Abstract: A method of forming an adaptive antenna array includes calculating intra-unit phase relationships between antenna elements of a plurality of access units and measuring inter-unit phase relationships between the access units. An indication of a desired coverage area collectively produced by the plurality of access units is received. A set of weighting factors is determined. Each weighting factor is associated with an individual antenna element in the plurality of access units and the set of weighting factors provide the desired coverage pattern. Phase lock between the plurality of access units is maintained to control the desired coverage pattern.

Abstract: A method of pairing a first wireless access unit with a second wireless access unit in a mobile ad-hoc wireless pairing system includes determining that the second wireless access unit is available for pairing with the first wireless access unit and pairing the pairing the first wireless access unit with the second wireless access unit upon receiving an input from a user of the first wireless access unit. A location of the second wireless access unit is determined by adjusting a first wireless access unit weighting factor. The first wireless access unit weighting factor is adjusted until a threshold signal strength is received by the second wireless access unit. The first wireless access unit weighting factor is transmitted to the second wireless access unit, and feedback is received from the second wireless access unit. The feedback provides recommendations about the first wireless access unit weighting factor to the first wireless access unit.

Abstract: An advertising monitoring system is presented in which subscriber selections including channel changes are monitored, and in which information regarding an advertisement is extracted from text related to the advertisement. The text related to the advertisement is in the form of closed caption text, data transmitted with the advertisement, or other associated text. A record of the effectiveness of the advertisement is created in which measurements of the percentage of the advertisement which was viewed are stored. Such records allow a manufacturer or advertiser to determine if their advertisement is being watched by subscribers. The system can be realized in a client-sever mode in which subscriber selection requests are transmitted to a server for fulfillment, in which case the advertisement monitoring takes place at the server side.

Abstract: A method of distributing contact and calendar information in a multi-component environment includes maintaining a plurality of contact or calendar records and the records contain a plurality of fields and directives. The records are designated and distributed to at least one component based on the directives.

Abstract: A method of displaying contact information on a communication device includes storing a plurality of contacts and corresponding statistical information pertaining to communications on a communication device. Input is received relating to the statistical information. The contacts are displayed based on the input and the statistical information.

Abstract: A method of displaying contact method on a mobile device includes storing a plurality of contact records on a mobile device. At least one record contains information corresponding to the geographic location of at least one of the contacts. The geographic location of the mobile device is determined and compared with the geographic location of the contacts stored on the mobile device. The contacts are arranged based on the geographic proximity of the contact to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for detection of video segments in compressed digital video streams is presented. The compressed digital video stream is examine to determine synchronization points, and the compressed video signal is analyzed following detection of the synchronization points to create video fingerprints that are subsequently compared against a library of stored fingerprints.

Abstract: Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.

Abstract: A method of triggering the recording of a programming stream includes: receiving a request to monitor for an unscheduled event; determining search strings associated with the unscheduled event; monitoring a programming stream; analyzing closed captioning information contained in the programming stream to determine the occurrence of the search strings; and recording the programming stream upon the occurrence of the search strings.

Abstract: A method of distributing contact and calendar records in a multi-user environment includes maintaining a plurality of records with a plurality of fields and directives corresponding to a plurality of users. At least one user has at least one authorization. For each record, a designation is made, based on the directives, to determine which of a plurality of component devices the record is distributed to. The records and fields are distributed to the component devices.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described that relate to a computer-implemented method of using a virtual device operating in a first computer network to perform a service on behalf of a low-power device operating in a second computer network includes receiving, by the virtual device, device data reports and a device descriptor from the low-power device. The virtual device may be adapted to store the device data reports and/or the device descriptor in computer-readable memory coupled to the virtual device. The virtual device may also be adapted to receive a low-power device service request from a requesting device operating in a third computer network and may determine that the device descriptor indicates that the low-power device is unavailable to respond to the low-power device service request. A response to the low-power device service request may be generated by the virtual device based on the device data reports.

Abstract: A method and system for detection of video segments in compressed digital video streams is presented. The compressed digital video stream is examine to determine synchronization points, and the compressed video signal is analyzed following detection of the synchronization points to create video fingerprints that are subsequently compared against a library of stored fingerprints.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting automatic ad detection is presented in which video streams are modified such that features cannot be automatically recognized or statistical parameters and fingerprints derived from the video stream cannot be matched against fingerprints of known video segments in a database.

Abstract: A method and system for exciting a dynamic tactile interface having a plurality of electrodes includes identifying an area within an image that is capable of tactile feedback and identifying a first subset of the plurality of electrodes in the dynamic tactile interface that correspond to the plurality of areas. A voltage is applied to each of the electrodes of to the plurality of electrodes to create a desired state for each electrode corresponding to the areas capable of tactile feedback. The dynamic tactile interface can be implemented as part of a viewable display type of device, or as a device without any viewable display.

Abstract: A method of displaying contact information on a communication device includes storing a plurality of contacts and corresponding statistical information pertaining to communications on a communication device. Input is received relating to the statistical information. The contacts are displayed based on the input and the statistical information.

Abstract: A self-cleaning material is generally described that may include a substrate having a first surface. A self-cleaning layer of aligned nanotube structures may be formed on the first surface of the substrate, where absorption of light by the nanotube structures may cause a change in state of the self-cleaning material based on an angle of incidence of the light and an orientation vector corresponding to the layer of aligned nanotube structures.

Abstract: Techniques are generally described that relate to a computer-implemented method of using a virtual device operating in a first computer network to perform a service on behalf of a low-power device operating in a second computer network includes receiving, by the virtual device, device data reports and a device descriptor from the low-power device. The virtual device may be adapted to store the device data reports and/or the device descriptor in computer-readable memory coupled to the virtual device. The virtual device may also be adapted to receive a low-power device service request from a requesting device operating in a third computer network and may determine that the device descriptor indicates that the low-power device is unavailable to respond to the low-power device service request. A response to the low-power device service request may be generated by the virtual device based on the device data reports.

Abstract: A method of distributing contact and calendar information in a multi-component environment includes maintaining a plurality of contact or calendar records and the records contain a plurality of fields and directives. The records are designated and distributed to at least one component based on the directives.

Abstract: A tactile interface includes a plurality of individually controllable drivers positioned about a perimeter of a tensioned elastomeric material. Each driver includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material. A top surface of the first electrode is coupled to the tensioned elastomeric material. The piezoelectric material is disposed between a top surface of the second electrode and a bottom surface of the first electrode. Driver circuitry can apply control information to each of the plurality of individually controllable drivers to produce a wave pattern in the tensioned elastomeric material. Some example methods of providing a tactile image on a tactile interface include producing a time-varying potential difference across the top electrode and the bottom electrode of the drivers so that a standing wave pattern can be created in the elastomeric material. The tactile image can be formed by modulating a subset of the plurality of drivers.

Abstract: An electronic processing system for generating a partially personalized electronic data display that contains a combination of recommended and expanded interest items. The system retrieves a first set of data describing an area of user interests and retrieves a first set of items corresponding to the area of user interests. The system retrieves a second set of items in an expanded area of interest that is not directly included in the area of user interest. The first and second set of items are combined and the combined set of recommended and expanded interest items is displayed.