Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) includes a controllable skin texture surface that includes a skin texture surface actuation structure having a plurality of hinged elements (802-808) with a shape memory alloy (812) coupled thereto to effect movement of the hinged elements and a flexible skin structure (320) to change a tactile configuration of at least a portion of the controllable skin texture surface. A method also includes controlling a first shape memory alloy to actuate a plurality of hinged elements and in response, controlling a second shape memory alloy to actuate a hinged lock structure to lock a plurality of hinged elements in a first position. The method also includes deactivating the first shape memory alloy and unlocking the plurality of hinged elements by actuating the first shape memory alloy to allow the hinged lock to disengage. Corresponding structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable device (100) includes a controllable skin texture surface that includes a skin texture surface actuation structure that includes a hydraulic actuation structure and a flexible skin structure (1100) that moves in response to movement of fluid to change a tactile configuration of at least a portion (322) of the controllable skin texture surface. In one example, a substrate (1104) includes one or more fluid channels (1106) and the flexible skin structure includes a plurality of fluid pockets (1102) corresponding to texture features that are in fluid communication with at least one fluid channel. A fluid pump (1702) that moves the fluid in and out of the fluid passages may be controlled either by electronic control signals or mechanical movement of a movable housing portion (110).

Abstract: A portable electronic device (100) includes a controllable skin texture surface that includes a skin texture surface actuation structure that includes an expandable gas actuation structure. The expandable gas actuation structure includes a gas (1802) and a flexible skin structure (1804) that moves in response to movement of the gas to change a tactile configuration of at least a portion of the controllable skin texture surface. In one example, the flexible skin structure includes expandable portions that define a plurality of gas chambers (1800) and each of the gas chambers include one or more controllable heating elements (1808). Control logic (200) controls the heating elements to expand and contract the gas to provide, for example, raising and lowering of texture elements (322) of the flexible skin structure.

Abstract: A tag is provided, which can be associated with one or more individuals and/or a connection to a predetermined network resource, and which can be used to facilitating interaction of the wireless communication device with the corresponding individual(s) and/or resource. The tag includes a transmitter and a storage element including an ID value, which associates the tag with the individual(s) and/or resource. In at least some instances the tag will additionally include a trigger element, such as a user actuatable switch, which will enable an action to be initiated in the nearby wireless communication device, relative to the associated individual(s) and/or resource, in response to an actuation of the trigger element in the tag.

Abstract: Multi-function transducers (130, 700) that are suitable for use in handheld devices such as cellular telephones (100, 900) and are capable of emitting audio, and generating accelerations of sufficient magnitude, and at frequencies that can be sensed by tactile sensation and which exhibit resonant modes that are characterized by center frequencies within a frequency range that can be sensed by tactile sensation, and specifically located between two musical notes on a musical scale are provided. Devices (100, 900) including such transducer are provided, and methods of operating such transducers are provided.

Abstract: An electronic device (100) comprises a housing (112), an input (118, 122) coupled mechanically to the housing for receiving data, an output (114, 118) coupled mechanically to the housing for presenting information to a user of the electronic device in at least one of an audio and visual mode, an electronic circuit (210) coupled mechanically to the housing for providing intelligent operations that receives the data from the input and provides the information to the output, and at least two electromechanical transducers (226), each providing a tactile alert to the user in response to the data, the tactile alerts occurring simultaneously or in succession.

Abstract: A computer-based method of monitoring and recording user interaction with a video service device is provided. The video service device is connected to a display. The computer is programmed to monitor and selectively record information received from the video service device, a video camera, and a remote control signal detector. The computer-based method includes, over a period of time, detecting a plurality of remote control signals indicative of button clicks, grabbing first video frames from the video service device, and grabbing second video frames from the video camera. The detected remote control signals, the first video frames, and the second video frames are recorded to the storage medium as a sequence of events while preserving the time relationship among the various events with respect to each other thereby establishing a common time base for the recorded sequence of events.

Abstract: A generic proxy server, set top device, and methods of operation are described to enable communication with the set top device through the generic proxy server. The set top device is connected to the generic proxy server through a private network. A user wishing to communicate with the set top device is connected to the generic proxy server through a public network. The set top device prepares for communication by registering itself with the generic proxy server and then providing a gateway code to the generic proxy server. The user initiates communications by contacting the generic proxy server and identifying a particular set top device to be accessed. Communications between the user and a set top device through the generic proxy server are enabled by the generic proxy server executing the gateway code supplied by the set top device.

Abstract: In a system for broadcasting video programs to a user including a display, a system and method for providing program information or a copy of at least a portion of a program to the user. In one embodiment, a controller receives an input signal representing a request for summary information concerning a program, the program having a beginning and the input signal generated at a time during the broadcast. The controller provides via the display a summary of the program from the program beginning to the input signal time in response to the input signal. A controller may alternatively monitor a period of time during which the display is tuned to a broadcast of a program, the period starting during the broadcast. The controller is used to provide via the display a copy of at least a portion of the program when the period exceeds a predetermined threshold time.

Abstract: A method and system for testing real-time delivery of packets of data in an application utilized in a computer network includes a first host computer, a second host computer, and a simulator all configured on a local area network segment of a second computer network. A first address is assigned to the first host computer and a second address is assigned to the second host computer. The simulator is configured as a router through which the first and second host computers communicate with each other. Any combination of possible network conditions associated with the computer network are entered into the simulator. The packets of data are formed and transmitted from one of the first and second host computers to the simulator and processed according to the entered network conditions to obtain simulation data.

Abstract: A system and method adapted to provide microcellular Personal Communications Services (PCS) through the use of an improved Distributed Radio Port Controller (DRPC) architecture. The architecture achieves the desired handover with minimal impact on the existing embedded base of switches by generating new calls from target Radio Port Controllers (RPCs) through the switches to anchor RPCs and internally bridging bearer channels without the knowledge of the switches. The system includes a Home Location Register (HLR) for storing and providing subscription data and keeping track of where the mobile terminals are registered in order to deliver calls. A PCS# database is also utilized for storing a list of Universal Personal Telephone (UPT) numbers which have been assigned to the PCS subscribers. The PCS# database is operable to map these UPT numbers to the locations of their corresponding HLR.

Abstract: A feature manager that handles the interactions between features in a telephone network is disclosed. A basic call processor transmits a sequence of event messages to the feature manager. The event messages are then transmitted from the feature manager to a subset of feature modules for processing. The feature modules, following receipt of an event message, each formulate a response message that is returned to the feature manager. The response messages contain information that instructs the basic call processor to act. Information contained within the response message is utilized to determine what other feature modules, if any, must be polled. The feature manager formulates a call processor response from the response messages received and returns the call processor response to the basic call processor. The call processor response includes information that instructs the basic call processor to act accordingly.

Abstract: ECG signals are digitized and a template representative of an arrhythmia free interval for a particular patient is formed. Subsequent ECG signals which match the template are averaged to form averaged ECG signals to reduce noise. A fast Fourier transform (FET) is performed on the terminal 40 millisecond portion of the QRS complex and the ST segment. The 60 db area and 40 Hz intercept of the resultant spectral output are used as a figure of merit in predicting the liklihood of a particular patient experiencing ventricular tachycardia. Alternatively, the FET magnitude is squared to form energy spectra of the ECG signals and a measure of the energy in a first preselected portion such as the 20-50 Hz region is compared with a second preselected portion such as the entire spectra to form a figure of merit for predicting ventricular tachycardia.