Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-functional hand-held device capable of configuring user inputs based on how the device is to be used. Preferably, the multi-functional hand-held device has at most only a few physical buttons, keys, or switches so that its display size can be substantially increased. The multi-functional hand-held device also incorporates a variety of input mechanisms, including touch sensitive screens, touch sensitive housings, display actuators, audio input, etc. The device also incorporates a user-configurable GUI for each of the multiple functions of the devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for projecting a source image in a head-mounted display apparatus for a user. A first display projects an image viewable by a first eye of the user. A first peripheral light element is positioned to emit light of one or more colors in close proximity to the periphery of the first display. A receives data representing a source image, processes the data representing the source image to generate a first image for the first display and to generate a first set of peripheral conditioning signals for the first peripheral light element, directs the first image to the first display, and directs the first set of peripheral conditioning signals to the first peripheral light element. As a result, an enhanced viewing experience is created for the user.

Abstract: An automated RAW image processing method and system are disclosed. A RAW image and metadata related to the RAW image are obtained from a digital camera or other source. The RAW image and the related metadata are automatically processed using an Operating System service of a processing device to produce a resulting image in an absolute color space. The resulting image is then made available to an application program executing on the processing device through an application program interface with the Operating System service.

Abstract: A self-contained DAC that is especially suitable for use as an IP core, particularly for SOC (System on Chip) implementation. Techniques are applied to employ certain circuits (such as arithmetic element 302) to perform multiple functions in the DAC, thereby resulting in space saving. Techniques are also applied to employ fewer circuits per functional block to achieve further space saving. By employing multiple clock domains and turning on selective circuits on an as-needed basis, power saving is also realized.

Abstract: A peripheral input device for controlling movements on a display screen. The peripheral input device includes a housing and an optical touch pad carried by the housing. The optical touch pad is configured to translate finger motion into movements on the display screen.

Abstract: An exceptional situation manager associates exceptional situations with nonstandard values and desired responses to perform when specific exceptional situations occur during computations. A desired response can comprise returning an associated nonstandard value, performing an associated nonstandard action or returning a default value. The exceptional situation manager ascertains the occurrence of exceptional situations during computations. Responsive to such an occurrence, the exceptional situation manager determines the desired response associated with the exceptional situation that occurred, and executes the desired response.

Abstract: An interpolation manager constructs multiple motion compensated interpolated frames between two existing frames, and then fuses the multiple interpolated frames into a single output frame. The interpolation manager constructs each of the multiple interpolated frames between the existing frames by selecting a pixel set from each existing frame, generating associated meshes, estimating flow motions in each direction, generating corresponding motion compensated meshes, computing warped images corresponding to each of the existing frames and combining the warped images into an interpolated frame. For each constructed interpolated frame, the interpolation manager uses different classification criteria to select the pixel sets, such that the pixel sets selected for each of the motion compensated interpolated frames vary, and hence the interpolated frames vary as well. The interpolation manager fuses the multiple interpolated frames into a single, output interpolated frame.

Abstract: Systems, methods, computer software for providing access to wireless communication services are provided. The invention, in one embodiment, can involve storing a network address on a mobile device and sending a request for network operator data from the mobile device to a mobile virtual network operator server associated with the network address. In response, network operator data is received, and, based on the received network operator data, a network operator is selected. Communications are thereafter conducted using the selected network operator. In some situations, bids are received from multiple network operators for rates at which communication services using each network operator can be obtained. Preferences among the network operators are identified using the received bids, and the preferences are used to select the network operator for the mobile device to use in conducting communications.

Abstract: An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. Substantially invisible holes penetrate through at least a portion of the light resistant material in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a lifestyle companion system are provided. The lifestyle companion system can provide a platform to conduct a user interview. Based on the user interview responses, the system can suggest activities, references, and/or plug-in modules. During performance of activities, the system can provide audio and/or visual cues related to the activities and collect data indicative of the user's performance. Based on the collected data, the system can dynamically adapt the user's goals and/or activities the user is performing or will perform. In some embodiments of the present invention, the lifestyle companion system of the present invention can be applied to fitness, nutrition, and/or medical modules. The system also can be used to facilitate synchronous group activities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the generation of visual effects according to the elapsed time for real time display. One embodiment of the present invention provides an automated mechanism for displaying visual effects (e.g., fade to or from a target color) through adjusting color correction parameters (e.g., the look up table for gamma correction) without disturbing display color calibration settings for the current display device. Time-based adjustments are made in small steps in the beginning and end and large steps in the middle of the transition to provide perceptually smooth transition effect. In one embodiment, a operating system resource is provided to manage, synchronously or asynchronously, the visual effect on behalf of requesting applications, simplifying the coding of the application programs and providing consistency across application programs. In one embodiment, the operating system resource uses a reservation system to prevent conflict and interference between application programs.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates marking content during distribution of the content to a client. The system starts by receiving a request for the content from the client at the server and then obtaining a content identifier for the content. Next, the server generates a version identifier that uniquely identifies the version of the content that is sent to the client. Once the version identifier has been generated, the server stores the version identifier in a database along with information to facilitate identification of the requesting client. Finally, the server creates the version of the content by marking the content with the version identifier and delivers the version to the client. Note that the markings on the content facilitate subsequent identification of the client by examining the version of the content.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment determines the visible regions of potentially overlapping views and writes the visible regions to an output device. The visible regions may be determined using the visible-above region associated with a view. The views may have child, parent, and sibling views. A view may be any object capable of being displayed. In this way, the number of times that a pixel is written to the output device is reduced.

Abstract: A method for controlling data transmission between a computer and a video client via an interface, the method comprising: the computer polling the interface a first time to determine the size of the buffer on the interface; receiving a first buffer size value from the interface; sending a plurality of frames of video and audio data to the buffer on the interface such that a delay period exists between the sending of each frame; the computer polling the interface a second time to determine buffer size after the frames are sent to the interface; receiving a second buffer size value from the interface; and modifying the amount of time between the transmission of frames.

Abstract: A data processing system including a data storage device having data stored on a data storage medium. Within said data processing system, a system electronics is operatively coupled to a sensor and to said data storage device. When the sensor senses a change in gravitational or inertial acceleration of said data processing system, it alerts system electronics to temporarily park a read/write head in a safe position.

Abstract: An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.

Abstract: A dynamic configuration ROM which may be updated while linked to the serial bus and with little or no risk of publishing inconsistent configuration ROM information to the other nodes on the bus. The dynamic configuration ROM comprises first and second configuration ROM images, one set to active, the other set to update. The dynamic configuration ROM publishes the configuration entries form the “active” configuration ROM image. Modifications to the configuration ROM are stored in a database. The “update” configuration ROM image is constructed from entries made to the database. After the construction of the “update” configuration ROM image is completed, the dynamic configuration ROM switches the states of the ROM images and transmits a serial bus reset signal. Subsequently, the configuration entries from the newly “active” configuration ROM image are then published.

Abstract: A docking system is disclosed. The docking system includes a portable electronic device capable of operating in multiple orientations including vertical and horizontal. The docking system also includes a docking station configured to mechanically accept and operatively interface with the portable electronic device in any of its multiple orientations including vertical and horizontal.