Abstract: A remote control device is operative to enable and facilitate user control of video systems that are operative to provide one or more three-dimensional (3D) viewing effects. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a user input terminal having an input element operative to receive user inputs to adjust at least one of a volume setting and a channel setting of a video system, and further operative to receive user inputs to adjust a three-dimensional (3-D) viewing effect of the video system. A transmitter is operative to transmit control signals to the video system in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: A viewer viewing audio-visual content on an audio-visual display (12) advantageously can receive information as to potential sources of alternative audio (241-24n) via a set-top box (14). The set-top-box collects metadata identifying the audio-visual content viewed by the viewer and provides that metadata to a database (26) that searches for and identifies to the set-top-box the source(s) of alternative audio-if any. The set-top box will alert the viewer who can then select one of the identified sources of alternative audio in place of the audio embedded in the currently viewed audio-visual content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing a video frame and scraping the captured frame for data contained therein is provided. The scraping of the frame extracts data from the frame. A user, while watching television, requests a screen capture function. The video frame is stored in a (e.g., advertisement for local store, or frame buffer and further processing is performed to scrape the screen of data contained therein. In one example, text information such as phone numbers, web addresses, etc. can be identified using OCR technology. Once extracted, the information can be provided to the user in many different formats for further use or further processing.

Abstract: The present application provides the user with an option to permanently erase an episode in a series recording, or a non-series recording of media content from their PVR/DVR storage. After watching recorded content on a PVR/DVR, the user is provided with an option to “permanently delete” the particular media content. In the example of a series recording, the user is provided with the ability to prevent their PVR/DVR from recording an already watched episode in a series recording and thereby saving valuable storage space on the PVR/DVR.

Abstract: Methods and systems for employing a set top box as a gateway application client are disclosed. The set top box can permit a user to interact with a gateway directly and efficiently to run applications or modify configuration settings of the gateway. Further, the set top box can be configured to include an executable file or application to perform at least a portion of processing of one or more applications provided at the gateway. In addition, the set top box can perform a display/input function and act as a conduit for information transmitted between a user and a gateway.

Abstract: A remote control device is operative to enable and facilitate user control of video systems that are operative to provide one or more three-dimensional (3D) viewing effects. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a user input terminal having an input element operative to receive user inputs to adjust at least one of a volume setting and a channel setting of a video system, and further operative to receive user inputs to adjust a three-dimensional (3D) viewing effect of the video system. A transmitter is operative to transmit control signals to the video system in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: A viewer viewing audio-visual content on an audio-visual display (12) advantageously can receive information as to potential sources of alternative audio (241-24n) via a set-top box (14). The set-top-box collects metadata identifying the audio-visual content viewed by the viewer and provides that metadata to a database (26) that searches for and identifies ties to the set-top-box the source(s) of alternative audio-if any.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for calibrating image capture devices, such as the type used in electronic devices. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one array of pixels and a memory coupled to the at least one array of pixels. The electronic device may further include a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the memory and at least one color filter optically coupled to the at least one array of pixels. The memory may further include one or more storage locations that include a response of the at least one color filter to one or more predetermined wavelengths from a target test source, as well as, one or more storage locations that include a response of one or more baseline color filters.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of manufacturing wallboard which includes providing a first layer of facing material, creasing the first layer facing material intermittently to create a series of creased portions, providing a gypsum slurry on the first layer of facing material and providing a second layer of facing material over the gypsum slurry. Further, creasing the first layer of facing material intermittently can include intermittently creasing the first layer of facing material in a substantially linear fashion extending in a first direction of the first layer of facing material so that the first layer of facing material exhibits a linear series of creased portions extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material and a series of portions that are not creased extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material.

Abstract: A system and methods for using data from an external database compiled from real device used for testing and simulation of a system. The system includes an external database interface to access an external database. The external database includes a plurality of categories of time-value data collected from an electrical device. An importer converts one of plurality of categories of time-value data to a corresponding topic of a common data format. A device profiler is coupled to the importer to create a device profile including the converted topic. A database profiler creates a database profile representing a system including a device defined by the device profile and including the category of time-value data.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of manufacturing wallboard which includes providing a first layer of facing material, creasing the first layer facing material intermittently to create a series of creased portions, providing a gypsum slurry on the first layer of facing material and providing a second layer of facing material over the gypsum slurry. Further, creasing the first layer of facing material intermittently can include intermittently creasing the first layer of facing material in a substantially linear fashion extending in a first direction of the first layer of facing material so that the first layer of facing material exhibits a linear series of creased portions extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material and a series of portions that are not creased extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material.

Abstract: A system and methods for using data from an external database compiled from real device used for testing and simulation of a system. The system includes an external database interface to access an external database. The external database includes a plurality of categories of time-value data collected from an electrical device. An importer converts one of plurality of categories of time-value data to a corresponding topic of a common data format. A device profiler is coupled to the importer to create a device profile including the converted topic. A database profiler creates a database profile representing a system including a device defined by the device profile and including the category of time-value data.

Abstract: A method of acquiring data and performing calculations on the data using a provider service. A provider ticket service (PTS) receives tickets from one or more clients. Each ticket includes a calculation identifier and a payload. The calculation identifier identifies a calculation to be performed using information in the payload. The PTS associates a unique ticket identifier with each ticket. A ticket manager submits a selected ticket from the PTS to a provider host service (PHS), which determines which provider is to perform the calculation identified by the selected ticket by inspecting provider identification information in the selected ticket. The PHS launches a provider host thread (PHT) that invokes the provider determined to perform the calculation identified by the calculation identifier of the selected ticket. The provider performs the calculation and returns its result to the PHS, which passes the result back to the PTS, which returns the result to the requesting client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables users to specify analog connections for devices on a data bus network such as an IEEE 1394 network in a convenient, time-efficient manner. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of enabling an on-screen display comprising a list of devices connected to the digital data bus network requiring analog connections to the apparatus, and enabling a user to specify the analog connections responsive to the on-screen display.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for adjusting television settings based on a detected or input mounting scheme of the television. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method, comprising determining an active mounting scheme for a television, employing a first group of settings if the active mounting scheme for the television corresponds to a first mounting scheme, and employing a second group of settings if the active mounting scheme for the television corresponds to a second mounting scheme.

Abstract: A television apparatus having digital serial bus ports allows a user to select a user-designated digital video content source input such as a digital tuner of the television apparatus and digital serial bus compliant components connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports of the television apparatus, and to cause digital content from the user-designated digital content source device to be recorded onto a digital recording device connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports. The present invention allows a user to continuously record digital content onto a digital recording device (e.g. an AVHDD), whether from the TV's digital tuner or from another digital serial bus compliant device in a peer to peer arrangement. The connection is always recording, but allows the user to select or designate a digital (i.e. MPEG2) source (i.e. the TV tuner or another digital serial bus compliant device), in addition to displaying the selected content.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of manufacturing wallboard which includes providing a first layer of facing material, creasing the first layer facing material intermittently to create a series of creased portions, providing a gypsum slurry on the first layer of facing material and providing a second layer of facing material over the gypsum slurry. Further, creasing the first layer of facing material intermittently can include intermittently creasing the first layer of facing material in a substantially linear fashion extending in a first direction of the first layer of facing material so that the first layer of facing material exhibits a linear series of creased portions extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material and a series of portions that are not creased extending in the first direction of the first layer of facing material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a user to assign a given key on an input device to any specific device on a data bus network connected to the apparatus, and thereby enables the user to quickly select the specific device for control using the given key. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of enabling a user to assign a key on an input device of the apparatus to a device on the data bus network that is indirectly connected to the apparatus, and enabling the user to select the device for control responsive to an input of the assigned key.

Abstract: A cellular or wireless mobile device includes a one or more sensors and a processor configured with software to receive data from the one or more sensors, calendar data and device settings, compare sensor, calendar, device settings data, and an authorization level of a requesting user to avatar selection criteria, and select an avatar based upon the comparison. By correlating sensor data, calendar data and device settings to a user's current status, the avatar selection criteria enables a processor to automatically select an avatar that reflects the user's current status. Others then can be informed of the user's current status by accessing the user's avatar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for calibrating image capture devices, such as the type used in electronic devices. In some embodiments, the electronic device may include at least one array of pixels and a memory coupled to the at least one array of pixels. The electronic device may further include a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the memory and at least one color filter optically coupled to the at least one array of pixels. The memory may further include one or more storage locations that include a response of the at least one color filter to one or more predetermined wavelengths from a target test source, as well as, one or more storage locations that include a response of one or more baseline color filters.