Abstract: A method for controlling a headphone having a microphone for receiving noise and user signals, the received noise being used to reduce noise at an output of the headphone, includes detecting a signal by the microphone; if the signal has a predefined characteristic, the signal is mapped to a control command; and the headphone is operated according to the command.

Abstract: A universal smart remote control includes intelligence software and algorithms that have been programmed into the remote control's microprocessor memory, and a large display which is used to prompt the user to take certain actions. The remote control provides guidance to the user in setting up and operating the various components of his or her entertainment system, and asks the user non-technical questions that are understandable to the user.

Abstract: A home control protection system includes at least one surge protection strip having a plurality of power outlet receptacles, and a wall mountable central control unit that is in electrical communication with the at least one surge protection strip. The surge protection strip includes a replaceable surge protector module. The surge protection strip includes a circuit for detecting and counting the number of power surges which are shunted by the surge protector module, and compares the number of power surges with a predetermined threshold power surge number that corresponds to a predicted maximum number of power surges before failure of the surge protector module will occur.

Abstract: A universal smart remote control includes intelligence software and algorithms that have been programmed into the remote control's microprocessor memory, and a large display which is used to prompt the user to take certain actions. The remote control provides guidance to the user in setting up and operating the various components of his or her entertainment system, and asks the user non-technical questions that are understandable to the user.

Abstract: A home control protection system includes at least one surge protection strip having a plurality of power outlet receptacles, and a wall mountable central control unit that is in electrical communication with the at least one surge protection strip. The surge protection strip includes a replaceable surge protector module. The surge protection strip includes a circuit for detecting and counting the number of power surges which are shunted by the surge protector module, and compares the number of power surges with a predetermined threshold power surge number that corresponds to a predicted maximum number of power surges before failure of the surge protector module will occur.

Abstract: A method for controlling a headphone having a microphone for receiving noise and user signals, the received noise being used to reduce noise at an output of the headphone, includes detecting a signal by the microphone; if the signal has a predefined characteristic, the signal is mapped to a control command; and the headphone is operated according to the command.

Abstract: A system and method for eliminating absent or poor quality video sections from a video recording, such as a second generation of video recording. Synchronizing pulses associated with a video signal to be recorded are analyzed to determine whether a video signal is present and, further, to determine whether the video signal is not distorted (i.e., non-trick play mode). A recording device is selectively paused in response to the absence of a valid video signal or the presence of a video signal that is distorted, of poor quality or otherwise not worth recording.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating Internet-based ads, wherein the ads are manipulated using a browser that detects such ads. The detected ads can be displayed, deleted, replaced with other ads, or saved to a memory device by the browser. The browser can either be pre-programmed with instructions as to how to manipulate detected ads, or the browser can contact a web site maintained by the manufacturer of the browser each time it detects an ad so as to determine how to manipulate the ad. The manufacturer can earn revenue by only allowing the browser to display ads for which the manufacturer has been compensated by an advertiser. The present invention also includes an interface feature for selectively or automatically capturing detected ads, wherein such ads are not displayed on the browser but are instead stored in a memory device according to user-defined criteria for viewing at a subsequent time.

Abstract: The present invention is a button on a device that has the ability to detect when a finger touches or is proximate to the button, especially to cause the initiation of a particular feature/function of the device. The button includes a proximity detector that is operable to sense or detect when a user's finger is proximate or on the button. The proximity detector may take many forms. These forms may be combined to provide greater selectivity. Additionally, sensitivity of the proximity detector may be set via threshold values. Sensitivity of the proximity detector correlates to detection or sensing of a user's finger at various distances from the button. One application is as an autofocus/shutter button on a camera.

Abstract: A system and method for eliminating absent or poor quality video sections from a video recording, such as a second generation of video recording. Synchronizing pulses associated with a video signal to be recorded are analyzed to determine whether a video signal is present and, further, to determine whether the video signal is not distorted (i.e., non-trick play mode). A recording device is selectively paused in response to the absence of a valid video signal or the presence of a video signal that is distorted, of poor quality or otherwise not worth recording.

Abstract: A video recording and playback device has a control track recorder for recording a control track signal including timing edges recorded on a tape or other storage medium together with the video program. A decoder is coupled to the control track signal and to the tape drive for switching among a forward play mode, a forward skip mode and a rewind mode, as a function of play, skip and rewind codes inserted into the control track as phase variations of edges other than those used for timing, or preferably as pulses with sloping edges distinct from the timing edges. In addition to selectively skipping sections of the video program preceded by a skip code and followed by a play code, such as commercial breaks, the device permits user editing of play and skip codes and selective multiple replays of sections of the video program preceded by a play code and followed by a rewind code.

Abstract: A video recording and playback device has a control track recorder for recording a control track signal including timing edges recorded on a tape or other storage medium together with the video program. A decoder is coupled to the control track signal and to the tape drive for switching among a forward play mode, a forward skip mode and a rewind mode, as a function of play, skip and rewind codes inserted into the control track as phase variations of edges other than those used for timing, or preferably as pulses with sloping edges distinct from the timing edges. In addition to selectively skipping sections of the video program preceded by a skip code and followed by a play code, such as commercial breaks, the device permits user editing of play and skip codes and selective multiple replays of sections of the video program preceded by a play code and followed by a rewind code.