Abstract: Passive advertising via a video display unit or radio passive advertising is performed through the insertion of commercials at specific time locations based on signaling provided in a video or audio broadcast stream. However, such advertising systems do not take advantage of a recipient's first impulse to react to the advertisement, thereby losing a potential sale. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a recipient of a video display or radio broadcasts with real-time information on products (e.g., goods or services) placed in the video display or radio broadcasts. In addition, embodiments provide the recipient with a real-time opportunity to gather information or to respond to requests (e.g., marketing requests) at the time associated with the recipient's initial impulse to act in response to receiving the video display or radio broadcast.

Abstract: Current approaches to paperless books use single screen laptop computers or electronic paper display (EPD)-based book readers. Laptop computers consume too much power and cannot be used for extended periods of time, such as an entire school day, without recharging its battery. EPD devices are limited in functionality due to their slow refresh rate and grey-scale only images. An embodiment of the present invention integrates bi-stable display technology and refresh display technology into a single device and manages the use of these technologies to achieve power savings while providing a rich set of display functionalities to support user interaction with content in a synergistic manner. The power savings functionality enables the device to have a battery operating life between charges of many hours of operation, such as eight hours or more, while the display functionality enables users to access, display, and interact with content in ways users have become accustomed and in ways not before possible.

Abstract: Bi-stable display technology and refresh display technology are integrated into a single device, which manages the use of these technologies to achieve power savings while providing a rich set of display functionalities that support interaction with content in a synergistic manner. Power saving functionality facilitates conservation of battery operating life, and flexible display functionalities enable access, display, and interaction with content in various ways.

Abstract: Current approaches to paperless books use single screen laptop computers or electronic paper display (EPD)-based book readers. Laptop computers consume too much power and cannot be used for extended periods of time, such as an entire school day, without recharging its battery. EPD devices are limited in functionality due to their slow refresh rate and grey-scale only images. An embodiment of the present invention integrates bi-stable display technology and refresh display technology into a single device and manages the use of these technologies to achieve power savings while providing a rich set of display functionalities to support user interaction with content in a synergistic manner. The power savings functionality enables the device to have a battery operating life between charges of many hours of operation, such as eight hours or more, while the display functionality enables users to access, display, and interact with content in ways users have become accustomed and in ways not before possible.

Abstract: Methods are set forth which provide for the allocation of bandwidth for point-to-point, serial, bidirectional communication paths in a digital switching system. Bandwidth allocation is performed at both ends of a path (e.g. T1 line, IML, etc.) and may take place in either direction. Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the Bandwidth Allocation Facility (BAF) at each end of a given path allocates bandwidth in integer multiples of maximum switching system granularity. The BAF also supports the implementation of user requests for any one of a plurality of allocation and boundary rules. To minimize the probability of contention and out of band signalling between the BAF pair associated with a given path, a front-to-back search mechanism is assigned for one BAF of the pair, while the other BAF utilizes a back-to-front search mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are set forth which provide for the allocation of bandwidth for point-to-point, serial, bidirectional communication paths in a digital switching system. Bandwidth allocation is performed at both ends of a path (e.g. T1 line, IML, etc.) and may take place in either direction. Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the Bandwidth Allocation Facility (BAF) at each end of a given path allocates bandwidth in integer multiples of maximum switching system granularity. The BAF also supports the implementation of user requests for any one of a plurality of allocation and boundry rules. To minimize the probability of contention and out of band signalling between the BAF pair associated with a given path, a front-to-back search mechanism is assigned for one BAF of the pair, while the other BAF utilizes a back-to-front search mechanism.