Abstract: A method for addressing an entity for an internet-based service other than electronic mailing includes selecting a prefix that is uniquely associated the internet-based service, providing an email address for the entity, where the email address includes a username and domain, and attaching the prefix to the domain to convert automatically the email address into an address for the entity for the internet-based service.

Abstract: An image scaling system includes a single set of line buffers that receive and store input image pixel data in an input video frame. The scaling system also includes a linear two-dimensional sharpness enhancement unit configured to receive input pixel data from the line buffers and to generate sharpened pixel data by enhancing high frequency components of the input pixel data at an input image resolution, a linear two-dimensional image scaling unit configured to receive the sharpened pixel data and to convert the sharpened pixel data into scaled sharpened pixel data at an output image resolution, and a transient improvement unit configured to receive the input pixel data from the line buffers, sharpened pixel data and scaled sharpened pixel data to improve transient responses at edges in an output image, and to generate output image pixel data at the output image resolution.

Abstract: A method of reducing noise levels in an input video signal comprising pixel data includes receiving input pixel data of the input video signal, where the input pixel data comprises luminance data and chrominance data, and estimating a noise level of the input video signal using the luminance data of the input pixel data. A plurality of filter parameters are identified based on the estimated noise level, and the input pixel data is filtered using a three dimensional spatiotemporal noise reduction filter that is controlled by a first set of the plurality of filter parameters.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens system for implantation in a capsular bag of an eye includes an optic component comprising first and second light-transmitting lens elements that define a fluid-filled deformation chamber located between the first and second lens elements. The first and/or second lens elements have an elastic membrane adapted to deform in response to a change in pressure. The elastic membrane includes a first portion having a first deformation response and a second portion having a different second deformation response. The system also includes a refractive fluid filling the deformation chamber and at least one haptic member coupled to the optic component. The haptic member is configured for changing a hydrostatic pressure in the deformation chamber in response to muscle movement in the eye in order to deform the elastic membrane of the first and/or second lens elements, thereby changing the shape and the refractive characteristics of the optic component.

Abstract: A disposable lid for a drinking cup includes a cover portion having a generally circular periphery and a sliding member that is configured to slidably fit into a trench in the cover portion. The trench extends downwardly from and longitudinally along a top surface of the cover portion, and has an open end at the periphery of the cover portion. The cover portion includes a drink opening on a bottom surface of the trench and adjacent to the periphery and a guide slot on the bottom surface of the trench. The sliding member includes a guide extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the sliding member so that the guide slidably fits into the guide slot on the bottom surface of the trench. The guide slot allows the sliding member to move between a first closed position and a second open position via the guide.

Abstract: A disposable lid for a drinking cup includes a cover portion and a sliding member that is configured to slidably fit into a trench in the cover portion. The trench includes a drink opening on a floor of the trench and the sliding member is configured to cover and uncover the drink opening. In one embodiment, the sliding member includes side portions that extend longitudinally and upwardly from a central portion of the sliding member such that an outer edge of each side portion is located above the central portion of the sliding member. A gap width between the outer edges of the side portions of the sliding member is greater than a width of a mouth of the trench such that the side portions of the sliding member secure the siding member to the cover portion.

Abstract: A method and system for scaling video images between differently formatted display devices. The image scaling scheme of the present invention provides a method of receiving video signals of a first format, scaling the video signal to a second format by remapping pixels included in the first format to the second format by time delaying the input clock signal provided with the input video signal so that short or long line that typically accompany such signals are avoided.

Abstract: A distributed instant multimedia communication (IMC) system that allows users to communicate with one another in real-time includes a plurality of autonomous networks. Each autonomous network includes at least one server that supports (IMC) sessions for a plurality of clients registered on the server, and a multi-point switch unit coupled to the server(s) that sends data out of and receives data into the autonomous network, and routes data within the autonomous network through the server(s). In addition the IMC system includes a network coupled to the autonomous networks. The network sends data between the autonomous networks so that the autonomous networks can communicate with one another. Because each autonomous network is capable of communicating with other autonomous networks in a secure manner over the network, two or more clients in one or more autonomous networks can conduct a secure IMC session with one another without requiring an independent service provider.

Abstract: A system for calibrating a display device to improve its perceived image quality includes a calibration module configured to determine, for each of a plurality of white colors associated with a plurality of gray levels, a measured chromaticity point on a chromaticity diagram and a measured luminance level. The calibration module calculates, for each gray level, a differential change in each primary color component that simultaneously moves the measured chromaticity point to a target chromaticity point and adjusts the measured luminance level to a target luminance level on a predetermined luminance curve having a target gamma value, and calculates correction values for each primary color component and each gray level based on the calculated differential changes. The system also includes means for outputting the calculated correction values to the display device, which corrects the primary color components of a color video signal based on the calculated correction values.

Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting chrominance data of an input pixel from a color video signal includes receiving and temporarily storing the chrominance data of the input pixel in a transmission format comprising a color difference representation and converting the chrominance data from the color difference representation in Cartesian coordinates to color hue and color saturation representation in polar coordinates such that color attributes of the input pixel can be analyzed according to hue and saturation values. The method also includes determining a hue adjustment value and a saturation adjustment value based on the color hue value and color saturation value associated with the chrominance data, applying the hue adjustment and the saturation adjustment directly to the chrominance data in its transmission format, and outputting the adjusted chrominance data to an output color video signal.

Abstract: An image scaling system for converting a sampling rate of an input video signal comprising input pixel data to produce a magnified or reduced output video image comprising output pixel data includes a first one-dimensional image scaler comprising a single-stage finite-duration impulse response (FIR) filter structure with poly-phase filter responses that receives and scales the input pixel data by a scaling factor in either a horizontal or vertical direction to produce output pixel data and a second one-dimensional image scaler comprising a single-stage FIR filter structure that is coupled in tandem to the first one-dimensional image scaler and scales by the scaling factor the output pixel data from the first one-dimensional image scaler in a direction perpendicular to that of the first one-dimensional image scaler to produce the magnified or reduced output video image.

Abstract: A method for supporting a communication application between a plurality of enterprises in a secure manner, where each enterprise includes a plurality of clients, includes providing a distributed instant multimedia communication (IMC) system that includes a plurality of autonomous networks communicatively coupled to one another via a network. Each autonomous network is associated with an enterprise and includes an IMC server that manages IMC services for a plurality of clients in the enterprise, The IMC server is configured to support a private channel that allows each client in the enterprise to share its presence information with other clients in other enterprises.

Abstract: A method for determining a value for a missing target pixel in an interlaced video field during a de-interlacing process includes providing at least one lookup table that correlates motion data to at least one of a plurality of de-interlacing methods, generating motion data related to the missing target pixel, utilizing the related motion data to perform a lookup on the at least one lookup table, and selecting the at least one de-interlacing method correlated to the motion data to generate the value for the missing target pixel.