Abstract: There is provided an energy storage device, comprising a first electrode having a plurality of electrons stored thereon, a second electrode having a plurality of holes stored thereon, the second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a volume therebetween, a supporting medium disposed in the volume between the first electrode and the second electrode, the supporting medium comprising at least one counterion species, and a plurality of nanoparticle elements provided in the volume, adjacent at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, the plurality of nanoparticle elements configured to store the electrons therein at different energy levels using quantized capacitance.

Abstract: A facsimile machine provides firmware to remotely activate and deactivate fax forwarding. The firmware enables a user to remotely activate or deactivate fax forwarding through an email, fax, or a telephone. The facsimile machine may be set by the user to activate and deactivate fax forwarding at a predetermined activation time and a predetermined deactivation time. If fax forwarding with local printing is activated, the facsimile machine locally prints a fax after the fax is forwarded. The facsimile machine may be a multifunctional peripheral.

Abstract: A system operable with a Digital Versatile/Video Disc source, provided with a scheme for preferably automatically pausing the playback of a DVD title when a user indicates that another activity is to be engaged. By automatically pausing the title playback, computational load on a processor subsystem associated with the system is minimized while graceful management of the additional video sources is effected. When the user switches to experiencing the DVD source as the primary source, the playback of the title is preferably automatically resumed.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a computer operable in a computer mode for receiving and transmitting computer information, a television mode for receiving and transmitting television information, and a combination computer/television mode for receiving and transmitting computer and television information. A display is operably associated with the computer for displaying in the computer mode the computer information, in the television mode the television information, and in the computer/television mode the computer and television information. The computer system also comprises at least one television window displayed on the display for displaying the television information, at least one computer window displayed on the display for displaying the computer information, a computer focus for the computer window to control the computer information, and a television focus for the television window to control the television information independent of the computer focus.

Abstract: A computer convergence device, operable in a at least two modes, such as a computer mode and a video mode and when in the video mode the computer convergence device is operable in at least two states. The computer convergence device includes a universal graphic user interface for providing information corresponding to the operating states. The universal graphic user interface receives inputs from a user which can be used to control various characteristics of each operating state, and can be used to change the operating state of the computer convergence device. The computer convergence device further includes a controller for interfacing between the universal graphic user interface and the processes of the operating states.

Abstract: A purchaser of DVD unit establishes a list of users who may access the DVD unit, and corresponding restrictions that apply to each user. When a user attempts to play a DVD disc, the unit examines the DVD disc for parental management information. If the DVD disc does not contain the parental management information, then the unit will only permit access if the user has no content restrictions. If the DVD disc does contain the parental management information, then the unit will compare it to the restrictions applicable to the user. Where the parental management information indicates that the material exceeds the restrictions applicable to the user, the unit will not play the DVD disc.

Abstract: A system operable with a Digital Versatile/Video Disc source, which system includes a scheme for altering one or more user preferences without interrupting the playback of a DVD title. Whereas the DVD title may have title-specific or content-provider-specific settings, the present invention decouples the user-selected preferences from the settings and stores them in a persistent medium. A generalized graphic user interface is presented for allowing a user to read the persistent medium to determine current preference values and to change them if desired. The changed values are then written back to the persistent medium so as to be available for current or future playback sessions of the DVD title. As a variation, the generalized graphic user interface may be used for providing an indication as to what other preference values are available for that title in addition to the current value in effect.

Abstract: A DVD assembly, and an associated method, for a convergent device, such as a television converged into a computer. The DVD assembly is integrated into the convergent device to facilitate ease of user control over operation of the DVD assembly. Common control interfaces which include the "look and feel" of the control interfaces otherwise used by the convergent device simplify operational control over operation of the DVD assembly.

Abstract: A computer system has a computer display with two methods of navigation: discrete and continuous. In discrete navigation, a cursor is moved discretely using a set of arrow keys while in the continuous navigation, a pointer or other screen object has analog movement to any position on the screen using a trackball or other device. When the discrete navigational method is used to highlight a menu item in a menu on a computer display, the computer system masks the display of the pointer until re-activation of the pointer in the second navigational method. In addition, the computer system recalculates the location of the pointer to a position in the center of the highlighted menu item.

Abstract: A system for allowing interactive time measurement and comparison of events and indication of heart rate intervals is disclosed. A part of vertical lines, an anchor bar and a movable or measurement bar, are displayed on a graphic display along with the signal to be analyzed. The bars can be moved relative to each other and the time between the two bars is indicated above a horizontal line connecting the bars. The bars may be locked in place and moved to a different portion of the gathered signals to allow precise comparison. Additionally, a signal channel is monitored for maximum, minimum and baseline values. These values are used to determine a maximum deviation from the baseline and from that deviation an event trigger level is developed. The time between two signal portions greater than the trigger level is measured and displayed as the heart rate.