Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing an always-visible class of windows in a computer-implemented windowing environment is provided. A user may designate one or more windows as always-visible windows. If an always-visible window overlaps with a non-always-visible window, then the always-visible window is displayed on top of the non-always-visible window. Always-visible windows are prevented from overlapping with each other. Techniques are provided for implementing the always-visible window class in a manner that complies with the X Windows system. According to one technique, the override redirect attribute is used as a flag to designate which windows are always-visible windows. According to an alternative technique, a list of always-visible windows is maintained as a property attached to a root window.

Abstract: A mixer circuit with common-mode noise rejection combines input signals into a single output signal in a predetermined ratio and reduces the effect of noise within the single output signal. The input signals and their respective ground signals are all coupled to the mixer circuit. The mixer circuit eliminates common-mode noise within the output signal, caused by each input signal having a different ground reference signal, by passing each input signal differentially with its respective ground reference signal to a standard Gilbert Cell. Mixer control signals are coupled as control inputs to the Gilbert Cell for controlling the ratio of the input signals included in the output signal. The Gilbert Cell receives the differential input signals and outputs a differential output signal comprised of a predetermined ratio of the input signals as specified by the control signals. The differential output signal is then converted to a single ended output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a speaker telephone in either full-duplex mode or half-duplex mode. In the absence of an earphone connection, the speaker telephone operates in half-duplex mode to prevent undesired feedback of speaker output to microphone input. Upon detecting insertion of an earphone plug into an earphone jack, the speaker telephone transitions to a full-duplex mode of operation. Upon detecting removal of the earphone plug, the speaker telephone reverts to the half-duplex mode of operation. The speaker telephone includes a controller configured to detect an earphone insertion event and enable full-duplex operation in response. The controller enables half-duplex operation upon detecting earphone removal.

Abstract: A method for calculating a PMV for an air conditioning system having a body sensor and a temperature sensor includes the steps of sensing a thermal change a human body senses due to room air circulation using the body sensor, and converting the sensed thermal change into a digital value, sensing a room temperature using the temperature sensor, and converting the sensed room temperature into a digital value, assigning parameters according to human bodily activities and amount of clothes a man wears classified by seasons and times, and calculating a PMV by computing the value of thermal change converted into a digital value, the value of room temperature converted into a digital value, and the parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in which image data are pre-processed before undergoing block-basis image compression to compensate at least partially for the artifact known as the blocky effect that would otherwise be apparent upon decoding of the compressed data. The input data are pre-processed by combining error-correction data therewith, before block-basis compression is performed thereon. Blocky effect errors introduced during block-basis compression (e.g., standard MPEG compression) of the pre-processed input data and subsequent decoding will cancel (at least partially) the error-correction data, thereby compensating (at least partially) for the blocky effect that would otherwise occur without pre-processing.

Abstract: An automatic degaussing circuit provides a video display apparatus with a degaussing capability over a wide range of ac mains sources. An ac mains source is coupled to a degaussing coil by a series interconnection of first and second temperature-sensitive resistances. The temperature-sensitive resistances have oppositely-tending temperature coefficients, so that a total dc impedance of the automatic degaussing circuit initially decreases after power is applied to the circuit.

Abstract: A remote receiver is disclosed that accepts command signals from infrared transmitters and radio frequency transmitters and that combined the command signals into a final non overlapping command signal according to a preselected priority among the command signals.

Abstract: A weatherproof electronic keypad includes a molded plastic housing, a plurality of transducers attached to the inside surface of the front wall of the housing, an electronic circuit mounted within the housing and connected to the transducers, and a graphics overlay removably affixed to the outside surface of the front wall of the housing. The front wall and overlay are sufficiently flexible that finger pressure applied to the overlay results in enough deformation of the front wall to activate the transducer underlying that portion of the inside surface. The overlay contains indicia which identify the location and function of the transducers. The overlay need not be attached to the housing as a part of manufacturing the keypad, but rather can be added in situ as part of installation of the keypad. This enables customized selection of a particular overlay in accordance with aesthetic and/or functional considerations, as well as replacement of the overlay in the field if necessary.

Abstract: A signal restoring apparatus in a DVCR, which generates a bit erasure signal by using two threshold value and uses the same in detection of synchronism so that error detection/correction rate in demodulating signals can be improved. The apparatus detects three of "0," "1" and the bit erasure signal by using two threshold having a value different from each other in the signal detection so that matching rate becomes high by using the detected bit erasure signal. When the bit erasure signal occurs over predetermined number, the matching is not performed and the output of the incorrect synchronism signal is restrained by generating the erasure signal, thereby enhancing error correction capability.

Abstract: Two interdigitated comb-shaped fixed voltage buses such as a power bus and ground bus, in the form of metallization are provided substantially encircling of an integrated circuit die in an integrated circuit package or other integrated die assembly. Any selection of bonding pads on the die and metallization leads in the assembly may be connected to the fingers of either bus. The length of wire bond or TAB connections and the area occupied by the buses is minimized by the interdigitated geometry of the buses.

Abstract: A color interpolation circuit allows information uniquely identifying one of six colors to be stored by using only two binary bits of memory storage, and allows information uniquely identifying one of 120 colors to be stored by using only four binary bits of memory storage. This is accomplished by storing only the foreground, edge, and background colors (i.e., herein referred to as "independent" colors), and an "interpolate operator" code, and by providing circuitry to properly interpret and process the interpolate operator code to generate "intermediate colors". This permits a 33% reduction of memory size and reduces the "fetch speed" requirements of associated on-screen display (OSD) scan converter circuitry.

Abstract: A resonator of a low frequency oscillation washing machine mounted to an outer periphery of a washtub has an outer periphery shaped so that a distance between the rotational center of the washtub and the outer periphery of the resonator gradually varies between points on the outer periphery of the resonator. At least one discharging hole is provided in a portion of the outer periphery of the resonator which is the farthest from the rotational center of the washtub within the varying portion.

Abstract: An electronic game comprising an emitter unit and a target unit. The emitter unit can emit a beam of electromagnetic radiation of a particular wavelength. The target unit has a liquid crystal display and an electromagnetic radiation sensor for measuring the amount of electromagnetic radiation directed at it from the emitter. An electronic controller inside the target unit controls the flow of the game and receives input signals from the radiation sensor which affect the game.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a washing weight of washing machine has the rechecking function to detect the washings weight before and after the supplying of water and a microcomputer for determining the water level according to the detected washing weight. In a method for detecting washing weight of washing machine, if the washings weight is not larger than low level, water is supplied up to lower level and the washings weight is detected, thereby the water level is determined. And if the washings weight is not smaller than medium low level, the water is supplied up to low level and the washing weight is detected, thereby the water level is determined.

Abstract: In a wireless network access device, access to which is controlled by a control program retained in a memory in the device, a method of preventing unauthorized access to the device comprising the steps of: storing in the memory of the device, data representing a key code and an access enabling code; reading the key code from the device and generating, in accord with a known method, an access code based thereon; and, comparing the access code with the access enabling code and, if equal, enabling access to the device, otherwise denying access to the device. The invention also includes a system and a wireless network access device both of which prevent unauthorized access for reprogramming purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling a motor driven sump pump. The apparatus and method includes a power supply which powers the apparatus, a sensing portion which detects the level of the liquid within the sump, a control portion which turns the motor either off or on in response to the level of the liquid, and an alarm portion cooperating with the sensor which activates an alarm when a preselected level has been reached. The apparatus and method also includes power failure detection portion cooperating with the alarm portion which activates an alarm when a power failure occurs, a fault detection portion cooperating with the alarm portion which activates an alarm when the fault condition occurs, and a disabling portion which disables the pump when the fault detection portion detects a fault condition in the pump.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for performing multi-focusing on two disks having different thicknesses by using a beam separating unit to simultaneously read out data of the two disks.

Abstract: A method for high speed playback of digital video data (e.g. D1 or D2 data) in which, at lower speeds, the frames of data to be played back are made of a mixture of consecutive frames of data. The frames of data are mixed by averaging the pixel values over consecutive frames to make up the output frames. For high speed shuttle operation, non-consecutive frames are averaged on a pixel by pixel basis to create shuttle frames. In order to improve the appearance of the output, consecutive shuttle frames contain a common original frame so that a component of the original data spans two output frames.

Abstract: A device particularly for use with a computer comprises a housing for location at least partly between two fingers of a user's hand and an electronic circuit mounted on a board within the housing. The circuit includes a switch responsive to pressure selectively to open and close an electronic circuit, and conductive elements arranged on the board mounting the electronic circuit. A first control element is mounted with the housing and responsive to finger pressure such that pressure applied to the first control element causes the element to operate the switch. The first control element is movable with respect to a hinge such that finger action acts to cause the control element to swivel as a trigger about the hinge and thereby interact with the switch.