Abstract: An apparatus for applying thermal energy to a prostate gland. The apparatus to apply therapeutic treatment to the prostate includes a tube with a longitudinal passageway and wall having radial apertures, power leads threaded through the tube and out the radial apertures in the wall of the tube. Ultrasound crystals are disposed over the tube and the power leads are coupled through the apertures to the ultrasound crystals and a sealant is disposed adjacent and coupled acoustically to the ultrasound crystals. The apparatus is particularly useful to shape the ultrasound treatment fields and minimize application of energy to rectal tissue and the like.

Abstract: A plurality of pre-recorded, generated or other sound tracks (e.g. voice, karaoke) are selectable and de-selectable by a user for synchronously mixing with a main song track and all other sound tracks that are playing. The sound tracks are matched and synchronized to the song track. A visual display depicts icons which represent the sound tracks, and indicate which sound tracks are selected and de-selected. The user creates an individual musical performance by interactively selecting and de-selecting one or more sound tracks using a joystick or keyboard on a real-time basis with instantaneous visual and audible feedback. Depending on the musical content of each sound track, various operational modes ensure that whenever a track is selected, the result is always immediate, musically synchronized and aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: An electronic digital computer system includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for displaying graphical objects such as icon buttons, scrolling text lists, and text entry fields on a monitor. A keyboard includes a label key such as a conventional alternate (Alt) key which, when depressed, causes alphanumeric characters to be superimposed on the graphical objects. Depression of an alphanumeric key on the keyboard corresponding to the alphanumeric character superimposed on a selected object causes an associated operation to be launched. The GUI includes an object table having an entry for each graphical object. Each entry includes an object name, corresponding alphanumeric character, object type (e.g. icon button, text input field), and object display position. A display generator accesses the object table using the object names as inputs, obtains the alphanumeric characters as outputs, and superimposes and displays the alphanumeric characters on the objects.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a multi-layered gaming device that can be used for a variety of different purposes including, but not limited to, winning prizes, education and advertising. The gaming device comprises a base panel having multiple overlapping strips removably attached to the base panel. In response to a series of questions, a user selectively removes one or more of the overlapping strips until a final image or answer is revealed.

Abstract: Techniques for transmitting graphical images in a network environment are described. According to the techniques, the amount of data of the graphical images that is transmitted is customized in accordance with client and/or server supplied information. The techniques enable graphical images to be transmitted more efficiently than previously possible, thus saving precious network bandwidth and reducing transmission time. The invention is particularly suitable for network (intranet or Internet) implementations wherein graphical images often need to be transferred.

Abstract: An article, and method for making the same, including a film of reflective material, a textured pattern associated with the one surface of the film such that the film substantially conforms to the textured pattern, and an ink design forming an image associated with the other surface of the film.

Abstract: An illuminating and annunciating device for a toilet having a bowl, and a seat which is movable between a lower seating position and an upper retracted position, includes an illumination unit for illuminating the bowl for nighttime standing urination. An annunciator unit generates an audible indication which reminds a user to move the seat from the retracted position to the seating position after use. A sensor activates the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the retracted position, and de-activates the illumination unit and the annunciator unit when the seat is in the seating position. The device is attached to the toilet seat or bowl, and the sensor includes a switch which is actuated by the other of the toilet seat or bowl when the seat is in the seating position. The annunciator unit preferably includes an audio module with a recording and playback capability for recording the audible indication as a verbal message, musical sequence, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the transfer of a wrong sector uses the LBA to ensure that a correct sector is transferred. The LBA may be appended to the sector data during a write operation and verified during a read operation. Preferably, the LBA is embedded into the CRC block during a write operation and used to detect the transfer of a wrong sector during a read operation. The LBA may be embedded within the CRC, before or after it is transmitted to a CRC Generator/Checker, by Exclusive-ORing the sector data or CRC data with the LBA. During a read operation, the incoming CRC is Exclusive-ORed with the expected LBA of the sector being read, thereby eliminating the LBA from the CRC data. The CRC data is then checked by the CRC Generator/Checker and an error is signalled if the CRC data does not match. Using the method and apparatus of the present invention, the LBA may also be embedded in the CRC during format and minimal latency operations.