Abstract: An apparatus for performing remote control operations is provided. A remote control detects a particular movement, and performs operations based on the detected movement.

Abstract: A method includes detecting that a particular media device is communicatively coupled to one or more media devices in a set of media devices; in response to detecting that the particular media device is communicatively coupled to the one or more media devices in the set of media devices: automatically sending one or more remote operating codes, for remotely controlling the particular media device, to a remote control device.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first set of menu options, that are selectable by a user, on a display screen; detecting a movement, of a remote control device, that corresponds to a particular command; and in response to detecting the movement that corresponds to a particular command, displaying a second set of options, that are selectable by the user, on the display screen.

Abstract: A method includes responsive to receiving a command to view multimedia content, displaying the multimedia content. A selection of a privacy level for the multimedia content is received, the privacy level indicating whether information associated with a user's viewing of the multimedia content may be published. A visual indicator of the privacy level is displayed concurrently with displaying the multimedia content.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for operating a target media device is described. The method includes receiving a user command by a remote control device for operating a target media device, where a signal to operate the target media device is not stored on the remote control device when the user command is received. Data associated with the user command is transmitted by the remote control device to a second media device and signal information, associated with the signal to operate the target media device, is received by the remote control device from the second media device. The signal to operate the target media device is transmitted by the remote control device to the target media device, where the target media device performs a function based on the signal received from the remote control device.

Abstract: A method for layering lenses includes: plasma treating a lens surface; applying a removable ink layer onto the lens surface; applying a base ink layer over the removable ink layer; applying at least one colored ink layer over the base ink layer; and removing the removable ink layer. Additional steps may include drying the lens, sealing the sides of the lens, and applying liquid to the lens before removing the removable ink layer.

Abstract: A method for layering lenses includes: plasma treating a lens surface; applying a removable ink layer onto the lens surface; applying a base ink layer over the removable ink layer; applying at least one colored ink layer over the base ink layer; and removing the removable ink layer. Additional steps may include drying the lens, sealing the sides of the lens, and applying liquid to the lens before removing the removable ink layer.

Abstract: A practice mute for string instruments includes a primary unit and at least one secondary unit. The primary unit is provided at a lower side with a groove in parallel with an axial direction of the primary unit, so that the primary unit may straddle a bridge of a string instrument with the groove engaged with a top of the bridge. The primary unit is also provided at the lower side with a plurality of recesses perpendicular to the axial direction of the primary unit, allowing strings of the string instrument to extend through the primary unit via the recesses. Part of the material of the primary unit at a predetermined position is removed to form at least one cavity for receiving the secondary unit therein. The primary and the secondary unit are made of different materials, so that the practice mute has reduced weight and provides improved sound-absorbing effect.

Abstract: A sound box for floor-standing string instrument includes a resonance box being provided on a top surface with at least one recess for receiving a spike below the string instrument therein, and an opening extended through the top surface of the resonance box; and a pad attached to a bottom surface of the resonance box. The resonance box and the pad together form a sound reflection controlling mechanism, so that vibration waves transmitted from the string instrument to the sound box are reflected back to the string instrument. The reflected sound waves combine with the original vibration waves to amplify the sound produced by the string instrument, making the sound more brilliant and sweeter.

Abstract: A reinforced pallet includes a pallet body having a plurality of flexible support arms, each integrally molded adjacent one of the plurality of channels formed in the pallet body. Each of the flexible support arms is configured to flex outward away from the channel upon insertion of an elongated reinforcement member into the channel and to subsequently return to its own deformed position in the channel, thereby retaining the reinforcement member in the channel. In this manner, the reinforcement members can be inserted and locked in the pallet body in a single motion.

Abstract: A waste container includes a handle rotatably mounted on the side wall. The handle includes a first grip at an outer end of a short arm and a second grip at the outer end of a long arm. The handle is rotatable relative to the waste container, between a first position where the first grip extends a first distance above an upper edge of the side wall of the waste container and a second position where the second grip extends a second distance above the upper edge of the side wall, with the second distance being substantially greater than the first distance. In this manner, the handle can be moved to the proper location for either pulling the waste container on its wheels or for emptying the waste container into the hopper of a truck.

Abstract: A dequantization block is provided for performing dequantization calculations on a block of encoded video signal data using a modified standard quantization matrix. The modified standard quantization matrix is a product of a standard quantization matrix and a diagonal cosine matrix. The dequantization block receives a modified standard quantization matrix, the modified standard quantization matrix being a product of a standard quantization matrix corresponding to the encoded video data stream and a diagonal cosine matrix. In addition the dequantization block receives a scale representing a compression ratio of the encoded video data stream and non-zero IDCT coefficient matrix corresponding to a block of the encoded video data. The dequantization block then multiplies the scale, the non-zero IDCT coefficient matrix and the modified standard quantization matrix. An IDCT block is provided for performing IDCT calculations on each block processed by the dequantization block.