Abstract: During manufacture, the components of a cathode ray tube must be protected against contaminants, such as dust, that will degrade performance of the completed tube. A protective tunnel, in which a contaminant-free environment can more easily be maintained, protects open cathode ray tube funnels that are moved between a coating station and a drying oven. Access doors may be provided to allow for cleaning and maintenance of the tunnel, as well as access to cathode ray tube funnels in the tunnel. A vacuum system may also be provided to clean airborne contaminants from the protective tunnel.

Abstract: A jig can be used to site-test the accuracy of multi-meters that are used to measure resistances in a cathode ray tube production line without having to remove those multi-meters from the production line or ship them to a third party service provider for the testing. The jig is a box of electronics that includes a variety of known resistance loads that can be selected and then measured by a multi-meter to test and/or calibrate that meter. The jig includes a number of known resistance loads, a device for selecting a particular resistance load and electric contacts for connecting a multi-meter to the jig so that the meter can measure the selected and known resistance load. By comparing the measured and known resistance values, the accuracy of the multi-meter is tested.

Abstract: High-voltage power supplies used in a Cathode Ray Tube (“CRT”) manufacturing process should be protected from residue, dust and other contaminants. This will prevent possible damage to the voltage power supply and danger to people and equipment that can result from operation of a dirty voltage power supply. A protective housing made of a non-conductive, insulating material is used to encase and protect the voltage power supplies used in a CRT manufacturing process. This protective housing protects those voltage power supplies from degradation or damage due to the dust, residue or other contaminants that arise from the CRT manufacturing process. A cooling system may be incorporated into the housing to manage thermal energy generated by the voltage power supply unit.

Abstract: A software application that filters specific messages from an e-mail server is disclosed. A user specifies filtering criteria within the application, which then detects the arrival of an e-mail fulfilling the specified criteria, and notifies the user accordingly. The notification can consist of blinking an icon on a Set Top Box (STB) TV screen, making an audible sound, or activating a pager. The subject of the filter criteria can be an Instant Message or telephone call using Caller ID, instead of an e-mail message.

Abstract: A television signal processing system, such as a set-top box and a personal video recorder, that handles both digital and legacy analogy system can be simplified to minimize the required connections between system components. Digital signals are demultiplexed and recorded or decompressed and output to a television set. Analog signals are decoded, or converted to digital, and then compressed. The compressed signal can be demultiplexed and recorded or demultiplexed, decompressed and output to a television set. In either case, only a single connection is required between the processing circuitry and the television set, and between the processing circuitry and the signal recording circuitry and hardware.

Abstract: A flash memory initialization sequence in a DTV set-top box of the type having a program-controlled microprocessor associated with a front panel board and a DTV board for processing at least part of an audio/visual television signal in which the sequence, upon application of start-up power, determines whether or not a selected file exists indicative of at least a partial formatting of the flash memory and causes the main DTV application to execute in the event the selected file exists. Conversely, where the selected file is not detected, the initialization sequence runs an initialization routine that at least formats a portion of the flash memory, thereafter creates the selected file indicative of the desired formating of the flash memory, and returns control to re-determine whether or not the selected file exists to cause the main DTV application to then execute.

Abstract: An electronic music marker bracelet device which can be worn around a user's wrist or which can be strapped around the handle of the user's handbag by connecting the two ends of the electronic music marker bracelet device is provided. The terminal portion at one end of the strap of the device is configured to securely connect to the interface port at the other end of the strap of the device such that the user may wear the electronic music marker bracelet device around the user's wrist or securely strap around the handle of the user's handbag and have easy and quick access to the e-button on the body of the device to bookmark music clips broadcast over a registered radio or television station.

Abstract: When an installed electron gun has failed testing, the gun is cut out of the neck of the Cathode Ray Tube (“CRT”) without destroying or damaging any other portion of the CRT. A new neck is then formed on the tube which can be re-inserted into the production line and re-used. The reclaimed electron gun can then be analyzed and tested to determine the cause of its malfunction or test failure. In this way, minimal damage is done to the CRT in which the gun is originally installed and as much of that CRT as possible is salvaged for use in a completed unit.

Abstract: A multiplexer based adder circuit. The novel adder design is suitable for a number of bit sizes, but in one exemplary embodiment is a 64-bit adder. A complete 16-bit scaled adder is taught. The adder circuit is efficient and reconfigurable in that the adder can be partitioned to support a variety of data formats. The adder can add two 64-bit operands, four 32-bit operands, eight 16-bit operands, or sixteen 8-bit operands. The reconfigurability of the adder for different word sizes is achieved using only a small number of control signals for partitioning without increasing the adder size or reducing its speed. The novel adder circuit is designed using multiplexer circuits and two input inverted logic gates making the adder very fast. The adder design recognizes that pass transistor based multiplexer circuits and inverted logic gates are the fastest circuit elements for standard CMOS logic.

Abstract: A system for processing images, or clips, as, for example, in a movie or video post production system. The clips are associated with a flowgraph representation that visually depicts all of the operations used to generate the clips. Correspondence between the image and flowgraph representations is tightly maintained so that the user can conveniently switch between, and work among, the different representations. Efficient user interface mechanisms are provided to work with flowgraph items to construct nodes representing operations. Nodes can be joined in an automated, or assisted, manner. Flowgraphs can be automatically generated according to user inputs in other parts of the system. For example, layered effects can have flowgraphs that are automatically generated. A freehand drawing timing capture tool is provided. All operations that contribute to a single (or more) pixel's value can be listed and selectively activated or deactivated to detect a problem.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing a white balance operation preferably includes an electronic camera device that captures image data using a image sensor device. A color manager may then analyze the image data to selectively locate one or more neutral areas in the image data. The color manager may analyze the neutral areas to determine one or more associated color values, and then responsively produce one or more composite color values for the image data by utilizing the individual color values of the neutral areas. From the foregoing composite color values, the color manager may derive one or more color correction values which the camera device may then apply to color channel amplifiers of the camera device to complete the white balance operation. However, if no neutral areas are located in the image data, the color manager may then analyze the image data to selectively locate one or more memory color areas in the image data.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of radio frequency tags operable to produce respective answer electromagnetic waves in response to a query electromagnetic wave; and a toy including a query circuit and an interaction circuit, the query circuit being operable to emit the query electromagnetic wave and receive one or more of the answer electromagnetic waves, and the interaction circuit being operable to select an output perceptible by a user based on which of the one or more answer electromagnetic waves are received.

Abstract: A method of detecting a block-based watermark is provided. The method detects the location of the watermark within a frame of content data regardless of whether the watermark has been shifted or resized.

Abstract: An assembly line reliably produces articles assembled from at least two components by measuring critical dimensions of components destined to be assembled together as one particular article. A specified testable condition is predicted for the particular article by solving a regression equation previously ascertained from other assembled and tested articles having components with known critical dimensions. If the predicted testable condition is unsatisfactory, a rejection operation is performed so that any unacceptable article is prevented from being assembled or from being used.

Abstract: An on-location local multicast distribution system and business method therefor. Contemporaneous information is continuously provided to a local distribution unit on a particular event (e.g., a NASCAR race) from multiple input devices, such as video cameras and microphones. The distribution unit simultaneously transmits audio, video and event specific information to multiple uniquely identifiable output devices, each in the hands of a registered attendee. The input devices are in wireless Communication with the distribution unit and the distribution unit is in wireless Communication with the output devices. The uniquely identifiable output devices include a display such as a liquid crystal display and may be for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA). Registered attendees may selecting which of the multiple inputs are received.

Abstract: A system providing a user interface to annotate different items in a media production system such as in a digital non-linear post production system. Parts of the production, such as clips, frames and layers, that have an associated annotation are provided with a visual annotation marker. The annotation marker can use shape, color or animation to convey source, urgency, status or other information. Annotations can be text, freehand drawing, audio, or other. Annotations can be automatically generated. Annotations can be compiled into records, searched and transferred. A state of an application program can be stored and transferred to a remote system. The remote system attempts to recreate the original state of the application program. If the remote system is unable to do so, an image of the state of the application program is obtained, instead. Assignment of control to various functions of an application program is achieved by associating a function (i.e.

Abstract: An adapter can be used to connect a standard connector on an electronic device, such as a Set-Top Box (“STB”), with a specific connector on an external module, peripheral, electronic device, bus, cable, wire or the like that is to be connected to the electronic device. For example, different adapters can provide means for connecting a standard connector on an STB with any of a Point-of-Deployment card or module, a smart card, a PCMCIA card or a Memory Stick®. Consequently, the STB (or other electronic device) need not be manufactured with connectors configured for connecting all possible peripheral devices. Additionally, the STB (or other electronic device) need not be manufactured in different models with various combinations of connectors for the possible peripheral devices.

Abstract: An open drain I/O driver includes an input node, an output node, a first reference node, a first transistor, and noise immunity circuitry. The first transistor has its gate coupled to the input node and its conducting path coupled in series with the output node and the first reference node. The first transistor operates to uncouple the output node from the first reference node in response to an input voltage applied to the input node. The noise immunity circuitry keeps the output node uncoupled from the first reference node during undershoot noise in a first reference voltage that causes the first transistor to change from an off state to an on state. The noise immunity circuitry includes second and third transistors. The second transistor has its gate coupled to the input node and its conducting path coupled in series with the conducting path of the first transistor. The third transistor is configured to keep the second transistor in an off state during the undershoot noise.

Abstract: A method of communicating with another person, or “helper”, who speaks a foreign, or “target”, language. The method includes using a device having a speaker to play instructions and phrases in the target language. The phrases query the helper and can include canned phrases that are pre-programmed on the CD-ROM and user programmed custom phrases stored in the EEPROM. The instructions request the helper to respond to the phrases not in his or her own (or target) language, but rather with head movements, hand gestures such as pointing, drawings, or any other non-verbal response or “universal” method that does not require the traveler to understand the target language.

Abstract: A jig is used in place of a master Cathode Ray Tube (“CRT”) for calibrating a Stray Emissions Detection System (“SEDS”). Light Emitting Diodes (“LEDs”) are placed in the neck portion of a CRT, where the electron gun would normally be disposed, to form the test jig. These LEDs are activated during the calibration process to simulate the stray emissions that would be released through defects in a CRT. Because the number, pattern and light output of the LEDs can be controlled, and are not changed by the calibration procedure itself, the jig can be used to more reliably and effectively calibrate the SEDS for CRT manufacture.