Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media that may be used to populate a content interface having several positions are provided. One method includes conducting at least one first auction process to select a first set of one or more winning content bids based in part on a first eligibility constraint. The first eligibility constraint includes a limitation on the number of winning bids that share a particular characteristic. The method further includes, when the number of winning content bids is less than a number of positions within the content interface, conducting at least one second auction process to select a second set of one or more winning content bids by either disabling the first eligibility constraint or applying a second eligibility constraint. The second eligibility constraint permits a larger number of winning content bids to share the particular characteristic than are permitted under the first eligibility constraint.

Abstract: A computing device, during sampling or playback of a work, receives a command to associate data with the work at a particular point in the work. The computing device generates a digital fingerprint of a segment of the work, wherein the segment corresponds to the particular point in the work. The computing device then associates the data with the digital fingerprint.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for sharing digital media content and creating and sharing digital media content lists that in some embodiments may take the form of device independent playlists. The methods and systems can determine if a user can access content referenced by the playlists and if not, enable the user to gain legal access to the content. In some embodiments, systems and methods for accessing digital content include receiving a request to search a database comprising digital content lists based at least in part on parameters received from a user. A digital content list including at least one reference to digital content is returned in response to the request. It is determined if any of the digital content referred to by the at least one reference to digital content is playable by the user. In other embodiments, systems and methods can find users with similar digital content.

Abstract: A thermostat circuit (FIG. 4) is provided which (i) works properly with very low supply voltages, (ii) does not need a separate constant value as a reference, and (iii) has improved temperature sensitivity over prior art thermostat circuits. The thermostat circuit compares two reference currents—IPTAT and IVBE. When IVBE>IPTAT, the output of the thermostat circuit is one logic state (either high or low). When IPTAT>IVBE, the output of the thermostat circuit is a different logic state (either low or high). Current IPTAT comes from a PTAT current generator (FIGS. 5-7), and current IVBE comes from a VBE current generator (FIGS. 8-10). The PTAT current generator and the VBE current generator may be implemented with cascode amplifiers. In an embodiment, the currents IPTAT and IVBE can be compared at a current comparator circuit (FIG. 11) with a summing node and an output node.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and circuit to efficiently change a present column voltage output level to a desired next column voltage output level using digital control circuitry. In one embodiment, the present column voltage output level at an intersection of an active row line and a column line is stored. In substantially the same time, a desired next column voltage level is received for the next row data line of the same column line. The difference between the present column voltage and the desired next voltage is determined and digitized. The digitized voltage difference is translated to a clock time necessary to apply a high current to column driver to attain the desired next column voltage level. The circuit providing high current is active only for the clock time. In this way, bias current and power dissipation are maintained at a low level during quiescent conditions.

Abstract: A thermostat circuit (FIG. 4) is provided which (i) works properly with very low supply voltages, (ii) does not need a separate constant value as a reference, and (iii) has improved temperature sensitivity over prior art thermostat circuits. The thermostat circuit compares two reference currents—IPTAT and IVBE. When IVBE>IPTAT, the output of the thermostat circuit is one logic state (either high or low). When IPTAT>IVBE, the output of the thermostat circuit is a different logic state (either low or high). Current IPTAT comes from a PTAT current generator (FIGS. 5-7), and current IVBE comes from a VBE current generator (FIGS. 8-10). The PTAT current generator and the VBE current generator may be implemented with cascode amplifiers. In an embodiment, the currents IPTAT and IVBE can be compared at a current comparator circuit (FIG. 11) with a summing node and an output node.

Abstract: A device for and method of eliminating undesirable vertical segments of uneven brightness in flat panel field emission display (FED) screens. Within the FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Amplitude modulated signals are provided to the columns by column drivers and discrepancies in settling times among the column drivers cause vertical segments of uneven brightness on the display screen. The present invention normalizes settling time of the column amplifier that can be variant due to differences in semiconductor processing and manufacturing. The present invention includes specialized circuitry coupled to the column drivers for sensing an output of the column driver and determining a difference between the output and a threshold at a particular time before the output has completely settled to a target voltage.

Abstract: A synthesizer and method for the generation of underwater background acoustic signals employs digital signal generation and processing in a multiplexed format. The synthesized digital signals comprise components of shaped noise, simple sinusoids, or double-sideband, suppressed-carrier, modulated sinusoids, or a combination of one or more of these signal types. Among the acoustic signals which are digitally synthesized are acoustic signals generated by antisubmarine-warfare hardware such as sonobuoys and hydrophones.

Abstract: In a bandgap voltage reference circuit in accordance with the present invention, the different-sized emitters of the two bipolar devices of a &Dgr;VBE stage return to ground (or other bias voltage) through separate resistors. The VBE term of the reference device is supplied by a VBE current source through a third resistor. The proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) term of the reference occurs as the difference of base-emitter voltages &Dgr;VBE between the larger and smaller emitters. An output voltage Vout multiplier resistor feeds to the larger emitter through an inverting amplifier. In one embodiment of the invention, the output voltage Vout trim at one temperature is obtained by trimming the base-emitter resistor of the “small emitter” device to compensate for the VBE process variation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive optic system for an earth-viewing telescope on board an orbiting spacecraft. The adaptive optic system includes a deformable mirror, a synthetic guide star laser, and a control module that corrects not only on-axis wavefront error but also off-axis wavefront error.

Abstract: A circuit and method for time multiplexing a voltage signal for controlling the color balance of a flat panel display. Within an FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Rows are sequentially activated during “row on-time windows” by row drivers and corresponding individual gray scale information (voltages) are driven over the columns by column drivers. When the proper voltage is applied across the cathode and anode of the emitters, electrons are released toward a phosphor spot, e.g., red, green, blue, causing illumination. Within each column driver, the present invention provides selection circuitry for driving a first voltage signal during a first part of the row on-time window and a second voltage during a second part of the row on-time window. The lengths of the first part and second part of the row on-time window can be adjusted for a given color, to adjust the color balance with respect to that color, e.g.

Abstract: Secure electronic transactions using a Trusted Intermediary. A system for, and method of, securely transmitting a package from a sender to a recipient, via an intermediary, are described, along with a novel data arrangement, stored in a computer-readable medium. A sender encrypts the message to form an encrypted inner envelope. A waybill is formed that among other things identifies the recipient as the destination and includes information indicating various levels of services desired, e.g., electronic notarization. The waybill and inner envelope are used to form an encrypted outer envelope that is addressed to a trusted intermediary. The intermediary receives the package and decrypts the outer envelope. It is unable to decrypt the inner envelope, due to the keys employed during encryption. The service information is processed, and the package is used to form a second package addressed to the recipient. The recipient decrypts the package and confirms receipt thereof, using a digest of the message.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an amplifier circuit for use within a column driver of a field emission display (FED) device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the amplifier circuit has a high slew rate and a low quiescent current, and includes: an input for receiving an input voltage signal, an output for providing an output voltage signal, a voltage sensing circuit for monitoring a voltage differential between the input voltage signal and the output voltage signal, and a current-boosting circuit responsive to the voltage differential for providing additional bias current to the voltage sensing circuit to increase the slew rate of the output voltage signal. Significantly, the current-boosting circuit is inactive when the input voltage signal and the output voltage signal are substantially equivalent. In this way, bias current and power dissipation are maintained at a low level during quiescent conditions.

Abstract: A temperature sensor circuit generates an output voltage that is linearly proportional to temperature over a desired temperature range with a desired offset voltage. The temperature sensor includes two Proportional To Absolute Temperature (PTAT) current sources that generate PTAT currents and two transistors which conduct the PTAT currents with different current densities to establish a basic voltage PTAT across a resistor. An offset resistor coupled between the bases of the two transistors and a circuit node, shifts the basic PTAT voltage by an offset voltage. A first gain circuit couples to the collector of the first transistor and the offset resistor and generates a servo current (i.e., a current that tends to move the circuit to the desired state by correcting an error) to servo the base of the first transistor when there is a difference between the first transistor's collector current and the PTAT current.

Abstract: A device for and method of eliminating undesirable vertical segments of uneven brightness in flat panel field emission display (FED) screens. Within the FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Amplitude modulated signals are provided to the columns by column drivers and discrepancies in settling times among the column drivers cause vertical segments of uneven brightness on the display screen. The present invention normalizes settling time of the column amplifier that can be variant due to differences in semiconductor processing and manufacturing. The present invention includes specialized circuitry coupled to the column drivers for sensing an output of the column driver and determining a difference between the output and a threshold at a particular time before the output has completely settled to a target voltage.

Abstract: A device for and method of eliminating objectionable bands of uneven brightness in flat panel field emission displays (FEDs). Within the FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Rows are activated sequentially by row drivers and discrepancies in row driver settling times among the row drivers cause bands of uneven brightness on the display screen. The present invention normalizes row settling time of row driver integrated circuits that can be variant due to differences in semiconductor processing and manufacturing. The present invention includes specialized circuitry coupled to the row drivers for sensing an output of the row driver and determining a difference between the output and a threshold at a particular time before the output has completely settled to a target voltage.

Abstract: A circuit and method for time multiplexing a voltage signal for controlling the color balance of a flat panel display. Within an FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Row drivers are sequentially activated during "row on-time windows" and corresponding individual gray scale information (voltages) are driven by the column drivers. When the proper voltage is applied across the cathode and anode of the emitters, electrons are released toward a phosphor spot, e.g., red, green, blue, causing illumination. Within each column driver, selection circuitry is provided for driving a first voltage data during a first part of the row on-time window and a second voltage data during a second part of the row on-time window. The lengths of the first part and second part of each row on-time window can be adjusted, for a given color, to adjust the color balance with respect to that color.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling the color balance of a flat panel display without losing gray scale resolution of the display screen. Within a FED screen, a matrix of rows and columns is provided and emitters are situated within each row-column intersection. Rows are activated sequentially by row drivers and corresponding individual gray scale information (voltages) is driven over the columns by column drivers. When the proper voltage is applied across the cathode and anode of the emitters, they release electrons toward a phosphor spot, e.g., red, green, blue, causing an illumination point. Within each column driver, a digital to analog converter that contains two data-in voltage-out transformation functions, a first function corresponding to a first voltage intensity and a second function corresponding to a lesser voltage intensity for a same digital color value.

Abstract: Accurate and stable measurement of the dielectric constant of a substance or a mixture of substances is achieved by the use of an oscillatory system incorporating a shorted transmission line as a delay means, to cycle the system. The substance for which the dielectric constant is to be determined is introduced between or about the elements of the transmission line so as to vary the propagation rate or delay of signals through the transmission line. Accordingly, the frequency of oscillation for the system is indicative of the dielectric constant of the substance. Several specific forms of transmission lines, embodied as sensors are disclosed along with different forms of oscillator drivers.