Abstract: A system and method for providing a transcription service over a network. The transcription service includes a transcription server, a database, and several communication gateways. A transcription request is received by the system from anyone and includes an audio file, transcription instructions are derived by the system from a requestor profile, from preferences submitted with the audio file, or both. The request is then processed by the transcription server, the audio file is transmitted to at least one transcriber for transcription, transcribers receive the audio file, transcribe the file, and send the transcription back to the transcription server. The transcription server processes the file and sends the transcription to the entity that requested the transcription. Transcription accuracy is validated statistically by the system, thereby enabling reliable transcription from unknown transcription nodes. Profiles may be configured for both transcribers and transcription requestors.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and using a data collection profile in connection with a telecommunications network that includes multiple devices. Initially, a query is defined that concerns one or more aspects of the communications network. The query is then used as a basis for building a data collection profile. Next, a set of target devices is selected based upon criteria relating to the query. The data collection profile is then provided to the target devices which collect data in accordance with the data collection profile. Finally, the collected data is transmitted to a service platform for further processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and using a data collection profile in connection with a telecommunications network that includes multiple devices. Initially, a query is defined that concerns one or more aspects of the communications network. The query is then used as a basis for building a data collection profile. Next, a set of target devices is selected based upon criteria relating to the query. The data collection profile is then provided to the target devices which collect data in accordance with the data collection profile. Finally, the collected data is transmitted to a service platform for further processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and using a data collection profile in connection with a telecommunications network that includes multiple devices. Initially, a query is defined that concerns one or more aspects of the communications network. The query is then used as a basis for building a data collection profile. Next, a set of target devices is selected based upon criteria relating to the query. The data collection profile is then provided to the target devices which collect data in accordance with the data collection profile. Finally, the collected data is transmitted to a service platform for further processing.

Abstract: Tickers on communications devices are navigated using a navigation mechanism associated with the communications devices. The navigation mechanisms can permit a user to navigate through content in a ticker or to configure presentation attributes of the ticker. Alternately, the navigation mechanisms can allow the user to initiate secondary actions associated with ticker content, such as launching uniform resource identifiers, launching local applications, accessing remote data or applications, or performing other interactive actions. When the secondary action requires a network connection, the mobile communication device can immediately transmit a request through the network if a network connection is present or can wait until a network connection becomes available. The navigation mechanism can be a keypad of a mobile communication device, soft keys, voice command receivers, motions sensors that respond to motion of the mobile communications device, or other input devices.

Abstract: Content to be presented on a ticker of a communication device is conveyed by being transmitted using one or more transmission modes that are intelligently selected according to various criteria. The mode is chosen from among a plurality of transmission modes available, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMAX or other 802.11 wireless networks; AM or FM radio waves; paging networks; paging channels on cellular or PCS networks; SMS transmissions; and vertical blanking interrupts on TV transmissions. Selection of the transmission mode is based in part upon at least one consideration, such as: content size, type or subject matter; user preferences; location of the communication device; available bandwidth; current network loads; time of day; the number of other users receiving the same content, and; transmission cost. Once the mode is selected, content is transmitted to the communication device and presented in a ticker of the device.

Abstract: The timing, order, frequency or presentation attributes of content items in a ticker of a communication device are selected or determined using a scheduling system of the ticker. The location of the communication device is one of many attributes that may be used in a scoring algorithm employed by the scheduling system to determine when and how received content is displayed in the ticker. Based on the attributes that are considered by the scheduling system, ticker content is displayed on the ticker. Communication devices that can use the tickers include personal computers, set top boxes, televisions, landline telephones, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers and any other device that has a display device and is suitably equipped to establish communication with a network.

Abstract: Tickers on communications devices are navigated using a navigation mechanism associated with the communications devices. The navigation mechanisms can permit a user to navigate through content in a ticker or to configure presentation attributes of the ticker. Alternately, the navigation mechanisms can allow the user to initiate secondary actions associated with ticker content, such as launching uniform resource identifiers, launching local applications, accessing remote data or applications, or performing other interactive actions. When the secondary action requires a network connection, the mobile communication device can immediately transmit a request through the network if a network connection is present or can wait until a network connection becomes available. The navigation mechanism can be a keypad of a mobile communication device, soft keys, voice command receivers, motions sensors that respond to motion of the mobile communications device, or other input devices.

Abstract: A system for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture comprises at least one heating device for heating the mixture and a power regulator for regulating the amount of power supplied to the heating device. A controller in communication with the power regulator includes program instructions for heating the reaction mixture by setting a variable target temperature that initially exceeds a desired setpoint temperature for the mixture. When the heating device reaches a threshold temperature, the variable target temperature is decreased to the desired setpoint temperature. In another embodiment, the controller includes an adaptive control program for dynamically adjusting the duration or intensity of power pulses provided to the heating device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a transcription service over a network. The transcription service includes a transcription server, a database, and several communication gateways. A transcription request is received by the system from anyone and includes an audio file, transcription instructions are derived by the system from a requestor profile, from preferences submitted with the audio file, or both. The request is then processed by the transcription server, the audio file is transmitted to at least one transcriber for transcription, transcribers receive the audio file, transcribe the file, and send the transcription back to the transcription server. The transcription server processes the file and sends the transcription to the entity that requested the transcription. Transcription accuracy is validated statistically by the system, thereby enabling reliable transcription from unknown transcription nodes. Profiles may be configured for both transcribers and transcription requestors.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically categorizing and characterizing data from a computer-based system is provided in which the data is classified based on information within the data in order to permit a user of the system to easily group similar incidents within software code based on various criteria and the contents of the data in the incident report. The system may also automatically attempt to recreate any incident indicated by the data. The system may also permit the user of the system to debug a software application whereby parameters that characterize an incident are correlated.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the operation of a plurality of computer-based systems connected to a server, each computer-based system having a microprocessor that executes one or more software applications is provided wherein a separate programmable nub gathers information about the computer-based system to generate black box data, the black box information is communicated over a communications link to a server upon the occurrence of a predetermined triggering event and the black box data is processed to generate data that is used to monitor the operation of the plurality of computer-based systems connected to the server. An apparatus residing on a computer-based system for remotely monitoring the computer-based system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting and recovering from call waiting during an interactive two-way remote gaming session. Gaming information is exchanged in real time during a gaming session between two players using a telecommunications link, such as the internet or modem. When a call waiting tone is detected by one of the players, the game is suspended. The incoming call is answered and the other player is notified that the first player is in the process of answering the incoming call. When the incoming call is finished, communications is automatically re-established between the two players, and the game continues at the point just before it was interrupted.

Abstract: A color matching system initializes a translator by storing profiles of source and destination color devices which include the coordinates in a calibrated color space of the colorants produced in the source and destination devices and a tonal reproduction curve for each device. Mixing equations and parameters are precomputed to be used in matching calculations of an image including color pixels to be matched. The color gamut is divided into mixing regions in which a given point can be produced by a mixture of two chromatic colorants and the achromatic colorants of the destination device. A technique for selecting a mixing region is included which is based on the slopes of vectors defining the colorants of the destination device, and the sample color to be produced.

Abstract: A system and method applied to a communications network which transmits document portions in which an original document portion having an identifier portion and an information portion is replaced or swapped with a substitute document portion. The system has a controller, typically a proxy server, for reading the identifier portion of the original document portion, determining the information portion of the original document portion, and issuing a swap order when an undesired original document portion is found. A substitute document server receives the swap order and sends the substitute document portion to the controller. A swapping device or mechanism inserts the substitute document portion in place of the original document portion and the substitute document portion is passed on to the user set and displayed. The controller and swapping mechanism can be integrated with the user set or with the resources of the service provider and their functionality can reside in software.

Abstract: The present invention is a means and method for synchronizing the execution of multiple video game systems in a networked environment with no external synchronization signals required. Video games and most computer display controllers are closed free-running systems. Because most such systems have the means to switch between an interlaced and non-interlaced operation, and because interlaced and non-interlaced modes have a relative timing variation, the timing between two or more such closed free-running systems can be synchronized. This method allows synchronization with an imprecise timing reference. The vertical display timing is the free-running oscillator and the interlaced/non-interlaced mode transition is used as the timing adjustment means. The actual arrival time of data in a communication medium connecting two systems being synchronized is used in relation to an expected arrival time to provide the clock reference.

Abstract: Resolution independent methods for rendering a graphic image on a display device include: a method for re-gridding an image for fast off screen to on screen transfers; and a method for modifying an image to encompass all pixels of the device resolution for both local and global gridding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and recovering from call waiting interference to data communications is disclosed. In a system wherein a first party communicates with a second party via a telecommunications link, the telecommunications link may be disrupted by a third party's attempt to call the first or second party. The present invention detects such a disturbance on the telecommunications line and allows the first or second party to answer the call from the third party. The invention re-establishes communications after the call with the third party is completed.

Abstract: An independent windowing system that eliminates gridding comprises a method for performing windowing operations directly in device space for a graphics system which specifies all drawings in coordinate space. The re-sizing effects of rendering an object in different places on the coordinate grid are absorbed in the window borders, allowing the window contents to be moved without re-drawing them. The window can be moved without re-drawing it even when the resolution of the device the window is displayed in differs from the source resolution of the rendering system. Furthermore, window contents are drawn relative to the coordinate of the top left of the window to provide each window with its own device grid independent of the window position on the device.

Abstract: A system for updating the location of elements in a computer display, upon a change in the size and/or configuration of the display, maintains user preferences regarding the appearance of elements. As a first step, user designated locations for individual elements, such as icons, are stored in a database for each different display configuration. Upon changing the display from one configuration to another, the elements are positioned in accordance with the information stored in the database. In a second aspect of the system, each of the original and new displays are divided into corresponding sectors. All objects located within a sector of the original display are placed in the same position in the corresponding sector of the new display. With this system, the groupings of objects and overall display appearance are maintained upon changing from one display configuration to another.