Abstract: Some embodiments include a privacy/security apparatus for a portable communication device that includes a housing assembly configured to attenuate acoustic and light energy, and an audio channel comprising a microphone and speaker that can play input derived primarily from either the microphone or from a different audio source. The privacy/security apparatus includes a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that can receive the input from the microphone and provide the input to the speaker or process the microphone input prior to providing speaker, and seed to generate a masking signal provided to one or more speakers with an output that is played to one or more microphones of a portable communication device. Further, the privacy/security apparatus includes a microprocessor configured and arranged to: i. load software on the DSP, and ii. provide control of a user interface that controls at least some functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method and device for selecting a media device that is enabled to receive and then play or distribute digital media files, where the media device is or has been connected to a network over which the digital media is delivered to the media device. Media devices that have been connected to the network are identified. Identification information for available media devices that are currently connected to the network and turned on, and identification information for unavailable media devices that are not currently turned on or are not currently connected to the network, is stored. A selection of either an available or an unavailable media device is received, and in response the digital media is distributed over the network to the selected media device.

Abstract: In response to receiving an indication at a primary device of initiation of a communication mode change, the primary device transmits a first command. Each of one or more secondary devices that are in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted responds to the first command with a response message and remains in a responsive state until a second command is received from the primary device. Each secondary device that is not in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted changes to a responsive state after a predetermined amount of time in a non-responsive state and remains in a responsive state for at least a minimum time duration. The primary device collects response messages received from secondary devices, and in response to the number of response messages received being equal to an indicated number, transmits the second command.

Abstract: A method and device for selecting a media device that is enabled to receive and then play or distribute digital media files, where the media device is or has been connected to a network over which the digital media is delivered to the media device. Media devices that have been connected to the network are identified. Identification information for available media devices that are currently connected to the network and turned on, and identification information for unavailable media devices that are not currently turned on or are not currently connected to the network, is stored. A selection of either an available or an unavailable media device is received, and in response the digital media is distributed over the network to the selected media device.

Abstract: In response to receiving an indication at a primary device of initiation of a communication mode change, the primary device transmits a first command. Each of one or more secondary devices that are in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted responds to the first command with a response message and remains in a responsive state until a second command is received from the primary device. Each secondary device that is not in a responsive state when the first command is transmitted changes to a responsive state after a predetermined amount of time in a non-responsive state and remains in a responsive state for at least a minimum time duration. The primary device collects response messages received from secondary devices, and in response to the number of response messages received being equal to an indicated number, transmits the second command.

Abstract: A base device meant to cooperate with one of a plurality of exchangeable docking adapters to enable the base device to cooperate with a personal portable device docked with the docking adapter to perform an audio/visual task. The base device incorporates a programmable logic that is programmed with a configuration data specifying a configuration of interconnections to enable the cooperation between the base device and the personal portable device, and may further incorporate a processor to execute a sequence of instructions of a routine causing the processor to cooperate with the personal portable device through the docking adapter to perform the task.

Abstract: A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key.

Abstract: A base device meant to cooperate with one of a plurality of exchangeable docking adapters to enable the base device to cooperate with a personal portable device docked with the docking adapter to perform an audio/visual task. The base device incorporates a programmable logic that is programmed with a configuration data specifying a configuration of interconnections to enable the cooperation between the base device and the personal portable device, and may further incorporate a processor to execute a sequence of instructions of a routine causing the processor to cooperate with the personal portable device through the docking adapter to perform the task.

Abstract: A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key.

Abstract: A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key.

Abstract: A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key.

Abstract: An audio program distribution arrangement for use in connection with a server in a home area network is described. The audio program distribution arrangement is configured to distribute audio programming over a local audio link. The audio program distribution arrangement comprises an audio programming information receiver module, an audio programming information assembler module and a control module. The audio programming information receiver module is configured to receive audio programming information from a plurality of sources. The audio programming information assembler module is configured to generate assembled audio programming information by selectively assembling said audio programming information as received by the audio programming information receiver module into a selected set of frequencies for transmission over the local audio link. The control module configured to control the audio programming information receiver module and the audio programming information assembler module.

Abstract: A non-linear editor is connected to video processing equipment through a serial digital video interface to edit high definition (HD) television video data. The non-linear editor includes a randomly accessible, computer-readable and re-writeable storage medium that stores a plurality of sequences of HD digital images representing a frame or field of HD motion video data. The non-linear editor provides a configuration control signal to identify processing to be performed on the HD video data and defines a video program to be rendered using the stored HD digital images. An input serial digital interface and an output serial digital interface in the non-linear editor provide the HD video data to be edited. A multiformat video router controls the HD video data sent between the non-linear editor and the video processing equipment. The router is video interconnected to the video processing equipment and to the serial digital interfaces of the non-linear editor.

Abstract: A portable moving picture recording device includes switching control to enable multiple data flow configurations. Two output encoders receive either composite or component digital video signals. The component video signals can come from one of three sources: decoded composite video, component video, and a random-access storage device. Inputs to a composite video analog-to-digital converter and a genlock decoder may be switched between at least two outputs, including a camera video and external video sources. The digital component signal may also be recorded onto the random access recording medium. These data paths are provided in a portable moving picture recording device, in combination with some editing capability.

Abstract: A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key.

Abstract: A non-linear editor is connected to video processing equipment through a serial digital video interface to edit high definition (HD) television video data. The non-linear editor includes a randomly accessible, computer-readable and re-writeable storage medium that stores a plurality of sequences of HD digital images representing a frame or field of HD motion video data. The non-linear editor provides a configuration control signal to identify processing to be performed on the HD video data and defines a video program to be rendered using the stored HD digital images. An input serial digital interface and an output serial digital interface in the non-linear editor provide the HD video data to be edited. A multiformat video router controls the HD video data sent between the non-linear editor and the video processing equipment. The router is video interconnected to the video processing equipment and to the serial digital interfaces of the non-linear editor.

Abstract: An electrical power strip that can be used in conjunction with a computer so as to allow peripheral devices associated with the computer to be automatically turned on or off simultaneous with the computer being turned on or off. The power strip preferably includes a USB connector that allows the power strip to be connected to the power source provided by the USB port of a computer. The power strip further includes a relay element that effectively energizes the power strip when the connected computer is turned on and de-energizes the power strip when the computer is turned off. Thus, the user can utilize the power strip to ensure that any peripheral devices plugged into the power strip are automatically turned off when the connected computer is turned off and turned on when the computer is turned on.

Abstract: An electrical power strip that can be used in conjunction with a computer so as to allow peripheral devices associated with the computer to be automatically turned on or off simultaneous with the computer being turned on or off. The power strip preferably includes a USB connector that allows the power strip to be connected to the power source provided by the USB port of a computer. The power strip further includes a relay element that effectively energizes the power strip when the connected computer is turned on and de-energizes the power strip when the computer is turned off. Thus, the user can utilize the power strip to ensure that any peripheral devices plugged into the power strip are automatically turned off when the connected computer is turned off and turned on when the computer is turned on.

Abstract: A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key.

Abstract: A telephony services provider arrangement is diclosed for use in connection with a server in a home area network, the telephony services provider arrangement being configured to provide at least one telephony service in connection with at least one telephony device connected to the server. The telephony services provider arrangement comprises a telephone interface and a control module. The telephone interface is configured to, in a telephone link connected state, connect the at least one telephony device to a telephone link and, in a telephone link disconnected state, disconnect the at least one telephony device from the telephone link to facilitate provision of the at least one telephony service to the at least one telephony device.