Abstract: A three dimensional photonic crystal and layer-by-layer processes of fabricating the photonic crystal. A substrate is exposed to a plurality of first microspheres made of a first material, the first material being of a type that will bond to the templated substrate and form a self-passivated layer of first microspheres to produce a first layer. The first layer is exposed to a plurality of second microspheres made of a second material, the second material being of a type that will bond to the first layer and form a self-passivated layer of second microspheres. This layering of alternating first and second microspheres can be repeated as desired to build a three dimensional photonic crystal of desired geometry. Charged polymers such as polyelectrolyte coatings can be used to create the bonds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling set-top box hardware and software functions. An HTTP microserver is used to intercept HTTP requests for access to local devices and software. When the HTTP microserver receives a URL from the TCP/IP network stack, it directs instructions to an appropriate interface module that in turn generates an API call for an appropriate middleware module. The middleware module may then appropriately control a lower level software module to effect a software function or to drive hardware.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that permits a user to electronically make a notation of a recorded music selection that he or she would like to take a later action on. Such later actions might include purchase actions or information gathering actions as well as other actions. The user actuates a button on a portable music player that plays music stored on a removable storage medium (e.g., a minidisc) and the music player stores identifying information that identifies the currently playing track of music. By connection of the music player to a personal computer, the user can then download the marked tracks to the personal computer and carry out actions over the Internet with service providers to complete transactions or queries.

Abstract: A thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) phototherapy device based on high field electroluminescence (HFEL) or from organic light emitting devices (OLED), consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a battery and a charging circuit coupled to the battery, so that when connected to a source of current acts to charge the battery. A TFEL panel produces light when voltage from the power source (battery or AC source) is applied. A processor such as a microprocessor is used to control the application of voltage from the power source to the TFEL panel under control of a control program. A housing is used to contain the battery, the charging circuit and the processor and carry the TFEL panel on an outer surface thereof. In one embodiment, the housing incorporates a removable cover that uncovers a household electrical plug useful for supplying charging current to the charger.

Abstract: An intelligent sensor platform is provided with an architecture that takes advantage of a low cost microcontroller for overall sensor control. Outputs are all controlled directly by the microcontroller as are gains of signal processing amplifiers and thresholds for threshold detectors. The sensor can be remotely programmed using a remote control device or simple. push button programming can be implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for entering characters with a reduced number of key presses. The sequence of one or more previously entered characters is used to select a character assignment matrix. The order of characters in the assignment matrix is determined by the probability that the letter will be the next in the sequence, with more likely characters being presented first. Repeated key presses are used to access characters with lower probability.

Abstract: A musical instrument snake cable that interconnects audio components for use with a musical instrument in a manner consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a plurality of shielded signal-carrying wire groups for carrying unbalanced signals between a frontline end and a backline end. An electrical connector terminates the frontline end and the backline end of each signal-carrying wire group. A power-carrying wire group is provided having frontline end and a backline end with first and second electrical connectors terminating the frontline end and the backline end of each power-carrying wire group. An insulating sleeve surrounds the plurality of shielded signal-carrying wire groups and the power-carrying wire group. In one embodiment, the shielded signal-carrying wire groups are each made up of a shielded twisted pair.

Abstract: A method and structure that allows a user who has access to an audio/visual object to cause an interactive control element of an interactive multimedia system to grab and store off for future retrieval the audio/visual object by simply activating a selection mechanism of the interactive multimedia system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transforming color signals. The transformation is achieved by use of a first, coarse, look-up table and a second look-up table that provides coefficients to be used in calculating a correction vector. The vector of color components from the first look-up table is added to the correction vector to provide the transformed vector. The method and apparatus have particular application in the display of digital video signals.

Abstract: A three dimensional photonic crystal and layer-by-layer processes of fabricating the photonic crystal. A templated substrate is exposed to a plurality of first microspheres made of a first material, the first material being of a type that will bond to the templated substrate and form a self-passivated layer of first microspheres to produce a first layer. The first layer is exposed to a plurality of second microspheres made of a second material, the second material being of a type that will bond to the first layer and form a self-passivated layer of second microspheres. This layering of alternating first and second microspheres can be repeated as desired to build a three dimensional photonic crystal of desired geometry.

Abstract: A wireless communication base station consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention collects user transmissions and creates and maintains a database storing data that relates communication parameters to a geographic location. A base station receiver receives data packets containing data describing a geographic location of a mobile communication node. The base station predicts a future geographic location of the mobile communication node, and transmits communication parameters to the mobile communication node associated with the predicted future geographic location. The mobile communication node consistent with certain embodiments of the invention has a GPS positioning device that determines a geographic location of the communication node. A transceiver transmits data representing the geographic location and receives data representing communication parameters determined as a function of the data representing the geographic location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of enhancing communications in a set-top box having a high speed modem and a lower speed modem. A selected one of the modems can be used, depending upon noise and speed considerations, to receive a response packet by selectively substituting the appropriate IP address as the source address in a request message.

Abstract: The efficient and intuitive presentation, navigation, and selection of AV information in a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a display apparatus of an AV system. Related AV information is organized as items within lists that correspond to various navigable fields of a status bar of the GUI during the GUI interactive mode. A highlighted navigable field of the status bar displays its list of related AV information and the items of the list are scrolled through the navigable field by a user causing a scrolling cylinder of a navigation and selection device to move in a scroll. A different field of the status bar may be selected by the user moving the scrolling cylinder in a lateral movement. Activation of the selection mechanism of the navigation and selection device will cause an AV device to be controlled in accordance with the currently displayed AV options.

Abstract: A small transmitter built into the electric system of an environment, either stationary or potentially mobile, transmits a weak RF field capable of at least partially disabling a communication device in response to receiving a trigger signal. The trigger signal is generated by the electric system in response to the presence of one or more so-called “forbidden” conditions that require that the communication device be disabled. Disabling the communication device in this manner prevents the user from using the communication device under inappropriate conditions and thereby operates to greatly enhance public safety. Disabling the communication interface of the communication device may entail disabling all keypad functions of a cellular phone, for instance, disabling all but valid, predetermined emergency uses of the communication interface, or powering-down the communication device during the existence of the condition.

Abstract: A medical image archiving system and method. A medical image archiving system receives analog NTSC or PAL video from a medical imaging device and converts it to a digital format for storage. The storage can be via local hard disc drive, or CD writer, or other optical storage medium, or via Local or Wide area network storage to a remote electronic storage medium. The system includes an integral web server to permit easy access over a network using a browser. When an image is stored on a CD, it can be stored as a session and the CD closed to prevent further writing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of music distribution from a media player. A media player is provided with a “send to friend” icon. In one embodiment, when the icon is selected, a clipping of the currently playing music selection is taken from a predetermined location in the music selection and compressed using a fidelity reducing compression technique to produce a sample of the current selection suitable for distribution. The compressed clipping is sent to a selected recipient or recipients by email in the background while the music selection continues to play. The recipient(s) can be either a default recipient(s) or a recipient(s) selected from a list as in an address book application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a flicker filter for an interlaced video display. Content is analyzed to determine what type of filter or filter characteristics selected from a plurality of available filters or filter characteristics can provide the better display of the content. Based on this analysis, the filter characteristics are selected and used for flicker filtering the content for display.

Abstract: A digital television autoprogramming and tuning method and apparatus. In a digital television which can tune both MPEG 2 and PSIP format signals, a method of tuning uses one or more tables of information populated during an autoprogramming process. For MPEG 2 channels, the physical channel equals the major channel number and can be directly tuned. For PSIP channels, the major channel indexes a TSID which is used to determine a physical channel. If the TSID does not correspond to the correct program, the correct TSID is determined from the Program Specific Information in the data transport stream 134 and the system re-tunes to the correct physical channel. The autoprogramming process sequentially steps through each physical channel and populates the autoprogramming tables with information about each channel it finds, saving only a single TSID for a given major PSIP channel.

Abstract: An ITU-R BT.656 (or similar) digital video signal is converted to analog at which point a simple 7-state state machine in combination with a 6 bit binary counter generates tri-level synchronized video. The state machine receives vertical and horizontal synchronization signals as well as End-Active-Video and Start-Active-Video signals from the ITU-R BT.656 video. A pixel clock clocks the 6 bit binary counter. Active video is passed directly to the output. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are mirrored at the output with the state machine generating a positive tri-level signal immediately following the horizontal synchronization signal. The high level signal is generated for a period of 44 pixel counts as counted by the 6 bit counter.

Abstract: A sanding glove device for carrying a loop backed sanding pad of any desired shape. A soft leather glove has a thumb compartment, an index finger compartment, a middle finger compartment, a ring finger compartment and a small finger compartment, each of the finger compartments having palm sides and back sides and fingertip ends, and a main opening for insertion of a user's hand. Each of the index, middle and ring finger compartments have a strip of hook fastener material attached to the palm side and the back side thereof. The thumb compartment and the small finger compartment are devoid of strips of hook fastener material so that the loop backed sanding pad of any desired shape can be attached to at least one of the strips of hook fastener material to facilitate sanding. The thumb and small finger compartments are free of hook fastener material to facilitate the user's ability to grip and manipulate objects without removal of the glove.