Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are described herein that are configured to enable updating of an output text. In some example embodiments, a method is provided that comprises generating a new message for each updateable data element based on a predetermined indication. The method of this embodiment may also include determining a classification for each new message by comparing each new message with a corresponding message that describes the updateable data element. The method of this embodiment may also include generating an additional document plan tree that contains at least a portion of the new messages. The method of this embodiment may also include combining the additional document plan tree with an original document plan tree.

Abstract: A tee holder article of manufacture for holding golf tees provides one or more loops of material, each loop sized to hold a golf tee, mounted to a backing. The tee holder is attached to an item of apparel, such as a hat or visor, at an attachment portion of the backing.

Abstract: A suspension strut includes a suspension strut bearing and a deflector seal. The suspension strut bearing has an upper portion mounted above a lower portion and a bearing seal mounted therebetween. The upper portion does not rotate with a steerable assembly while the lower portion does, with the upper portion including a lower surface adjacent to a seal opening. The deflector seal is elastomeric and is a toroidal shape, having a radially inner portion and a radially outer portion. The inner portion is secured against the lower portion of the strut bearing, and the outer portion is cantilevered outward from the inner portion to allow for elastic flexing of the outer portion. The outer portion allows for upward elastic flexing into contact with the lower surface of the upper portion of the strut bearing when a fluid or contaminant impinges upon a lower surface of the outer portion.

Abstract: A method can, in one general aspect, include steps for the recovery of potassium sulfate and mirabilite from glaserite. In another general aspect, a method includes dissolving glaserite in water at an elevated temperature to produce a saturated or nearly saturated solution, and cooling the solution to a temperature where potassium sulfate and mirabilite will crystallize from the solution as stable phases. In yet another general aspect, a method includes adding glaserite to a saturated solution of glaserite in water and mixing for enough time at a temperature where the glaserite will decompose into potassium sulfate and mirabilite as stable phases. In yet another general aspect, a method includes separating potassium sulfate from mirabilite using a froth floatation process.

Abstract: The process for preparing a refinery feedstock from black liquor soap comprising adding excess alcohol (preferably methanol) to black liquor soap. Acid is then added to the mixture to drop the pH of the mixture to approximately 2 to convert carboxylate salt of fatty and resin acids to the free fatty and resin acids. In the reaction process, the free fatty and resin acids react with the alcohol, with the aid of the acid catalyst, to yield the desired ester products. The resulting feedstock can be distilled or refined to yield sterols and related alcohols, biodiesel and other fuels.

Abstract: A method can, in one general aspect, include steps for the recovery of potassium sulfate and mirabilite from glaserite. In another general aspect, a method includes dissolving glaserite in water at an elevated temperature to produce a saturated or nearly saturated solution, and cooling the solution to a temperature where potassium sulfate and mirabilite will crystallize from the solution as stable phases. In yet another general aspect, a method includes adding glaserite to a saturated solution of glaserite in water and mixing for enough time at a temperature where the glaserite will decompose into potassium sulfate and mirabilite as stable phases. In yet another general aspect, a method includes separating potassium sulfate from mirabilite using a froth floatation process.

Abstract: A system for utilizing metadata created either at a central location for shared use by connected users, or at each individual user's location, to enhance user's enjoyment of available broadcast programming content. A variety of mechanisms are employed for automatically and manually identifying and designating programming segments, associating descriptive metadata which the identified segments, distributing the metadata for use at client locations, and using the supplied metadata to selectively record and playback desired programming.

Abstract: A system for replaying a broadcast sports event using a video on demand or personal video recording system. Metadata is created that subdivides the original broadcast into segments, and associates descriptive information with each segment. Playlists that specify an ordered subsequence of the sequence may be selected and used to present a variety of expanded or condensed versions of the sporting event to a viewer. Navigation controls including segment lists, specially formatted screen displays, and special functions under the control of a user-operated remote control, facilitate the interactive selection and control of the presentation.

Abstract: A system for utilizing metadata created either at a central location for shared use by connected users, or at each individual user's location, to enhance user's enjoyment of available broadcast programming content. A variety of mechanisms are employed for automatically and manually identifying and designating programming segments, associating descriptive metadata which the identified segments, distributing the metadata for use at client locations, and using the supplied metadata to selectively record and playback desired programming.

Abstract: A personal audio player including an audio program reproduction unit for delivering audio program content to a user and an announcement generator for delivering one or more timed announcement messages or alarm signals to the user of said audio player. A control interface accepts preference data specifying the time at which announcement messages are delivered to said user. The audio player may take the form hand-held music player or cellular phone which is coupled to an earpiece which may be touched to request an announcement message. Announcement messages may take the form of prerecorded human voices and may be transmitted to the player from a remote source. Announcement messages may also contain data from a remote source and may be delivered in both audible and visual form.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing one-way rides by autonomous vehicles are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the invention operates as a personal ski lift that includes an autonomous snowmobile or all terrain vehicle for providing a low-cost and flexible means to ascend ski-able terrain to bring a skier to a high-altitude skiing destination, so that the skier may depart the vehicle and ski down the terrain independent from the vehicle. The vehicle of the exemplary embodiment may meanwhile travel autonomously to a lower-altitude rendezvous point to meet the skier upon completion of his skiing. Other embodiments within the invention for providing one-way rides by various types of vehicles for various purposes are disclosed.

Abstract: The process for preparing a refinery feedstock from black liquor soap comprising adding excess alcohol (preferably methanol) to black liquor soap. Acid is then added to the mixture to drop the pH of the mixture to approximately 2 to convert carboxylate salt of fatty and resin acids to the free fatty and resin acids. In the reaction process, the free fatty and resin acids react with the alcohol, with the aid of the acid catalyst, to yield the desired ester products. The resulting feedstock can be distilled or refined to yield sterols and related alcohols, biodiesel and other fuels.

Abstract: An audio program and message distribution system in which a host system organizes and transmits program segments to client subscriber locations. The host organizes the program segments by subject matter and creates scheduled programming in accordance with preferences associated with each subscriber. Program segments are associated with descriptive subject matter segments, and the subject matter segments may be used to generate both text and audio cataloging presentations to enable the user to more easily identify and select desirable programming. A playback unit at the subscriber location reproduces the program segments received from the host and includes mechanisms for interactively navigating among the program segments. A usage log is compiled to record the subscriber's use of the provided program materials, to return data to the host for billing, to adaptively modify the subscriber's preferences based on actual usage, and to send subscriber-generated comments and requests to the host for processing.

Abstract: A headset terminal for speech applications includes a headband assembly, an earcup assembly and a power source assembly. Processing circuitry is positioned in at least one of the earcup assembly and the power source assembly and includes speech processing circuitry for recognizing and synthesizing speech. A radio communicates with a central system to process the activity information of the headset terminal user. A rotatable microphone boom assembly includes controls mounted on opposite sides of a rotation axis to maintain a consistent orientation on the boom assembly with respect to the head of a user. The boom assembly snaps together with the earcup assembly to rotate. The headband assembly includes at least one transverse band and a sliding arm coupled to the earcup assembly for dynamically adjusting the position of the earcup assembly. A latch of the power source assembly snaps into position to secure it with the assembly and slides between latched and unlatched positions to secure a battery.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a fantasy sports game with recorded sports broadcasts includes the steps of receiving video programs depicting sports-related events, storing the video programs, associating to a plurality of segments of the video programs attribute data that identifies for a segment of the plurality of segments at least one of a plurality of persons related to a portion of the sports-related events depicted in the segment of the plurality of segments, transmitting to a presentation device for display a player guide containing at least one of the plurality of persons, receiving from a user of the presentation device a video request related to a particular person contained in the player guide, retrieving from the plurality of segments a particular segment associated with attribute data that identifies the particular person, and transmitting the particular segment to the presentation device for display.

Abstract: A device is comprised of processing circuitry operable for providing a speech interface to facilitate a speech dialog with a user or generates commands for a user. An RFID reader, operably coupled with the processing circuitry, is operable for reading data from an RFID tag. In one aspect, the reading occurs in the context of a speech dialog. In another aspect, the data is used to generate speech commands. In another aspect, information is stored to an RFID tag during the speech dialog.

Abstract: A cellular telephone automatically places itself in a sleep mode in which one or more components are de-eneragized to conserve battery power whenever sensed status variables indicated that the telephone will not or cannot be used. The user can schedule time periods during which the phone will be in sleep mode and can establish conditional rules which establish conditions which, if satisfied, will place the phone in a sleep mode. Sensed variables such as ambient light and sound, the time of day, applied pressure, and the location and movement of the phone are processed along with user-defined preference values to begin and end automated sleep modes.

Abstract: A system for controlling the magnitude or timing of the alert signal (e.g. ringing) generated to notify the user of a portable (e.g. cellular) telephone of an incoming phone call. Data values that indicate the status of the telephone are processed to control the character of the alert signals. These data values may include position data indicating the absolute location of the phone or the relative location of the phone with respect to another object, the level of ambient light or sound in the vicinity of the telephone, the time of day, the movement of the telephone, and/or whether the telephone is being held by the user.

Abstract: A multi-media telephone system capable of presenting multi-media content to users defined by structured script files incorporating markup tags, such as HTML, XML, SMIL or VoiceXML tags. The script files form “homepage” presentations displayed on the telephone stationset. The script files may be transmitted from called parties to calling parties at the time a telephone connection is first established, or transmitted at the request of either party thereafter, and are executed by a processor in the receiving stationset (such as a cellular telephone), providing both visual displays and audio output in an interactive interface which can be used to provide additional information or services from a menu of displayed or spoken option prompts.

Abstract: A DVD player/recorder incorporates a hard drive mass memory device for temporarily storing program content and metadata, includes a network interface for connecting to content and metadata providers, as well as other resources and other computers, via the Internet, a television interface for connecting to a conventional television set which reproduces content from the DVD player, and also connects the DVD player to a set top box which provides a connection to a cable or satellite provider which forms a further source of programming and metadata. The DVD player can retrieve and play content, and permit the navigation of content, specified on a metadata playlist file.