Abstract: A system and method for providing information to television viewers in order to assist them in shopping from an apparently conventional media, such as a television program, as well as making better and more educated shopping decisions are provided. The user selects the product of interest, and if desired, indicates the price, quantity and time frame within which he/she wants to buy the product. The system then acts as an agent on the user's behalf to get the best product under best price and shortest time frame as may be desired. When a user sees a product he wants while watching television, he simply can press a point on the screen, talk, or press a button on a remote control or similar keypad and the system shows the current price and availability. If the user wants the product, he can buy it instantly. If the user determines it to be too expensive, he can add the product to his wish-list with a price he would be willing to pay.

Abstract: A visualization system captures and analyzes a video signal to extract features in the video signal to render a graphical multi-dimensional visual representation of the program. The visualization system includes a memory and a processor and is programmed to extract features, augment the feature extraction with supplemental information, and render a visual summary to be displayed on a display device. Using the visual summary, a user can more easily determine the nature of a particular video program.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information to television viewers in order to assist them in shopping from an apparently conventional media, such as a television program, as well as making better and more educated shopping decisions are provided. The user selects the product of interest, and if desired, indicates the price, quantity and time frame within which he/she wants to buy the product. The system then acts as an agent on the user's behalf to get the best product under best price and shortest time frame as may be desired. When a user sees a product he wants while watching television, he simply can press a point on the screen, talk, or press a button on a remote control or similar keypad and the system shows the current price and availability. If the user wants the product, he can buy it instantly. If the user determines it to be too expensive, he can add the product to his wish-list with a price he would be willing to pay.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement over previous media recommender systems in that it provides, among other things, not only a recommendation but also an explanation to the user as to why that recommendation is being made.

Abstract: A beverage brewing funnel of the type used with disposable paper filters. The interior bottom surface of the funnel is provided with ribs which prevent the disposable filters when wet from engaging the interior bottom surface. The bottom of the funnel has a radially extending drainage sump with a drainage or discharge port. A three-part removable screen filter assembly is mounted in the drainage port. One part of the filter is a bushing which seats in the drainage port and has exteriorly threaded nipples projecting above and below the drainage port. The bottom end of a enclosed, generally cylindrical and finger-like rigid filter is secured to a nut which is screwed onto the upwardly projecting nipple of the bushing. A separate nut is screwed onto the downwardly projecting nipple and secures the bushing in place in the discharge port.

Abstract: A coffee grinder has a control circuit for its electric grinder motor which includes a three-position control switch having a resident "Off" position, a resident "On" position, and a non-resident or momentary "On plus Start" position. In the "Off" position power is interrupted to all circuits of the grinder. The "On" position is a resting position which is resumed after the start of each grind cycle in readiness for the start of another grind cycle. The "On plus Start" position is momentary and in which a relay is energized so as to complete a circuit that energizes the grinder motor. In one type of coffee grinder the electrical control circuit includes a timer which can be set to determine the length of the grinding cycle. In another type of coffee grinder the length of the grinding cycle is determined by the presence of a ground coffee receiving bag or other container. In both types of grinders the normal grinding cycle can be terminated by placing control switch in its "Off" position.

Abstract: A beverage making appliance operable either automatically or as a pour-in beverage maker. A cold water basin is located over a hot water tank. Cold water tube extends down into the hot water tank from a drain opening in the bottom of the basin whereby cold water discharges into the lower portion of the hot water tank and displaces an equal quantity of hot water through a siphon tube for discharge through a spray head onto the contents in a brew funnel positioned beneath the spray head. In the automatic mode, cold water is delivered to the cold water basin through a cold water conduit connected with a supply of cold water under pressure. The cold water conduit has a flow control valve and a timer-controlled solenoid valve whereby a predetermined volume of cold water may be repetitively delivered on each actuation of the timer. The discharge end of the cold water conduit is pointed downwardly directly into the drain opening in the basin and upper end of the cold water tube.