Abstract: The invention pertains to a modular inter-unit transmitter/receiver for a portable audio device such as an MP3 player, a handheld device for playback of audio signals, a telephone, etc. More particularly, the unit is configured for an audio player device to enable the player device for wireless transmission and reception of audio signals. In one aspect, a communication means connects the modular audio unit to the audio player device. The device further comprises a switch in which a user of the audio player device can select to play audio signals received from an inter-unit transmitter/receiver or from the audio player device. The switch further enables the user to select whether to play the audio signal on the audio player device or to play the audio signal while transmitting the signal to a compatible device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying a document. A document having an encoded document data portion that includes assist information and at least one digitally-signed appended one-way hash is inputted. The encoded document data file is decoded and a representation is recovered using the assist information. A verification one-way hash is generated from the recovered representation. The verification one-way hash is then compared to the appended one way hash and the authenticity of the document is verified based on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, system and apparatus for playing an audio signal synchronously on a first mobile audio player and at least a second mobile audio player. More particularly, the invention pertains to an audio player device enabled for wireless transmission and reception of an audio signal. In one aspect, a delay enables the audio signal to be played synchronously on the audio player with a second audio player. In another aspect synchronization signals are used to play the audio signal synchronously on the first audio player and the second audio player.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that processes data values in a data set to create a data value representation having a signal side. The data set contains valid data values and noise data values where the number of the valid data values is statistically insignificant with respect to the number of noise data values. The technology determines a statistically significant portion of the signal side and fits a curve to the statistically significant portion which extends beyond the statistically significant portion of the signal side. Once the curve is determined, the technology can determine a data-validity confidence value for one of the data values responsive to the curve. The data-validity confidence value can be used determine that the data value is not a noise data value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the shared playing of video by a first video player and a second video player. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for playing a video signal on a first portable video player synchronously with the same video signal on a second portable video player. In one aspect, the first portable video player is enabled to transmit video to a second player. The video is played synchronously on both video players, wherein the video is received from another player or from storage on the player. In various further aspects, synchronization signals are used to adjust the position of the video signal playing on the first and second video player, where the video signal is present on both video players.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile telephone enabled for audio signal playback between telephones within a cluster. In one aspect, a member telephone of the cluster is enabled to transmit audio signals to another telephone in the cluster while the music plays synchronously on each device. Alternatively, the telephones use synchronization signals to enable playback of music synchronously from a storage unit on each telephone. In another aspect, telephony communication and audio transfer can be available through the same mode or through parallel communications systems such that playback of audio signals and other communication can occur at the same time. In yet another aspect, an amplitude control enables users to vary the ratio of sound between telephony communication and audio signal.

Abstract: The present application provides systems and/or methods for accessing a portion of a mass-fragment spectrum, constructing a vector that is responsive to an intensity-balance of the spectrum, and selecting the spectrum responsive to the vector.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for distributing music to members of a music sharing group. In one aspect, the method can include identifying a mobile audio player device that introduces a music selection to another mobile audio player device. A signal comprising the music selection, a musical identifier that identifies the music selection and an identifier that identifies the transmitting device is transmitted from a first mobile device to a second mobile device. The second device stores the musical identifier and the identifier of the transmitting device in association with one another. In another aspect, the devices are enabled to connect over a wide area network and use the identifiers to obtain the music selection from a music distributor over the network. In yet another aspect, the transmitting device receives points or other compensation for introducing the music selection to the second device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling access of a mobile audio device to a cluster of compatible devices. More particularly, the invention pertains to a method to establish communications between a portable audio player and one or more audio players within a cluster. By way of example, users can use identifiers and matching to decide whether to accept or reject a requesting audio player to join the cluster. Further, the identifiers may be stored on the audio players for future reference. Also, directional exchange of information can allow a user to visually select members of the cluster. In a further example, a mobile audio device is configured to communicate within a cluster of audio devices. In addition, the broadcasting responsibility can be transferred among members of the group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for enabling communication and music transfer within a cluster of mobile audio playback devices. In one aspect, a method is disclosed for maintaining physical proximity between devices with a cluster of devices to enable audio signal transmission and communication between devices. In another aspect, a method is disclosed by which a member of a cluster can make a request for a music selection to be played within the cluster. In another aspect, an audio entertainment device is enabled for music transmission and reception within the cluster of devices coincident with communication and exchange of dynamic information.

Abstract: A headphone and method for allowing manually controlled reception of ambient sound by a user. More particularly, the invention relates to a headphone for listening to an audio signal while allowing varying amounts of ambient sound to the user. In one aspect, the headphone comprises a manually-controllable physical characteristic that controls the amount of ambient sound accessible to the user. The physical characteristic can be sound ports that can be opened or closed. In another aspect, the headphone can comprise a microphone receptive of ambient sound, wherein the user can control the proportion of sound that comes from the ambient sound or the audio signal. The microphone can be part of a noise cancellation system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computerized method for identifying peaks corresponding to glycans from a mass spectrum. At least one glycan spectrum is received from a mass spectrometer, with each glycan spectrum including peaks having a measured mass. Glycan identifications are automatically assigned to each of the peaks and these assignments are then reported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for downhole coring while receiving logging-while-drilling tool data. The apparatus includes core collar and a retrievable core barrel. The retrievable core barrel receives core from a borehole which is sent to the surface for analysis via wireline and latching tool The core collar includes logging-while-drilling tools for the simultaneous measurement of formation properties during the core excavation process. Examples of logging-while-drilling tools include nuclear sensors, resistivity sensors, gamma ray sensors, and bit resistivity sensors. The disclosed method allows for precise core-log depth calibration and core orientation within a single borehole, and without at pipe trip, providing both time saving and unique scientific advantages.

Abstract: Monotomic boron ions for ion implantation are supplied from decaborane vapour. The vapour is fed to a plasma chamber and a plasma produced in the chamber with sufficient energy density to disassociate the decaborane molecules to produce monatomic boron ions in the plasma.

Abstract: A method for the detection of microorganisms in a sample comprising contacting said sample with a biosensor concentration module, allowing microorganisms to grow for a first period of time and detecting growth of discrete microorganisms as an indication of the presence of said microorganisms.

Abstract: Collecting images of a patron in an entertainment venue is performed by facial recognition of the patron's face within the images, simplifying the storage and distribution of the images for a patron. In order to enhance the reliability of the facial recognition system, information about the patron that is not directly related to most facial recognition systems, including clothes, height, other associated people, use of glasses and jewelry, disposition of facial hair, and more, can be used. Some of the characteristics used can be specific to a particular date or event, and which will not be more generally characteristic of the patron. The facial recognition system can also be used to identify the patron requesting images to be collected. The present invention also relates to the use of facial recognition in sorting and collecting images from an electronically-stored image collection, enabling the easy retrieval of images that are related to a particular person or set of people.

Abstract: The present application provides systems and/or methods for accessing a portion of a mass-fragment spectrum, constructing a vector that is responsive to an intensity-balance of the spectrum, and selecting the spectrum responsive to the vector.

Abstract: The present application provides systems and/or methods for accessing a portion of a mass-fragment spectrum, constructing a vector that is responsive to a peak pair difference of the spectrum, and selecting the spectrum responsive to the vector.

Abstract: Document authentication is accomplished by acquiring document image data, generating a set of features of the document, and generating an assist channel that includes information on how to generate the set of features. The set of features and the assist channel are digitally signed and the append to the document. Document verification is accomplished by acquiring document image data and verifying the signature. If the signature is valid, a set of features of the document is generated using information contained in the assist channel appended to the document. The generated set of features is then compared to the set of features appended on the document. If the sets do not match, the document is determined to have been altered sometimes after the assist channel was appended to the document, i.e., the document is not genuine. Otherwise, the document can be considered to be genuine.

Abstract: A power control system for a satellite receiving radio-frequency signals includes a traveling wave tube amplifier system and corresponding traveling wave tube. An anode voltage of the traveling wave tube amplifier system is used to modulate or saturate the current of the electron beam of the traveling wave tube so that the output power of the traveling wave tube amplifier system, from the saturated electron beam, is proportional to a waveform envelope of the radio-frequency signals.