Abstract: A system and method for Internet video conferencing is provided. Efficient interactive video conferencing protocols for routing video streams greatly reduce the loads on the attendee's device and on the central server. Additionally, efficient control protocols simulate complex human group procedures and control who is speaking (who has the floor) in three distinct modes of conference interaction: class mode (at least one facilitator/moderator/teacher/leader), group mode (no facilitator), and multi-interactive mode (subgroups of a main group, preferably of a main group which is in group mode).

Abstract: The system and method provide hosting entity-specific photo-sharing websites for entity-specific image capture devices by providing software for the entity-specific image capture devices that causes the image capture devices to transmit entity ID information when the image capture devices transmit images over the Internet. The system and method further provide an online photo-sharing service capable of hosting the entity-specific photo-sharing websites for each of the entities, such that when the image capture devices connect to photo-sharing service, the photo-sharing service uses the entity ID received from the image capture devices to automatically associate the image with the photo-sharing website of the identified entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically categorizing images in a digital camera is provided. In one aspect, image data is captured by a digital camera. Image data analysis is performed on the captured image data by the digital camera to automatically generate a category tag to which the captured image data may relate. The generated category tag is stored in association with the captured image data for categorizing the captured image data.

Abstract: A device and method are provided that retrieves a plurality of thumbnails corresponding to a plurality of images captured by the digital camera and rotates each thumbnail of the plurality of thumbnails into an upright position. The method and device also crops each thumbnail of the plurality of thumbnails to a uniform size which is an overlap of a portrait and landscape image and displays each thumbnail of the plurality of thumbnails having the uniform size such that the plurality of thumbnails has a uniform appearance while the digital camera is in a review mode.

Abstract: Provided are compounds that are modulators of CCR9 receptor activity, compositions containing the compounds and methods of use of the compounds and compositions. In certain embodiments, provided are methods for treating or ameliorating diseases associated with modulation of CCR9 receptor activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for editing heterogeneous media objects in a digital imaging device having a display screen, where each one of the media objects has one or more media types associated therewith, such as a still image, a sequential image, video, audio, and text. The method aspect of the present invention begins by displaying a representation of each one of the media objects on the display screen to allow a user to randomly select a particular media object to edit. In response to a user pressing a key to edit a selected media object, one or more specialized edit screens is invoked for editing the media types associated with the selected media object. If the media object includes a still or a sequential image, then an image editing screen is invoked. If the media object includes a video clip, then a video editing screen is invoked. If the media object includes an audio clip, then an audio editing screen is invoked. And if the media object includes a text clip, then a text editing screen is invoked.

Abstract: Storage and network transmission bandwidth requirements of a portable image capture device are reduced. An online service using at least one hardware server on a network provides action information for an image capture device, the action information corresponding to an action that can be performed on images by the online service. A captured image is received uploaded from the image capture device to the online service. A request is received from the image capture device to perform the action for the uploaded image. The request includes an image identifier assigned by the online service.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting the aspect ratio of an image captured by a digital camera is disclosed. In one aspect, the method and system include determining if the image requires cropping, decompressing the image, and cropping the image if the image required cropping. The image is then provided to a display. In another aspect, the method and system include cropping an image to a predetermined shape and providing the data to a display buffer.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing storage and transmission bandwidth requirements of a portable image capture device capable of establishing a communications connection on a network are disclosed. The method includes assigning an image identifier to captured images uploaded to a server on a network, wherein each of the images is stored in an image file having a particular size. The size of each of the image files corresponding to the uploaded images on the image capture device may then be reduced, thereby reducing storage requirements. In response to a user request to apply an action to one of the uploaded images, only the image identifier of the image and the requested action are transmitted to the server, thereby eliminating the need to retransmit the image and reducing transmission bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: Automatically configuring a portable electronic device for accessing a site on a public network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a connection to at least one server for establishing and maintaining website accounts, and sending information uniquely identifying the electronic device to the at least one server. The at least one server sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password, created based on the electronic device information. The user account information is stored on the device for use the next time the device accesses the website, whereby the user does not have to enter account information in order to establish the ISP connection or the website account before accessing the public network or, if the user account is not completely set up, to establish the user account a next time the device connects to the at least one server.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for collecting contemporaneous information relating to an event. The method includes, in response to receiving an indication of an event, identifying a plurality of mobile devices located in a specified area related to the event based on global positioning system (GPS) information associated with each of the mobile devices. The method also includes selecting, from the plurality of mobile devices, at least one mobile device to which a request for supplemental information is to be transmitted. The method further includes transmitting, via at least one communication network, the request to the selected at least one mobile device. The method still further includes receiving the supplemental information over the at least one communication network from the selected at least one mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically configuring a hand-held electronic device for accessing a site on a public network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a connection to a website server, which is responsible for establishing and maintaining website accounts, and sending information uniquely identifying the electronic device to the website server. The server then sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password, created based on the electronic device information. The user account information is then stored on electronic device for use the next time the electronic device accesses the website, whereby the user does not have to enter account information in order to establish the ISP connection or the website account before accessing the public network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for collecting contemporaneous information relating to a critical event. The method includes receiving a call requesting an emergency response to a critical event and in response to the call, using at least one communication network to transmit a request for supplemental information from reporting devices located in a specified area related to the critical event. The supplemental information is received over the at least one communication network.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of Formula (I) or of Formula (II) that are modulators of CCR9 receptor activity, compositions containing the compounds and methods of use of the compounds and compositions. In certain embodiments, provided are methods for treating or amelioratin diseases associated with modulation of CCR9 receptor activity.

Abstract: A home relationship is established between a device and a network by storing an ownership record in the device that identifies the network, and storing in the network a device identifier that identifies the device. Thereafter, communication is established between the device and the network. The ownership record is then transmitted from the network to the device, and automatic access to the device is granted to the network once the device verifies the transmitted ownership record against the ownership record stored in the device. In addition, the device identifier is transmitted from the device to the network, and automatic access to the network is granted to the device once the network verifies the transmitted device identifier against the device identifier stored in the network.

Abstract: A home relationship is established between a device and a network by storing an ownership record in the device that identifies the network, and storing in the network a device identifier that identifies the device. Thereafter, communication is established between the device and the network. The ownership record is then transmitted from the network to the device, and automatic access to the device is granted to the network once the device verifies the transmitted ownership record against the ownership record stored in the device. In addition, the device identifier is transmitted from the device to the network, and automatic access to the network is granted to the device once the network verifies the transmitted device identifier against the device identifier stored in the network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing instant review of a last image in an image capture device is disclosed. The image capture device includes a viewfinder for displaying a live image and each image of a plurality of previously captured images. The method and system include selecting instant review of the last image captured by the image capture device, determining the status and location of the last image, and providing the last image to the viewfinder for display. Therefore, the image capture device is capable of displaying the last image substantially immediately after the last image has been captured. In another aspect, the image capture device contains an image processing system. In this aspect, the method and system include allowing a user to access a play mode and a review mode while the last image captured undergoes processing by the image processing system.

Abstract: A window for a radiation detection system includes a plurality of intersecting ribs oriented non-perpendicularly with respect to each other. The plurality of intersecting ribs defines non-rectangular openings therebetween. A support frame is disposed around a perimeter of the plurality of intersecting ribs. A film is disposed over and spans the openings to pass radiation therethrough. The film and the plurality of intersecting ribs are integrally formed from a same material including a polymer.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises an image sensor, an orientation sensor, a memory and a processing unit. The image sensor is used for generating captured image data. The orientation sensor is coupled to the image sensor, and is used for generating signals relating to the position of the image sensor. The memory, has an auto-rotate unit comprising program instructions for transforming the captured image data into rotated image data in response to the orientation sensor signals. The processing unit, executes program instructions stored in the memory, and is coupled to the image sensor, the orientation sensor and the memory. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of: generating image data representative of an object with an image sensor; identifying an orientation of the image sensor relative to the object during the generating step; and selectively transferring the image data to an image processing unit in response to the identifying step.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing a digital camera image capture rate comprises an imaging device for capturing raw image data, a frame buffer for receiving the image data, a first RAM spooler for transferring the raw image data to a RAM disk, a first flash spooler for transferring the raw image data from the RAM disk to a flash memory, an image processor for processing and compressing the raw data, a second RAM spooler for storing the compressed image data into the RAM disk, and a second flash spooler for transferring the compressed image data from the RAM disk to the flash memory.