Abstract: A method and system for updating device identification and status information in response to a local bus reset within a home audio/video network. Several consumer electronics products, e.g., television, VCR, tuner, set-top box (e.g., intelligent receiver/decoder, IRD), DVTRs, PCs, DVD players (digital video disk), etc., can be coupled within the network to communicate together via a standard bus (e.g., IEEE 1394 serial communication bus). In one embodiment, the communication architecture used is the home audio/visual initiative (HAVI) format. The HAVI network offers unique advantages consumer electronic vendors because the architecture offers for the home network many of the advantages of existing computer system networks. Namely, interconnected devices can share resources and provide open, well defined APIs that allow ease of development for third party developers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributed conditional access (CA) control on a serial communication network. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a CA subsystem over a 1394 network, the CA subsystem comprising a receiver unit for receiving a digital broadcast signal (DBS) and OOB data from an external source, where the DBS and OOB data are transmitted from the external source to the receiver unit in different broadcast frequencies. The receiver unit comprises a main tuner subunit coupled to receive the DBS, which can be encrypted with respect to a first encryption scheme. The receiver unit also comprises an OOB tuner subunit coupled to receive the OOB data for decrypting the DBS with respect to the first encryption scheme. The CA subsystem also comprises a CA control unit coupled to the receiver unit, which in turn comprises a CA subunit coupled to receive the DBS and OOB data.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface for a networked target device using panel subunit descriptor information maintained by the target device. The present invention utilizes a panel subunit to allow any compliant device (e.g., a target device) to describe the appearance of its physical (and logical) controls and displays to another device (e.g., an intelligent controller) and allows the controller to trigger actions on the target as if a user had physically manipulated the controls on the target device directly. The panel subunit uses objects defined with several standard types of controls and displays (e.g., push buttons, sliders, dials, LCD screens, etc.) that are commonly found on consumer electronic devices. The control types have well defined behaviors (e.g., buttons are pushed, dials are moved, values are input, etc.). In addition, the panel subunit defines a set of commands which are to be applied to any of these controls when selected by the user.

Abstract: In a home audio visual network including a plurality of devices coupled via an IEEE 1394 bus, a system for accessing a media drive mechanism of a multi-item-type media player. The multi-item-type media player can play any type of disc media item. A media drive mechanism is included within the mutli-item-type media player and is configured to play or record the media item stored within the multi-item-type media player. A computer system is built-in to the multi-item-type media player. A software based media player model executes on the computer system, and in turn, causes the computer system to implement a method of accessing the media drive mechanism. In so doing, the computer system interfaces with a plurality of devices coupled to the multi-item media player via an IEEE 1394 communications link of an IEEE 1394 based network and provides a standardized command set for the media drive mechanism.

Abstract: A system for implementing indivisible command execution in an AV/C home audio video network of connected network devices. A network bus operable for conveying commands among a plurality of coupled devices is coupled to each of the devices. A controller device is coupled to the network bus operable for generating a command sequence, the command sequence including a plurality of AV/C commands. A target device is coupled to the network bus, the target device operable for implementing AV/C operations by receiving and executing the command sequence. The target device is configured to identify the command sequence received from the controller via the network bus by reading a group tag field and a command status included in each AV/C command.

Abstract: In a home audio visual network including a plurality of devices coupled via an IEEE 1394 bus, a system for accessing a media changer mechanism of a multi-item media player. The multi-item media player stores a plurality of media items and can play any of the plurality of media items. A media changer mechanism having a plurality of slots for storing the plurality of media items is included within the multi-item media player. A computer system is built into the multi-item media player. A software based media changer model executes on the computer system, and in turn, causes the computer system to implement a method of accessing the media changer mechanism. In so doing, the computer system interfaces with a plurality of devices coupled to the multi-item media player via an IEEE 1394 communications link of an IEEE 1394 based network and provides a standardized command set for the media changer mechanism.

Abstract: A platform-independent software-implemented digital signal processing system in a computer system. The digital signal processing system is comprised of a digital signal processing unit implemented in C program code which receives data and applies a process to generate therefrom a computer file representative of a processed response. The digital signal processing system also is comprised of a graphical user interface implemented in Java program code, which generates two-dimensional graphic images and text on the computer system's user output device, and is for receiving user-selected process parameters and for displaying the results of the processed response. In addition, the digital signal processing system is comprised of an interface code which provides communication between the graphical user interface and the digital signal processing unit.

Abstract: A display device using a video signal counter system in its automatic positioning and centering circuit. The display device receives a video signal (e.g., from a host computer) including red, green, blue (RGB) color signals and synchronization signals. The present invention advantageously utilizes a video signal counter circuit which is located proximate to, and on the same integrated circuit PC board as, the video receiver circuit of the display device to increase the accuracy of automatic centering and sizing computations. The video signal counter circuit compares horizontal and vertical synchronization signals to the start of the picture edge as determined by the RGB signals. The video signal counter circuit communicates over a transmission line (e.g., serial line) to a processor unit located on another integrated circuit PC board.

Abstract: A buffer circuit having a high input impedance. The buffer circuit comprises an input lead, a first stage having a first emitter follower transistor and a first level shifter transistor, a second stage having a second emitter follower transistor and a second level shifter transistor, and an output lead coupled to said second stage. The first emitter follower transistor is coupled to the input lead and coupled to the first level shifter transistor. The first and second stage of the buffer circuit acts as a voltage follower. The second emitter follower transistor is coupled to the second level shifter transistor, while the second emitter follower transistor is coupled to the first emitter follower transistor. The buffer circuit has a high input impedance and very low leakage current. Hence, it is ideal for sampling filter components of a phase lock loop circuit within a high frequency clock generation circuit thereby reducing clock jitter.

Abstract: A method and system for providing seamless interoperability and integration between a plurality of devices in a network using a common protocol, wherein at least one of the devices is a legacy device which commmunicates with the network using a proprietary protocol. When a legacy device is coupled to the network, one of the plurality of devices on the network queries the legacy device via the proprietary protocol to determine a set of basic capabilities supported by the legacy device. The set of basic capabilities are then mapped from the proprietary protocol to a set of basic commands from the common protocol. A control module is generated for the legacy device, wherein the control module is based upon the set of basic commands. The set of basic capabilites of the legacy device are then accessed via the control module, thereby providing seamless interoperability and integration of the legacy device with the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A telephone which includes a keypad housing. The keypad housing slides in and out of an opening in the telephone. In the retracted position, the keypad housing is held within the opening. This gives a telephone which is small and compact. In fact, the telephone of the present invention is small and compact enough to fit within a user's pocket. The keypad housing may be pulled out and latched in the extended position. In the extended position, the user has access to the keypad which is disposed in the top of the keypad housing. The resulting telephone is small and compact when the keypad housing is retracted, yet allows for the user access to a full sized keypad when the keypad housing is extended.

Abstract: A current source circuit for providing a stable current into a filter element of a phase-lock-loop circuit of a clock generator. The current source circuit comprises a first resistor coupled to a voltage supply. The emitter of a first transistor is coupled to the first resistor; the collector is coupled to a capacitor which is part of the filter elements of the phase-lock-loop. Current flows from the voltage supply through the first resistor and first transistor into the capacitor. Leakage current flowing out of the capacitor due to the inherent Rcb impedance associated with the first transistor is directed to a path provided by a second transistor. The second transistor has an emitter coupled to the base of the first transistor and a collector coupled to the capacitor. The second transistor is biased such that the Rcb leakage current is directed back into the capacitor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented user interface having a semi-transparent scroll bar tool for increased screen usage. The present invention includes a user interface having one or more scroll bar tools displayed within a window area of a computer screen. The scroll bars are semi-transparent in that they allow the visualization of text and/or other graphical information that coincides in screen location with the scroll bars (e.g., "behind information"). By allowing the visualization of "behind information," the present invention effectively increases the display screen's usable space for displaying information to a user. This capability is particularly advantageous when used in combination with products that have small display screens and/or when used in combination with products that allow the user to interact with the display screen (e.g., for inputting or accessing information using a touch screen or stylus etc.).

Abstract: A hands-free adapter for a telephone is disclosed. The hands-free adapter includes a housing, a speaker and a microphone that may be electrically coupled to a telephone. The hands-free adapter couples to a cigarette lighter receptacle of a vehicle. This provides power to operate the speaker and the microphone. In addition, power is coupled to the telephone for operating the telephone and charging the telephones batteries. The hands-free adapter also includes an articulating cable for positioning the speaker and the microphone near a user. The microphone is disposed within a boom which is pivotally coupled to the housing such that the boom may be moved from a retracted position to a fully extended position. The microphone is automatically activated as it is moved out of the retracted position and is automatically deactivated as it is moved back into the retracted position.

Abstract: A method and system for ensuring future upgradability and expandabiliy of devices in a home audio video network. The system of the present invention generates a default control module for a first device coupled to the network by using a second device coupled to the network. The the default control module is configured to ensure at least a minimum degree of interoperability between the first device and the second device. The second device access the first device via the default control module, wherein the default control module enables the first device to respond to a default set of commands from the second device. When an updated control module for the first device is received, the default control module is replaced with the updated control module by unlinking the default control module and linking the updated control module using a registry. The updated control module can be received from a wide variety of sources (e.g., the internet, satellite broadcast, cable TV provider, disk from the manufacture, etc.).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning an electron gun of a CRT wherein said method and apparatus prevents damage to the CRT's during the cleaning process. A protective cap is placed over the pins of an assembled CRT for protecting the pins against damage. The CRT is then lowered into a container that is filled with dielectric-fluid. A socket that includes a central opening is disposed in the container. The pins of the CRT are electrically coupled to the socket. The dielectric-fluid is circulated through the central opening of the socket so as to remove any air trapped between the stem base surface of the CRT and the protective cap. A high voltage electrical current is then selectively applied to the pins for cleaning the electron gun of the CRT.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a device identification mechanism within a consumer electronics based audio/video network. Several consumer electronics products, e.g., television, VCR, tuner, set-top box (e.g., intelligent receiver/decoder, IRD), DVTRs, PCs, DVD players (digital video disk), etc., can be coupled within the network to communicate together via a standard bus (e.g., IEEE 1394 serial communication bus). In one embodiment, the HAVI network offers unique advantages consumer electronic vendors because the architecture offers for the home network many of the advantages of existing computer system networks. Specifically, interconnected devices can share resources and provide open, well defined APIs that allow ease of development for third party developers. The present invention provides a mechanism whereby a global unique identifier (GUID) is associated with each device of the HAVI network. A low level driver constructs a GUID list of each device on the HAVI network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a one button cellular phone that provides all basic phone functions using single button on the phone. The invention operates by the user pressing the single button to dial a service provider. The call then is answered by the service provider, thus connecting the single button cellular phone to the service provider. At this time, the user communicates a desired number to be called to the service provider. The service provider then connects the one button cellular phone to the desired number. The single button on the cellular phone can also be used to answer an incoming call and also to terminate a call in progress. The single button cellular phone of the present invention is easy to use and is especially advantageous for children, aged people and the disabled. By requiring only a single button and not the conventional 12 key keypad, the cellular phone of the present invention can be manufactured relatively small in size.

Abstract: A method and system for providing seamless interoperability and integration of a plurality of devices in a network. When a new device is coupled to a home audio video network, the device is queried to obtain a description of first level functions supported by the device. A first level control module which implements the first level functions is generated for the device based upon the description. If the new device contains software for implementing second level functions, the software is retrieved from the device and a second level control module which implements the second level functions is generated using the software. The device is subsequently accessed via the control module in order to access the first level functions or the second level functions and provide seamless interoperability and integration of the device with the plurality of devices in the network.

Abstract: An alignment feature that avoids comet tail formation in spin-on materials and production method therefor. In one embodiment, the present invention alignment feature that comprises a trench is anisotropically etched into a surface of a substrate layer. The alignment feature exhibits a cross-sectional profile with sidewalls that are oriented substantially orthogonal to the surface of the substrate layer. Importantly, the present invention alignment feature does not have protruding structures disposed proximate to an intersection of the sidewalls and the surface of the substrate layer. The profile of the present invention alignment feature, with the absence of protruding structures as described above, averts the formation of comet tails in subsequently deposited spin-on materials. Thus, the present invention provides an alignment feature that completely avoids the deleterious effects of comet tails in spin-on materials without having to waste voluminous amounts of expensive spin-on materials.