Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver, radio or other device provides an emergency alert function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a processor operative to detect a first condition wherein signal strength on a selected channel frequency associated with the emergency alert function exceeds a predetermined threshold, and to detect a second condition wherein a broadcast test associated with said emergency alert function is passed. A visual indicator is operative to provide a predetermined output if the first and second conditions are detected.

Abstract: A television signal receiver receives and stores updated information associated with an emergency alert function, such as geographical area information and/or transmission frequency information. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a tuner operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event, and a memory operative to receive and store updated information associated with the emergency alert function.

Abstract: A television signal receiver having an emergency alert function is capable of checking a distance between a reference point and a point associated with a geographical area selected by a user during a setup process for the emergency alert function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a memory Operative to store data associated with the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to receive an input representing a geographical area, and to enable a predetermined output responsive to the input using the data in the memory when a distance between a reference point and a point associated with the geographical area exceeds a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver includes an emergency alert function which, when activated, provides an alert output to notify users of an emergency event. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to detect a condition indicating relocation of the apparatus after a power interruption to the apparatus, and to enable a predetermined output associated with the emergency alert function responsive to detecting the condition.

Abstract: There are provided methods of purifying a material, comprising melting solid material to form liquefied material, directionally solidifying a portion of the liquefied material; and removing a liquid remainder from the purified solidified material. Preferably, the purified solidified material is melted to form re-liquefied purified material, and re-liquefied purified material is removed. Preferably, the material is positioned in a container as it is being purified. The method is particularly useful for purifying elemental material, e.g., semiconductor material such as silicon and/or germanium, such as recycle scrap silicon and/or metallurgical grade silicon. There are also provided systems for carrying out such methods.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver, radio and/or other device having an emergency alert function provides alert outputs in manner which increases the likelihood that users are promptly notified of emergency events. According to an exemplary embodiment, a television signal receiver includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to enable a disabled audio output device associated with the television signal receiver responsive to activation of the emergency alert function.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver, radio or other device provides an emergency alert function. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a tuner for tuning a plurality of frequency channels associated with the emergency alert function. A processor identifies one of the frequency channels having higher signal strength relative to the other frequency channels, and enables use of the identified frequency channel for receiving emergency alert signals.

Abstract: A television signal receiver (having an emergency alert function provides an alert output in accordance with a user selectable alert mode corresponding to the type of emergency event. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a tuner operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating a type of emergency event. A processor is operative to enable an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals, wherein the alert output is provided in accordance with a user selectable alert mode corresponding to the type of emergency event.

Abstract: A television signal receiver having an emergency alert function provides a masked list of emergency events during a user setup process for the emergency alert function which makes the setup process easier for users, and also ensures that the emergency alert function will be activated when certain important emergency events occur. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver includes a memory operative to store data associated with the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to receive an input representing a geographical area and to enable generation of a masked list of emergency events responsive to the input using the data in the memory. The masked list of emergency events represents a subset of all emergency events associated with the emergency alert function.

Abstract: A television signal processing system having an emergency alert function is capable of receiving emergency alert signals and providing alert outputs to notify individuals of emergency events. According to one exemplary embodiment, the television signal processing system includes a tuner operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an emergency event. A processor is operative to enable an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals when the emergency event indicated by the emergency alert signals corresponds to a geographical area selectable by a user. According to another exemplary embodiment, the processor is operative to enable an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals when the emergency event indicated by the emergency alert signals corresponds to a predetermined event selectable by a user.

Abstract: A web browser is configured to store format preferences associated with favorite and historical URLs so that upon receiving a request for such a URL, a web page is fetched and displayed with the associated stored format preferences. The invention is especially useful with displays of less than optimum resolution such as television screens, cell phones, and personal data assistants where a user may have different preferred formats for different web sites.

Abstract: A circuit includes a battery connection portion and a motor control portion. The circuit further includes a driven component capable of receiving electric power from a battery connected to the circuit at the battery connection portion only when the motor control portion is activated.

Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a wafer, comprising depositing semiconductor material into a recess in a setter, moving the setter through a heating/cooling region to subject the semiconductor material to a temperature profile, and removing a wafer from the recess. The size and shape of the wafer are substantially equal to the size of the wafer when it is used. As a result, the wafer can be fabricated in any desired shape and with any of a variety of surface structural features and/or internal structural features. The temperature profile can be closely controlled, enabling production of wafers having structural features not previously obtainable. There are also provided wafers formed by such methods and setters for use in such methods.

Abstract: A video playback apparatus receives a control signal from a remote control device having a multipurpose key and assigns alternative functions to the received signal depending on the duration of time the control signal is received. For example, the remote may have a combination skip-forward multipurpose key which when pressed for less than a predetermined period such as one second, causes the video playback apparatus to invoke its skip mode, and when pressed for more than the predetermined period causes the video playback apparatus to invoke its forward, fast forward, or super fast forward mode, depending on the duration of time the key is pressed beyond invocation of the forward mode.

Abstract: A digital recording apparatus and a method for controlling a digital recording apparatus that provides for allowing the user to easily determine the available recording time that remains on a memory of the apparatus in response to a record command. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of detecting a first user input representing a command to start recording, and enabling display of a first screen message responsive to the first user input, where the first screen message indicates a remaining recording time available on a memory of the apparatus. The command to start recording is a command that does not specify a total recording time, for example, by the user actuating a RECORD key on a remote control device associated with the apparatus. The present invention also automatically provides another screen message that allows the user to delete data from the memory if it is determined that insufficient available recording time remains on the memory.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a lawn mower that selectively prevents operation of the lawn mower in the reverse direction with the lawn mowing mechanism operating. The arrangement includes structure (e.g., a bypass switch) actuatable by a lawn mower operator to permit the operation of the lawn mowing mechanism while the mower is propelled in the reverse direction as a bypass mode. Circuitry interacts with engine operation circuit to cause the operation circuit to selectively terminate operation of the engine when the lawn mowing mechanism is operating, as indicated by a lawn mowing mechanism switch, and the motive drive arrangement is selected to propel the lawn mower in a reverse direction, as indicated by a motive drive arrangement switch, except when the bypass mode is established. The circuitry also terminates the bypass mode when the lawn mower operator is absent as indicated by a operator present switch.

Abstract: An improved nipple, used with a percussion cap to ignite the propellent of a muzzleloader without significant ejecta from the nipple (back-flash), is disclosed. A check valve, preferably using a spherical actuator that is loosely retained within the valve chamber, is used to preclude back-flash. Use of a check valve and use of a relatively mild percussion cap (compared to primers) revealed a set of new problems that are solved by the disclosed device. Difficulty in removing spent caps, because of the lack of cap removing back-flash, was solved by flash chamber structure within the nipple adjacent to the cap. A tendency for the protective membranes of percussion caps to lodge within a nipple not having back-flash was cured by the use of an actuator retainer that directs the actuator to the side of the valve chamber during ignition. Ignition was improved by the use of a flash jet orifice and by the use of a directing actuator retainer.