Abstract: System and method for implementing a software based security system for preventing the unauthorized disconnection of electronic equipment from a network. A security system of the present invention includes at least one central processing unit, at least one piece of electronic equipment, a security station, and data transfer means for electronically interconnecting the at least one CPU, the at least one piece of electronic equipment, and the security station into a network. The CPU includes security software for detecting unauthorized disconnection of the electronic equipment from the network and sending an alarm signal to the security station. The software enabling a method embodiment for detecting the unauthorized disconnection of electronic equipment, including computers, from the network by determining whether the computers are logged on to the network, then polling each logged on computer. The logged on computers responding by sending an acknowledge signal which is sensed by the polling computer.

Abstract: A method of implementing an RF passthrough for a digital network recorder, and a means for practicing the method, the method consists of the steps of: monitoring an output of a digital video decoder of a digital network recorder that continuously records an input television signal to a memory and continuously decodes and plays the input television signal having been recorded; and outputting the input television signal to a television, in the event an output video signal is not output from the digital video decoder, wherein the output video signal comprises the input television signal having been previously recorded and decoded. For example, the input television signal is passed through to the television during the booting up process or a failure of the digital network recorder.

Abstract: A slide transfer system is provided for transferring semiconductor wafers from a first carrier cassette to a second process cassette. The system includes a base, a transfer mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The base has a first surface for supporting the first cassette, and a second surface for supporting the second cassette adjacent to the first cassette. The transfer mechanism has a wafer engaging member supported by a slidable support member for reciprocating movement of the wafer engaging member across the first surface of the base. The locking mechanism has an actuator element positioned for engagement by the second cassette placed on the second surface, and a locking element. The locking element has a first position in which sliding movement of the transfer mechanism is prevented, and a second position in which sliding movement of the transfer mechanism is permitted. The actuator element is operable to move the locking element between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for managing communications between an end user seeking to communicate over an open network with at least one member meeting a prescribed set of criteria established by the end user. The end user and the member are registered members of a common service. The method begins by receiving over the open network an end user request generated by the end user. The end user request includes the prescribed set of criteria. Next, a profile of characteristics of a plurality of members are stored in a database. Each profile is associated with an address corresponding to a particular member. The database is searched to generate a search result containing at least one candidate member with characteristics which correspond to the end user request. Finally, an electronic address is transmitted to the end user or the candidate member so that the end user or candidate member can initiate online communication with the other.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently implementing an electronic device architecture preferably includes a primary device that is configured to perform core operating functions in the electronic architecture, an auxiliary device that is configured to perform selected additional operating functions in the electronic architecture, a primary channel configured for performing communications procedures between the primary device and the auxiliary device, and an auxiliary channel configured for performing data transfer operations between the primary device and the auxiliary device. The communications procedures over the primary channel and the data transfer operations over the auxiliary channel may preferably occur in a concurrent manner.

Abstract: A personal computer connected to the Internet can receive and store audio and audiovisual data or programming from the Internet. This audio and audiovisual programming can be provided by the computer over a digital connection to speakers and/or a monitor located away from the computer at a location convenient for a user. A remote control unit allows the user to send signals back over the digital connection to the computer to control the computer to provide the audio or audiovisual programming that the user desires over the digital connection to the speakers and/or monitor located where the user is. The computer may send a listing of the available programming to the remote control unit from which the user can make selections.

Abstract: An additional phosphor-excitation mechanism improves the light output of a visible-light emitting phosphor. The present invention provides the ability to improve the light output of not only a four-phosphor arrangement, but also for the traditional three-phosphor display or even a two color or monochrome CRT, such as a black-and-white CRT, as well as for multi-color or more than four color displays. One excitation mechanism indirectly excites the visible-light emitting phosphor by first striking a non-visible-light emitting particle (such as an ultraviolet-emitting phosphor) with an electron beam, which then emits non-visible radiation that strikes a visible-light emitting phosphor, thereby activating the visible-light emitting phosphor. The non-visible-light emitting particles can be disposed behind and/or adjacent to the visible-light emitting phosphors. A second mechanism directly excites the visible-light emitting phosphor by directly striking the visible-light emitting phosphor with an electron beam.

Abstract: A method of creating a downloadable and printable reproduction of the graphical content that accompanies published digital audio recordings. Data from an archive containing digital graphical content corresponding to a digital audio recording is downloaded and converted by software into an accurate printable reproduction of the graphical content that accompanies commercially available digital audio recordings.

Abstract: A digital signal processor particularly adapted for decoding digital audio. The barrel shifter of the processor includes logical circuitry, so that operations involving a combination of a logical operation and a shift, can be performed in a single pass through the combined barrel shifter/logical unit, rather than requiring separate passes through the barrel shifter and ALU, which would require more instruction cycles. The address generator of the processor, includes circuitry which concatenates the most significant bits of a base address of a table to the least significant bits of an index, to thereby rapidly generate addresses of indexed locations in a table.

Abstract: A cable and connection with integrated DVI and IEEE 1394-2000 capabilities is utilized to transmit DVI signals and IEEE 1394-2000 signals over a single cable. A standard DVI cable and a DVI connector are used to integrate a DVI interface with an IEEE 1394-2000 interface. In the preferred embodiment, DVI data is transmitted over the first TMDS link, including channels 0-2, and IEEE 1394-2000 data is transmitted over two twisted pairs within the second TMDS link, including channels 3-5. Preferably, a DVI connector routes the DVI signals to or from the DVI digital signal lines corresponding to the first TMDS link to a DVI receiver circuit or a DVI transmitter circuit, as appropriate, and routes IEEE 1394-2000 signals to or from the DVI digital signal lines corresponding to the second TMDS link to an IEEE 1394-2000 interface circuit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing an evaluation of a plurality of information sites to a user over a packet-switched network when the user submits a search request through a user interface device in communication with the packet-switched network. The method begins by acquiring a search result, responsive to the search request, which includes network addresses for the plurality of information sites. Next, a plurality of individuals are selected who were previously in communication with at least one of the information sites over the packet-switched network and who meet at least one predefined criterion selected by the user. A plurality of evaluations of at least one of the information sites is retrieved from a database, which are provided by the plurality of individuals. Finally, a rating based on the evaluations is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.

Abstract: In methods and systems consistent with the present invention, the process of inverse quantization is performed by determining class number and quantization number for each block of received quantized DCT coefficients, determining a first shift value based on the class number and quantization number and a second shift value based on the class number and a combination type, and shifting the entire block of DCT coefficients based on the first and second shift values. Alternatively, the inverse quantization may be combined with inverse weighting step by pre-shifting a set of weighting tables, one for each area number combination. A pre-shifted weighting matrix is then selected based on the second shift value and multiplied by the shifted matrix of DCT coefficients. In another embodiment, a pre-shifted weighting table is selected based on the class number and combination type and then multiplied by the shifted matrix of DCT coefficients.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a multimedia unit to communicate with a multimedia service provider. The multimedia unit receives an IP address to a Web page of the service provider; the web page includes links to services provided by the service provider.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method for speech verification using an efficient confidence measure, and includes a speech verifier which compares a confidence measure for a recognized word to a predetermined threshold value in order to determine whether the recognized word is valid, where a recognized word corresponds to a word model that produces a highest recognition score. In accordance with the present invention, the foregoing confidence measure may be calculated using the recognition score for the recognized word and a pseudo filler score that may be based upon selected average recognition scores from an N-best list of recognition candidates.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing adjacent images includes an imaging device with a panorama manager that performs various procedures to manipulate one or more image parameters that correspond to adjacent frames of captured image data. An image-stitching software program may then produce a cohesive combined panorama image from the adjacent frames of image data by utilizing the manipulated image parameters.

Abstract: A radio frequency receiver includes an amplifier and a detector that produces a bias control signal indicating the level of the signal environment in which the receiver is currently operating. A bias generator sets the bias level of the amplifier according to the bias control signal, where the bias level tends to increase as the signal level increases. Other circuits within the early stages or front end of a radio frequency receiver can also have such reactively adjusted bias levels. These include buffers for local intermediate frequency oscillators and radio frequency to intermediate frequency mixers or converters. The invention can be used to increase the range of linearity (and thus the intermodulation immunity) of RF amplification stages. It can also be used to reduce typical power consumption by reducing the bias level under typical conditions and relying on the bias control to increase bias levels under adverse signal conditions.

Abstract: Using a music oriented Web site, a “student” user requests a tutorial or tour of a musical artist or genre on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet. The “expert” user peruses the “student” personal music library and creates a playlist for that library to assist in further understanding of the music by the “student” user. The playlist is transferred to a server which generates a command file. This command file is sent to the “student” user to control various multimedia components according to the “expert” user's selection. This tutorial may be accompanied by the “expert” user's personal commentary on his/her selections.

Abstract: A client-side intelligent device having background caching of web pages within a digital television (DTV) system and method of same. The present invention includes a digital television system having an intelligent device for interfacing with a user/viewer and controlling the display of information on a display screen. The intelligent device, in one embodiment, is a set-top-box, but could be any intelligent electronic device or computer system. The set-top-box is configured to receive a DTV signal (e.g., land based cable or digital satellite system) that includes audio/visual information as well as data signals in a datacast format. The datacast format includes web pages, e.g., in the HTML (hypertext markup language) format of the world wide web. The DTV broadcasters support multiple channels of information on which content providers can supply a domain of web pages on a periodic basis. The present invention is able to display viewer-selected web pages on the DTV system.