ACTA.  ACTA states, “A Party may provide criminal procedures and penalties in appropriate cases for the unauthorized copying of cinematographic works from a performance in a motion picture exhibition facility generally open to the public.”

Fourth, sharing content that includes a trademark, copyrighted material, or reproduction of intellectual property on a social media site by a private individual may create criminal liability.  ACTA states, “Further to paragraph 1, each Party’s enforcement procedures shall apply to infringement of copyright or related rights over digital networks, which may include the unlawful use of means of widespread distribution for infringing purposes.”

Finnally, ACTA imposes its regulation on those who are not party to the agreement making it applicable to those countries who reject the agreement.  ACTA states, “Each Party shall endeavour to work closely with other Parties and, where appropriate, non-Parties to this Agreement for the purpose of implementing the provisions of paragraph 1,” however, those not party to the agreement will not have representation in the ACTA Committee, “The Parties hereby establish the ACTA Committee. Each Party shall be represented on the Committee.”  This makes individuals in non-party nations unwittingly subject to ACTA.

Anderson Center

The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation works with the College of Business Administration at the University of Tennessee to encourage entrepreneurship and technological innovation in the nearby regions by working with college students about to enter the workforce.  They sponsor VolCourt which is a workshop and competition for business planning and design.  The following is from the College of Business Administration website:

“The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will offer the chance for students, faculty and the community to learn from entrepreneurs and business experts about the essentials of getting a company off the ground.

The Vol Court spring 2012 session begins Jan. 31 and runs through March 13. Workshop presenters are from various organizations throughout Tennessee, and all have experience with entrepreneurial companies.

The seven-part series will be held Tuesdays at 5:15 p.m. in Room 701 of the Stokely Management Center.”

The Anderson Center also hosts an undergraduate business plan competition.

The VolCourt prize for the “Pitch Competition” is $1000 for first place and $500 for second.  The prize for the business plan competition is up to $20,000 that may be distributed to one or many of the winning pitches depending on 3 criteria; need for capital, viability of the business concept, and growth potential.

The most recent winners of the VolCourt pitch competition were Cedric Brown and Jake Rheude for their pitch on a new supermarket item, Buffalo Chicken Dip, which is non-existent in Knoxville supermarkets.  The winner of the inaugural VolCourt competition, in the spring of 2010, was Danny Smith who won for pitching a product to protect rock climbing shoes and extend the life of the shoe.  Other winning pitches included an online community that allows students to leave feedback on host families, residence halls, apartments and other living arrangements during the school year, and a collapsible water bottle.