Abstract: A system for, and method of intelligently silencing a mobile telephone, allowing the user to avoid unnecessary interruptions while sleeping or engaged in other activities and while still allowing necessary or urgent notifications to be received. The invention provides a method for creating a “do not disturb” mode on a mobile phone, which provides an explicit mechanism which can allow certain designated callers to override the “do not disturb” mode. When the phone is in “do not disturb” mode, an option is typically provided which allows the phone owner to designate certain contacts for different treatment upon receipt of a call or message.

Abstract: The handheld wireless network detector and adaptor includes a housing at least partially enclosing a processor, a self-contained power source, an interface, a wireless transceiver, a wireless network detector and a wireless network adapter. The interface is configured to communicate with an external computing device. The wireless transceiver is configured for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The wireless network detector is configured to use the wireless transceiver to detect a presence of a detected wireless network. The wireless network adapter is configured for facilitating real time communication between the external computing device and the detected wireless network via the interface and said wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A tip-resistant cup with handle having at least three external extended legs that prevent tip-overs. The external legs extend down to the surface the cup being placed on to provide support from three different directions. In addition, any of the legs can be used has a handle. Cups of the present invention can be stacked like other cups by simply rotating the position of the legs. The cup of the present invention can also have a curved lip to further prevent spilling when the user is drinking.

Abstract: A computerized interactive display system configured to function through a window such as a window of a storefront and to be fully interactive with a person standing on an exterior side of the window.

Abstract: Once an audio prompt has been stored on the portable media device, the audio prompt menu is played. Subsequently, an input from a user of the portable media device is then received in response to the audio prompt menu. A command is subsequently transmitted to a remote computer. The command requests the remote computer to perform an action based on the user's input The portable media device includes a portable media device housing containing a processor, a power source, a user interface device, communications circuitry, at least one input/output (i/o) port, and a memory. The memory includes an operating system, a media database, communication procedures for communicating with a remote computer, and instructions for performing the above described method.

Abstract: A universal console using infra-red (IR) technology allows users to consolidate their remote control devices to a single universal device that can control a PC, DVD, games, TV, and other IR coupled devices. It further has the benefit of being highly power efficient and thus allowing the use of batteries without needed to be recharged or replaced for many months. Through the use of different dongles (and different configurations) different models can be offered for use on game consoles, smart TVs, and other connected devices.

Abstract: A portable media playing device incorporating a menu structure. The device includes a display mechanism, a navigation database, including a navigation record with a navigation description, and an action database, including an action record with an action description. The action database is customizable. A display driver displays the navigation description. When the navigation description is selected, the display driver displays the action description. When the action description is selected, a digital synchronization system generates an extra action request (EAR) record that includes an action identifier and action data for storage in an EAR database. When the device is synchronized with a computer, a synchronization manager accesses the EAR database and updates the action database with any new action records.

Abstract: A portable media playing device incorporating a menu structure. The device includes a display mechanism, a navigation database, including a navigation record with a navigation description, and an action database, including an action record with an action description. The action database is customizable. A display driver displays the navigation description. When the navigation description is selected, the display driver displays the action description. When the action description is selected, a digital synchronization system generates an extra action request (EAR) record that includes an action identifier and action data for storage in an EAR database. When the device is synchronized with a computer, a synchronization manager accesses the EAR database and updates the action database with any new action records.

Abstract: The handheld wireless network detector and adaptor includes a housing at least partially enclosing a processor, a self-contained power source, an interface, a wireless transceiver, a wireless network detector and a wireless network adapter. The interface is configured to communicate with an external computing device. The wireless transceiver is configured for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The wireless network detector is configured to use the wireless transceiver to detect a presence of a detected wireless network. The wireless network adapter is configured for facilitating real time communication between the external computing device and the detected wireless network via the interface and said wireless transceiver.

Abstract: A request is received from a user to perform a contextual search based on a media file or metadata for the media file. A type of the media file is determined. A contextual search menu is presented to the user. A selected contextual search query type selected from the contextual search menu is received from the user. One or more search modules each associated with one or more content sources are queried to determine which one or more search modules can perform the selected contextual search query type. A request is generated for one or more search modules that can perform the selected contextual search query type to perform the selected contextual search query type against one or more selected content sources associated with the one or more search modules. Search results are received from the one or more search modules, wherein the search results include links to one or more files associated with the one or more content sources. The search results are displayed to the user.

Abstract: A portable media playing device incorporating a menu structure. The device includes a display mechanism, a navigation database, including a navigation record with a navigation description, and an action database, including an action record with an action description. The action database is customizable. A display driver displays the navigation description. When the navigation description is selected, the display driver displays the action description. When the action description is selected, a digital synchronization system generates an extra action request (EAR) record that includes an action identifier and action data for storage in an EAR database. When the device is synchronized with a computer, a synchronization manager accesses the EAR database and updates the action database with any new action records.

Abstract: A portable media playing device incorporating a database-driven menu structure that comprises a display mechanism, navigation database, including a navigation record with a navigation description, an action database, including an action record with an action description, wherein the action database is customizable in accordance with a field of the navigation record. A display driver displays the navigation description. When the navigation description is selected, the display driver displays the action description. When the action description is selected, a digital synchronization system generates an extra action request (EAR) record that includes an action identifier and action data for storage in an EAR database. When the device is synchronized with a computer, a synchronization manager accesses the EAR database and updates the action database with any new action records.

Abstract: The wireless communication device includes a housing at least partially enclosing a processor, a self-contained power source, an interface, a wireless transceiver, a wireless network detector and a wireless network adapter. The interface is configured to communicate with an external computing device. The wireless transceiver is configured for transmitting and receiving radio signals. The wireless network detector is configured to use the wireless transceiver to detect a presence of a detected wireless network. The wireless network adapter is configured for facilitating real time communication between the external computing device and the detected wireless network via the interface and said wireless transceiver.

Abstract: Once an audio prompt has been stored on the portable media device, the audio prompt menu is played. Subsequently, an input from a user of the portable media device is then received in response to the audio prompt menu. A command is subsequently transmitted to a remote computer. The command requests the remote computer to perform an action based on the user's input. The portable media device includes a portable media device housing containing a processor, a power source, a user interface device, communications circuitry, at least one input/output (i/o) port, and a memory. The memory includes an operating system, a media database, communication procedures for communicating with a remote computer, and instructions for performing the above described method.

Abstract: A wireless output input device (WOID) digital audio player for storing and/or receiving digital audio and preserving the digital stream without the inherent distortion of translating the stream to analog prior to modulation and transmission, which includes an FM receiver, and an FM transmitter for transmitting the audio to an external FM radio or receiver. The device automatically and periodically scans a plurality of channels on the FM band to determine the channel having the least amount of interference and then tunes the FM transmitter to the frequency of that channel and displays the channel to which the external receiver should be tuned. A remote control may be provided to selectively transmit signals to the player's FM receiver for controlling operation of the player.

Abstract: A portable media playing device incorporating a database-driven menu structure that comprises a display mechanism, navigation database, including a navigation record with a navigation description, an action database, including an action record with an action description, wherein the action database is customizable in accordance with a field of the navigation record. A display driver displays the navigation description. When the navigation description is selected, the display driver displays the action description. When the action description is selected, a digital synchronization system generates an extra action request (EAR) record that includes an action identifier and action data for storage in an EAR database. When the device is synchronized with a computer, a synchronization manager accesses the EAR database and updates the action database with any new action records.

Abstract: Apparatus relates to systems and devices for enabling persons to locate lost or misplaced objects and items in households, offices, and other work places. Such devices and items may include remote-control devices for television sets, VCR's, calculators, and miniature dictating machines. The apparatus comprises a wireless transmitter for producing a unique digital signal or data packet for a codable wireless receiver coded to respond only to the specific transmitter to cause the coded receiver to emit an audio signal or sound from a sound generating device for locating a misplaced object.

Abstract: A wireless output input device (WOID) digital audio player for storing and/or receiving digital audio and preserving the digital stream without the inherent distortion of translating the stream to analog prior to modulation and transmission, which includes an FM receiver, and an FM transmitter for transmitting the audio to an external FM radio or receiver. The device automatically and periodically scans a plurality of channels on the FM band to determine the channel having the least amount of interference and then tunes the FM transmitter to the frequency of that channel and displays the channel to which the external receiver should be tuned. A remote control may be provided to selectively transmit signals to the player's FM receiver for controlling operation of the player.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing optical discs, wherein the apparatus includes an improved buffing wheel capable of applying a uniform buffing action across the readable surface of an optical disc, and wherein the method includes the step of mechanically buffing the damaged area of a disc with an abrasive means and thereafter buffing the buffed area with a non-abrasive means to remove fine scratches caused by the abrasive means.

Abstract: An adjustable fingernail protector for protecting the paint or polish on a fingernail after a manicure, which is attached to the finger primarily ahead of the first knuckle and behind the fingernail to avoid significantly impairing the motion of the hands. The fingernail protector includes a fingernail protective shield having a supporting base and a hood, and a securing band adapted to releasably secure the supporting base to the finger to maintain the protective shield on the finger.