Abstract: A method of synchronizing visual information with audio playback includes the steps of selecting a desired audio file from a list stored in memory associated with a display device, sending a signal from the display device to a remote device to cause the remote device to start playing the desired audio file; and displaying visual information associated with the desired audio file on the display device in accordance with timestamp data such that the visual information is displayed synchronously with the playing of the desired audio file, wherein the commencement of playing the desired audio file and the commencement of the displaying step are a function of the signal from the display device.

Abstract: An upgradable television, in accordance with the present invention, includes a plurality of modules for providing operating functions for the upgradable television, each module capable of identifying itself to a processor. The processor is coupled to each of the modules. The processor is for recognizing changes in the modules in accordance with the identification of the modules. A receiver is operatively connected to the processor for receiving information for upgrading the upgradable television in accordance with new modules introduced into the upgradable television. A method for upgrading is also described.

Abstract: Automatic personal advisories relating to traffic conditions are provided at pre-specified times via avenues of communication specified by the users. Use is made of a map database to generate routes and various types of advisories. Traffic conditions may be evaluated by comparing current speed data against nominal speed data.

Abstract: A video compression process speeds the optimal choice of quantizers for compressing a data stream by setting up the optimization problem as a path-optimization problem in configuration space and finding the lowest cost path through the configuration space. The process begins with a starting node (or “state”) and propagates least-cost waves through the space until a path is completed to the end. The process may continue using uncompleted paths while their costs are less than the end state, beginning with the lowest cost incomplete path, until an improved path is found. The process may further continue, for a time constrained process, until time runs out or all useful possibilities are exhausted.

Abstract: A remote control system in which a program-up or program-down activation on a control remote device effects the selection of the next or prior available channel that is likely to contain a program of a particular selected genre, or category. The system includes an identification of those programs that are likely to relate to each particular category. When the user selects a category, the user incrementally selects from the programs contained within the selected category. In the system, a list builder includes a number of capabilities for improving the selective quality of the program selection, having access, for example, to an information source that provides the time of each scheduled program on each channel, and an indication of each program's genre, rating, and other related items.

Abstract: Real-time events are electronically recommended using a fuzzy-now function of time. Real-time experiencing apparatus can be automatically tuned to a particular real-time event using a surf ring related to recommendations or automatically without a user request.

Abstract: When a person requests access to a chat session, the time of the request is used to determine which chat room the person is placed. Other parameters are used to determine the surrounding factors, or context, within which the person initiated the request, such as the particular television program that the person was watching at the time of the request. By forming chat rooms based on the time of entry and the context in which the request is made, the chat rooms are likely to contain people with a common topic to discuss, such as the television news story being broadcast at that time. These time-of-entry chat rooms can also be structured to be of limited duration, obviating the overhead burden of deleting topic-specific chat rooms when the topic ceases to be of interest.

Abstract: Paths are planned for one or more actors, through at least two dimensions of time or space, to identify rendezvous locations meeting a global criterion. At least two scenarios are defined, including at least one for each actor, and a configuration space is created for each of these scenarios. A scenario includes identification of the actor, a source direction for planning, a set of states identifying the source or obstacle locations, and the respective cost metrics for each possible transition between a configuration state in the corresponding configuration space, and its neighbors. Cost waves are propagated in each configuration space, to generate a cost-to-source for each state. A Boolean evaluation is then made of configuration states, according to a global criterion, to identify all possible rendezvous states. Finally, the actors are controlled to travel to that rendezvous chosen according to optimization criteria, or the candidate rendezvous states are displayed for further evaluation or use.

Abstract: An electronic game uses electronic map data and an environment grower to create a rich environment. An avatar maintenance system further enhances the game environment. The game is then sufficiently complex to be used by thousands of users.

Abstract: Maneuvers of a vehicle, in the presence of obstacles, are planned using a three-dimensional configuration space. Axes of the configuration space correspond to x and y coordinate locations of the rear differential of the vehicle and angle of the vehicle. The configuration space is filled with cost to goal and direction arrows values using an exhaustive search strategy. The direction arrows values point to a least cost path to a goal for the vehicle. The exhaustive search strategy involves searching a bow-tie shaped neighborhood of a goal state, and then a bow-tie shaped neighborhood of each state in the first neighborhood, iterating until all reachable states are searched. A precedence order is established so that states which are blocked are not searched.

Abstract: A travel direction speaking system that is based on a portable laptop computer. The computer determines a route between an origin and a destination using an electronic map, and prepares driving instructions based on the route. Each driving instruction includes the spatial position (longitude and latitude) of a change in direction at which the driving instruction applies. The system includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit that provides the GPS determined position of the laptop computer. The computer compares the GPS position to the spatial position and outputs the corresponding driving instruction when the two positions are inferred to be within a specified range of each other. The range can be determined based distance or on a time period required to travel from the current position to a position at which the instructions should be spoken.

Abstract: Warning of engagement of a vehicle's ABS is provided by a warning sound such as a horn or pre-recorded sound. The warning sound is produced when the vehicle's speed exceeds a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the warning sound may be adjusted to increase in volume with higher speeds. The warning sound warns drivers outside the vehicle.

Abstract: Monitoring of traffic on selected routes requires little communication time, through reporting only instances of abnormal speed. During a calibration phase calibrant vehicles are operated along the selected routes with sufficient frequency and for enough days to provide meaningful data. Each calibrant vehicle carries a differential GPS receiver for measuring location accurately. Average speeds for intervals of, for example, 15 seconds, are stored, with the time and place of observation. The data from all calibrant vehicles are then analyzed to determine patterns of mean speed and bandwidth. In the monitoring phase probe vehicles are deployed, each carrying similar GPS, a computer in which the patterns are stored, and a radio for automatically reporting speeds which are out of bandwidth for that time and place.

Abstract: A separate user frame of reference is provided for the operator of an electron beam microscope to use in generating position and tilt commands for a motorized goniometer, rather than requiring that the operator input position and tilt commands to the motorized goniometer in the same frame of reference used by the goniometer to implement position and tilt changes. The electron beam image observed by the operator on a display screen furthermore forms the separate user frame of reference in order to make control of the specimen by the operator intuitive. Since the operator observes the user frame of reference and generates position and orientation commands in the user frame of reference, navigation around the sample is easy to accomplish, even for a novice operator. The image does not inadvertently rotate when other specimen movements are intended and an unintended modification in position along the beam axis does not occur for the imaged portion of the specimen unless the operator inputs such a modification.

Abstract: Maneuvers of a controlled vehicle, such as a car, traveling at moderate to high speeds are planned by propagating cost waves in a configuration space using two search strategies referred to as budding and differential budding. Control is achieved by monitoring properties of the controlled vehicle and adjusting control parameters to achieve motion relative to a frame of reference. The frame of reference may change before the transformation to configuration space occurs. The method transforms goals, obstacles, and the position of the controlled vehicle in task space to a configuration space based on the position of these objects relative to a moving frame of reference. The method also determines a local neighborhood of possible motions based on the control capabilities of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the controlled parameters are time derivatives of the monitored properties. A variation of the method provides for the parallel computation of the configuration space.

Abstract: A configuration space is used for path planning and for controlling the motion of an object. The configuration space includes states which contain cost to goal and direction arrow values. These values indicate a path or absence of a path from the states to at least one goal state. The configuration space is differentially updated after a cost to goal or direction arrow value is changed.

Abstract: A method is presented for path planning after changes in task space. In one embodiment, the method is applied to planning a path for a robot arm. The method identifies areas in the configuration space which are affected by the changes in task space. Cost waves can then be repropagated in these affected areas to allow for planning in N dimensions and using space variant metrics. The method is also adapted to use in the presence of phantom obstacles.