Abstract: Methods and systems of initiating a backup process of data stored on a computer are described. One method calls for the data to be backed up to be identified. A backup event trigger is defined, and the computer is monitored for the occurrence of the backup event trigger. If the trigger occurs, a balancing heuristic is applied, to determine whether to initiate the backup process.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adjusting a viewing experience associated with a display device. During use, a user interface capable of being used for adjusting the viewing experience associated with the display device is automatically displayed, in response to an event that potentially affects the viewing experience associated with the display device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-controlled method for safely operating a vehicle based electronic system. The method includes receiving a first signal from a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is for identifying the presence of a passenger located in a passenger seat of the vehicle. This may be the configuration of a seat belt associated with the passenger seat. The method further includes receiving a second signal from a second sensor, wherein the second sensor is for determining a weight of the passenger in the passenger seat. Provided the passenger is located in the passenger seat and the weight of the passenger in the passenger seat is above or equal to a threshold value, the method further includes allowing programming functionality of the electronic system while the vehicle is in motion. In one embodiment, the electronic system is a vehicle based navigation system.

Abstract: Methods and systems of initiating a data backup process on a computer system are described. One method calls for the data to be backed up to be identified. The computer system is monitored for the occurrence of a backup trigger event. If the trigger occurs, a data backup process is initiated.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a computer-controlled method of determining the risk of results of a search engine query before presentation to a client. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises accessing the results of the search engine query at a server side and scanning the results for software developed to harm a computer system, e.g., virus software, malware, etc. The method further includes determining a risk ranking associated with accessing one or more of the results and returning the results and the associated risk to a client, e.g., in a web page result display. Results exceeding a client specified threshold may be eliminated from the results display.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for communicating data over a network. In some embodiments relating to data transmission, data is divided into a plurality of portions, such that the portions may be transmitted utilizing a plurality of different types of data connections. In other embodiments relating to data receipt, a plurality of portions of data is received utilizing a plurality of different types of data connections, after which the portions may be reassembled.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adjusting at least one aspect of a programmable graphics and/or audio processor. In use, at least one input parameter and at least one output parameter of a programmable graphics and/or audio processor are identified. Thereafter, at least one aspect of the programmable graphics and/or audio processor may thus be dynamically adjusted. Such adjustment is performed as a function of both the at least one input parameter and the at least one output parameter.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adjusting a viewing experience associated with a display device. During use, a user interface capable of being used for adjusting the viewing experience associated with the display device is automatically displayed, in response to an event that potentially affects the viewing experience associated with the display device.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided. In use, a plurality of coordinates is identified. Further, at least one aspect of an antenna is adjusted based on the coordinates. In addition, the coordinates include source coordinates that indicate a location of a source of a signal received by the antenna. Additionally, the at least one aspect of the antenna is adjusted includes an orientation of the antenna, where the orientation is further determined based on a strength of the signal received by the antenna.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention recite a method and system for providing positional audio cues for an vehicle warning system. In one embodiment, a sensor disposed in a vehicle detects a warning event and generates a corresponding signal. In response to receiving the signal, a controller uses a positional audio algorithm to generate an audible warning via an audio system associated with the vehicle. The audible warning uniquely identifies the warning event and provides a location cue indicating the location of the warning event. In embodiments of the present invention, a sensor coupled with the controller may detect the proximity of and external object with reference to the vehicle and generate a corresponding signal. In embodiments of the present invention, the audible warnings may comprise steering cues indicating a desired direction, or a wrong direction, to a destination in response to input from a vehicle navigation system.

Abstract: Video watermarks are added to video content to trace distribution. The video watermarks are in the form of watermarking pixels. Watermarking modules in individual computers add additional sets of watermarks to whatever initial set of watermarks are present in video content. As a result, the accumulated watermarks in distributed video content provide information on the distribution of video content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically determining the height of an object observed by a camera are described. One such method involves determining the distance from the top of the object to the camera, determining the distance from the bottom of the object to the camera, measuring the angle of incidence, from the camera's perspective, between the top and bottom of the object, and computing the height of the object from the two distances and the angle of incidence. The method may be computer controlled.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for adjusting at least one aspect of a programmable graphics and/or audio processor. In use, at least one input parameter and at least one output parameter of a programmable graphics and/or audio processor are identified. Thereafter, at least one aspect of the programmable graphics and/or audio processor may thus be dynamically adjusted. Such adjustment is performed as a function of both the at least one input parameter and the at least one output parameter.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for communicating data over a network. In some embodiments relating to data transmission, data is divided into a plurality of portions, such that the portions may be transmitted utilizing a plurality of different types of data connections. In other embodiments relating to data receipt, a plurality of portions of data is received utilizing a plurality of different types of data connections, after which the portions may be reassembled.