Abstract: Color/optical characteristics measuring systems and methods are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics/elements are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic/element and received light reflected from the surface of the object is measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention.

Abstract: To obtain a correct vector address even if an interrupt occurs during erasing or programming of the data in a built-in ROM 18 by moving a part of a built-in RAM 13 to a vector address area by a bus controller 27. Thereby, a microcomputer is prevented from running away and the safety of a system is improved at the time of on-board programming of the built-in ROM 18.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article where the article has polymeric residue that is to be removed during the manufacture of the article. The article is introduced into a controlled environment of a processing tool that has at least first and second processing chambers. Free radicals are generated from one or more reactant gases and introduced into at least the first processing chamber where they react with the polymeric residue. A cryogenic cleaning medium is supplied into the second processing chamber where it removes the polymeric residue present after the free radicals react with the polymeric residue. The reactant gases are selected to facilitate removal of the polymeric residue with the cryogenic cleaning medium The first and second processing chambers may be dedicated to plasma processing or cryogenic processing or each may provide both plasma processing and cryogenic processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play). The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples.

Abstract: Color measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed.

Abstract: A digital multi-media device provides features for a user unskilled in musical arts or sound handling techniques that provides automatic musical score composition in accordance with contained composition instructions. Stored sound samples and interfaces for obtaining external signals provide signals for merger with visual and sound presentations to obtain altered presentations either time shifted or in real time. In this fashion the user can create simulated radio stations for playback of prearranged and composed audio material. Further, the automatically composed musical score may be mixed with synthesized, digitized signals from the stored sound samples and external signals obtained through the device interfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play), and particularly in a form that may be employed in one or a plurality of music generation music that provide on-hold music to callers that are put on-hold in a telephony environment. The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples.

Abstract: An Automatic Soundtrack Generator permits merger of a sound track that is independent of the external sound source, while either recording or playing a video sequence. The Automatic Soundtrack Generator integrates in a video recorder or player a module that generates music or other sounds which either can be mixed with the originally recorded sound (sound mixing), or can replace the originally recorded sound (sound dubbing). This sound mixing or dubbing can be performed either at video/audio record time or at play back time.

Abstract: Systems and methods by which voice/data communications may occur in multiple modes/protocols are disclosed. In particular, systems and methods are provided for multiple native mode/protocol voice and data transmissions and receptions with a computing system having a multi-bus structure, including, for example, a TDM bus and a packet bus, and multi-protocol framing engines. Such systems preferably include subsystem functions such as PBX, voice mail and other telephony functions, LAN hub and data router or switch functions. In preferred embodiments, a TDM bus and a packet bus are intelligently bridged and managed, thereby enabling such multiple mode/protocol voice and data transmissions to be intelligently managed and controlled with a single, integrated system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article having polymeric residue that is to be removed during the manufacture of the article is disclosed. The article is introduced into a controlled environment of a processing tool having one or more processing chambers. Free radicals are generated from one or more reactant gases and introduced into at least one of the one or more processing chambers where they react with the polymeric residue. A cryogenic cleaning medium is supplied into at least one of the one or more processing chambers where it removes the polymeric residue present after the free radicals react with the polymeric residue. The reactant gases are selected to facilitate removal of the polymeric residue with the cryogenic cleaning medium. The cryogenic cleaning medium is supplied via a nozzle implement that sweeps across the article. A slide mechanism and drive motor may be supplied internal or external to the controlled environment.

Abstract: Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics preferably are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the optical characteristics measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence, gloss and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention.

Abstract: A built-in memory is divided into the following two types: first memories 5 and 7 and second memories 4 and 6, and made accessible in parallel by third buses XAB and XDB and second buses YAB and YDB respectively. Thereby, a CPU core 2 can simultaneously transfer two data values from the built-in memory to a DSP engine 3. Moreover, the third buses XAB and XDB and the second buses YAB and YDB are also separate from first buses IAB and IDB to be externally interfaced and the CPU core 2 can access an external memory in parallel with the access to the second memories 4 and 6 and the first memories 5 and 7.

Abstract: A plasma assisted cryogenic cleaner for and a method of performing cleaning of a surface that must be substantially free of contaminants has a resiliently mounted nozzle for spraying a cryogenic cleaning medium on the surface. The cleaning is conducted by applying to the substrate surface a mixture of gases selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, fluorine, hydrofluorocarbon or a mixture of such gases to both remove the photoresist layer and alter the composition of the residues such that the residues are soluble in water and/or have a weakened bonds that they can be removed with a stream of cryogenic medium. The cryogenic and plasma processes can be performed sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a PLD-based network update transport (PNUT) protocol that utilizes UDP and other protocols for transmitting update or other commands or information over a packet-based or IP network. PNUT is a hardware-based network communication protocol that does not require the full TCP/IP stack and may be utilized for exchanging commands and information with such PLD-based and other devices. Protocols may include a set of core commands and a set of custom commands. Logic components within the PLD-based devices may consist of a command dispatcher, a transmitter/controller, a MAC receiver, a MAC transmitter, a packet parser, a packet generator, and core receiving and transmitting commands. The present invention may be implemented without requiring CPU cores, special controllers, stringent timings, or operating systems as compared with conventional network protocols. Various methods for exchanging and updating PNUT commands are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an externally supplied audio signal as part of internally generated music data using a computing system is disclosed. At least one music generation algorithm is provided, which consists of at least one music rule associated with a set of acceptable pitch values. The music generation algorithm generates music data. An audio signal is received with at least one pitch characteristic. One or more portions of the audio signal is analyzed to discern the pitch characteristic. A determination is made whether the pitch characteristic is musically compatible with the set of acceptable pitch values. In the event that the pitch characteristic is not musically compatible with the set of acceptable pitch values, the portion of the audio signal is pitch adjusted to generate a pitch-corrected audio signal. The music data and the pitch-corrected audio signal is provided to a digital signal processing resource. The digital signal processing resource may be a hardware digital signal processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play). The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples.

Abstract: Color measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other characteristics of teeth are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a central source fiber optic and receive light reflected from the surface of the object/tooth being measured. Light from the perimeter fiber optics pass to a variety of filters. The system utilizes the perimeter receiver fiber optics to determine information regarding the height and angle of the probe with respect to the object/tooth being measured. Under processor control, the color measurement may be made at a predetermined height and angle. Various color spectral photometer arrangements are disclosed. Translucency, fluorescence and/or surface texture data also may be obtained. Audio feedback may be provided to guide operator use of the system. The probe may have a removable or shielded tip for contamination prevention. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for embedding algorithmic musical data into MIDI format using pitch is disclosed. Program instructions are executed and one or more music composition algorithms are applied to song data in accordance with a song data structure to generate music output for the song. User input is received for one or more musical components, and musical data in accordance with the song data structure corresponding to the musical components are modified in accordance with the user input. Musical rules are applied to the modified musical data, and the music output for the song is modified in accordance with the modified musical data. In response to the user input a modified song is created based on user modifications to the song, and a modified MIDI representation of music is employed in which musical rule information is embedded in MIDI pitch data. User input may be received, and the user input may be used to modify music output corresponding to one or a plurality of instruments, audio samples or microphone input.

Abstract: Support for a mixed network environment is provided which can contain multiple isochronous and/or non-isochronous LAN protocols such as Isochronous-Ethernet. Ethernet, isochronous-token ring, token ring, other isochronous-LAN or other LAN Systems. Support for a mixed environment includes a protocol detection mechanism which is embodied in a handshaking scheme. This handshaking scheme determines the signalling capability at the end points of the link and implements the correct protocol. This enables isochronous nodes and hubs to automatically detect the presence of Ethernet, token ring, or other LAN equipment at the other and of the network cable. If this detection occurs, the isochronous LAN equipment will fall-back to a LAN compliant mode of operation. Typically, only the hub will have the capability of operating at different networking modes, such as Ethernet, Token Ring isochronous modes.

Abstract: A data communication system, such as a local area network, is provided with a capability of transmitting isochronous data. Preferably the system conveys both isochronous data and non-isochronous data by time-multiplexing the data into a recurring frame structure on a four-bit nibble basis. Switching of data is handled using switching tables. The tables can be updated by a processor. Updates can be performed asynchronously so that the processor does not have to wait until the switch tables are in an unused updatable state before outputting the update information. An efficient encoding scheme permits transmission of both isochronous and non-isochronous data over existing media, such as twisted pair, without degrading bandwidth previously achieved for non-isochronous data over the same media, such as using an Ethernet system. The arriving data is de-multiplexed at the hub into separate channels for handling the separate streams by appropriate hardware.