Abstract: Methods and systems for firewall/data protection that filters data packets in real time and without packet buffering are disclosed. A data packet filtering hub, which may be implemented as part of a switch or router, receives a packet on one link, reshapes the electrical signal, and transmits it to one or more other links. During this process, a number of filters checks are performed in parallel, resulting in a decision about whether each packet should or should not be invalidated by the time that the last bit is transmitted. To execute this task, the filtering hub performs rules-based filtering on several levels simultaneously, preferably with a programmable logic or other hardware device. Various methods for packet filtering in real time and without buffering with programmable logic are disclosed. The system may include constituent elements of a stateful packet filtering hub, such as microprocessors, controllers, and integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method for operating an integrated communications system providing voice and data communications to a plurality of users and simulating a key system. An outside line appearance is provided on a telephone coupled to the system; the outside line appearance is associated with a predetermined outside telecommunications trunk and has associated therewith a button and a lighting implement. In response to activation of the button, a lighting condition of the lighting implement is changed and a dial tone to the telephone by the integrated system. Digits are entered by a user depressing keys on the telephone and collected by the system. Restriction rule are applied to determine if a telephone number dialed by the user is restricted, and if restricted an error tone is provided. Caller ID information may be determined for the user.

Abstract: Methods for displaying caller identification information on an integrated display/telephone system capable of displaying images are disclosed. One or more signals are received and one or more images are displayed on a display of the integrated display/telephone system. An incoming telephone call is received with the integrated display/telephone system, and data corresponding to the incoming telephone call is received by the integrated display/telephone system. A caller identification display signal is generated, and the caller identification display signal is based on the one or more received signals and the data corresponding to the incoming telephone call received by the integrated display/telephone system. The caller identification display signal includes the one or more received signals and signals from a generator that generates character signals and background display signals.

Abstract: A method for playing a song employing a musical controller 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 generated or modified in accordance with the user input. The user input is provided via a controller, and the controller provides musical information via descriptors. The descriptors contain data that represent musical information, and the descriptors include data that does not represent sampled audio information. Music rules are applied to the modified musical data, and the music output for the song is modified in accordance with the modified musical data.

Abstract: A method for electronically generating a song is disclosed. At least one parameter value representing a range of note pitch values associated with a musical instrument is accessed and program instructions are executed. One or more music composition algorithms are applied to musical data to generate a musical note data unit associated with the musical instrument. A musical note data unit is compared to the parameter value to determine whether the musical note data unit is within the range of note pitch values. In the event that the musical data unit is not within the range of note pitch values, the musical data unit is modified to be within the range of note pitch values. In the step of receiving user input associated with the musical instrument, the range of note pitch values may be modified in accordance with user input. In accordance with the claimed invention, methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing musical compositions may be provided.

Abstract: A method for playing a song in a handheld device is disclosed. A visual representation for a plurality of musical components is provided. The visual representation includes a plurality of lanes, with each lane corresponding to one of the musical components. User input is received for one or more musical components, and musical characteristics corresponding to the musical components are modified in accordance with the user input. In order to modify musical characteristics corresponding to a particular musical component, the user selects the particular lane corresponding to the particular musical component. A first user input may be received to modify musical characteristics corresponding to a particular musical component, and the user enters a first level of the visual representation beneath the particular lane and provides user input to modify the musical characteristics corresponding to the particular musical component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently querying and identifying multiple items on a communication channel are disclosed. The invention is well suited to use with radio frequency identification with interrogation devices and systems that identify radio frequency identification transponders. A depth-first tree traversal protocol algorithm, including commands and symbols, is used to more efficiently interrogate a plurality of transponders in a short amount of time.

Abstract: A method for playing a song of a particular musical style 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. A plurality of levels of predetermined musical styles are determined, and values of one or more parameters in accordance with the song data structure are limited to predetermined ranges corresponding to the particular musical style. A first user input is received for selecting a particular musical style. A second user input is received for one or more musical components, and music characteristics in accordance with the song data structure corresponding to the musical components are modified in accordance with the user input, and the user input modifies the values of one or more parameters within the predetermined ranges. In response to the user input a modified song may be created based on user modifications to the music characteristics.

Abstract: A method of playing music using a computing system in which MIDI events are synchronized with samples is disclosed. A sequence of MIDI events is provided. At least one of the MIDI events includes delta time parameter data, and the MIDI events are provided to a digital signal processing resource. Audio stream events are processed, and one or more of the audio stream events has associated therewith audio sample data, and the audio sample data is provided to the digital signal processing resource; the audio sample data is not provided from a MIDI sound bank. A first MIDI event is provided that is configured to include delta time parameter data associated with the intended playback timing of at least one audio stream event. The audio stream event is rhythmically synchronized with the sequence of MIDI events using the first MIDI event. The first MIDI event may be an NRPN MIDI command.

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 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. A method of producing dental prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electronic device such as an integrated circuit or display device is provided. A design description of the electronic device is generated using a computer aided design tool. Physical device data representing a physical description of the electronic device are electronically determined baded on the design description. The physical device data includes data defining connection points for connecting the electronic device to external circuits and data indentifying a plurality of connection points of the electronic device. A physical embodiment of the electronic device is produced in accordance with the physical device data. Physical test member data representing conductors and contact points of a test member for testing the electronic device are electronically determined. The test member is produced in accordance with the test member data and used to test the electronic device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a system that operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals are disclosed. During operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals. A master controller has at least first and second controllers. The first controller outputs and inputs signals over a first communication path, and the second controller outputs and inputs signals over a second communication path. The first and second controllers output signals based on input signals received over the first and second communication paths, respectively, and also based on stored control data. A plurality of input/output modules are provided. Each of the input/output modules has first and second slave controllers. The first slave controller of each of the input/output modules inputs and outputs signals over the first communication path to the first controller, and the second slave controller outputs and inputs signals over the second communication path.

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: A cryogenic cleaner for and a method of performing cleaning of a surface that must be substantially free of contaminants utilizing a multi-stage, multi-mode filtered carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium. Multiple stages and multiple types of filtration/purification are provided to remove contaminants such as hydrocarbons from the medium. In accordance with preferred embodiments, a filtering/purification process is provided that desirably utilizes one or more of: condensation of the hydrocarbon; particulate filtration; chemical filtration using activated filters; and catalytic oxidation. In certain embodiments, a resiliently mounted nozzle is provided for spraying a cryogenic cleaning medium on the surface. The nozzle may be driven in an oscillatory manner at a predetermined amplitude and frequency so the nozzle spray is delivered in a manner to provide pulsing of the spray and to provide as “snow plow” effect on contaminants as the spray delivers the cleaning medium against the surface.

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 method for playing a song employing a song data structure 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, and variables are defined during the execution of one or more of the program instructions. A song data structure is provided, and a plurality of parameter locations are provided in the song data structure, and data contained in the plurality of parameter locations are made available to the program instructions. At least a first one of the parameter locations is used by one or more of the program instructions to store parameter data associated with one or more seed values, and the seed values are used to initialize one or more of the variables. At least a second one of the parameter locations may be used by one or more of the program instructions to store parameter data associated with a version identification of the song data structure.

Abstract: A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.

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: Optical characteristic measuring systems and methods such as for determining the color or other optical characteristics of an object are disclosed. Perimeter receiver fiber optics are spaced apart from a source fiber optic and receive light from the surface of the object 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 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. A method of producing prostheses based on measured data also is disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has an isochronous network port for receiving isochronous information from an isochronous network. To allow the integrated circuit to receive information packaged in accordance with two different packaging protocols (for example, HDLC and ATM), the integrated circuit includes a first framer/deframer circuit for deframing information packaged in accordance with a first packaging protocol (for example, HDLC) and a second framer/deframer circuit for deframing information packaged in accordance with a second packaging protocol (for example, ATM). A circuit switch is provided to cause incoming data to be deframed by the appropriate framer/deframer circuit depending on which slot of the network frame contained the information. Once deframed, a buffer manager controls storing of the information in a circular ring buffer in an external memory.