Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus for improved audio connectors. One example provides an audio connector, that, for purposes of activating circuitry to receive signals from a microphone, does not detect the presence of an audio jack until the audio jack is inserted far enough into the audio connector that a microphone contact on the audio jack comes into contact with a microphone signal pin on the audio connector. To prevent the redirection of audio signals away from an audio jack when the audio jack is partially extracted from the audio connector, such partial extractions are not detected by audio signal pins.

Abstract: A hybrid storage device that includes a hard-disk drive (HDD) and a flash memory is described. When control logic in the hybrid storage device receives a request from an external device to write a block of data to a logical address in a first portion of an address space that maps to the HDD, the control logic writes the block of data to the HDD. However, if there is a change in environmental state information of the hybrid storage device during the write operation, the control logic writes at least a portion of the block of data to a logical address for the block of data in a second portion of the address space which maps to the flash memory. Note that the address space may be common to the external device and the hybrid storage device.

Abstract: Per thread garbage collection is disclosed. Objects associated only with a thread that created them are tracked. At a garbage collection time for a particular thread, it is determined which objects associated only with that thread remain reachable from a restricted root set associated with the thread. Any thread-only objects that are not determined to be reachable are garbage collected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for handling uncorrectable errors in a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as flash memory, during a garbage collection operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for performing run-time tests on a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as flash memory. The run-time tests may be tests that are performed on the NVM while the NVM can be operated by an end user (as opposed to during a manufacturing phase). In some embodiments, a controller for the NVM may detect an error event that may be indicative of a systemic failure of a die of the NVM. The controller may then select one or more blocks in the die to test, which may be dies that are currently not being used to store user data. The controller may post process the results of the test to determine whether there is a systemic failure, such as a column failure, and may treat the systemic failure if there is one.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a control system for video processes that selectively control the operation of motion stabilization processes. According to the present invention, motion sensor data indicative of motion of a mobile device may be received and processed. A determination may be made by comparing processed motion sensor data to a threshold. Based on the determination, motion stabilization may be suspended on select portions of a captured video sequence.

Abstract: This can relate to non-regular parity distribution of a non-volatile memory (“NVM”), such as flash memory, and detection of the non-regular parity via a metadata tag. For example, each codeword of the NVM can include one or more parity pages that may be distributed at random through the NVM. To identify the page as a parity page, a parity page marker can be included in the metadata of that page. During power-up of the NVM, an address table including the logical-to-physical address mapping of the pages can be created. Pages including a parity page marker, however, can be skipped during the creation of this address table. Additionally, by having two or more parity pages associated with a codeword, an additional layer of protection can be provided for repairing errors in that codeword.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed for providing an audio preview of songs and other audio elements. In some embodiments, an electronic device may operate in either a “play mode,” which allows a user to listen to songs in a normal fashion, or in a “preview mode,” which may be used to provide previews of songs to a user in succession. In some embodiments, the electronic device may seamlessly transition between play mode and preview mode. For example, the electronic device may pause a currently-playing song when the mode of operation switches from play mode to preview mode so that, if the user exits out of preview mode, the original song may be resumed from the pause point. In some embodiments, the electronic device may provide a multi-directional visual interface that allows a user to control the succession of previews provided in preview mode.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for grouping digital media items based on shared features. Multiple digital images are received. Metadata about the digital images is obtained either by analyzing the digital images or by receiving metadata from a source separate from the digital images or both. The obtained metadata is analyzed by data processing apparatus to identify a common feature among two or more of the digital images. A grouping of the two or more images is formed by the data processing apparatus based on the identified common feature.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for creating presentations using digital media content. In one aspect, input is received to position a first graphical element, such as a digital image, over a second graphical element to create a digital presentation. By analyzing a first feature associated with the first graphical element, it is determined that the first feature is incompatible with a second feature associated with the second graphical element. The second feature is dynamically and automatically modified to be compatible with the first feature, and the first graphical element is displayed over the second graphical element that is associated with the modified second feature, in response to the input.

Abstract: A periodic baseline adjustment algorithm is disclosed that can increment or decrement individual baseline sensor output values by one count to provide periodic fine-tuning of the baseline to track temperature drift. A scan of the sensor panel is performed after a dynamic adjustment time interval has passed. Previously computed offset values are subtracted from the sensor output values to normalize them. For any normalized sensor values that are positive, the offset values are incremented by one count. For any normalized sensor values that are negative, the offset values are decremented by one count. The algorithm waits the duration of a dynamic adjustment period before scanning the panel again. Dynamic adjustment intervals allow quick recovery for slight baseline inversions without adapting out far-field or touch objects very quickly. Adjustment intervals can depend on an average of background (non-patch) sensor output values.

Abstract: An apparatus that can secure an electronic device and be inserted into a conventional cup holder is described. The cup holder, for example, is inside of an automobile. The electronic device being held can be a variety of devices that include a digital music player. One embodiment of the invention includes a spool about which connecting cable can be wound. Adapting sleeves that fit around the base of the apparatus can be used to adapt electronic device holder to cup holders of different sizes and shapes.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises core circuitry and at least one driver circuit. The core circuitry is powered by a first supply voltage during use, and comprises a control circuit configured to generate a pull up control signal, a pull down control signal, and at least one reference voltage. The driver circuit is powered by a second supply voltage during use, the second supply voltage having a greater magnitude than the first supply voltage. The driver circuit is connected to a pad to be connected to a pin on a package of the integrated circuit. The driver circuit comprises a cascode connection of a first transistor and a second transistor, and a capacitor coupled between a first gate terminal of the first transistor and a second gate terminal of the second transistor. The first gate terminal is coupled to receive the pull down control signal.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for enforcing software licenses for resource libraries such as an application program interface (API), a toolkit, a framework, a runtime library, a dynamic link library (DLL), an applet (e.g. a Java or ActiveX applet), or any other reusable resource. The present invention allows the resource library to be selectively used only by authorized end user software programs. The present invention can be used to enforce a “per-program” licensing scheme for a resource library whereby the resource library is licensed only for use with particular software programs. In one embodiment, a license text string and a corresponding license key are embedded in a program that has been licensed to use a resource library. The license text string and the license key are supplied, for example, by a resource library vendor to a program developer who wants to use the resource library with an end user program being developed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for processing media data transmitted in a data communication medium. A digital processing system is provided with a time related sequence of media data provided to the digital processing system based on a set of data, wherein the set of data indicates a method to transmit the time related sequence of media data according to a transmission protocol. The set of data, itself, is a time related sequence of data associated with the time related sequence of media data. The time related sequence of media data may be presented and/or stored by the digital processing system.

Abstract: A multi-touch sensor panel can be created using a substrate with column and row traces formed on either side. Metal traces running along the border of the substrate can be used to bring the row traces to the same edge as the column traces. A single flex circuit can be fabricated to connect to the rows and columns on directly opposing sides. Flex printed circuits can be bonded to directly opposing attachment areas of a substrate by cooling one side of the substrate while bonding the other. In addition, “coverlay” material extending over right-angled traces on the flex circuit ensure that those traces do not get shorted should conductive bonding material get squeezed out during bonding. Furthermore, a spacer is placed at the distal end of the flex circuit to apply even bonding pressure over the entire flex circuit attachment area during bonding.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products are described for producing text-to-speech synthesis with non-speech sounds. In general, some of the pauses or silences that would otherwise be generated in synthesized speech are instead synthesized as non-speech sounds such as breaths. Non-speech sounds can be identified from pre-recorded speech that can include meta-data such as the grammatical and phrasal structure of words and sounds that precede and succeed non-speech sounds. A non-speech sound can be selected for use in synthesized speech based on the words, punctuation, grammatical and phrasal structure of text from which the speech is being synthesized, or other characteristics.

Abstract: A portable computer arranged to rest comfortably in the hand has a small display screen. Accelerometers capable of detecting movement of the pen with respect to gravity provide input to a microcontroller which selects a response from a number of viewing modes. The pen may be held in either hand and the output message to the screen will be oriented according to the location of the pen. Full personal digital assistance functionality may be incorporated in a relatively small plastics casing and functions, such as calendar, contracts the like may be incorporated.