Abstract: A system configured to pre-render an audio representation of textual content for subsequent playback includes a network, a source server, and a requesting device. The source server is configured to provide a plurality of textual content across the network. The requesting device includes a download unit, a signature generating unit, a signature comparing unit, and a text to speech conversion unit. The download unit is configured to download the plurality of textual content from the source server across the network. The signature generating unit is configured to generate a unique signature for each of the textual content. The signature comparing unit is configured to compare each unique signature with a prior corresponding signature to determine whether the corresponding textual content has changed. The text to speech conversion unit is configured to convert the textual content to speech when the textual content has been determined to have changed.

Abstract: A system configured to pre-render an audio representation of textual content for subsequent playback includes a network, a source server, and a requesting device. The source server is configured to provide a plurality of textual content across the network. The requesting device includes a download unit, a signature generating unit, a signature comparing unit, and a text to speech conversion unit. The download unit is configured to download the plurality of textual content from the source server across the network. The signature generating unit is configured to generate a unique signature for each of the textual content. The signature comparing unit is configured to compare each unique signature with a prior corresponding signature to determine whether the corresponding textual content has changed. The text to speech conversion unit is configured to convert the textual content to speech when the textual content has been determined to have changed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a video signal processing apparatus having a browser feature to protect a display device associated with the apparatus against the premature aging effects of screen burn due to an idle display when the browser feature is activated. The method includes the steps of detecting a first user input to a video apparatus, determining whether the first user input activates a browser feature of the video apparatus, and controlling the operation of the apparatus to reduce the screen burn. The operation can include setting a display parameter for the video apparatus to a first predetermined level responsive to determining that the first user input activates the browser feature, or determining an idle time and inactivating the browser feature if the idle time exceeds a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Screen burn on televisions having Internet browser capability is avoided by removing the conventional static icons such as toolbars and buttons from the default browser and replacing their functions with keyboard keys. The invention is especially useful in projection televisions and with keyboards which have keys assigned to browser functions. Favorite URLs can be mapped to a favorite key by holding down the favorite key while a favorite web page is displayed.