Abstract: Bandwidth optimized channel surfing allow users to experience channel surfing without delay between switching channels when buffering delays are a concern. Audio associated with the surfed channel can be presented to the user in full. Video can be presented at lower frame rates per second than for continuous video. Video sampling or channel surfing mode can mean, for example, that 5 frames per second are displayed to the user. Main video viewing mode can display the full 24 or more frames per second that continuous video is presented at. An interface for channel surfing can determine an automatic switch back to full video. This switch back to full frames per second can occur when a user has hovered over a channel being surfed for a pre-determined amount of time. A user interactive selection of the channel can also result in the switch from channel surfing to main video viewing mode.

Abstract: An electronic ink display of a device has a set of charged pigment particles suspended within a fluid. The charged pigment particles and the fluid are positioned between a first surface and a second surface of the display. An electrical charge is able to be applied that causes the charged pigment particles to move within the fluid. Movement of the charged particles results in the charged pigment particles being rearranged to form text or images viewable through the first surface. A luminescent substance is positioned between the first surface and the second surface. When activated, the luminescent substance emits visible light that is transmitted through the first surface.

Abstract: User defined controls for media censorship may define values for content of the media for a user. Controls can be specific to nudity in the media, sexuality of the media, language offensiveness of the media, and/or violence in the media. When a user requests a media instance, a default version can be checked for default artifacts that violate the controls. Replacement artifacts can be created for each violating default artifact. Modified media can be created that replaces the default artifacts with the replacement ones. The modified media can be provided to the user in response to the user request.

Abstract: An illuminated electrophoretic device comprising of an electrophoretic display having a set of microcapsules suspended within a insulating liquid. The insulating liquid can be sandwiched between a first surface and a second surface, where each microcapsule encapsulates a set of charged particles. The first surface can be transparent, permitting light to be transmitted. A light source can be configured to transmit visible light through the first surface and/or the second surface. The transmitted light can illuminate the microcapsules and/or the insulating liquid.

Abstract: A solution for altering content embedded in digital media responsive to user or provider preferences where, upon identifying embedded media content that represents product placement or is linked to specific consumer ratings, the solution can manipulate said embedded media content in accordance with the selection previously made. Playback of the digital media artifact is adjusted accordingly and seamlessly from the viewpoint of the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (200) and apparatus (700 and 800) for identifying individuals in a crowd. The method comprises the steps of selecting an identification signal (204), sending the identification signal (206) to the electronic device (802) of an individual/individuals to be identified by using an electronic device (702), available with the user; and selectively activating (208) the electronic device (802). The user can identify the individual based on the activated electronic device.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system (10) including a first energy storage device (12), such as a secondary or rechargeable battery, and a second energy storage device (14), such as an electrochemical capacitor, fuel cell, or flywheel. The second energy storage device provides intermittent energy bursts to satisfy the power requires of, for example, pulsed power communication devices. The first and second energy storage devices are coupled to a current controller to assure that pulse transients are not applied to the first energy storage device as a result of charging the second energy storage device.

Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system (10) including a first energy storage device (12), such as a secondary or rechargeable battery, and a second energy storage device (14), such as an electrochemical capacitor. The electrochemical capacitor provides intermittent energy bursts to satisfy the power requires of, for example, pulsed power communication devices. The first and second energy storage devices are coupled to a current controller to assure that pulse transients are not applied to the battery cell as a result of charging the capacitor.

Abstract: In a circuit having an electromechanical transducer, such as a motor (22), a control switch (24) is controlled by a control circuit (26) to connect the motor to, and disconnect from, a battery (12). When control switch opens, thereby disconnecting the motor from the battery, the momentum achieved by the motor tends keep the motor turning, causing the motor to behave like a generator. A switch network (28) connects a first capacitor (30), which is initially discharged, across the motor at the same time the control switch disconnects it from the battery. The momentum of the motor, and any attached mechanical system (32), generates a transient charge which is collected by the first capacitor. When the voltage produced by the collected charge reaches a peak, the switch network disconnects the first capacitor from the motor, reorients the first capacitor, and waits to apply the voltage to the motor.

Abstract: A device (111) for simulating a high battery temperature used in charging a rechargeable cell (101). The device takes advantage of a control signal generated by a voltage control circuit (103) used to disconnect a rechargeable cell (101) from a charging system (105) when a predetermined voltage is reached. The device (111) is generally used with cells having a lithium based chemistry and requiring a different charging regime then nickel chemistry cells. The device (111) is activated by the control signal from control circuit (103) which detects a predetermined voltage from rechargeable cell (101) enabling thermistor (113) to change its state. This change is detected by the charging system (105) which alters its mode of operation from a rapid charging rate to a slower charging rate. The device is retrofitable to existing rechargeable batteries allowing them to be charged using existing charging systems alien to the rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A battery recharge current source 12 provides a recharge current 14 to battery cells 16. Recharge current 14 is in excess of an optimum recharge current level for battery cells 16 and is divided into currents 26 and 28 by variable shunt load 24 as controlled by charge current control circuit 18. Charge current control circuit 18 is comprised of current sense circuit 20 and load control circuit 22. Current sense circuit 20 produces a current sense signal in response to current through battery cells 16. Load control circuit 22 is responsive to the current sense signal and controls variable shunt load 24 as needed to conduct excess current away from the battery cells.

Abstract: A lockout circuit is provided in a battery pack (10) which blocks charging by incompatible chargers while allowing charging by a compatible charger (12). The battery comprises a battery cell or cells (22), and a switch circuit (24). The switch circuit blocks charge current until a switch disable signal is provided to a switch disable contact (18). The switch circuit provides a one way bypass so that the battery may provide power to a device. To eliminate voltage drop while powering a device, a current sense circuit is provided to detect discharge current, and disable the switch circuit.

Abstract: A battery pack (10) includes a circuit (14) for assuring that a device (16) connected to the battery pack performs in a manner consistent with design requirements, while not exceeding certain thresholds for safety in volatile environments. The battery pack (10) includes a circuit (14) which matches performance requirements with the overall temperature likely to be generated by the device (16).

Abstract: A battery system (400) for use with portable electronic products which includes protection circuitry for allowing the battery system to be safely recharged in a recharging system. The battery system (400) includes cells (401) and a plurality of controls including and overcharge protection circuit (433) for limiting the amount of current to the cells (401) by a charging network and a thermistor (415) and thermistor control (417) for controlling the state of the thermistor (415) to simulate a high temperature condition allowing the charging network to switch modes and accommodate battery system (400) which does not following the charging regimen provided by charging system.

Abstract: A battery pack (10) includes at least one battery cell (16) and a current interrupt device (18) adapted to protect said cells from damage during charging or discharge. The battery pack (10) is further adapted to be recharged at extremely fast recharge rates via the use of a bypass switch (20) which allows current to be diverted around current interrupt device (18) during recharge. The bypass switch (20) is controlled by a control circuit (22) which provides a control signal and response to sensing a charge current.

Abstract: A current limited linear regulator including a pass transistor 56 is provided with a shutdown circuit 64 comprised of a shutdown transistor 90, base resistor 92, and zener diode 98. When a excessive load is placed on the regulator and the current level limit is reached, the output voltage begins to drop and the voltage drop V2 across the pass transistor 56 increases. When the voltage drop V2 across the pass transistor 56 is equivalent to the sum of the zener voltage of the zener diode 98 and the emitter-base junction bias voltage of the shutdown transistor 90, the transistor 90 switches a current into bias resistor 62 that prevents the control circuit from regulating the output, causing the pass transistor to become highly resistive and shut off. The shutdown circuit holds this condition until the offending load is effectively removed. The zener diode is chosen according to the power rating of the pass transistor 56 and the predetermined current level limit.

Abstract: A battery pack (10) is connected to a load or charger (12) and includes battery cells (20), under-voltage switch (22), a first voltage controlled switch (24), over-voltage switch (28), and second voltage controlled switch (30). Under-voltage switch (22) can block only discharge current, any recharge current may pass through it regardless of its switch state. Over-voltage switch (28) can block only recharge current when switched off and will always allow discharge current to flow regardless of its switch state. First voltage controlled switch (24) maintains under-voltage switch (22) on while battery voltage V1 is above a predetermined under-voltage level. When V1 drops to, or below, the under-voltage level first voltage controlled switch (24) switches off under-voltage switch (22) with a switch signal on line (26). Second voltage controlled switch (30) maintains over-voltage switch (28) on while battery voltage V1 is below a predetermined over-voltage level.

Abstract: A battery pack 12 for powering a device 14 sensitive to input voltage contains a protection switch 28 and a control circuit 26. When the battery pack 12 is charged by a charger 10 and the voltage of the battery pack approaches the maximum safe level of the device 14, the control circuit 26 causes the protection switch 28 to electrically switch open to protect the device 14 from excessive voltage potentially output by the charger. Where the cells 16 are lithium ion cells or a type having a maximum safe voltage, a safety switch 49 is included to interrupt charge current 52 through the cells 16. The safety switch 49 is delayed by resistor/capacitor network 51, 53 so that it switches after the protection switch 28. The safety switch 49 includes a diode 58 to allow the device 14 to remain powered while the safety switch is blocking charge current. Further, diodes 40 and 42 are required to eliminate measurement error of the control circuit 26 if the battery pack 12 is charged through the device contacts 20 and 24.

Abstract: A battery charger for lithium ion cells closely monitors cell voltage, and charge time, so as to avoid the over-application of charge to the cell. Charge pulses (104) are followed by a first rest (110), a discharge (112) and a second rest, (120) period prior to re-initiating the charge pulse. If the battery voltage reaches a preselected maximum, in less than a pre-selected period of time, the charge pulse is reduced by a preselected minimum factor. Cycling of the cell is continued until the cells are fully charged.

Abstract: A bi-level current limiting circuit is provided for purposes of maintaining safe battery operation in hostile or otherwise volatile environments. The bi-level current limiting circuit includes two sub-circuits, a first sub-circuit for establishing a maximum current level output from a battery pack into which the circuit is incorporated, and a second sub circuit for establishing a steady state current level output.