Abstract: Tools and techniques allow visual media to be edited by superimposing a parameter adjusting mechanism on the visual media itself and adjusting parameter settings based on user input detected by the parameter adjusting mechanism. In a visual media editing application, the parameter adjusting mechanism is superimposed on visual media so that the user can keep his eyes on the visual media and so that the visual media itself is not obscured by other user interface controls and windows as the user edits it. The user sets control points on the visual media that act as a fixed reference points for subsequent user input. The parameter adjusting mechanism detects subsequent user input calculates new parameter settings based on that input.

Abstract: A metal surface treated to have a distinct cosmetic appearance such as an integral layer that is glossy may be used in electronic devices. The surface treatment may include polishing a metal surface, texturing the polished metal surface, polishing the textured surface, followed by anodizing the surface, and then polishing the anodized surface. The metal surface may also be dyed to impart a rich color to the surface.

Abstract: A roaming point-of-sale system is disclosed including methods of communicating between the system components. A handheld computing device sends messages to a scanning device, which messages cause the scanning device to scan and return barcode data from a barcode scanner and payment card information from a magnetic strip reader. The messages include a header and a message, and the header designates the command given and the size of the message, among other useful information.

Abstract: The following relates to ranking search results consisting of locations or recommending locations to visit based on recorded data representing visits by a plurality of users to the locations represented as search results or recommended locations to visit. The data representing users' visits can be recorded by receiving data anonymously reported by handheld communication devices carried by the plurality of users. A handheld communication device, which is carried by a user, can report to the system the user's present location optionally associated with a time stamp. The handheld communication device can report either a single location coordinate or a collection of coordinates gathered over time.

Abstract: Scanning multiple barcodes, storing different code types, in a single scanning operation and automatically recording the data derived from the barcodes. The data can be stored in a form or database having designated locations for each different code type. In some embodiments, the present technology is useful in conducting a retail transaction and facilitates a simplified transaction when the product for purchase has multiple barcodes printed thereon.

Abstract: Power supply devices are provided that can include power regulating circuitry for regulating (e.g., transforming or converting) electric power to be passed to an electronic device. A power supply device can also include control circuitry coupled with the regulating circuitry. The control circuitry can determine when the power supply device is coupled with an electronic device. The control circuitry can control the operation of the regulating circuitry based on whether or not the power supply device is coupled with the electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques to generate partial display updates in a buffered window system in which arbitrary visual effects are permitted to any one or more windows (e.g., application-specific window buffers) are described. Once a display output region is identified for updating, the buffered window system is interrogated to determine which regions within each window, if any, may effect the identified output region. Such determination considers the consequences any filters associated with a window impose on the region needed to make the output update.

Abstract: A computer system that generates a disposition instruction and an associated access command directed to a block of data at a logical address is described. The disposition instruction and the access command are communicated to a memory system in the computer system via a communication link. Note that the memory system includes different types of memory having different performance characteristics, and the disposition instruction is generated based on the different performance characteristics. In response to the access command, the memory system accesses the block of data at the logical address in a first type of memory in the different types of memory. Furthermore, based on the disposition instruction, the memory system moves the block of data to a second type of memory in the different types of memory to facilitate subsequent accesses to the block of data.

Abstract: A database is used to store user interface state information. The database is accessed by a key having a service ID field, a caller ID field, and a caller context ID field. The caller context ID is used to identify the context in the application program from which the user interface is called. In this manner, the system can differentiate between calls from different portions of the application program which can have different user expectations of the desirable user interface state.

Abstract: A method of generating a noisy receive signal for testing the performance of a mobile wireless communication device is described. A signal generator unit generates a transmit signal that frequency hops among a set of carrier frequency channels in a cyclic pattern having a time duration T. A wireless channel emulator unit generates a receive signal by modifying the transmit signal and also generates an interference signal by modifying the receive signal. The wireless channel emulator unit delays the interference signal relative to the receive signal by an integer multiple of the time duration T. The receive signal and the interference signal are combined by a combiner unit to generate the noisy receive signal.

Abstract: Context sensitive delimiter insertion when adding references is disclosed. In some embodiments, a plurality of indications of selections of a cell or cell range while in a formula editing mode in a host cell into which a formula is being entered is successively received, and in response to receiving each indication of selection of the plurality a reference to the selected cell or cell range is successively inserted into the formula, wherein the references inserted into the formula are delimited by a first delimiter type if in a first context and wherein the references inserted into the formula are delimited by a second delimiter type if in a second context.

Abstract: To better realize the great potential of amateur digital photography, the present invention introduces an integrated system for the acquisition, organization, manipulation, and publication of digital images by amateur digital photography enthusiasts. The system of the present invention first acquires images from a number of different image sources. Images acquired in the same image importing session are marked as coming from the same conceptual film roll. Next, a user is empowered to organize and manipulate the acquired images. The images may be organized by tagging the images with informative keywords and grouping images together into conceptual photo albums. Furthermore, the images may be manipulated by rotating, cropping, and removing red-eye. Finally, the system of the present invention provides simple intuitive image publish systems.

Abstract: A method for forming an enclosure for enclosing internal electronic components of an electronic device is provided, which comprises: performing a first injection molding process, the first injection molding process forming at least a first wall of the enclosure; allowing the at least a first wall of the enclosure to solidify; thereafter performing a second injection molding process, the second injection molding process forming at least a second wall of the enclosure, the at least a second wall of the enclosure fusing with the at least a first wall of the enclosure during the second injection molding process, the at least second wall of the enclosure forming at least one different side of the enclosure than the at least first wall of the enclosure; and allowing the at least a second wall of the enclosure to solidify, the at least a second wall of the enclosure being integrally formed with the at least a first wall of the enclosure to thereby form a single-piece multi-walled enclosure.

Abstract: Selection circuitry for use in register files, multiplexers, and so forth is disclosed. The selection circuitry includes a plurality of local bit lines coupled to global bit line circuitry. Groups of cells or data inputs are coupled to each of the local bit lines. When a cell or data input of a given group is selected, a group select signal is provided to the global bit line circuitry. The global bit line circuitry drives a global bit line responsive to the group select signal and the data driven on (or provided to) the local bit line associated with the selected cell/input, thus providing a data output. When no cell of a given group is selected, the group select signal is de-asserted, causing the respective global bit line to be held in a predetermined state.

Abstract: A modified Series A universal serial bus (USB) receptacle connector is equipped with the functionality to allow the electronic system in which it resides to be configured either as a host device or a peripheral device. The modified USB Series A receptacle connector, according to one embodiment of the invention may include a mechanism such as an additional pin or a mechanical switch to detect the presence of a standard USB Series A plug being inserted into it. Upon detection of a plug, an algorithm may allow the system to determine whether it is to act as a host device or a peripheral device and to determine which device supplies power.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the submission of metadata content and media content to a media distribution system. The media content can include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data. In accordance with one embodiment, a client submitting metadata content can validate the metadata content prior to submission of the metadata content and/or associated media content. A media distribution system receiving metadata content can also validate the metadata content.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for data security using exponentiation. This is suitable for public key cryptography authentication and other data security applications using a one-way function. A type of exponentiation is disclosed here where the bits of an exponent value expressed in binary form correspond to a course (path) in a given graph defining the one-way function. This uses an approach called here F sequences. Each value is in a ladder of a sequence of values, as defined from its predecessor values. This ladder satisfies certain algebraic identities and is readily calculated by a computer program or logic circuitry.

Abstract: Portions from segment boundary regions of a plurality of speech segments are extracted. Each segment boundary region is based on a corresponding initial unit boundary. Feature vectors that represent the portions in a vector space are created. For each of a plurality of potential unit boundaries within each segment boundary region, an average discontinuity based on distances between the feature vectors is determined. For each segment, the potential unit boundary associated with a minimum average discontinuity is selected as a new unit boundary.