Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying potential modifications of a shipping item design are described. In one aspect, a first number of homogeneous copies of the shipping item in a first design state that fit on a specified shipping pallet is identified. One or more modifications of the shipping item's design are computed. The computed modifications transform the first design state into a second design state of the shipping item homogeneous copies of which fit on the specified shipping pallet in a second number greater than the first number.

Abstract: Event-driven battery charging charges or reconditions and charges a rechargeable battery in response to a detected upcoming event. An upcoming event is a member of a list of events stored in computer-readable memory. Each member has respective occurrence information. The upcoming event is detected when a current date or date and time corresponds to the occurrence information for a respective event in the list. A battery charger includes the list of events stored in the memory, a clock, a battery charging subsystem and a controller that controls the battery charging subsystem. A battery-powered device includes the list of events stored in the memory, a clock, a battery charging subsystem, a controller, and a computer program stored in the memory and executed by the controller. The computer program includes instructions that implement detecting an upcoming event and charging the battery in situ when the upcoming event is detected.

Abstract: A digital camera is equipped with signal processing circuits that achieve white balance by calibrating CCD detector outputs to a non-standard target, such as the palm of a person's hand or a camera lens cover. The calibration technique avoids the necessity of using a standard target to calibrate the digital camera under field use conditions.

Abstract: A personal computer system having a retractable cable system or mechanism for use in connecting a first computing device to a second computing device. The retractable cable mechanism is disposed adjacent to a front panel of the either the first or second computing devices. The retractable cable mechanism is coupled to an extendable cable 26 that allows a user to interconnect the first and second computing devices using a cable that may be retracted inside of the personal computer when not in use.

Abstract: A system and method for managing digital images arranged in a preset order in a digital camera or other imaging device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing help with operating an image capture device is provided. One embodiment comprises a method for providing help with operating an image capture device. The method comprises providing via an interface of the image capture device a menu comprising at least one menu option; providing a sub-menu in response to a selection of one of the menu options, wherein the sub-menu comprises a help option and at least one sub-menu option, the at least one sub-menu option relating to the selected menu option; and providing information regarding at least one of the at least one sub-menu option in response to a selection of the help option.

Abstract: An input device that has controls on more than one side is disclosed. The user orients the input device such that the controls to he used are in a predetermined orientation. A sensor detects which controls are in the predetermined orientation and enables those controls.

Abstract: A system for capturing, via a digital camera, an audio clip either before, during, or after the capture of an associated photographic image. The system allows a user to associate an audio clip with a corresponding photographic image by using two shutter button positions to respectively control the initiation of an audio recording and the termination thereof. In operation, a user presses shutter button to a partially depressed position which initiates audio capture. The user then fully depresses the shutter button, which initiates image capture with continued recording of the audio clip. Audio recording continues until the shutter button is filly released. The recorded audio clip and corresponding image are stored in local camera memory in a format that allows them to be re-associated when the memory is downloaded from the camera.

Abstract: The image capture device detects a sudden light change event and captures images associated with the sudden light change event. Exposure values associated with the captured images are calculated. The difference between the exposure values are compared to an exposure value change criteria. If the difference is at least equal to the exposure value change criteria, the presence of a sudden light change event is determined and the most recently captured image is saved into memory. Thus, only images associated with the sudden light change event are saved, thereby more efficiently utilizing limited memory capacity. The sudden light change event is typically characterized by a relatively large, sudden and unpredictable increase in light such that the object of interest is more lighted. Also, after the onset of the sudden light change event and/or before the onset of the sudden light change event, images may be stored in memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism for detecting the correct or incorrect attachment of cabling between a host computer and a peripheral device and more generally between any two information processing products. A host computer uses signal transmission and/or particular electrical characteristics to uniquely identify particular pins, and a peripheral device checks the location of these signals and characteristics in its input wires to determine the actual position of a connector in relation to its proper position. Information from the detection can be developed either by the peripheral device or by the host to identify the required corrective action to place the connector in the correct position.