Abstract: A technique for actively damping internal vibrations in a scanning probe microscope is disclosed. The excitation of various mechanical movements, including resonances, in the mechanical assembly of an SPM can adversely effect its performance, especially for high speed applications. An actuator is used to compensate for the movements. The actuator may operate in only the z direction, or may operate in other directions. The actuator(s) may be located at positions of antinodes.

Abstract: A cell phone is mated with the vehicle system and thereafter used to obtain access to the vehicle. A user who has a cell phone automatically can obtain access to the vehicle. An embodiment describes a USB key that provides access to the vehicle, and in an emergency, either a complete or partial version of the key can be downloaded from a server.

Abstract: A lighting system operating using a digital mirror as its operative device. The digital mirror is used to shape the light which is a passed through advanced optical devices in order to produce an output.

Abstract: A zero fleet winch that has a hollow drum and a motor and gear assembly mounted inside the drum. A roller assembly moves with the rotation to keep constant the angle where the cable goes on and off the drum.

Abstract: A dimmer wheel which is formed to absorb large amounts of light and to disperse the light that is absorbed. The dimmer wheel has a bottom surface that is irregular, and a reflective material in that bottom surface to scatter the light. A light absorbing material also receives some of the light.

Abstract: An Internet-based auction of items for sale is hosted in a server computer. Different members who want to participate in the Internet-based auction establish credit information. That credit information is shown to other users in the auction. The credit information for example can be shown as colors or the like.

Abstract: A lamp unit with a relay lens that allows two different focus points. Two different optical altering elements are hence simultaneously in focus. The elements can be taken in and out of focus to allow different effects.

Abstract: A profile of likelihoods of actions that will occur on a computer is stored. The computer may be likely to be off between time periods, e.g., between midnight and 7 am. Some action is taken relative to the actions that are likely to occur, before those actions actually happen.

Abstract: Techniques for coupling with devices that convert displacements into differential voltages and improve the sensitivity of such devices. The disclosed system improves the accuracy and resolution of a transducers such as an LVDT by converting certain parts of the circuit to a digital circuit. One embodiment uses a processor, although other digital processing circuitry may also be used.

Abstract: A real time auction system operates in a non real time mode, and an end game mode in which the users are placed in a forum. In both modes the users are capable of placing bids along with times when those bids should be executed. An agent treats the bids as secret until the time, and then at the time executes those bids.

Abstract: A chip device with a number of individually powered parts, such as photoreceptors. A mesh is provided to provide power to the individual photoreceptors. The mesh may be provided for ground and power and/or both. The mesh may be on different layers, so that one portion of the mesh is exactly over the other portion of the mesh. The mesh takes up a portion of real estate on the chip in between the individual photoreceptors, in locations where image sensing parts cannot be located. In an embodiment, the mesh can be intentionally broken at various locations to optimize the path length.

Abstract: A cellular multiscreen system forms an image which can be a frame of a video or still image, divides that image into a number of parts, and sends each part to a different cellular telephone. The cellular telephones which receives the images collectively can display the images so that one can see the original image by looking at the multiple different cellular telephones. A game can also be played by determining which of the cellular phones receive which portion of the image.

Abstract: Gobo wheel assembly has multiple gobo devices on a rotatable wheel. A central sun gear can rotate all the gobos. The gobos can be inserted and released from the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A play limit is set for a media file. The play limit can be, for example a date, or a number of times that the file has been played. When the file exceeds the play limit, the quality of the file playing is degraded.

Abstract: Computer program products, computer systems and related methods are provided which compare a URL, title and/or content of an online site viewed by a user with a first index of keywords relating to a plurality of subject matter categories, to determine any subject matter categories to which the online site relates; cross-reference any determined subject matter categories with a second index of alternative online sites categorised by subject matter, in order to determine any alternative online sites in the same or similar category; and perform a variety of actions in response including displaying a determined alternative online site to the user.

Abstract: A cable processing system includes a conveyor that holds cables and conveys the cables in a specified direction. The operation stretches the cables and allows them to be packaged or otherwise coiled. The cable processing system may wash the cables as they pass thereby.