Abstract: A safety circuit used in low-voltage connecting systems leaves the two low-voltage systems disconnected until it determines that it is safe to make a connection. When the safety circuit determines that no unsafe conditions exist and that it is safe to connect the two low-voltage systems, the safety circuit may connect the two systems by way of a “soft start” that provides a connection between the two systems over a period of time that reduces or prevents inductive voltage spikes on one or more of the low-voltage systems. When one of the low-voltage systems has a completely-discharged battery incorporated into it, a method is used for detection of proper polarity of the connections between the low-voltage systems. The polarity of the discharged battery is determined by passing one or more test currents through it and determining whether a corresponding voltage rise is observed.

Abstract: Current transformer relays having dual functions as current transformers and electromechanical switches are described. The current transformer relay includes a relay coil and a conducting loop concentric with the relay coil. Additional functions are thus provided in addition to the main relay switching function or functions. The concentric nature of the relay coil and the conducting loop create a current transformer between these elements. The additional functions include the ability to measure an alternating current (AC) current conducted by the conducting loop, the ability to detect and interpret an information signal imposed on power lines connected to the conducting loop, the ability to induce or impose an information signal on the conducting loop for transmission to power lies connected to the conducting loop, and the ability to measure a differential current between currents carried by the conducting loop and a second concentric conducting loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide improved detection of series fault conditions are described. The systems provide an increased range of response possibilities upon detection of such conditions. Solid-state temperature sensors are utilized and may be connected to a printed circuit board integrated with supply wire terminals, thus providing electronic circuitry controlling the response to over-temperature events while simultaneously keeping the temperature sensors in close proximity with the location of potential over-heating events. Electronic sensors in accordance with implementations of the present invention detect overheating conditions at temperatures more quickly because of the close proximity of the sensors to locations of potential overheating, thereby improving the safety of electrical wiring devices and fixtures. Additionally, the threshold temperature for response can more easily be selected or controlled to be at a variety of temperatures to improve safety.

Abstract: A safety circuit used in low-voltage connecting systems leaves the two low-voltage systems disconnected until it determines that it is safe to make a connection. When the safety circuit determines that no unsafe conditions exist and that it is safe to connect the two low-voltage systems, the safety circuit may connect the two systems by way of a “soft start” that provides a connection between the two systems over a period of time that reduces or prevents inductive voltage spikes on one or more of the low-voltage systems. When one of the low-voltage systems has a completely-discharged battery incorporated into it, a method is used for detection of proper polarity of the connections between the low-voltage systems. The polarity of the discharged battery is determined by passing one or more test currents through it and determining whether a corresponding voltage rise is observed.

Abstract: Current transformer relays having dual functions as current transformers and electromechanical switches are described. The current transformer relay includes a relay coil and a conducting loop concentric with the relay coil. Additional functions are thus provided in addition to the main relay switching function or functions. The concentric nature of the relay coil and the conducting loop create a current transformer between these elements. The additional functions include the ability to measure an alternating current (AC) current conducted by the conducting loop, the ability to detect and interpret an information signal imposed on power lines connected to the conducting loop, the ability to induce or impose an information signal on the conducting loop for transmission to power lies connected to the conducting loop, and the ability to measure a differential current between currents carried by the conducting loop and a second concentric conducting loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide improved detection of series fault conditions are described. The systems provide an increased range of response possibilities upon detection of such conditions. Solid-state temperature sensors are utilized and may be connected to a printed circuit board integrated with supply wire terminals, thus providing electronic circuitry controlling the response to over-temperature events while simultaneously keeping the temperature sensors in close proximity with the location of potential over-heating events. Electronic sensors in accordance with implementations of the present invention detect overheating conditions at temperatures more quickly because of the close proximity of the sensors to locations of potential overheating, thereby improving the safety of electrical wiring devices and fixtures. Additionally, the threshold temperature for response can more easily be selected or controlled to be at a variety of temperatures to improve safety.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for matching parent processor address translations to media processors' address translations and providing concurrent memory access to a plurality of media processors through separate translation table information. In particular, a page directory for a given media application is copied to a media processor's page directory when the media application allocates memory that is to be shared by a media application running on the parent processor and media processors.

Abstract: A buffer logic within a memory module having the capability to carry out a test of another memory module to which it is coupled via a point-to-point bus through autonomously storing and transmitting a test pattern across that point-to-point bus to the other memory module, while further employing another buffer logic that is interposed between the two memory modules to pass on the test pattern, but intercept a signal received from the other memory module during the test and pass on an indication of the receipt of that signal to an analysis device to monitor the test.

Abstract: A method for exchanging information within a mesh network that has an array of nodes defined by four quadrants. The method includes the initial step of exchanging information from a set of nodes in one quadrant to a set of nodes located in an adjacent quadrant. The exchange of information simultaneously occurs in both a vertical and horizontal direction within the array. Information is then exchanged between nodes within the same quadrant and subquadrants.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention blend frames over a specified spatial and temporal extent to produce a smoothly animated appearance at a reduced frame rate. As the window moves further or closer to the viewer, motion blur may be accomplished by a combination of spatial and temporal averaging. Spatial averaging is used in conjunction with temporal averaging to reduce the rate at which images, including desktop images, are composed and to reduce the amount of graphics memory bandwidth needed for the composition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention blend frames over a specified temporal window to produce a smooth appearance at a reduced frame rate. As the window moves further or closer to the viewer, motion blur may be accomplished by temporal averaging. In particular, the temporal average is used to blend image information for a predefined/brief interval before and after the time of the output frame, retaining all of the image information, but in a slightly blurred form. After the relevant image information is retained, frames may be displayed at a reduced output rate while retaining sufficient information to reproduce a smoothly moving animation sequence.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes generating blurred copies of an object by applying multi-texturing to the object during one pass through a graphics processing pipeline. In some embodiments, a graphics pipeline includes a texture memory and a graphics processor coupled to the texture memory. The texture memory provides a location to store texture information. The graphics processor provides processor to process the texture information by shifting and blending the texture information in one pass through the graphics processor to obtain shifted and blended texture information.

Abstract: This invention demonstrates a concentrated mixture of an exfoliating scrub shampoo, a purifying masque and a soothing, invigorating which both cleanse and stimulate the scalp for the express intent of promoting healthy hair growth and preventing hair loss. This scalp scrub mixture includes scrubbing agents, a purifying masque, binding ingredients and/or medication or soothing and nutrients for use on the scalp. This scrub cleanser for the scalp which feels good to use such as providing a massaging feeling, is invigorating, improves circulation and uses non-irritating ingredients which are hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic. This invention also demonstrates an exfoliating scalp scrub cleanser shampoo or pre-shampoo scrub cleanser for use before cleansing with other hair regiments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a weight lifting apparatus having mechanism for assisting in adding a rotational element to the traditional front/back (or flexion and extension) activities during the lifting of weights or other athletic resistance activitiesl. This invention to provides an attachment apparatus that provides a weight holding means that is able to offer 360 degrees of smooth movement which allows complete rotational positionability for use with any stationary or moving resistive weight apparatus. This invention also provids an apparatus wherein the weight holding means also provides a safety measure which can limit the speed of rotation or even stop this motion in the event that the weight is dropped or rotational exertion limits are reached.

Abstract: A chopsticks holding and positioning aid that effectively both assists the user in holding the chopsticks and also stabilizes these sticks into proper orientation, preventing them from crossing over and even creating an effective gentle spring return action but does not interfere with the natural holding techniques of the user. These chopsticks holders 10 are created with simplicity of design. They are extremely low cost to produce can even be made out of environmentally friendly and recyclable materials, are intended to be disposable. These chopsticks holders 10 are fabricated from single pieces of flexible materials having with no joints, springs nor moving parts. Also, my chopstick aid will fit chopsticks of virtually any dimension and width including disposable wooden chopsticks and thick heavy fine restaurant standards.

Abstract: A method, machine readable medium, and system is disclosed. In one embodiment the method comprises assigning a priority level to a window in a windows-based environment and compressing the image data residing in the window if the priority level of the window falls below a predetermined threshold priority level.

Abstract: A media indexer method, a media indexer, and/or a media indexer computer useable medium. The media indexer includes a central processor and a memory carrying thereon media indexer software which carries out steps including receiving a media signal, identifying keyframes of the media signal, establishing metadata for each identified keyframe, tagging each identified keyframe with metadata established for the associated keyframe, and outputting the media signal in a form unchanged from the received media signal, and/or a form including identified keyframes of the received media signal, each identified keyframe including a representative media keyframe event with metadata associated with the corresponding media keyframe event. The media indexer can generate parallel index signals that are synchronized to the time rate of the received media signal, and can input and output data using standard compatible file formats for file sharing and data manipulations with other compatible files and software.

Abstract: A set of viewpoints for a given scene of 3D objects is defined by a system that restricts the degrees of freedom available to a user, through use of a bounding surface (a viewpoint sphere), and provides varying degrees of automation ranging from predefined viewpoints to generated tour paths, to interactive selection using free navigation. The system calculates the scene sphere, which is the minimum bounding sphere that contains the set of objects in the scene and then finds the viewpoint sphere, which is done by calculating the viewpoint sphere radius. The user then chooses the mode of viewpoint selection as either completely automated, semi-automated, or free navigation. The output is a set of viewpoints for the given scene of objects.

Abstract: A system and method for providing automatic and continuous selection of user-preferred data streams based on predefined parameters. In one aspect of the present invention, a client/server system comprises: a sever comprising an address list including addresses of a plurality of data sources; and a client comprising a list of user preferences; means for accessing the server to obtain the address list; means for accessing at least a first data source of the plurality of data sources on the address list to obtain descriptive information; evaluation means for evaluating the descriptive information and the user preferences to select at least a second data source of the plurality of data sources based on the evaluation; and means for accessing the second data source. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention as applied to Internet radio stations, a user would be allowed to listen only to songs from his list of favorites.

Abstract: A method for transferring information within a mesh network that has an array of nodes defined by four quadrants. The method includes the initial step of transferring information from a set of nodes in one quadrant to a set of nodes located in an adjacent quadrant. The transfer of information simultaneously occurs in both a vertical and horizontal direction within the array. Information is then transferred between nodes within the same quadrant and subquadrants.