Abstract: Cooking methods and devices for controlling doneness gradients and/or processes using modulated cooking techniques. A precision cooking appliance is provided that allows for cooking food to a precise internal temperature as well as keeping the food both before and after cooking at desired holding temperatures. One or more temperatures sensors are placed adjacent, near, and/or in the food to be cooked so that the temperature of at least one cooking surface can be controlled to reach the precise internal temperature. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also desribed.

Abstract: A video image pickup and display are used to provide electronic viewfinders for cameras. Black and white displays permit a photographer to see interactively the impact of camera adjustment on a resulting image. They also permit a photographer to visualize a black and white rendition of a color scene, when shooting in black and white film. The electronic display permits image processing results to be viewed either during calculations or by simulation. Techniques are disclosed for film and electronic storage media for still and for motion cameras and for color and black and white cameras.

Abstract: The handling of quoted material in an electronic environment is enhanced by using one or more quote bars. Quote bars permit quoted material to be treated as a single object and permit information about the source of a quote to be displayed. They also permit connection to a network address from which a quote may have originated. Using quote bars, the removal of copyright notices can be prevented.

Abstract: A telephone set is modified to permit it to automatically send repetitive data associated with telephone purchases. A retailer and a customer interact to ensure that accurate data is initially stored while eliminating the necessity of repeating the same information during subsequent purchases. A removable portable device stores the same information and permits a user to make purchases from any telephone.

Abstract: A handheld computing device is used to copy files from the screen of a fixed computer. The display of the handheld device is linked to that of the underlying computer and file and directory icons together with their underlying files are copied to the handheld device. Files from the handheld device can also be transferred to the fixed computer. When a user is running a program on the fixed computer, he may capture the state of that computer and transfer everything needed to permit execution of that program to continue uninterrupted on the handheld device. Thus files and executing programs may be lifted from the fixed computer and used on the handheld device.

Abstract: A handheld computing device is used to copy files from the screen of a fixed computer. The display of the handheld device is linked to that of the underlying computer and file and directory icons together with their underlying files are copied to the handheld device. Files from the handheld device can also be transferred to the fixed computer. When a user is running a program on the fixed computer, he may capture the state of that computer and transfer everything needed to permit execution of that program to continue uninterrupted on the handheld device. Thus files and executing programs may be lifted from the fixed computer and used on the handheld device.

Abstract: A handheld computing device is used to copy files from the screen of a fixed computer. The display of the handheld device is linked to that of the underlying computer and file and directory icons together with their underlying files are copied to the handheld device. Files from the handheld device can also be transferred to the fixed computer. When a user is running a program on the fixed computer, he may capture the state of that computer and transfer everything needed to permit execution of that program to continue uninterrupted on the handheld device. Thus files and executing programs may be lifted from the fixed computer and used on the handheld device.

Abstract: A video image pickup and display are used to provide electronic viewfinders for cameras. Black and white displays permit a photographer to see interactively the impact of camera adjustment on a resulting image. They also permit a photographer to visualize a black and white rendition of a color scene, when shooting in black and white film. The electronic display permits image processing results to be viewed either during calculations or by simulation. Techniques are disclosed for film and electronic storage media for still and for motion cameras and for color and black and white cameras.

Abstract: A keyboard contains an input device comprising a linear strip of sensitive material the approximate width of the human finger integrated into the left or right side of the keyboard. The strip is linearly sensitive in only one direction and not to any other direction, such as from left to right. A user operates the device by touching it with his or her finger and varies the input by changing the position along the strip and the pressure of his or her finger.

Abstract: Point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communications are established based on a database query broadcast to all stations. Stations satisfying the query respond and communications are established with the station(s) responding. The database query is preferably directed to location, status or history of the station being queried. Responding stations may be displayed on a moving map and establishing communications with a responding station can be established by touching an icon of the station on a touch screen display.

Abstract: A handheld computing device is used to copy files from the screen of a fixed computer. The display of the handheld device is linked to that of the underlying computer and file and directory icons together with their underlying files are copied to the handheld device. Files from the handheld device can also be transferred to the fixed computer. When a user is running a program on the fixed computer, he may capture the state of that computer and transfer everything needed to permit execution of that program to continue uninterrupted on the handheld device. Thus files and executing programs may be lifted from the fixed computer and used on the handheld device.

Abstract: An eyetracker is used to control power to an electrical device such as a computer display screen so that power consumption is reduced when a user's eyes and therefore a user's attention are not directed to the device. A motion detector activates a proximity detector and/or an IR detector to ensure that power is applied only when a user is actually present.

Abstract: A handheld computing device is used to copy files from the screen of a fixed computer. The display of the handheld device is linked to that of the underlying computer and file and directory icons together with their underlying files are copied to the handheld device. Files from the handheld device can also be transferred to the fixed computer. When a user is running a program on the fixed computer, he may capture the state of that computer and transfer everything needed to permit execution of that program to continue uninterrupted on the handheld device. Thus files and executing programs may be lifted from the fixed computer and used on the handheld device.

Abstract: Scrolling techniques for computing devices are disclosed which respond to the amount of tilt, measured against a reference, experienced by a control unit. The user set the reference by activating a switch while the control unit is in an orientation selected by the user. Once the reference is set, the direction and rate of scrolling is determined by the direction and amount of tilt. The control unit may be built into a hand held computing device such as the Sun Pad.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products permit a decision to record time sequential information, beginning at a particular point in time, to be made after that particular point in time. In one implementation, a decision to record a piece of music from the beginning can be made anytime during the playing of the music. In others, a decision to record a video program from the beginning can be made during the program. In a portable video camera, a decision to save a boy's turn at bat can be made after he hits a home run.

Abstract: A hybrid optical recording medium is arranged to allow original information that is pre-recorded in a mass manufacturing process to be supplemented by additional information written to the disk after the original information has been recorded using a disk drive. The medium contains a first optical area for storing information which is pre-recorded according to a highly structured standard format and a second optical area in which supplemental information can be written, read back therefrom, erased and changed by a computer connected to the disk drive.

Abstract: The handling of quoted material in an electronic environment is enhanced by using one or more quote bars. Quote bars permit quoted material to be treated as a single object and permit information about the source of a quote to be displayed. They also permit connection to a network address from which a quote may have originated. Using quote bars, the removal of copyright notices can be prevented.

Abstract: Rendered wire frame models of objects offered for sale can be downloaded and displayed as virtual objects in the context of an environment in which a real object would be actually used. The rendered models are located and oriented so that they appear exactly as a real object would appear when placed in the environment. A video camera captures the environment and a two dimensional perspective view of the rendered wire frame model is combined with an image of the environment to show how the object will look when actually installed.

Abstract: Advertising displays such as found in mass transit vehicles or stations or in electronic newspapers are provided with user directed search capabilities. Selected text, dragged and dropped onto an image space, serves to initiate a query. If the advertising display is networked, an external search of network resources, such as those of the World Wide Web, can be undertaken and the results utilized to initiate one or more local searches.

Abstract: The signature comparison process associated with bank approval processes is automated using signature capture devices and a stored database of valid signatures. A signature is captured as part of a normal credit transaction, digitized and compared with entries in a database of known valid signatures. In an automated gas pump environment, the signature is captured, compared and approved before any gas is dispensed.