Abstract: A system allows greater dynamic range in fixed-width sample representations of waveforms. Known properties of the waveform are used to determine an unlikely, or impossible, data condition to be used as an exception condition. In a preferred embodiment that is directed to processing of audio waveforms, a first large value transitioning to a second large value of different sign is used to indicate an exception condition. Samples following the exception condition are assumed to be shifted by a predetermined amount so that their representation within the allowable dynamic range of the word results in an extended dynamic range. In a preferred embodiment, pre-processing of a waveform is used to create exception conditions and to perform “peak packing” to shift portions of the waveform that would otherwise become clipped, so that the waveform peaks reside in a shifted position within the digital representation.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the amount of light passing through a pupil of a human eyeball particularly for a person having defects or imperfections in the eyeball lens. An electrically controllable mask area having a smallest, a medium and a largest mask opening may be coupled to at least one lens of the eyeglass. The mask area is varied with a rotating aperture adjustment assembly on a controller so that an image of an object that would otherwise pass through the pupil is masked so that a smaller portion of the image passes through the pupil. The wearer may select the at least one mask opening by moving a thumb wheel on the rotating aperture adjustment assembly. The wearer selects at least one of on and off condition of the apparatus with a button. The mask area can be customized by means of an external processing system.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method for operating a control in a graphical user interface (GUI) concurrently or in association with receiving a user indication of the user's state of mind. For example, a GUI control may include navigation controls in a web browser (page forward, page back, open or close a window or tab, etc.); video transport control (play, pause, stop, rewind, fast forward, scrub, etc.); hyperlink on a web page; a control in a software application, computer operating system or other function provided in a processing system interface. In a particular embodiment, when the user operates the control, such as a window close button, then depending on a concurrent or closely associated user “cue” such as a touch or swipe on the display screen, gesture, sound or utterance, button click, etc., an indication of the user's state of mind can be, conveyed to appropriate system or application hardware or software.

Abstract: An eyeglass for improved vision that includes a light source mounted on the eyeglass pointing to an eye and a controller on at least one arm of the eyeglass. An eyeglass wearer can turn on the light source and increase an intensity of light emerging from the light source by using a thumb wheel in the controller. The light source causes a contraction of an iris of the eye thereby requiring a less part exposure of a lens of the eye. The less part exposure of the lens improves vision of the eyeglass wearer. The light source can be arranged to point at least one or both the eyes of the eyeglass wearer. The eyeglass can include a plurality of light sources in different positions that can be selectively turned on by the thumb wheel and can accommodate any suitable controller.

Abstract: A method for operating at least one control in a graphical user interface that provides a user to output state of mind about current contents by selecting at least one of a multiple areas associated thereof. A change in texture is observed when a pointer is over at least one of the areas of the at least one control. The change in texture of the at least one control preferably includes a grid like cross-hatching, a diagonal hatching, a color change or any other visual indicators. A click on at least one of the areas of the control simultaneously operates the control and outputs the user's state of mind corresponding to the particular area. The method can be applicable to each of a navigational control, video transport control, web browser control, hyperlink, software application and computer operating system.

Abstract: A system for displaying and re-ordering web page search results. Results obtained from a search engine site are displayed with same-type fields in same columns. A button at the top of each column allows result entries to be organized alphanumerically depending upon values for the fields in the column. A subsearch feature allows additional searching of a base search. The subsearch can be performed on any one or more of the fields.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rendering engine by using specialized commands. The commands are used to generate a production, such as a television show, at an end-user's computer that executes the rendering engine. In one embodiment, the commands are sent over a network, such as the Internet, to achieve broadcasts of video programs at very high compression and efficiency. Commands for setting and moving camera viewpoints, animating characters, and defining or controlling scenes and sounds are described. At a fine level of control math models and coordinate systems can be used make specifications. At a coarse level of control the command language approaches the text format traditionally used in television or movie scripts. Simple names for objects within a scene are used to identify items, directions and paths. Commands are further simplified by having the rendering engine use defaults when specifications are left out.

Abstract: A system for local allocation or provisioning of resources in a network. Allocation rules are defined based on one or more factors of user identity, device identity and device location. A communication is given a priority level based on the rules. A device in the network performs local provisioning according to the rule definitions. Rule definitions can be set or changed via a user interface. Automated ways to obtain factor values can be used such as automatic identification of users, devices, and location. Other possible factors to use to determine resource allocation can be time of day, date, identity of an originating or target device, identity of a caller or callee, etc. Resources that can be allocated include bandwidth, processing cycles, network storage and power.

Abstract: Visual indicators on a steering wheel of a vehicle provide information to a driver of the vehicle. In one embodiment an input stage is used to receive an input signal. The signal is processed to provide a signal for an indicator on the steering wheel. Conditions of the steering wheel can be sensed to provide modification of the indicator display. For example, the rotation or orientation of the steering wheel can be taken into account to modify the display for better viewing. The position or placement of a driver's hand on the steering wheel can be used to change the display of indicators so that the indicators are less obscured.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention include methods and apparatuses for linking video information to electronic messages such as electronic mail (email), online chat, web logs (“blogs”), bulletin boards, web page text, Simple Mobile Services (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and other electronic message formats. One embodiment provides for embedding links from a video annotation session at a cursor position in an email application. A method for transferring from email to chat and vice versa is disclosed whereby association with video content is maintained.

Abstract: An earpiece unit is held adjacent to or within a cell phone. The earpiece includes a microphone and speaker and is wearable in a user's ear. The earpiece is docked within the housing of a cell phone and can be used in the docked position to operate the phone. A user can push on the back of the earpiece to eject the earpiece from the phone housing so that the earpiece can be easily inserted into the user's ear. The user can be provided with a “pause” control on the cell phone that indicates to the cell phone system that a call is going to be answered. Upon activation of the “pause” control, the cell phone system can pause its efforts to establish communications and/or temporarily reduce the intensity of transmissions. A message is sent to the caller notifying that the call is about to be answered.

Abstract: An earpiece unit is held adjacent to or within a cell phone. The earpiece includes a microphone and speaker and is wearable in a user's ear. The earpiece is docked within the housing of a cell phone and can be used in the docked position to operate the phone. A user can push on the back of the earpiece to eject the earpiece from the phone housing so that the earpiece can be easily inserted into the user's ear. The user can be provided with a “pause” control on the cell phone that indicates to the cell phone system that a call is going to be answered. Upon activation of the “pause” control, the cell phone system can pause its efforts to establish communications and/or temporarily reduce the intensity of transmissions. A message is sent to the caller notifying that the call is about to be answered.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rendering engine by using specialized commands. The commands are used to generate a production, such as a television show, at an end-user's computer that executes the rendering engine. In one embodiment, the commands are sent over a network, such as the Internet, to achieve broadcasts of video programs at very high compression and efficiency. Commands for setting and moving camera viewpoints, animating characters, and defining or controlling scenes and sounds are described. At a fine level of control math models and coordinate systems can be used make specifications. At a coarse level of control the command language approaches the text format traditionally used in television or movie scripts. Simple names for objects within a scene are used to identify items, directions and paths. Commands are further simplified by having the rendering engine use defaults when specifications are left out.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rendering engine by using specialized commands. The commands are used to generate a production, such as a television show, at an end-user's computer that executes the rendering engine. In one embodiment, the commands are sent over a network, such as the Internet, to achieve broadcasts of video programs at very high compression and efficiency. Commands for setting and moving camera viewpoints, animating characters, and defining or controlling scenes and sounds are described. At a fine level of control math models and coordinate systems can be used make specifications. At a coarse level of control the command language approaches the text format traditionally used in television or movie scripts. Simple names for objects within a scene are used to identify items, directions and paths. Commands are further simplified by having the rendering engine use defaults when specifications are left out.

Abstract: A system for controlling a rendering engine by using specialized commands. The commands are used to generate a production, such as a television show, at an end-user's computer that executes the rendering engine. In one embodiment, the commands are sent over a network, such as the Internet, to achieve broadcasts of video programs at very high compression and efficiency. Commands for setting and moving camera viewpoints, animating characters, and defining or controlling scenes and sounds are described. At a fine level of control math models and coordinate systems can be used make specifications. At a coarse level of control the command language approaches the text format traditionally used in television or movie scripts. Simple names for objects within a scene are used to identify items, directions and paths. Commands are further simplified by having the rendering engine use defaults when specifications are left out.

Abstract: An earpiece unit is held adjacent to or within a cell phone. The earpiece includes a microphone and speaker and is wearable in a user's ear. The earpiece is docked within the housing of a cell phone and can be used in the docked position to operate the phone. A user can push on the back of the earpiece to eject the earpiece from the phone housing so that the earpiece can be easily inserted into the user's ear. The user can be provided with a “pause” control on the cell phone that indicates to the cell phone system that a call is going to be answered. Upon activation of the “pause” control, the cell phone system can pause its efforts to establish communications and/or temporarily reduce the intensity of transmissions. A message is sent to the caller notifying that the call is about to be answered.

Abstract: A system for handling video tags. The tags are displayed synchronized to a video. A controller manages and modifies tag data that can be created by one or more users. The controller identifies a tag dataset for use with a video and provides information for synchronization and display of the tags. Various user interface features are disclosed to allow one or more users to author, publish, view and manipulate tags. Features of a social-network website implementation are disclosed whereby a user community can post, filter, rate and display tags. User profiles are used to define tag characteristics associated with a particular user.

Abstract: A system for handling video tags. The tags are displayed synchronized to a video. A controller manages and modifies tag data that can be created by one or more users. The controller identifies a tag dataset for use with a video and provides information for synchronization and display of the tags. In a particular embodiment, features of a social-network website implementation are disclosed whereby a user community can post, filter, rate and display tags.

Abstract: Tags in a video area are established by displaying the tags with a visual association to an item in the video. Thereafter, the tags move to a tag menu area that is outside of the video area. Tags are selectable, such as by clicking on the tag, to cause additional actions such as displaying a web page related to the tag. Tags move and disappear/appear in conjunction with the video as the video action progresses. In one embodiment, the tag menu area is obtained when a video with a first aspect ratio is displayed in a display area that has a different aspect ratio. The difference in aspect ratios leaves a portion in the display area that is not used for the video that can be used for the tag menu area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portion of a video sequence is displayed on an interface. A video tag is also displayed in the portion of the video sequence. In one embodiment, the video tag is a placeholder tag that shows where the tag would be displayed in the portion of the video sequence. An input area is then displayed that allows input of tag information for the video tag. For example, the user may specify what kind of tag they would like and also any information that can be displayed for the tag. For example, the user may specify that they would like the tag to be a text tag that includes the logo of the company.