Abstract: A unique material identifier (UMID) for a media file that was not provided with a UMID at its point of origination is generated by using the content of the file, and is independent of the time of file import or accessing. For a given item of media material, the UMID remains unchanged and uniquely identifies the item when such a file is imported or accessed multiple times. The UMID may be generated by hashing together selected portions of the metadata and essence of the media file. The amount of metadata and essence sampled is chosen to provide a high degree of assurance that the UMID will be unique, but is kept small enough so as to avoid causing a perceptible lag when the UMID is generated. In various embodiments the UMID is based purely on one or more selected portions of the media file essence.

Abstract: A unique material identifier (UMID) for a media file that was not provided with a UMID at its point of origination is generated by using the content of the file, and is independent of the time of file import or accessing. For a given item of media material, the UMID remains unchanged and uniquely identifies the item when such a file is imported or accessed multiple times. The UMID may be generated by hashing together selected portions of the metadata and essence of the media file. The amount of metadata and essence sampled is chosen to provide a high degree of assurance that the UMID will be unique, but is kept small enough so as to avoid causing a perceptible lag when the UMID is generated. In various embodiments the UMID is based purely on one or more selected portions of the media file essence.

Abstract: In a distributed or multi-user system, it is possible for a user to try to access a media file that is not optimal for the user's purposes. In other words, the best quality version of some source material might not be the most optimal version for all users. For example, some users might use less network bandwidth if they used lower resolution video data. User context information is used to limit which versions of a source may be provided to a user that requests the source. The system interprets the user context information to provide the best quality version of the source for the user's purposes. Example user context information may include a specified working resolution and/or a specified target resolution for the user. The context information may be specified for the user or may be specified for a group of users, location of the user or other characteristic related to the user, from which the user in turn inherits the context information.

Abstract: In a distributed or multi-user system, it is possible for a user to try to access a media file that is not optimal for the user's purposes. In other words, the best quality version of some source material might not be the most optimal version for all users. For example, some users might use less network bandwidth if they used lower resolution video data. User context information is used to limit which versions of a source may be provided to a user that requests the source. The system interprets the user context information to provide the best quality version of the source for the user's purposes. Example user context information may include a specified working resolution and/or a specified target resolution for the user. The context information may be specified for the user or may be specified for a group of users, location of the user or other characteristic related to the user, from which the user in turn inherits the context information.

Abstract: A computer program is executed in a forward direction to create a current state of registers and memory for the program. During the forward execution of the program, the pre-existing values of registers and memory changed by each instruction are recorded in a main log. During interactive debugging, reverse execution is simulated by displaying the contents of specified registers or memory locations. For each specified register or memory location, the main log is searched in a forward direction beginning at a specified time in the past and continuing until a value is found, or until the end of the main log is reached and a value is taken from the current state for the computer program. After simulated execution in reverse, the user may specify a changed value for a specified register or memory location, and then forward instruction interpretation is begun using the changed value, without changing the current state.

Abstract: A video otoscope comprises an image forming assembly for producing an optical image of selected portions of an ear canal and a video camera for converting the optical image into a video image and transmitting the video image to a display system. The image forming assembly includes a speculum portion at a front end thereof, an optical lens system, and a coupling mechanism connecting the video camera to a rear end of the image forming assembly. The optical lens system is disposed along a longitudinal axis extending from a front distal end of the speculum portion to the video camera. The optical lens system includes an objective lens means disposed adjacent the front distal end and expander lens means spaced rearwardly from the objective lens along the longitudinal axis. Conically shaped inner taper tube surface defines a trapezoidal chamber portion around an optical image path that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of an inner optical passage.

Abstract: An optical adapter is installed between a standard lens tube and a television camera for inverting the image and for providing focus and intensity control. The adapter is provided with fittings which mate with both the standard lens tube and the camera. The adapter permits one set of lens tubes to be used with both Vidicon black and white television camera systems and solid-state color television camera systems. A motor mounted on the adapter and controlled by the camera controls an iris, thus permitting automatic intensity control.