Abstract: Controlling the power state of an internet protocol (IP) network display device using the cumulative connection status of one or more client devices to presentation a gateway. The first client device to connect to the presentation gateway causes it to transmit an instruction over the IP Network to the display device to turn-on. When the last of the client connections to the presentation gateway has terminated, the presentation gateway transmits either a sleep or power-down instruction over the IP network to the display device, optionally, after a countdown timer expires.

Abstract: Presented is a method of calibrating and synchronizing movement of at least two roller shades with respect to each other. One of the roller shades is designated as a reference shade and the other as a slave shade. The total number of encoder counts required to move each of the roller shades from fully open to a fully closed is determined. A correction factor for the slave shade is calculated and used to correct the error in the position of the slave shade relative to the reference shade caused by variation in the length of flexible shade material wound around each of the roller shades. The reference shade is moved a desired number of encoder counts in a predetermined amount of time. Simultaneously, the slave shade is moved a corrected number of encoder counts in the same amount of time thereby correcting errors in the rotation rate.

Abstract: Presented is a system and method for testing a digital video distribution environment. A digital video signal generator transmits a reference video bit stream to a distribution path. A digital video signal analyzer receives a test video bit stream from the distribution path. The digital video signal analyzer generates a diagnostic video bit stream as a function of the reference video bit stream and the test video bit stream.

Abstract: A switcher device comprises a multiplexer coupled in-between at least one input and output cards. The multiplexer detects the presence of an event signal from an activated sink. In response to the detection of the event signal, a processor changes an address of an HDCP receiver from a first address to a second address for enabling the at least one source to authenticate with the input card and enabling the output card to authenticate with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption. In response to the non-detection of the event signal, the processor changes the address of an HDCP receiver from the second address to the first address for disabling the at least one source from initiating a first authentication with the input card, therefore the output card also does not attempt to initiate a second authentication with the at least one sink for security protocol encryption.

Abstract: A facility scheduling system comprises an RFID reader, a user interface device, a control processor and one or more preset resources. The RFID reader receives information pertaining to a user and a meeting. The RFID reader communicates this information to the control system which in turn retrieves further information about the user and the meeting from a facility security system, a facility management system, and a calendar system. The user is presented with a personalized user interface on the user interface device allowing him to control one or more preset resources according to preset parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus, for use with a reverse osmosis system comprising a feed input, a concentrate output, and a permeate output, includes (i) at least one pressure sensor operative to measure a pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and to generate a signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and (ii) at least one controller operative to adjust a speed of at least a first pumping mechanism based at least in part on the signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system. The first pumping mechanism comprises at least one of: (i) a fluid input coupled to at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system; and (ii) a fluid output coupled to at least the feed input of the reverse osmosis system.

Abstract: Presented is a method of building a digital media library from separate digital media sources. The method includes providing a location of each of the separate media sources, where each of the media sources stores at least one digital media item, and the media item is either owned, rented, or saved by a user. The method further includes accessing the location of each of the separate media sources and collecting reference location information and metadata associated with the media item stored at each of the media sources. The method further includes consolidating and storing the reference location information and the metadata associated with the media item from each of the media sources into a database, presenting the information stored in the database in readable form, and providing a message indicating the availability of, the expiration of, or the time left before expiration of at least one of the media items.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield comprises a single sheet of metal having outer and inner peripheries. The outer periphery forms a plurality of outer deflectable fingers extending outward from a bent edge of the outer periphery for contacting a surface of a faceplate. The plurality of outer deflectable fingers is deflectable to allow for installation and removal of the faceplate. The inner periphery has an opening for receiving an HDMI connector and forming a plurality of inner deflectable fingers extending inwardly from a bent edge of the inner periphery. The plurality of inner deflectable fingers is deflectable to allow for insertion and removal of the HDMI connector.

Abstract: A device and method for simultaneously capturing a combination of content video, content audio, presenter video and presenter audio, as well as distributing a combination of content video, content audio, presenter video and presenter audio to a digital sink via an HDMI connection. Video sources are automatically routed to the digital sink depending on the source configuration.

Abstract: Presented is a backup power system for a building that selectively provides power to particular circuits according to a power distribution priority profile. Power is applied sequentially to each particular circuit depending on the measured current loads of the particular circuits to which power has already been applied.

Abstract: A cable retractor for releasing and retracting an application cable. a cable retractor comprises a base; a spool having sides, the spool rotatably secured to the base to permit the application cable to be wrapped around the spool; a mandrel disposed concentrically within the spool, the mandrel being rotationally secured to the base to prevent axial rotation of the mandrel relative to the base; and the mandrel further having a recessed groove running lengthwise, and an internal cable having an outer connector and inner connector, the outer connector being connected through the spool to one end of the application cable, and the inner connector being exposed at one end of the mandrel from within the recessed groove.

Abstract: A master transmitter distributes a plurality of audio channels to one or more expansion receivers as a multiplexed audio stream. Control information is also transmitted between the master transmitter and the expansion receivers. Both the control information and the multiplexed audio stream are transmitted on the same cable allowing for reduced clutter and cheaper material and installation costs.

Abstract: An audio amplifier is powered by a switch mode power supply optimized for audio applications. The power supply includes a rectifier circuit and a discontinuous mode multiphase isolated flyback power circuit and does not require a separate power factor correction stage. The discontinuous mode multiphase isolated flyback power circuit includes multiple isolated flyback converters operating synchronously to each convert a portion of the power and supply a phase-summed direct current voltage to the audio amplifier.

Abstract: Presented is a motorized roller shade that includes a flexible shade material, a rotatably supported roller tube that windingly receives the flexible shade material, one or more flexible photovoltaic cells disposed on the flexible shade material, and a motor operably engaging the roller tube to rotate the roller tube to move the flexible shade material, where the motor receives power from the one or more flexible photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A system for communicating data comprises a clock channel configured to transmit a clock signal at a predetermined rate and at least one data channel configured to transmit data as a sequence of blocks of multi-level symbols being sent at a fixed multiple of the clock rate. Each block of multi-level symbols comprises a sequence of at least three multi-level symbols. Each multi-level symbol has an analog voltage level selected from a predetermined number of possible values, the predetermined number being an integer greater than two. The fixed multiple of the clock rate is an integer greater than one.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor detects expected and unexpected occupancies in a monitored area with an expected occupancy schedule. The occupancy sensor includes a real time clock, a memory, a sensor element, a processor, indicator lights and a network interface. The occupancy sensor transmits an occupancy correction signal to a network if the actual occupancy of the monitored area does not match the expected occupancy state of the monitored area.

Abstract: Presented is a control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device having integral processing capability. The control system includes an enclosure configured for housing the portable touch screen device, an internal docking connector configured for communicatively mating with the portable touch screen device, and hard buttons. At least one of the hard buttons is functionally configured for use with an application program running on the portable touch screen device. The control system further includes first and second cameras disposed on the enclosure. The control system further includes a processor configured for converting button actuations into a digital format, and a first facility for communicating the digital format to the portable touch screen device via the internal docking connector. The application program is configured such that, during operation, the application program communicates the status of the one hard button to at least one external device.

Abstract: An audio amplifier is powered by a switch mode power supply optimized for audio applications. The power supply includes a rectifier circuit and a discontinuous mode multiphase isolated flyback power circuit and does not require a separate power factor correction stage. The discontinuous mode multiphase isolated flyback power circuit includes multiple isolated flyback converters operating synchronously to each convert a portion of the power and supply a phase-summed direct current voltage to the audio amplifier.

Abstract: An input card of video switcher includes a detection block for detecting errors in the timing signals of a digital video signal within a range. For timing signals with errors that fall within the range, the input card implements a correction block to correct the signals to an expected resolution. For timing signals with errors that fall out of the range, the input card does implement the correction block and passes the raw timing signal through.