Abstract: A more efficient and less memory-access intensive post-processing architecture to substantially reduce blocking and ringing artifacts from decompressed video image data is provided. The post-processing architecture in accordance with the present invention implements a “pipelined” filtering process wherein a filter buffer, a blocking filter, and a ringing filter are serially connected to each other. The serial connection allows decompressed video image data to be first provided to a blocking filter for substantially reducing blocking artifacts and then the de-blocked video image data can be provided directly to a ringing filter for de-ringing without the need of an extra memory access.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a baby is disclosed incorporating a parent unit in communication with a baby unit. The parent unit includes a function operable to temporarily mute the substantial reproduction of baby sounds at the parent unit. The parent unit may additionally included a plurality of outputs including a digital display of the time remaining before the temporary mute function is disabled, a visual indication that the substantial reproduction of sound is muted, a visual display indicative of the volume of the baby sounds, and music played when the substantial reproduction of sound is muted. Embodiments of the invention also include a safety features operable to disable the temporary mute function in possible emergency situations.

Abstract: A method and a system for forming a root pass weld for a root pipe joint. A substantially periodic electric welding waveform is generated and a series of electric arc pulses are generated between an advancing welding electrode and a root pipe joint in response to the electric welding waveform. The electric welding waveform includes a base cycle having a background current phase providing a background current level, a peak current phase providing a peak current level, a tail-out current phase providing a decreasing tail-out current level, and at least one heat-increasing current pulse during the background current phase providing a heat-increasing current level being above the background current level.

Abstract: Methods and devices for implementing subsystem or functional aspect restrictions on a wireless handheld communication device. Data defining geographical boundaries of a restricted operating area is stored on the device. The present position of the device is ascertained and a determination is made whether the device is located within the restricted operating area. A restriction on the subsystem or functional aspect is imposed when it is determined the device is within the restricted operating area. The subsystem or functional aspect restriction can be communicated to the device via a wireless communication network. Additionally, the restrictions and boundaries can be communicated to the device as part of an IT security policy.

Abstract: A display device includes an edge-lit light-transmitting sheet having first and second opposed parallel surfaces. A matrix is applied to at least one of the first and second surfaces and comprises a series of lines extending between opposed edges of the sheet. The spacings between the lines and/or the thicknesses of the lines are so chosen as to obtain a desired intensity of illumination at selected areas of the sheet.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a baby is disclosed incorporating a parent unit in communication with a baby unit. The parent unit includes a function operable to temporarily mute the substantial reproduction of baby sounds at the parent unit. The parent unit may additionally include a plurality of outputs including a digital display of the time remaining before the temporary mute function is disabled, a visual indication that the substantial reproduction of sound is muted, a visual display indicative of the volume of the baby sounds, and music played when the substantial reproduction of sound is muted. Embodiments of the present invention also include a safety features operable to disable the temporary mute function in possible emergency situations.

Abstract: A user interface routine includes an intelligent elision routine having a plurality of language objects, plurality of abbreviation objects, and a plurality of preference objects. Each language object that has an associated abbreviation object and preference object is an abbreviatable language object. The user interface routine and/or the intelligent elision routine is structured to determine a text field's length, also identified as a limited space, receive a text string and replace selected language objects in the text string with the associated abbreviation objects to create an abbreviated text string. The process is, preferably, repeated on the abbreviated text string until the abbreviated text string is shorter than the limited space or until no more abbreviatable language objects are in the text string.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device, such as a GPS-enabled wireless communications device with an embedded camera, a GPS-enabled camera-phone or a GPS-enabled digital camera, determines whether ephemeris data needs to be obtained for geotagging digital photos taken with the device. By monitoring user activity with respect to the camera, such as activation of the camera, the device can begin pre-acquisition of a GPS position fix by obtaining needed ephemeris data before the photograph is actually taken. This GPS pre-acquisition improves the likelihood that a position fix (GPS lock) is achieved by the time the photo is taken (to enable immediate geotagging). Alternatively, the photo can be geotagged retroactively by appending the current location to the metadata tag associated with the digital photo. An optional acquisition status indicator can be displayed on a user interface of the device to indicate that a position fix is being obtained.

Abstract: A display device includes an edge-lit light-transmitting sheet having first and second opposed parallel surfaces. A matrix is applied to at least one of the first and second surfaces and comprises a series of lines extending between opposed edges of the sheet. The spacings between the lines and/or the thicknesses of the lines are so chosen as to obtain a desired intensity of illumination at selected areas of the sheet.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for controlling operation of a photosensor array in a portable electronic device to reduce flicker resulting from fluorescent light having a periodic intensity. The method comprises selecting a time zone in which the device is to be operated, correlating the time zone with a corresponding frequency of the fluorescent light, and signaling the photosensor array to operate in accordance with a mode optimized to reduce flicker based on the selected time zone.

Abstract: An image is saved to a contact record or set as a home screen directly from a camera application of a portable electronic device. The method includes: capturing an image using a camera that is integrated into the portable electronic device, selecting at least a portion of the image, selecting a contact record from an address book application or selecting a set as home screen option.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a baby is disclosed incorporating a parent unit in communication with a baby unit. The parent unit includes a function operable to temporarily mute the substantial reproduction of baby sounds at the parent unit. The parent unit may additionally include a plurality of outputs including a digital display of the time remaining before the temporary mute function is disabled, a visual indication that the substantial reproduction of sound is muted, a visual display indicative of the volume of the baby sounds, and music played when the substantial reproduction of sound is muted. Embodiments of the present invention also include a safety features operable to disable the temporary mute function in possible emergency situations.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for controlling a display of an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the device is a portable electronic device with the combined features of wireless email and telephony. The portable electronic device also includes a camera. The device includes a trackball which can be used to control the image shown in the viewfinder when the device is being used as a camera.

Abstract: Fluorescein and derivatives have use in the treatment of a disease of a living animal body, including human, which disease is responsive to the inhibition of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channels, for instance polycystic kidney disease and secretory diarrhoea.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved method for providing broadcast short message services (SMS) in a communication network. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that insures the successful transmission of the broadcast message while minimizing the impact of providing the short messaging service on overall system capacity. It is further the objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for receiving broadcast messages without depriving the receiver of the benefits of slotted paging, that being the savings in power consumption.

Abstract: A more efficient and less memory-access intensive post-processing architecture to substantially reduce blocking and ringing artifacts from decompressed video image data is provided. The post-processing architecture in accordance with the present invention implements a “pipelined” filtering process wherein a filter buffer, a blocking filter, and a ringing filter are serially connected to each other. The serial connection allows decompressed video image data to be first provided to a blocking filter for substantially reducing blocking artifacts and then the de-blocked video image data can be provided directly to a ringing filter for de-ringing without the need of an extra memory access.

Abstract: Fluorescein and derivatives have use in the treatment of a disease of a living animal body, including human, which disease is responsive to the inhibition of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channels, for instance polycystic kidney disease and secretory diarrhoea.

Abstract: Fluorescein and derivatives have use in the treatment of a disease of condition of a living animal body, including human, which disease is responsive to the activation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channels, for instance cystic fibrosis, disseminated brocheiectasis, pulmonary infections, chronic pancreatitis, male infertility and long QT syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new device and technique for enhancing the electrical properties of the thick metal backer/adhesive bond/ground plane interface. The enhanced electrical properties are obtained by micro-roughening a connection surface of the thick metal backer prior to forming the thick metal backer/adhesive bond/ground plane interface.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel and improved method for providing broadcast short message services (SMS) in a communication network. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus that insures the successful transmission of the broadcast message while minimizing the impact of providing the short messaging service on overall system capacity. It is further the objective of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for receiving broadcast messages without depriving the receiver of the benefits of slotted paging, that being the savings in power consumption.