Abstract: A system is described that turns off a high power, power supply when a device no longer needs high power. A low power, power supply or a rechargeable battery provides power to determine when the device again needs high power. The low power supply consumes a minimum possible power when the device does not need high power and the power rechargeable battery is not charged. That is, the high power and low power, power supplies are turned on or off based on the real time power consumption need of the device and the charged state of the battery. The power need of the device is monitored by a current shunt monitoring circuit and a control signal monitoring circuit.

Abstract: Automatically configuring a portable electronic device for accessing a site on a public network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a connection to at least one server for establishing and maintaining website accounts, and sending information uniquely identifying the electronic device to the at least one server. The at least one server sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password, created based on the electronic device information. The user account information is stored on the device for use the next time the device accesses the website, whereby the user does not have to enter account information in order to establish the ISP connection or the website account before accessing the public network or, if the user account is not completely set up, to establish the user account a next time the device connects to the at least one server.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for routing network traffic (calls in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)), which expands the capabilities of existing systems by providing faster and more efficient direction of network traffic, is disclosed. A routing management system includes a routing manager which maintains a list of local routes, establishes and manages connections to the routing server(s), exports routes to the routing server(s), imports disseminated routes from the routing server(s), obtains static global and dynamic routes from the routing server(s), caches those routes for future use, finds all matching routes for a particular number dialed by the user, and prioritizing those routes based on timing, access and ordering information.

Abstract: Storing image data and related information for sharing via a URL includes receiving image data uploaded from a client computer via a user interface and receiving, separate from the receiving of the image data, related information uploaded via the user interface. The uploaded image data and related information are stored. A uniform resource locator (URL) configured for retrieving a display that includes the stored image data and the related information is generated. The URL is provided in a message.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are disclosed for providing AC line power to lighting devices such as light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). A representative apparatus comprises: a plurality of LEDs coupled in series to form a plurality of segments of LEDs; first and second current regulators; a current sensor; and a controller to monitor a current level through a series LED current path, and to provide for first or second segments of LEDs to be in or out of the series LED current path at different current levels. A voltage regulator is also utilized to provide a voltage during a zero-crossing interval of the AC voltage. In a representative embodiment, first and second segments of LEDs are both in the series LED current path regulated at a lower current level compared to when only the first segment of LEDs is in the series LED current path.

Abstract: The functionality of a conventional mouse is extended to provide an extended number of simultaneously adjustable user interface parameters employing one or more user-removable modules. In an embodiment, a user interface for controlling an external device, such as a computer, includes a first user interface sensor configured with a housing. This first sensor generates a first plurality of signals responsive to movement of the housing relative to two orthogonal axes. A compartment is configured with the housing and is sized to receive the user-removable module. This user-removable module contains a second user interface sensor, which generates a second plurality of signals responsive to user manipulation. Output is provided responsive to signals generated by the first and second user interface sensors. In another embodiment, the housing of an extended functionality mouse itself serves as a module removable from a compartment provided in another physical device.

Abstract: An apparatus and computer readable storage medium are disclosed for supplying power to a load such as a plurality of light emitting diodes. A representative apparatus comprises a primary module, a first secondary module couplable to a first load, and a second secondary module couplable to a second load. The primary module comprises a transformer having a transformer primary. The first secondary module comprises a first transformer secondary magnetically coupled to the transformer primary, and the second secondary module comprises a second transformer secondary magnetically coupled to the transformer primary, with the second secondary module couplable through the first or second load to the first secondary module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically categorizing images in a digital camera is provided. In one aspect, image data is captured by a digital camera. Image data analysis is performed on the captured image data by the digital camera to automatically generate a category tag to which the captured image data may relate. The generated category tag is stored in association with the captured image data for categorizing the captured image data.

Abstract: Automatically configuring a portable electronic device for accessing a site on a public network is disclosed. The method and system include establishing a connection to at least one server for establishing and maintaining website accounts, and sending information uniquely identifying the electronic device to the at least one server. The at least one server sends user account information to the device, including an account ID and password, created based on the electronic device information. The user account information is stored on the device for use the next time the device accesses the website, whereby the user does not have to enter account information in order to establish the ISP connection or the website account before accessing the public network or, if the user account is not completely set up, to establish the user account a next time the device connects to the at least one server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for protecting information on a user interface based on a viewability of the information are disclosed. According to one method, a viewing position of a person other than a user with respect to information on a user interface is identified. An information viewability threshold is determined based on the information on the user interface. Further, an action associated with the user interface is performed based on the identified viewing position and the determined information viewability threshold.

Abstract: Method and means for driving one or more LEDs. The method includes turning a power switch on to provide current through an inductor and the power switch, measuring voltseconds of the LEDs at a cycle time, comparing the measured voltseconds to a reference signal at an end of the cycle time, generating a signed discrete logical signal based on a difference between the measured voltseconds and the reference signal, and generating a control signal using the signed discrete logical signal to regulate a peak current through the power switch by keeping the cycle time voltseconds substantially constant. The reference signal may be proportional to a set average LED voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a central controller to transmit a plurality of synchronization codes through a transmission medium and a plurality of satellite controllers, each satellite controller configured to recognize one or more synchronization codes of the plurality of synchronization codes, each satellite controller comprising a synchronous clock signal generator to generate a synchronous clock signal each time the satellite controller recognizes the one or more synchronization codes of the plurality of synchronization codes.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrostatic capacity change sensing method and apparatus, and a recording medium in which a program executing the method is recorded, a touch sensing method and apparatus, and a recording medium in which a program executing the method is recorded. The electrostatic capacity change sensing method and apparatus are capable of sensing the change in the electrostatic capacity without using the sensing frequency. The touch sensing method and apparatus are capable of sensing touch without using the sensing frequency.

Abstract: There is provided a level sensing apparatus detecting the level of a detected material, the apparatus including: a circuit board; a first electrode and a second electrode having different dimensions, which are formed on one surface and the other surface of the circuit board; a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer having different thicknesses, which are formed on the first electrode and the second electrode; and a judgment unit electrically connected with the first electrode and the second electrode through the circuit board to judge the level of the detected material by using capacitances detected from the first electrode and the second electrode. According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately sense a level without being influenced by surrounding circumstances such as temperature, and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a moved touch sensing method. The moved touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: acquiring channel information corresponding a touch inputted into a contact region; converting each of first channel information and second channel information acquired as the touch moves into order information according to a predetermined order; and outputting a movement distance clock signal representing a movement distance of the touch on the basis of the converted order information. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to reduce a burden of a control processor by outputting information regarding a movement distance and a movement direction of a moved touch by using two clock signals.

Abstract: A heat dissipating apparatus includes a thermal conducting base and heat pipes connected to the thermal conducting base. Each heat pipe includes a heated section and a heat dissipating section. The portion connected to the thermal conducting base is the heated section, and the heat dissipating section is extended outward from the thermal conducting base. In the heat pipes, at least one heat dissipating section of the heat pipe is extended outward from a lateral side of the thermal conducting base, and the heat dissipating section of the heat pipe is situated at a position higher than the heated section, and fins are disposed on the heat dissipating section of the heat pipe. Therefore, the heat pipe guides the heat absorbed by thermal conducting base to a lateral side to dissipate heat from a nearby heat source.

Abstract: A heat conducting apparatus adopts a design of two oblique slide blocks disposed between and contacted with two objects for conducting heat from one of the two objects to another. The two oblique slide blocks can be adjusted freely according to the different heights of the two objects to conduct the heat produced by a heat generating component to a heat dissipating structure.

Abstract: An assembly mechanism for an external box includes a casing body, a cover body, and a retaining body. The casing body has an opening formed on one side thereof. The cover body is assembled on the casing body. The retaining body is used for sliding the cover body to approach the opening in order to retain the cover body and the casing body together or for sliding the cover body out from the opening in order to separate the cover body from the casing body. Hence, it is easy for users to assemble or detach the external box of the present invention and the cost of the present invention is less than that of the prior art. Therefore, the present invention can solve the problem of needing to use a number of screws to assemble the external box of the prior art.

Abstract: A concrete hardening and dust prevention solution that can be applied at low temperatures to harden and air-dry concrete surfaces. The low temperature concrete hardening and dust prevention solution comprises about 75% by weight of dimethyl glutarate, about 24.75% by weight of tung oil, and about 0.25% by weight of dimethyl phtalate. The low temperature concrete hardening and dust prevention solution may be applied at temperatures ranging from -35 degrees Fahrenheit to +42 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: Ingot-type semiconductor single crystals having diameters of more than 200 m can be sawed into thin wafers using an annular saw if the crystal is fed towards the cutting edge of the annular saw while rotating around its longitudinal axis. The method includes having a wafer sawed out in this way until a residual joint is created between a wafer and the end face of the ingot. Ingot and wafer are finally separated by means of a residue separation technique which leaves behind various central material projections on the ingot and the wafer. Particularly suitable for residue separation are torsion separation and separation by a wire saw. This procedure reliably prevents the frequently observable, uncontrollable breaking-off of the wafer in the final phase of the annular sawing if this is exclusively used as the method of separation.