Abstract: A headphone speaker system includes over-the-ear speakers (left and right) and inner-ear speakers (left and right). The left over-the-ear speaker and the right over-the-ear speaker are configured to receive a left surround audio channel of an audio signal and a right surround audio channel of the audio signal, respectively, from a surround sound processor, and are configured to be positioned outside a left ear canal of a user and outside a right ear canal of the user, respectively. The left inner-ear speaker and the right inner-ear speaker are configured to receive a left front audio channel of the audio signal and a right front audio channel of the audio signal, respectively, from the surround sound processor, and are configured to be positioned at least partially within the left ear canal of the user and at least partially within the right ear canal of the user, respectively.

Abstract: A headphone speaker system includes over-the-ear speakers (left and right) and inner-ear speakers (left and right). The left over-the-ear speaker and the right over-the-ear speaker are configured to receive a left surround audio channel of an audio signal and a right surround audio channel of the audio signal, respectively, from a surround sound processor, and are configured to be positioned outside a left ear canal of a user and outside a right ear canal of the user, respectively. The left inner-ear speaker and the right inner-ear speaker are configured to receive a left front audio channel of the audio signal and a right front audio channel of the audio signal, respectively, from the surround sound processor, and are configured to be positioned at least partially within the left ear canal of the user and at least partially within the right ear canal of the user, respectively.

Abstract: Animated indicators monitor the state of a software container and reflect the state of the container, potentially including information such as amount, type, and activity of the container. As the state of the container changes, an animation routine accordingly changes. Users are presented with up-to-date and detailed information about a container represented by a small graphic pictorial. Thus, the user receives a continuous supply of useful information about the container without having to specifically select and view the container as a full screen representation.

Abstract: A modular, integrated software-based system for tracking spare parts, consumables and refurbishable parts. These are tracked for usage in tools, in kits, and to provide links to additional data, such as on-line manuals. Individual parts are assigned unique tracking numbers and are tracked. Tracking data is available in different formats for different personnel. Kits are tracked, a tracking number is assigned to reusable parts in the kit, and the maintenance of the reusable parts is logged and tracked through the software. Part lists are provided for the parts in each store, with the part ID in each list being linked to a description in a central repository. Separate stores with the same parts are also linked to the same description. In one embodiment, the invention provides a needs list for auditing, a pick list for picking items from the store, and a stocking list for indicating the parts that have been stocked.

Abstract: A computer system and method provide networked computer users with information about which other users are task proximate to the user, thereby facilitating spontaneous communications regarding task-related, or other, issues. The information about other users is displayed in a user interface window on each computer that presents a visual representation of each user who is task proximate to the user operating the computer. Task proximity to other users may change as the user context switches between applications, and the user interface window is updated accordingly. Task proximity is determined individually by different applications. One exemplary system architecture for providing the information includes a person object representing each user, and storing the visual representation of the user. An encounter window on each computer displays the visual representations. A number of encounter-aware applications may execute on each computer.

Abstract: A computer system and method provide networked computer users with information about which other users are task proximate to the user, thereby facilitating spontaneous communications regarding task-related, or other, issues. The information about other users is displayed in a user interface window on each computer that presents a visual representation of each user who is task proximate to the user operating the computer. Task proximity to other users may change as the user context switches between applications, and the user interface window is updated accordingly. Task proximity is determined individually by different applications. One exemplary system architecture for providing the information includes a person object representing each user, and storing the visual representation of the user. An encounter window on each computer displays the visual representations. A number of encounter-aware applications may execute on each computer.

Abstract: A system and method provides each networked computer user with a user interface displaying visual representations of selected other computer users, generally of those workers in the user's workgroup, and further provides communication mechanisms for efficiently and easily contacting any of the displayed workers. The visual representations of the other users are frequently updated to indicate the activity level of these users. These activity level cues help users predict if the other users are likely to be available for an interaction. The user interface also includes a display portion and mechanism for storing data files and the like so that all workgroup members may accumulate a set data files commonly used by the workgroup, and may transfer files in this manner to other workgroup members. The data files may be stored in association with specific interactive discussion windows, known as chat rooms, or directly in the user interface.

Abstract: A multimedia display and editing system for editing multimedia projects on a display screen. A computer display screen is presented to the user which provides three different views of multimedia information. The first view is the Player which resembles a virtual video recorder with a display monitor. The second view is a story board which is very similar to a traditional story board. The third view is the Strip Viewer which presents the user with a time-line based view of the multimedia information. On the Strip Viewer display is an innovative screen tool referred to as a "Splinder", which is used for editing the beginning and ending points of displayed multimedia tracks. The Splinder splits two segments of multimedia information. The Splinder can be used to edit the ends of the two multimedia information segments.