Abstract: A method is provided for inserting signature blocks into a message being transmitted along a communication path between a first client station and a second client station. The method includes a step of receiving, at an intermediate node in the communication path, a message transmitted from the first client station destined for delivery to the second client station. The message bears a sender-identifier (e.g., email address) and a recipient-identifier (e.g., email address). The method further includes a step of selecting, based at least in part on the sender-identifier, a predefined signature block for the message. The method further includes a step of inserting the selected signature block into the message. The signature block to be inserted may be based on both the sender identifier and the recipient identifier.

Abstract: A method of managing media content such as games, ring tones, screen savers and other media content stored in a wireless device, e.g. cellular phone, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of storing media content in a memory in the wireless device in a content file, separately storing settings for the media content in the memory in a settings file, and deleting the content file while simultaneously preserving storage of the settings file. The content file may be deleted in response to user action or in response to a timer expiring. If the user attempts to access deleted content, they are prompted to repurchase the content. If the content is repurchased, the saved content settings may be re-applied automatically to the repurchased content.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-sample, antialiased rendering of images by performing multi-sample antialiasing at the primitive level. Geometric primitives used to represent a graphics environment are set-up, and then shifted by a sub-pixel offset and rendered to generate values for pixels of an intermediate image. The shifting and rendering is repeated for the geometric primitive, each time generating values for pixels of another intermediate image. The values for the pixels of the intermediate images are combined to produce values for the respective pixels of the resulting image.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the trajectories of moving charged particles. The apparatus includes a grid of laterally spaced side by side elongate elements and means defining a path for charged particles to traverse the grid. The grid is supported and configured for application of a voltage gradient between and/or along the elongate elements, whereby to manipulate the trajectories of charged particles that traverse the grid. A method of manipulating the trajectories of moving charged particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for manipulating the trajectories of moving charged particles. The apparatus includes a grid 14 of laterally spaced side by side elongate elements 16 and means 18 defining a path for charged particles to traverse the grid. The grid is supported and configured for application of a voltage gradient between and/or along the elongate elements, whereby to manipulate the trajectories of charged particles that traverse the grid. A method of manipulating the trajectories of moving charged particles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-sample, antialiased rendering of images by performing multi-sample antialiasing at the primitive level. Geometric primitives used to represent a graphics environment are set-up, and then shifted by a sub-pixel offset and rendered to generate values for pixels of an intermediate image. The shifting and rendering is repeated for the geometric primitive, each time generating values for pixels of another intermediate image. The values for the pixels of the intermediate images are combined to produce values for the respective pixels of the resulting image.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-sample, antialiased rendering of images by performing multi-sample antialiasing at the primitive level. Geometric primitives used to represent a graphics environment are set-up, and then shifted by a sub-pixel offset and rendered to generate values for pixels of an intermediate image. The shifting and rendering is repeated for the geometric primitive, each time generating values for pixels of another intermediate image. The values for the pixels of the intermediate images are combined to produce values for the respective pixels of the resulting image.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automatic exposure control based on current measured luminance of an image and dynamic/modifiable target luminance levels. Exposure adjustments and/or adjustments to the dynamic/modifiable target luminance windows are based on the measured luminance and threshold settings to improve image quality while avoiding oscillations and other problems typically associated with automatic exposure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing acetylene from a gasoeus mixture comprising hydrogen, methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, propylene, butane, butenes, butadiene, and other C4 or higher hydrocarbons. The method of the invention utilizes a front-end acetylene removal unit (“ARU”) located after a charge gas compressor in which acetylene is selectively reduced. The method of the invention achieves selective reduction of acetylene by using a proprietary Chevron Phillips E series palladium based catalyst. The method of the invention also utilizes a novel startup procedure, a novel emergency shutdown procedure, a novel maximum cool down procedure, and a novel carbon monoxide monitoring procedure.

Abstract: The apparatus for point of sale currency verification includes a point of sale check printer having a printing device configured to print information on first and second opposing faces of a document, a scanning device configured to scan the first and second faces of the document, a verification module configured to verify the authenticity of the document, and a retention area that is secure, coupled to the apparatus, and configured to retain the document until removed by an authorized person. The document may be a check or currency. The method includes printing information on first and second opposing faces of a document, scanning the first face of the document, verifying the authenticity of the document, and retaining the document until removed by an authorized person.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for generating an animatable object. A skeleton of the desired character is constructed by the user utilizing various predetermined components. These predetermined components include a various selection of rods and joints. The rods are static components which remain rigid during motion, while the various joints are moveable components. A static digitized image, for example, an image of the user, is utilized and a constructed skeleton is superimposed onto it. The desired object, such as the image of the user, can then be extracted from the background of the digital image and the resulting personal character can then be animated, for instance by selecting and dragging one of the hands with a mouse.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing automatic exposure control based on current measured luminance of an image and dynamic/modifiable target luminance levels. Exposure adjustments and/or adjustments to the dynamic/modifiable target luminance windows are based on the measured luminance and threshold settings to improve image quality while avoiding oscillations and other problems typically associated with automatic exposure.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-sample, antialiased rendering of images by performing multi-sample antialiasing at the primitive level. Geometric primitives used to represent a graphics environment are set-up, and then shifted by a sub-pixel offset and rendered to generate values for pixels of an intermediate image. The shifting and rendering is repeated for the geometric primitive, each time generating values for pixels of another intermediate image. The values for the pixels of the intermediate images are combined to produce values for the respective pixels of the resulting image.

Abstract: An electron multiplier detector includes cathode structure defining a plurality of spaced co-planar impact surface segments on which particles impact. These surface segments each have a finite probability of generating at least one electron for each impacting particle having predetermined characteristics. The detector further includes respective sets of electron multiplication dynode segments associated with the impact surface segments, the sets being arranged as substantially parallel arrays extending behind the impact surface segments, and respective means for generating electrostatic and magnetic fields in a space extending from the impact surface segments past the dynode segments, whereby respective streams of electrons cascade and multiply successively along the arrays of dynode segments. Collector structure is provided to receive and detect the streams of electrons downstream of the last dynode segments in the arrays.

Abstract: A method and system for performing multi-sample, antialiased rendering of images by performing multi-sample antialiasing at the primitive level. Geometric primitives used to represent a graphics environment are set-up, and then shifted by a sub-pixel offset and rendered to generate values for pixels of an intermediate image. The shifting and rendering is repeated for the geometric primitive, each time generating values for pixels of another intermediate image. The values for the pixels of the intermediate images are combined to produce values for the respective pixels of the resulting image.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will ink the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code via the present invention.

Abstract: Electron focussing apparatus includes a cathode plate defining an impact surface on which particles impact, which surface has a finite probability of generating at least one electron for each impacting particle having predetermined characteristics. The apparatus also has an electron receiving element, and respective means for generating electrostatic and magnetic fields in a space extending from the impact surface to the electron receiving element. The means for generating the electrostatic and magnetic fields are configured whereby the E/B2 ratio adjacent the electron receiving element is smaller than adjacent the impact surface, whereby to decrease the radius of curvature of the electron trajectories adjacent the electron receiving element relative to adjacent the impact surface and to thereby focus the electron trajectories in at least one dimension.

Abstract: A camera-enabled cell phone that is adapted to image a machine readable code such as a bar code, decode the bar code, send the bar code data over the Internet to a resolution server that will return an associated URL that will ink the camera phone to content on an information server. Thus, by taking a picture of a bar code symbol, the camera phone will automatically retrieve content from the Internet that has been linked to that bar code via the present invention.

Abstract: Electron focussing apparatus includes a cathode plate defining an impact surface on which particles impact, which surface has a finite probability of generating at least one electron for each impacting particle having predetermined characteristics. The apparatus also has an electron receiving element, and respective means for generating electrostatic and magnetic fields in a space extending from the impact surface to the electron receiving element. The means for generating the electrostatic and magnetic fields are configured whereby the E/B2 ratio adjacent the electron receiving element is smaller than adjacent the impact surface, whereby to decrease the radius of curvature of the electron trajectories adjacent the electron receiving element relative to adjacent the impact surface and to thereby focus the electron trajectories in at least one dimension.

Abstract: A data encoding/decoding scheme includes a plurality of bar code symbols each carrying a portion of the data in which improved error correction capabilities are incorporated. According to one aspect, once data codewords have been derived to form the symbols, a first set of data correction elements are derived from a first field, then a second set of error correction elements are derived from the data elements and the first set of error correction elements using a second, wider field.