Abstract: A video thumbnail for use as an icon of a digital video file and method of generating same. The video thumbnail is preferably a relatively short, low resolution, animated video thumbnail. The video thumbnail is extracted from a preferred sequence of the video file and embedded as a header of the file. The video thumbnail preferably plays automatically, and acts as a pointer to the file and the preferred point within it.

Abstract: A digital camera including a photosensor with a plurality of picture elements that define an image resolution that is adjustable.

Abstract: Disclosed are portable electronic devices, including disposable digital photographic still cameras and portable camcorders, that have detachable and reusable liquid crystal displays. One portable electronic device comprises a removable liquid crystal display having a generic docking connector. Another portable electronic device comprises an integrated liquid crystal display and battery unit that is detachable and reusable. Yet another portable electronic device comprises a detachable and reusable tethered liquid crystal display having a pigtail connector.

Abstract: A camera having audio noise attenuation capability is disclosed. In one embodiment, the camera comprises a microphone and an audio noise attenuation system configured to attenuate undesired noise captured by the microphone when recording audio. In some embodiments, the audio noise attenuation system facilitates attenuation of noise generated by a motor of the camera. In other embodiments, the noise attenuation system generation facilitates attenuation of audio noise from the environment in which the camera is used.

Abstract: Video, or sequences of still images, are presented in one or more areas of an arrangement, and within each area, images within the video or sequences of still images are selected for printing or display. Still images and portions of video may optionally be designated as of particular interest, and only images of particular interest are then presented.

Abstract: Systems for capturing and embedding high-resolution still image data in a sequence of video data are disclosed. An exemplar system comprises an image capture element for capturing a sequence of video data during a first mode of operation, the sequence of video data captured at a first resolution, a user interface for entering into a second mode of operation, the second mode of operation being at a second resolution, the second resolution being greater than the first resolution, and a memory for storing data captured at the second resolution. Corresponding exemplar methods and computer readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An active graphical control that automatically maintains a minimum level of contrast between the control and the background against which the control is being displayed is disclosed.

Abstract: An auto-routing electronic mail (e-mail) system allows intended recipients of bounced previously sent e-mail messages to retrieve their messages, and includes a computer network, a server, and a sender computer. The auto-routing electronic mail system compares a received e-mail message to previously sent e-mail messages. If a match occurs, the e-mail system determines that the previously sent e-mail message is a bounced e-mail message. The e-mail system posts at least a portion of the bounced e-mail message to the server and sends a notification e-mail message to an intended recipient of the bounced e-mail message. The intended recipient may retrieve the bounced e-mail message data from the server.

Abstract: A ladder securing support and guard for rain gutters is fastened to a facia board of a house and extends over a rain gutter for protecting the gutter. The present invention has a front ladder engaging bar and a rear support bar. The two bars are connected to each other at their extremities by two cross-members. These cross-members are curved vertically in parallel vertical planes to accommodate complementary cross-sectional curves of a gutter. The rear bar has a means for securing the apparatus to a facia board connected to an end of a rafter under a roof extension on a house, such as a bolt hole and multiple holes for receiving a bolt or nails secured to the facia. Guides extend outward from the ends of the front bar for securing uprights of a ladder therebetween and also to provide for detection of the apparatus from the ground. The present invention can have a pair of cross-rails in the middle of the apparatus that hold an O-ring for tying and securing a ladder.

Abstract: Individualized, stiffened, twisted cellulosic fibers and absorbent structures made from such fibers. The fibers have an average dry fiber twist count of at least about 4.5 twist nodes per millimeter, an average wet fiber twist count of at least about 0.5 twist nodes per millimeter less than the dry fiber twist count, and a water retention value of between about 28% and about 50%. Preferably the fibers have an average wet fiber twist count of at least about 3.0 twist nodes per millimeter and an isopropyl alcohol retention value of less than about 30%.

Abstract: A process for making individualized, crosslinked fibers having low levels of residual crosslinking agent. The fibers are made by contacting the fibers with a crosslinking agent; reacting the crosslinking agent with the fibers to form intrafiber crosslink bonds in the substantial absence of interfiber bonds; and washing the fibers with an alkaline solution.

Abstract: Individualized, crosslinked fiber, and process for making such fibers. The individualized, crosslinked fibers have between about 0.5 mole % and about 3.5 mole % crosslinking agent, calculated on a cellulose anhydroglucose molar basis, reacted with fibers in the form of intrafiber crosslink bonds, wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehyde acid analogues having at least one aldehyde functionality, and oligomers of such C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes, and dialdehyde acid analogues. Preferably, the crosslinking agent is glutaraldehyde, and between about 0.75 mole % and about 2.5 mole % crosslinking agent react to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. The individualized crosslinked fibers are useful in a variety of absorbent structure applications.

Abstract: Two storage containers are disclosed within which food or biological samples may be stored for transfer in a module by the space shuttle to a space station while maintaining the food or samples at very low temperatures. The container is formed in two parts, each part having an inner shell and an outer shell disposed about the inner shell. The space between the shells is filled with a continuous wrap multi-layer insulation and a getter material. The two parts of the container have interlocking members and when connected together are sealed for preventing leakage from the space between the shells. After the two parts are filled with frozen food or samples they are connected together and a vacuum is drawn in the space between the shells and the container is stored in the module.

Abstract: Absorbent structures containing individualized, crosslinked fibers. The individualized, crosslinked fibers preferably have between about 0.5 mole % and about 3.5 mole % crosslinking agent, calculated on a cellulose anhydroglucose molar basis, reacted with the fibers in the form of intrafiber crosslink bonds, wherein the crosslinking agent is selected from the group consisting of C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes, C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehyde acid analogues having at least one aldehyde functionality, and oligomers of such C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 dialdehydes and dialdehyde acid analogues. More preferably, the crosslinking agent is glutaraldehyde, and between about 0.75 mole % and about 2.5 mole % crosslinking agent react to form the intrafiber crosslink bonds. Also preferably, the absorbent structures have actual dry densities greater than their corresponding equilibrium wet densities, and expand upon wetting. The absorbent structures may also contain hydrogel-forming material.

Abstract: A passive heat transporting and fluid management apparatus including a housing in the form of an extruded body member having flat upper and lower surfaces is disclosed. A main liquid channel and at least two vapor channels extend longitudinally through the housing from a heat input end to a heat output end. The vapor channels have sintered powdered metal fused about the peripheries to form a porous capillary wick structure. A substantial number of liquid arteries extend transversely through the wicks adjacent the respective upper and lower surfaces of the housing, the arteries extending through walls of the housing between the vapor channels and the main liquid channel and open into the main liquid channel. Liquid from the main channel enters the artery at the heat input end, wets the wick and is vaporized. When the vapor is cooled at the heat output end, the condensed vapor refills the wick and the liquid reenters the main liquid channel.

Abstract: Antibacterial cleansing products comprise from about 0.001% to about 50% of a bisbiguanide bactericidal substance, and from about 0.05% to about 99% of specific nonionic surfactants.