Abstract: A custom playlist to be played by a digital audio/visual actuator device may be easily created and modified through use of an effective human interface on an external device, such as a personal computer. Tracks, easily identifiable by their track index identifier and the TOC of the digital storage device on which they are stored, are selected by the user or by an automated method and added to a playlist file. Once the playlist is created, the playlist file is stored to non-volatile memory of the digital audio/visual actuator device. The playlist may then be easily modified if so desired by performing such functions as adding tracks, deleting tracks, and rearranging tracks of the playlist through the interface of the external device. The playlist may be played by the digital audio/visual actuator device at any time after it has been created and the digital audio/visual actuator device may be controlled by a remote control unit to actuate the playlist if so desired.

Abstract: A self-contained dental camera uses white diodes to provide sufficient illumination for dental imaging without unduly depleting battery power. The illuminated dental work is imaged by a camera, preferably a CCD, and the resulting video signal is transmitted to a base station for display on a monitor. The camera unit may be disposed in a holder on a base station to recharge the battery.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation of a custom playlist of various audio/visual tracks that are to be automatically recorded to a storage medium is disclosed. The user communicates with personal computer (PC) software by means of a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI allows the user to create a custom playlist and to signal the intent that a recording of that custom playlist to a storage medium be made. Once the user has indicated the custom playlist is to be recorded, the software automatically records the custom playlist with no further user interaction required. In this manner, a minimum amount of user interaction is required.

Abstract: An automatic internet site link links a computer to an internet page at an internet page address by inputting a code, accessing a server database and determining from the server database the internet page address corresponding to the code input into the computer. A program for controlling the computer to automatically link to the internet page located at the internet page address in response to the code input to the computer accesses a server database, determines from the server database the internet page address corresponding to the code and links to the internet page located at the internet page address. A program for controlling the server database computer receives, via a modem connection, the code input to the remote computer, determines, from the server database resident to the server database computer, the internet page address corresponding to the code and returns the internet page address to the remote computer.

Abstract: A universal remote control device supports many audio/video (A/V) components and at least as many features on each component as each of the remote control devices uniquely provided by the manufacturers for those A/V components. The user can easily select and activate any of the functions clearly identified on the universal remote control device.

Abstract: An answering machine apparatus coupled to a telephone line having a number of telephones coupled thereto for receiving/recording a message or messages which enables a user to determine if a message(s) has been received/recorded by utilizing any of such telephones. That is, if a message or messages have been received/recorded and not reproduced, a signal may be provided to the telephone line when the user places any of the telephones coupled to the telephone line in an off-hook state. Such signal may provide an indication to the user of the respective telephone that a message(s) has been received/recorded. Such indication may continue for a predetermined amount of time, such as 4 seconds, after which a normal dial tone signal may be provided to the respective telephone. Accordingly, the user may determine if a message has been received/recorded by merely placing any of the telephones in an off-hook state.

Abstract: A receiver/transmitter for use in an audio system having a reproducing device for providing reproduced audio signals and located in a home or office. The receiver/transmitter may be operable in a number of modes in which one of such modes enables reproduced audio signals to be transmitted over a broadcast frequency for reception by a wireless receiver tuned to the broadcast frequency and located in a different location of the home or office from that of the receiver/transmitter. Such wireless receiver may be a portable type radio receiver or a stationary type radio receiver. As a result, an operator may listen to a desired portion of a compact disc or tape or the like which is being reproduced by the reproducing device in one room or portion of the home or office while the operator is in a different room or portion of the home or office or while the operator is moving between rooms or portions of the home or office.

Abstract: A remote control unit in an audio/visual system has a two-way communications link with one or more audio/visual devices. The bi-directional flow of information between the remote control unit and the audio/visual device(s) provides for the creation of remote control commands that are customized based upon the characteristics of the particular A/V device being controlled by the remote control unit. The remote control unit may additionally have another two-way communications link with one or more information-providing devices, such as a personal computer capable of accessing the Internet, that can provide the remote control unit with information available outside the audio/visual environment. The bi-directional flow of information of the two-way communications links is accomplished with a two-way infra-red link or a two-way serial link.

Abstract: A converged system architecture and method for converging a personal computer with audio/video devices is provided. Wireless communications are transmitted between the personal computer and the audio/video devices. Wireless commands for controlling the audio/video devices are entered remotely at a wireless peripheral and coupled to the personal computer. The personal computer generates signals and the wireless communications are coupled to the audio/video devices in accordance with these signals.

Abstract: A two-way remote control unit with a graphical user interface controls various audio/video devices interconnected in a multimedia system. The remote control unit includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving control commands to/from multimedia components, which are displayed in the user-friendly format on a display of the remote control unit. The user can scroll, select, browse, etc. through various menu items on the display, and activate any desired function on the multimedia system component by selecting the desired representation of that function on the display. In addition, the remote control unit communicates, also through wireless transmission, with a personal computer and obtains information from remote or local databases for either controlling or enhancing the operation of the multimedia system devices.

Abstract: Receiver control circuitry of a receiver automatically detects, selects, and enables a priority signal provided to the receiver from a plurality of audio and/or visual source devices. Upon the user starting a source device that serves as a potential source of audio and/or visual input signals to the receiver, the receiver control circuitry automatically determines whether the receiver should switch to the source device as its source of audio and/or visual information. Additionally, the receiver control circuit will automatically turn on the receiver if it is not powered-up so that this will not have to be done by the user of the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for providing automated generation of program groups used in shuffled playback. The playback system acquires "content information" concerning programs on subject media, and generates shuffled playback groups by comparing the content information to user entered "desired-group information". In one illustrative embodiment the content information is included on the media themselves. In a second illustrative embodiment, the content information is included in a database.

Abstract: An audio processing system searches for information reports or updates (such as traffic, weather, time, sports, news, and the like) broadcast over one or several radio stations. The search is based on at least one keyword (such as "traffic", "weather", "time", "sports", "news" depending on the desired report) being preselected by the user, and being entered into the audio processing system. While speech recognition software used by the audio processing system scans the radio station for the requested information report, the user may listen to other audio sources (a CD, a tape, another radio station broadcast, etc.) without being required to monitor (that is, listen to) the information content from those audio sources.

Abstract: An alarm clock which automatically sets current time and date by receiving a television broadcast signal or the like and by decoding a signal included in the received television broadcast signal to obtain the current time and date information. A programmable controller processes the current time and date information for display. The alarm clock further includes a memory for storing data representing holidays. The programmable controller is operative to activate an alarm trigger in response to a user setting and to disable the user setting if it is determined that the current date coincides with one of the holidays stored in the memory.

Abstract: A computer program/software determines the latest version for one or more data files used by several interconnected computers or workstations, and selectively updates each file version stored in individual directories on the computers or workstations. The program allows sharing of the data files among a group of users working on a large project, for example, by determining, based on the system date/time information obtained from each computer, when a data file was created or last updated in each computer directory. Those data files with the less recent date/time are selectively either replaced or merged with the most recent version of the file via the interconnection structure among the computers. As a result, each computer directory always maintains the most recent version of the data file.

Abstract: Music compact disk player which automatically programs the titles and song names of every music CD that is installed therein. In addition to installing a multiple number of music CDs, a data CD having stored thereon time code data and name data of most or all music CDs is installed into the music compact disk player. Respective time code data, representing the number of songs and the song lengths thereon, is reproduced from each installed music CD, and respective name data corresponding to the reproduced time code data are reproduced from the data CD. The reproduced name data, which identifies the title and song names of every installed music CD, are stored in the music compact disk player's memory.

Abstract: Automobile navigation system utilizes a wide angle CCD camera that is coupled to the vehicle to receive video images of signs being approached by the vehicle. The user (e.g., the driver) of the system supplies via an input keyboard the desired destination of the vehicle and by using, e.g., a digital compass, the current direction of travel of the vehicle is ascertained. Then, by utilizing a computer system having therein a road database and optical character recognition software, the system converts the video images to road data that identifies the current location of the vehicle, and determines from the current location of the vehicle and the desired destination a desired route of travel. Specific audio directions then are supplied to the driver depending on the vehicle's current location and desired route of travel.