Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for identifying, tracking, evaluating, and targeting objects, such as plants, crops, weeds, pests, or surface irregularities. The methods described herein may include identifying an object on a surface, categorizing the object, identifying a type of plant, locating a point on the surface corresponding to a feature of the object, determining a size of the object and/or evaluating a condition of the object. Such methods may be implemented in various crop management techniques, such as autonomous weed eradication, pest management, crop management, or soil management.

Abstract: A method of acquiring rights to content to be burned to a CD, comprising defining a first content set; defining a second content set comprised of content selected from the first content set whose content attributes match those selected by a user; identifying as a third content set that content in the second content set for which DRM rights sufficient to permit the content to be burned to CD are not currently possessed; allowing a user to authorize obtaining rights for members of the second content set for which rights permitting the content to be burned to CD are not currently possessed; obtaining rights which allow at least a subset of the third content set to be burned to CD; and, allowing the content defined in the second content set and for which appropriate rights have been obtained to be burned to CD.

Abstract: A method of acquiring rights to content to be burned to a CD, comprising defining a first content set; defining a second content set comprised of content selected from the first content set whose content attributes match those selected by a user; identifying as a third content set that content in the second content set for which DRM rights sufficient to permit the content to be burned to CD are not currently possessed; allowing a user to authorize obtaining rights for members of the second content set for which rights permitting the content to be burned to CD are not currently possessed; obtaining rights which allow at least a subset of the third content set to be burned to CD; and, allowing the content defined in the second content set and for which appropriate rights have been obtained to be burned to CD.

Abstract: A data processing system comprising a memory array having a plurality of memory cells and read circuitry for reading a logic value stored in one of the plurality of memory cells. The read circuitry is operable perform two substantially simultaneous reads of the stored logic value. A voltage controller is provided and is operable to selectively vary a level of a supply voltage to the memory array. Detection circuitry is provided for detecting, in dependence upon the two substantially simultaneous reads, when the supply voltage level causes the read result to be unreliable.

Abstract: A memory circuit includes a memory cell, a pair of conducting lines operable to signal the logic state of the memory cell and read circuitry operable to perform a read operation by detecting a voltage level of at least one of the pair of conducting lines. The memory circuit includes a pull-down circuit having an on configuration in which it is operable to pull-down a voltage level of at least one of the pair of conducting lines so as to affect the read operation and an off-configuration in which the pull-down circuit cannot affect the read operation. Control circuitry is configured to control whether the pull-down circuit is in the on configuration or the off configuration. The memory circuit can be incorporated in a data processing apparatus and a method of operating a memory circuit is provided in which a pull-down circuit is controlled to be in an on configuration or in an off configuration.

Abstract: A method, server, and user interface associated with creating a collaborative playlist between one or more users based on user interaction with a media program. In one embodiment, the media program is an instant messaging application.

Abstract: A data processing system comprising a memory array having a plurality of memory cells (240-246) and read circuitry (310,320) for reading a logic value stored in one of the plurality of memory cells. The read circuitry (310,320) is operable perform two substantially simultaneous reads of the stored logic value. A voltage controller is provided and is operable to selectively vary a level of a supply voltage to the memory array. Detection circuitry is provided (330) for detecting, in dependence upon the two substantially simultaneous reads, when the supply voltage level causes the read result to be unreliable.

Abstract: The present invention provides an enhanced THz electromagnetic source structure achieving a very high aspect ratio of 500 to 1 of electron beam width to electron beam thickness of the electron beam moving in the direction across the grating structure while maintaining its cross-section. The structure comprises a magnetic circuit providing a unique low magnetic field slot placed in a steel core for the placement of an electron gun, thus allowing the electron beam to be focused without the interaction of a magnetic field while still supporting a high magnetic field in the grating region. Additionally, the structure comprises an electrostatic shield preventing potential difference between the anode voltage and the grounded steel core from affecting the focusing of the electron beam.

Abstract: A memory circuit is provided comprising a memory cell, a pair of conducting lines operable to signal the logic state of the memory cell and read circuitry operable to perform a read operation by detecting a voltage level of at least one of the pair of conducting lines. The memory circuit comprises a pull-down circuit having an on configuration in which it is operable to pull-down a voltage level of at least one of the pair of conducting lines so as to affect the read operation and an off-configuration in which the pull-down circuit cannot affect the read operation. Control circuitry is provided to control whether the pull-down circuit is in the on configuration or the off configuration. The memory circuit can be incorporated in a data processing apparatus and a method of operating a memory circuit is provided in which a pull-down circuit is controlled to be in an on configuration or in an off configuration.

Abstract: A multi-stage voltage converter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a first stage converter operable to convert an input voltage into a first output voltage, at least one second stage converter operable to receive the first output voltage from the first stage converter and to provide a second output voltage and a control circuit operable to control both the first stage converter and the second stage converter. The control circuit may independently control the first stage converter and the second stage converter using closed loop feedback. Alternatively, the control circuit may control the first stage converter such that the first stage converter has a constant duty cycle. In another embodiment, the control circuit may control the first stage converter such that the first stage converter has a duty cycle that follows the duty cycle of the second stage converter.

Abstract: A system for locating a vehicle includes a hand-held unit with data transceiver operation to generate a location request signal. The system also includes a location element in the vehicle, which is operative upon receipt of the location request signal to determine a location of the vehicle relative to the hand-held unit. The locator element in the vehicle sends an indication of the location to the vehicle. The data transceiver in the hand-held unit is further operative to receive the indication of the location of the vehicle and to send the indication to a location indicator. Upon receipt of the indication of the location, the location indicator alerts an operator of the hand-held unit.

Abstract: A multiple output voltage converter in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a controller and a plurality of conversion devices controlled by the controller and operable to convert an input voltage into an output voltage to provide a plurality of final output voltages that are applied to a plurality of electrical loads.

Abstract: A system for locating a vehicle includes a hand-held unit with data transceiver operation to generate a location request signal. The system also includes a location element in the vehicle, which is operative upon receipt of the location request signal to determine a location of the vehicle relative to the hand-held unit. The locator element in the vehicle sends an indication of the location to the vehicle. The data transceiver in the hand-held unit is further operative to receive the indication of the location of the vehicle and to send the indication to a location indicator. Upon receipt of the indication of the location, the location indicator alerts an operator of the hand-held unit.

Abstract: In a cathode ray tube, plural electron beams are directed towards a faceplate biased at screen potential and are magnetically scanned by a non-self-converging deflection yoke across the faceplate to impinge upon phosphors thereon to produce light depicting an image. The plural electron beams are substantially converged near two opposing edges of the faceplate. A processor changes the raster of the image from a first raster corresponding to position of the image to a second raster corresponding to the position of the plural electron beams on the faceplate. One or more electrodes between the tube neck and the faceplate are biased above and/or below screen potential to deflect electrons landing near the periphery of the faceplate.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for generating terahertz radiation. The terahertz source is a versatile terahertz device that can be configured to transmit a plurality of wavelengths, thereby facilitating the detection of multiple contaminants using a single source device. In one embodiment, the Smith-Purcell radiation effect is exploited by passing an electron beam over a modulated conducting surface, wherein the spacing of the periods of the modulated surface is varied. The variations in the modulated surface enable the source to produce light of varying wavelengths.

Abstract: In a cathode ray tube, an electron beam is directed towards a faceplate having an electrode biased at screen potential and is magnetically scanned across the faceplate to impinge upon phosphors thereon to produce light depicting an image. A six-pole coil is disposed proximate the deflection yoke and/or on the tube neck to modify the focus of the red, green and blue electron beams to control focus. An electrode between the tube neck and the faceplate is biased at or above screen potential to deflect electrons over a greater total angle than is obtained from the magnetic deflection.

Abstract: In a cathode ray tube, plural electron beams are directed towards a faceplate biased at screen potential and are magnetically scanned by a non-self-converging deflection yoke across the faceplate to impinge upon phosphors thereon to produce light depicting an image. The plural electron beams are substantially converged near two opposing edges of the faceplate. A processor changes the raster of the image from a first raster corresponding to position of the image to a second raster corresponding to the position of the plural electron beams on the faceplate. One or more electrodes between the tube neck and the faceplate are biased above and/or below screen potential to deflect electrons landing near the periphery of the faceplate.

Abstract: An improved color picture tube includes a screen and an inline gun for generating and directing three inline electron beams along separate paths toward the screen. The electron gun includes electrodes that provide a beam-forming region, a prefocus region and a main focus region. The beam-forming region of the gun includes a cathode, a G1 electrode, a G2 electrode and a first portion of a G3 electrode. The prefocus region includes a second portion of the G3 electrode, a G4 electrode and a first portion of a G5 electrode. The main focus region includes a second portion of the G5 electrode and a G6 electrode. The improvement resides in the beam-forming region, the prefocus region and the main focus region each being astigmatic.

Abstract: An improved cathode-ray tube includes a viewing screen and an electron gun for generating and directing three electron beams toward the screen. The gun includes at least eight electrodes spaced in order from three cathodes, with the furthest electrode from the cathodes being interconnected to a tube anode. The electrodes form a beam forming region, a first quadrupole lens, a main focus lens and a second quadrupole lens in the path of each electron beam. In the improvement, the second quadrupole lens is positioned on the anode side of main focus lens, with the first quadrupole lens being diverging for defocusing the beams, and the second quadrupole lens being converging for focusing the beams in the horizontal plane.

Abstract: A color picture tube includes an inline electron gun for generating and directing three inline electron beams along coplanar beam paths toward a screen. The gun includes a plurality of electrodes which form a beam-forming region, a prefocusing lens, and a main focusing lens for the electron beams. The prefocusing lens includes four active surfaces. At least one of the active surfaces has asymmetric prefocusing recesses formed therein.