Abstract: A system for improving the performance of a plurality of peripheral devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a first peripheral device associated with a first software component and having a first functionality, and a second peripheral device associated with a second software component and having a second functionality, the second peripheral device being coupled to the first peripheral device, the first and second peripheral devices together performing functionality in addition to the first and second functionalities and having a common user interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for obtaining and distributing calendar information from one or more calendar sources, as may be defined by a user, in a manner that allows for easy incorporation of the obtained calendar information into a personal or group calendar database. A collection and distribution unit is provided for obtaining calendar information from a predetermined calendar source. If necessary, the collection and distribution unit may convert the obtained calendar information into a predetermined format. Calendar data is distributed by the collection and distribution unit in accordance with preferences specified by a subscriber record.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for customizing a software application interface. A method for modifying a software application contains the following steps: identifying the operator; acquiring an operator profile; setting a threshold value; monitoring the operator's use of the software; and modifying a functional interface when the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing an image collection. The invention is preferably embodied in computer readable program code. Program code may be provided for receiving image data for at least one user image in the image collection. Program code may also be provided for selecting at least one professional image based on the image data, and for formatting at least one attribute of the professional image based at least in part on the image data for inclusion with the image collection.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for personalizing an electrical device. In one arrangement, the system comprises an electrical device having a plurality of button openings that are adapted to receive buttons that control operation of the electrical device, and a plurality of removable buttons that can be interchangeably disposed within the button openings of the electrical device, the buttons being provided with a variety of discrete features so as to be selectable by a user for provision on the electrical device in an arrangement chosen by the user to personalize the device as desired by the user.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for capturing non-audible information for processing thereof is disclosed. The system comprises an optical capture device that is operable to optically scan an area. The optical capture device is also operable to recognize a triggering identifier associated with a visual object within the area, and the optical capture device is operable to process non-audible information captured thereby from the visual object in response to the optical capture device recognizing the triggering identifier associated with the visual object.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for personalizing an electrical device. In one arrangement, the system comprises an electrical device having a plurality of button openings that are adapted to receive buttons that control operation of the electrical device, and a plurality of removable buttons that can be interchangeably disposed within the button openings of the electrical device, the buttons being provided with a variety of discrete features so as to be selectable by a user for provision on the electrical device in an arrangement chosen by the user to personalize the device as desired by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information to a mobile expert device is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a request for information having a digital component from a user of the mobile expert device regarding a specific topic, routing the request for information to an expert, and transmitting in real-time information relating to the topic to the mobile expert device, the transmitted information based at least in part on the request for information.

Abstract: Systems for providing information to a user are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes an identification device. The identification device incorporates a locator and a transmitter. The locator is configured to facilitate determining a location of the identification device so that information corresponding to a user of the identification device and information associated with the location of the identification device can be transmitted via the transmitter to a services system. In response to the information provided by the identification device, the services system can provide information to the user via the first identification device based, at least in part, on the location of the identification device. Image-capturing devices also are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for personalizing an electrical device. In one arrangement, the system comprises an electrical device having a plurality of button openings that are adapted to receive buttons that control operation of the electrical device, and a plurality of removable buttons that can be interchangeably disposed within the button openings of the electrical device, the buttons being provided with a variety of discrete features so as to be selectable by a user for provision on the electrical device in an arrangement chosen by the user to personalize the device as desired by the user.

Abstract: Systems for providing information to a user are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes an identification device. The identification device incorporates a locator and a transmitter. The locator is configured to facilitate determining a location of the identification device so that information corresponding to a user of the identification device and information associated with the location of the identification device can be transmitted via the transmitter to a services system. In response to the information provided by the identification device, the services system can provide information to the user via the first identification device based, at least in part, on the location of the identification device. Image-capturing devices also are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing related digital images through a user-friendly interactive-interview process. A digital-image-processing system may be implemented with a user interface, a data manager, and an image processor. The user interface identifies a flawed region of a first digital image and a substitute region. The image processor is configured to generate a composite image comprising the first digital image and the substitute region wherein the image processor is responsive to an interactive interview process. A digital-image processing method includes receiving related digital-image information, identifying an undesirable feature within the digital-image information, associating a desired feature within the digital-image information with the undesirable feature, replacing the undesirable feature with the desirable feature, and adjusting the image information responsible for generating the desirable feature to produce a modified digital image.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying the sensitivity of various image-editing parameters in accordance with the result obtained from one or more visual-acuity tests are disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of: identifying a new operator of the image-processing system; presenting a visual-acuity test to the operator via an interface to identify a control parameter sensitivity value associated with the operator's visual acuity limit; and adjusting the control parameter sensitivity value accordingly. The method may be implemented by an image-processing system having an image acquisition device, a processor, a memory device, a user-input device, and a display.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for customizing a software application interface. A method for modifying a software application contains the following steps: identifying the operator; acquiring an operator profile; setting a threshold value; monitoring the operator's use of the software; and modifying a functional interface when the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying the sensitivity of various image-editing parameters in accordance with the result obtained from one or more visual-acuity tests are disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of: identifying a new operator of the image-processing system; presenting a visual-acuity test to the operator via an interface to identify a control parameter sensitivity value associated with the operator's visual acuity limit; and adjusting the control parameter sensitivity value accordingly. The method may be implemented by an image-processing system having an image acquisition device, a processor, a memory device, a user-input device, and a display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing image files over time are disclosed. A method for managing digital data storage over time in a computer based data storage system includes, acquiring an image from a client, associating a representation of the image with the client, storing the representation in a first image file format, receiving a client request for delivery of the image in a preferred image file format, determining if the first image file format is compatible with the preferred image file format, translating the representation from the first image file format to the preferred file format when the first image file format is incompatible with the preferred file format, and delivering the image as desired. The method may be implemented by a data storage system having a primary data storage device, a computing device including an operable data manager, a network interface, and a secondary data storage device.

Abstract: A system for improving the performance of a plurality of peripheral devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a first peripheral device associated with a first software component and having a first functionality, and a second peripheral device associated with a second software component and having a second functionality, the second peripheral device being coupled to the first peripheral device, the first and second peripheral devices together performing functionality in addition to the first and second functionalities and having a common user interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for personalizing an electrical device. In one arrangement, the system comprises an electrical device having a plurality of button openings that are adapted to receive buttons that control operation of the electrical device, and a plurality of removable buttons that can be interchangeably disposed within the button openings of the electrical device, the buttons being provided with a variety of discrete features so as to be selectable by a user for provision on the electrical device in an arrangement chosen by the user to personalize the device as desired by the user.

Abstract: Systems for providing information to a user are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes an identification device. The identification device incorporates a locator and a transmitter. The locator is configured to facilitate determining a location of the identification device so that information corresponding to a user of the identification device and information associated with the location of the identification device can be transmitted via the transmitter to a services system. In response to the information provided by the identification device, the services system can provide information to the user via the first identification device based, at least in part, on the location of the identification device. Image-capturing devices also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for obtaining and distributing calendar information from one or more calendar sources, as may be defined by a user, in a manner that allows for easy incorporation of the obtained calendar information into a personal or group calendar database. A collection and distribution unit is provided for obtaining calendar information from a predetermined calendar source. If necessary, the collection and distribution unit may convert the obtained calendar information into a predetermined format. Calendar data is distributed by the collection and distribution unit in accordance with preferences specified by a subscriber record.