Abstract: A security system incorporating a reasoning system and security rules and processes. Transponders may be triggered and sensed from a distance to identify both items and individuals. These sensed identifiers are processed by the reasoning system to determine whether each identified item is authorized to be removed from or brought into a secured location by the identified individual. The system modifies and optimizes its rules and processes based on assessments of security events. The security system enforces these security rules and receives feedback from authorized security personnel. A learning system is configured to modify existing rules or create new rules in conformance with the feedback from the authorized security personnel.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming memory space allocated to a data structure comprising data objects (910-960) linked by identifying pointers, in which the memory allocated to data objects is reclaimed using two systems: a first system (980), by which a selected part of the data structure is traversed by following the pointers, one of at least two identifiers being allocated to the data objects, a first identifier which indicates that the data object has been traversed so that the data objects referenced by the pointers of that data object have been identified, and a second identifier which indicates that the data object is referenced by a pointer, but the data object has not yet been traversed; and a second system (990), by which an individual data object is selected for deletion to enable the associated memory space to be reclaimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head-mounted display provided with an image display device and an optical system. The optical system comprises a concave mirror and a semi-transmissive element for projecting an image to be formed by the image display device via the concave mirror, the semi-transmissive element and an exit pupil of the head-mounted display on a user's retina. To improve the resolution of a displayed image of the head-mounted display, a first lens means is arranged between the image display device and the semi-transmissive element.

Abstract: A garment 10, such as a pair of trousers, skirt or full-length coat, comprises an antenna 12 and means 14 for connection of the same to a portable electronic device 16 to permit wireless communications of said device 16 via the antenna 12. The antenna 12 is a longitudinal conductive element attached to the garment 10 in such an orientation as to be close to the ground and to extend substantially vertically when a wearer of the garment is in a standing position. The antenna orientation close to the natural ground plane gives improved reception for, e.g. FM radio broadcasts.

Abstract: A user interface for querying and displaying records from a database employs a physical metaphor for the process of constructing queries and viewing results. User profiles are presented and manipulated to operate with queries in the same way as other criteria. For example, in one embodiment, the search criteria are shown as the beads on respective strings, the strings representing categories of criteria. One of the strings is a set of user profiles that can be added to a query in the same manner as the addition of criteria. Criteria are selected to form a query by moving corresponding beads to a query string. User preference profiles can be constructed in the same manner. Profiles are saved and represented as bead strings that can be used in further interactions in the same manner as criteria beads, Profiles can also be the result of automatic machine-analysis of user interaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing an automatic zoom lens, and more particularly to a zoom lens that is controlled by a processor that is linked to a gaze tracking system. As a user looks onto an object through the device, the gaze tracking system collects data relating to the position of each eye of the user. This eye position data is input into the processor where the focal point of the user is determined. The processor then adjusts the zoom lens to zoom in or out onto the object based on either a predetermined or user input zoom factor.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for detecting a watermark in an information signal. The method may include the steps of computing the correlation (dk) of the watermark (Wi) and the information signal (e.g. an image Q) for a plurality of positions (k) of the watermark with respect to the information signal, and detecting whether at least one of the respective correlation values exceeds a given threshold. The step of detecting may include determining the standard deviation (&sgr;d) of the respective correlation values (dk), and setting the threshold to a given multiple (T) of the standard deviation. The multiple (T) is derived form a desired false alarm rate (watermark detected when there is none, or no watermark detected when there is one).

Abstract: A user interface for querying and displaying records form a database employs a physical metaphor for the process of constructing queries and viewing results. In one embodiment, the search criteria are shown as strings of beads in a three-dimensional scene, each bead representing a criterion and each string representing a different category. For example the criteria, drama, action, suspense, and horror may be included in a category of genre. Criteria are selected to form a query by moving corresponding beads to a query string. User preference profiles can be constructed in the same way. Profiles can be saved and represented as bead strings that can be used in further interactions in the same manner as criteria beads. Results are displayed in a three-dimensional scene also. The accuracy of the match between retrieved records and the query correspond to the placement of results, also represented as beads, along the Z-axis of the scene.

Abstract: An upgradable television, in accordance with the present invention, includes a plurality of modules for providing operating functions for the upgradable television, each module capable of identifying itself to a processor. The processor is coupled to each of the modules. The processor is for recognizing changes in the modules in accordance with the identification of the modules. A receiver is operatively connected to the processor for receiving information for upgrading the upgradable television in accordance with new modules introduced into the upgradable television. A method for upgrading is also described.

Abstract: A user interface for querying and displaying records from a database employs a physical metaphor for the process of constructing queries and viewing results. The search criteria are shown as strings of beads in a three-dimensional scene, each bead representing a criterion and each string representing a different category. For example the criteria, drama, action, suspense, and horror may be included in a category of genre. Criteria are selected to form a query by moving corresponding beads to a query string. User preference profiles can be constructed in the same way. To make the entry of key words possible in such an interface, key words are culled from search results based on frequency of appearance in returned records from a search or based on the frequency with which they are approved.

Abstract: A security monitoring system including one or more cameras for monitoring a path of an individual, a recorder for recording the monitoring of the individual, trajectory analyzer for computing a trajectory of the path of the individual from the recorded monitoring, comparator for comparing the trajectory against known trajectories, and an alarm system for transmitting an alarm signal if the trajectory does not match one of the known trajectories. Further, the system may include a database for storing image data for each authorized individual of the structure and a recognition system for comparing images of the individual from the one or more cameras with the stored image data in the database. The alarm system transmits the alarm signal if the trajectory does not match one of the known trajectories and the individual is an authorized individual or if the individual is not an authorized individual.

Abstract: An arrangement for TV broadcasting outdoor events or the like via a mobile unit (34), which is connected via cables (30, 11, 20) to devices (12, 21, 22) for supplying and/or receiving video, audio or control signals and accommodates corresponding apparatuses (34a) for processing these signals, achieves a reduction in the number of cables and realizes new services, by providing at least one coupling station (10) in which separate optical waveguides (11, 20), outgoing from the individual devices (12, 21, 22), are coupled to a light-wave broadband cable (30), the light-wave broadband cable (30) being connected to a docking station (31) for transferring source signals, the devices (12, 21, 22) and the docking station (31) having electro-optical transducer elements (32) for converting the source signals, and the docking station being connectable to the mobile unit (34).

Abstract: A patch antenna (10) for mobile telecommunications use is designed for incorporation into the garment of a wearer, e.g. in a shoulder pad (10) or lapel (30). The antenna comprises first and second (12, 16) spaced layers of electrically conducting fabric with a layer (14) of insulating fabric between, and a connection between the conducting layers. The conducting layers (12, 16) may be a single strip of shaped fabric (A, B, C) folded around the insulating layers. The conducting layers are shaped so that the layer adjacent the wearer is of larger area and is connected as the ground plane of the antenna so as to shield the wearer from the strongest electrical fields. Also, the patch antenna is arranged so that its radiating regions (24, 38) are remote from the user's head.

Abstract: A method, wireless MP3 player and system for downloading MP3 files from MP3 content sites that are in data communication with the Internet. The method comprises the steps of providing a wireless application protocol network in data communication with the Internet, a music server in data connection with the Internet, at least one MP3 content site in data communication with the Internet, and a wireless MP3 player having circuitry for establishing data communications with the wireless application protocol network and a display for displaying information generated by the music server.

Abstract: When a person requests access to a chat session, the time of the request is used to determine which chat room the person is placed. Other parameters are used to determine the surrounding factors, or context, within which the person initiated the request, such as the particular television program that the person was watching at the time of the request. By forming chat rooms based on the time of entry and the context in which the request is made, the chat rooms are likely to contain people with a common topic to discuss, such as the television news story being broadcast at that time. These time-of-entry chat rooms can also be structured to be of limited duration, obviating the overhead burden of deleting topic-specific chat rooms when the topic ceases to be of interest.

Abstract: A cassette form factor device containing a drive wheel and a generator. The drive wheel is positioned to be in frictional contact with a pinch-roller of a cassette-playing device when the cassette form factor device is inserted into a play position on the cassette-playing device. The generator is driven by the drive wheel and generates electrical power to energize one or both of the cassette form-factor device and an external device when the cassette-playing device drives the drive wheel. The cassette form factor device may contain an MP3 player having a read/write head. The read/write head is positioned so that when the cassette form factor device is inserted into the play position on the cassette-playing device, the read/write head may provide content from the MP3 player to the cassette-playing device. The cassette form factor device may contain a rechargeable battery operatively that is connected to the generator so that the generator may recharge the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A security monitoring system including: an alarm system having detectors for detection of an alarm in a structure; at least one camera for capturing image data inside and/or outside the structure; a processor for selecting a subset of the image data upon the occurrence of the alarm based on a predetermined criteria; and a modem for transmitting the subset of image data to a remote location. Preferably, the processor ranks each video frame from the image data according to how well each video frame meets the predetermined criteria and the modem transmits a predetermined number of video frames having the best rank to the remote location.

Abstract: An image display device comprising a light modulation panel, a light conductor arranged opposite the light modulation panel and a light source connected to the light conductor. The light conductor comprises a serrated foil which reflects a light beam emitted by the light source and having a first direction of polarization, and transmits a light beam modulated by the light modulation panel and having a second direction of polarization.

Abstract: A network communications system comprises a number of user stations (10,24), coupled via a data network (12) to a number of service provider host systems (14,16). The user stations (10) are registered as client stations at the host system (16) of a service provider, with the host system maintaining a database of registered client station identification data. The host system additionally maintains a directory of the client stations that are on-line at a given time, determined from periodic messages sent to the host by each client station. Callers (24,28) wishing to contact a client station (10) user first contact the service provider (16) which, from the directory, determines whether the user is currently on-line. If so, a paging message is generated by the service provider from data supplied by the caller and sent via the network (12) to the client station (10), the address of which is held in the service provider database.

Abstract: A portable location alarm device is provided which allows a user to pre-set an alarm event to occur when the device arrives at a pre-determined location. The alarm event alerts the user by audible, visual or vibrating means. The alarm device determines its actual location using GPS data. In one embodiment the user bookmarks particular locations while physically present at a given location. Part of the bookmarking process involves the device simultaneously receiving GPS data that describes the physical location. The user can subsequently set an alarm event for any bookmarked location without the need for the device to carry large databases, for example of the type cross-referencing place names to mapping co-ordinates.