Abstract: A system and method provide callee activity mode information to a caller (including a potential caller). Thus the caller can find out the current callee activity mode, and the callee's availability to receive telephone calls. Callees can configure the system and method to provide different types of information depending on various factors including caller identity. The invention provides functionality for displaying callee activity mode information after a call is attempted, or before it is attempted, or both.

Abstract: A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.

Abstract: A collapsible snowboarder pole is divided into a number of segments. The segments are stored in a housing that also functions as a handle when the pole is in use. Tent pole technology enables the segments to fold out and hold shape. The pole segments mate with one another and are held in place by an elastic cord. The cord provides sufficient elasticity to allow the user to pull apart the pole segments enough to disengage them from one another when collapsing the pole.

Abstract: A system and method for processing moving images employ an interactive particle system comprising virtual image processing elements, or paintbrushes, in order to avoid problems of noise amplification and sensitivity to temporal discontinuities in source images. Attributes and parameters of paintbrushes may be specified by the user, and may vary dependent on the content of the source image. Paintbrushes may interact and may respond to virtual forces of various types. The system and method provide mechanisms by which the user may specify force parameters, by which source images can become forces, and by which force attributes may diffuse throughout the display field.

Abstract: A system and method of compressing and decompressing a digital signal using scaled quantization of variable-sized packets of difference samples. Difference samples are generated and subdivided into packets. Packet boundaries may be moved to maximize resolution. A scale value is established for each packet, and scaled samples are generated for the difference samples. Packet boundaries, scale values, and scaled samples are then output as the compressed signal. Decompression is performed by multiplying scaled samples by the appropriate scale value. The resulting set of decompressed difference samples are sequentially added to an initial sample to produce a decompressed signal.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically indexing information to allow a user to view "cross sections" of the information as desired. Information in a document is divided into "cells". As the user adds or changes information in cells of a document, the system updates one or more indexes to reflect the new contents of the document. Thus, indexes are generated and maintained, using a variety of index criteria, without any user effort or intervention. Index criteria may include cell contents of data elements as well as cell attributes. The user may view indexes by means of special index pages that form part of the document. Cells in the index pages are linked to other cells within the document so that a user may access any document cell directly from the index, as desired.

Abstract: A system and method of digital video editing simultaneously displays a plurality of source video windows on a screen, each window showing a digital source video stream. The user may select among the source video windows at any time while they are being shown. The selected digital source video stream appears in a record video window, and continues to run in real-time in both the selected source video window and the record video window. All windows continuously display real-time video streams. The user may continue to make selections among the source video windows as often as desired, and may also select transformations, or special effects, from an on-screen list. The video stream playing in the record window thus forms a digital user-arranged version of selected portions of the source video streams, plus transformations, as selected by the user. The user's selections are stored to permit subsequent playback of the digital user-arranged video stream in a playback window.

Abstract: A circuit and method for mixing signals from audio sources provide noise reduction by employing a noise gate to selectively attenuate one of the source signals. The noise gate has a low gain state and a unity gain state. The noise gate switches to its unity gain state when a control signal reaches a predefined threshold voltage. The control signal is generated by rectifying and integrating the noisy source audio signal, so that the noise gate enters the unity gain state only when a useful sound occurs. Thus, the noise in the combined audio signal is reduced, without attenuating useful components of the source signals.

Abstract: An automated real estate appraisal system (100) and method generates estimates of real estate value using a predictive model such as a neural network (908). The predictive model (908) generates these estimates based on learned relationships among variables describing individual property characteristics (905) as well as general neighborhood characteristics at various levels of geographic specificity (906). The system (100) may also output reason codes indicating relative contributions (1009) of various variables to a particular result, and may generate reports (701) describing property valuations, market trend analyses, property conformity information, and recommendations regarding loans based on risk related to a property.

Abstract: A notebook computer which is controlled by a stylus executing gestures on the computer screen. The stylus and the computer include complementary electronic circuitry by which the proximity of the stylus tip to the computer is sensed. The proximity sensing is used to detect to approach of the stylus tip to the computer screen, and gestural commands are then entered on the screen by moving the stylus. The entry of a command is terminated by removing the stylus tip from proximity with the screen, which is detected by the computer, which then implements the command. Alternative methods of implementing the commands include time-outs and command termination buttons.

Abstract: A system and method of digital video editing simultaneously displays a plurality of source video windows on a screen, each window showing a digital source video stream. The user may select among the source video windows at any time while they are being shown. The selected digital source video stream appears in a record video window, and continues to run in real-time in both the selected source video window and the record video window. All windows continuously display real-time video streams. The user may continue to make selections among the source video windows as often as desired, and may also select transformations, or special effects, from an on-screen list. The video stream playing in the record window thus forms a digital user-arranged version of selected portions of the source video streams, plus transformations, as selected by the user. The user's selections are stored to permit subsequent playback of the digital user-arranged video stream in a playback window.

Abstract: A microwave power divider/combiner (10) comprises a preamplifier (12), a first microwave lens (14), a plurality of amplifiers (16), and a second microwave lens (18). The preamplifier (12) is coupled to receive a microwave source signal (20) and amplify it. The output of the preamplifier (12) feeds the first lens (14). The first lens (14) divides the signal received on its input into a plurality of signals of equal amplitude and phase. Each output of the first lens (14) is then provided to an input of a respective amplifier (16) from the plurality of amplifiers (16). The amplifiers (16) amplify the divided signals and output them to the second lens (18). The second lens (18) has a plurality of inputs and recombines the signals on the inputs into a single higher level signal at an output (22). The present invention also provides a compact configuration for the divider/combiner (10) of the present invention with the lenses (14, 18) mounted on top of each other separated by a mounting block (26).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for color screening combines existing halftone pixel matrices into a super cell. Images of different intensities are displayed using such a super cell by selectively illuminating pixels in the super cell in an order that depends both on the illumination order of the original cells and a visitation order for the halftone cells that make up the super cell.

Abstract: A combination mouse/trackball input device for an electronic computer functions as either a mouse or a trackball, depending on which of two operating modes the user selects. The user selects the desired mode by moving a selector handle to one of two positions, which causes a tracking ball to be raised to trackball mode or lowered to mouse mode. In mouse mode, the tracking ball makes contact with the mouse pad or other flat surface on which the device rests so that the ball rotates when the device is moved. This mode is suitable for general purpose use. In trackball mode, the tracking ball is elevated so that it does not make contact with the mouse pad, but it projects through an aperture in the top face of the enclosure. In this mode, which is preferred for applications requiring fine control over the cursor position, the user rotates the ball directly with his or her fingers. The device permits easy switching between the two modes with minimal interruption of the user's work.