Abstract: A musical jukebox is disclosed which provides for: fast archiving of songs; a flexible user interface; easy and convenient entry of, access to and/or display of data relating to songs archived by the jukebox; easy and convenient search and locate capabilities for locating, reviewing, retrieving and/or playing songs stored in the jukebox; and low cost relative to the functionality, features, conveniences and user-friendliness provided by the jukebox. Fast of flush archiving of songs (as well as other data and signals) is accomplished by first saving sets of data without compression, which allows the data to be entered quickly, and then, compressing later at an appropriate time. A unique MP3 bit allocation encoding scheme is used to compress data. A unique memory allocation supports fast data archiving. The user interface employs two-way communication between a remote control and the jukebox. A searchable song database is structured to enable very fast searching by music category, and also by title and artist.

Abstract: A hair roller (300) comprising a pair of opposed end members (344, 354) defining there-between a longitudinally extending hair receiving portion, and a pair of opposed hair engagement members (342, 352), wherein the hair engagement members are movable relative to each other, and each hair engagement member comprises a plurality of hair engagement protrusions (356) for engagement with hair received at the hair receiving portion so as to act against movement of the hair relative to the hair receiving portion, —the hair engagement members are movable relative to the end members and are arranged such that, upon movement of the hair engagement members relative to each other, the extent of protrusion of the hair engagement protrusions into the hair receiving portion is adjustable.

Abstract: An air diffuser includes a main body and an air diffusing baffle for hair styling. The main body has an upstream end with an air inlet and a coupler for attachment to a hair blower, and a downstream end with an air outlet for delivery of air to a user. The air diffusing baffle has an air baffling surface. The air baffling surface is movable relative to the main body for varying effective level of baffling to an air stream from the air inlet portion.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes a styling head, the styling head has a contact styling surface for contact styling of hair, a heater and a magnet. The magnet is disposed so that magnetic force due to the magnet appears on the styling surface.

Abstract: A display device has a screen for displaying digital images located on a housing that encloses a storage medium for storing the digital images, and a processor for performing functions such reading images from the storage medium and displaying the images on the display screen. A frame detachably securable to the housing surrounds the display screen, and electronically communicates with the processor when secured to the housing for configuring how the processor performs the functions of the display device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a seismic velocity field from seismic data including time-amplitude representations associated with source-receiver locations spaced apart by an offset distance and having a midpoint therebetween, the seismic data being arranged into common midpoint (CMP) gathers associated with respective CMP locations. A control plane having an edge intersecting a plurality of the CMP locations is defined, an initial velocity field for the control plane is produced, the initial velocity field including a plurality of time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations; and an optimized velocity field for the control plane is produced by adjusting the time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations in response to trends, relative to offset distance, in time values, associated with common seismic events, until said optimized velocity field satisfies a condition.

Abstract: A method of providing media content for a portable media player makes available in a database entertainment content and message content for downloading and storing on a portable media player. The message content is downloaded and stored on the media player with the entertainment content for playing on the media player in connection with playing of the entertainment content. The play data for entertainment content and/or message content stored on the media player is uploading to the database or another database.

Abstract: A hair care device includes a hair comb with a plurality of combing teeth. The effective teeth spacing between adjacent combing teeth is adjustable. At least some of the combing teeth are thermally conductive so that heat can be conducted from the hair comb to a user's hair via the thermally conductive combing teeth when hair is being engaged under tension by the combing teeth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a network includes detecting occurrence of a network event associated with a new network condition including unplanned and planned macro-events associated with network elements and communication links of the network. The network event is classified as being associated with at least one of a network element failure, communications link failure, and a security breach. In response to the network event exceeding a network degradation threshold, the network event is identified as a network degradation event, and an alert is sent to a network administrator to normalize the network degradation event.

Abstract: This invention provides a domestic appliance (1) such as a kettle, coffee maker, and toaster or similar that includes a fluid chamber (3). The fluid chamber (3) is provided with a light to diffuse through the fluid and is visible through a transparent or translucent portion in the exterior wall of the wall of the chamber. The light may be controlled to show different operative states of the appliance and provide a large visual area of indication of the operative.

Abstract: In a fractional treatment system, an adjustable mechanism can be used to adjust the beam shape, beam numerical aperture, beam focus depth, and/or beam size to affect the treatment depth and or the character of the resulting lesions. Adjustment of these parameters can improve the efficiency and efficacy of treatment. Illustrative examples of adjustable mechanisms include a set of spacers of different lengths, a rotatable turret with lens elements of different focal distances, an optical zoom lens, and a mechanical adjustment apparatus for adjusting the spacing between two optical lens elements. In one aspect, the fractional treatment is configured with a laser wavelength that is selected such that absorption of the laser wavelength within the tissue decreases as the tissue is heated by the laser (e.g., 1480-1640 nm).

Abstract: An beverage making apparatus making including a fluid compartment (20), a beverage compartment (40), beverage processing means (51), heating means (30) and heating power control means (32), said beverage processing means (51) interconnecting said fluid compartment and said beverage compartment so that said fluid compartment and said beverage compartment being communicable via said beverage processing means, said heating means being adapted for heating said fluid compartment so that steam generated in said fluid compartment will force fluid to move from said fluid compartment to said beverage compartment via said beverage processing means, wherein the heating power of said heating means being user controllable.

Abstract: Subjects treated with nonablative fractional photothermolysis (FP) have an intact stratum corneum, but can have microscopic lesions and vacuole formation within the epidermis. The vacuoles thus formed can trap dermal material and extrude it through the epidermis. Thus, FP can be used for the treatment of recalcitrant melasma, solar elastosis, and tattoos.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal treatment of tissue by irradiating the skin with electromagnetic energy is disclosed. Sources of electromagnetic energy include radio frequency (RF) generators, lasers, and flashlamps. The apparatus includes either a positional sensor or a dosage evaluation sensor, or both types of sensors. These sensors provide feedback to a controller. The controller may control the electromagnetic source parameters, the electromagnetic source activation, and/or the sensor measurement parameters. An additional scanning delivery unit may be operably coupled to the controller or to the sensors to provide a controlled distribution of electromagnetic energy to the target region of the skin. The use of positional measurement sensors and dosage evaluation sensors permits the controller to automatically determine the proper electromagnetic source parameters including, for example, pulse timing and pulse frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermal treatment of tissue by irradiating the skin with electromagnetic energy is disclosed. Sources of electromagnetic energy include radio frequency (RF) generators, lasers, and flashlamps. The apparatus includes either a positional sensor or a dosage evaluation sensor, or both types of sensors. These sensors provide feedback to a controller. The controller may control the electromagnetic source parameters, the electromagnetic source activation, and/or the sensor measurement parameters. An additional scanning delivery unit may be operably coupled to the controller or to the sensors to provide a controlled distribution of electromagnetic energy to the target region of the skin. The use of positional measurement sensors and dosage evaluation sensors permits the controller to automatically determine the proper electromagnetic source parameters including, for example, pulse timing and pulse frequency.

Abstract: A system for auditing telecommunication billing data comprises a rule-construction user interface and an audit component. The rule-construction user interface comprises a plurality of rule condition parameter menus to construct an audit rule for at least one telecommunication billing attribute. In a particular embodiment, before baselining the audit rule, a user can test rule conditions against actual data, and the user can compare multiple versions of a single audit rule to determine which version successfully identifies exceptions. The audit component is to perform an audit of a telecommunication billing data set for exceptions to the audit rule constructed using the rule-construction user interface. Once identified, the exceptions can be assigned to additional tool users to assist in exception investigation and maintenance using an exception maintenance component.

Abstract: A method of automatically selecting at least one of stored multimedia files for transfer between a first storage medium and a second storage medium. In the method, each stored file is assigned a popularity weighting based on popularity information and files are selected that have a popularity weighting within a preferred range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a seismic velocity field from seismic data including time-amplitude representations associated with source-receiver locations spaced apart by an offset distance and having a midpoint therebetween, the seismic data being arranged into common midpoint (CMP) gathers associated with respective CMP locations. A control plane having an edge intersecting a plurality of the CMP locations is defined, an initial velocity field for the control plane is produced, the initial velocity field including a plurality of time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations; and an optimized velocity field for the control plane is produced by adjusting the time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations in response to trends, relative to offset distance, in time values, associated with common seismic events, until said optimized velocity field satisfies a condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a seismic velocity field from seismic data including time-amplitude representations associated with source-receiver locations spaced apart by an offset distance and having a midpoint therebetween, the seismic data being arranged into common midpoint (CMP) gathers associated with respective CMP locations. A control plane having an edge intersecting a plurality of the CMP locations is defined, an initial velocity field for the control plane is produced, the initial velocity field including a plurality of time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations; and an optimized velocity field for the control plane is produced by adjusting the time-velocity values for each of the CMP locations in response to trends, relative to offset distance, in time values, associated with common seismic events, until said optimized velocity field satisfies a condition.