Abstract: The present invention provides a system for screening broadcast programming. A viewer is configured to receive broadcast programming and to present the broadcast programming to a user. An interface is configured to receive user input from a user, the user input comprising at least a content of interest start time based on the broadcast programming. A processor is coupled to the interface and configured to store the user input and to generate a screening signal based on the user input. In a particular aspect, a broadcast recorder is coupled to the viewer and configured to store the received broadcast programming.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for screening broadcast programming. A viewer is configured to receive broadcast programming, to receive commands from a user, to receive commands from an interface coupled to the viewer, to present the received broadcast programming to the user based on commands from the user, and to present the received broadcast programming to the user based on commands from the interface. A processor is coupled to the interface and configured to receive a screening signal, to receive user input from the interface, to store the received user input, to generate a local action signal based on the user input and the received screening signal, and to transmit the local action signal to the interface. The interface is configured to receive the local action signal, to transmit commands to the viewer based on the local action signal, and to receive user input from the user, the user input comprising at least an action preference.

Abstract: A plurality of users each selects desired listening broadcast programs that are recorded by a system in a memory and indexed to the specific user. The user may also select the desired playback schedule and playback format. Conveniently, the system retrieves recorded broadcast programs stored in memory, then plays them according to the specific user's desired format and schedule. Additionally, each user may select which broadcast programs are stored, which broadcast frequencies are scanned by the system for the desired broadcast programs, and how long each broadcast program is stored in memory.

Abstract: A method for utilizing the Monte Carlo method to determine the most efficient arrangement of schedulers for a grid using a Scheduler Optimization Program (SOP). The SOP obtains the schedulers and scheduler timetable from memory and randomly selects a time period and scheduler to analyze. The SOP then uses the selected scheduler to modify the scheduler timetable. The SOP then runs the ROI calculator to obtain a ROI property for the modified timetable. If the ROI property for the modified timetable is greater than the ROI property for the original scheduler timetable, the SOP replaces the scheduler timetable with the modified timetable.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a commercial transaction is presented. An article of manufacture has a time cell that is read by an electronic apparatus. In response to a determination of a state of the time cell by the electronic apparatus, usage of the article of manufacture in a commercial transaction is enabled or denied based on the determined state of the time cell. The expiration period of a time cell controls the time period during which the commercial transaction is enabled or is denied to be performed; an unexpired time cell may both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction, and an expired time cell may also both enable or deny performance of a commercial transaction. The time cell may be used to restrict the usage period of a coupon, a promotional offer, a pre-paid service, or some other commercial transaction that involves an article of manufacture.

Abstract: A simple electronic horological device, termed a time cell, is presented with associated methods, systems, and computer program products. A time cell has an insulated, charge storage element that receives an electrostatic charge through its insulating medium, i.e. it is programmed. Over time, the charge storage element then loses the electrostatic charge through its insulating medium. Given the reduction of the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a substantially known discharge rate, and by observing the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a given point in time, an elapsed time period can be determined. Thus, the time cell is able to measure an elapsed time period without a continuous power source.

Abstract: Transitions between current and succeeding World Wide Web (Web) pages are provided which are aesthetically desirable, make the user comfortable and may be easily variable by both designers and users of Web pages in computer managed communication networks such as the Web. There are provided control tags, in a transmitted page selected to succeed a currently displayed page, for controlling display functions in said currently displayed page in combination with means responsive to these control tags for implementing said display functions. In the implementation, control tags in the current page are selectively activatable in response to control tags in the succeeding page. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the current page further includes data for selectively determining whether the current page is controllable by said succeeding page. This data my be a list of URLs (Uniform Resource Linkages) of succeeding pages only by which the current page may be controlled.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and data processing system for notifying the user of a power management delay is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the notification is by means of a change in a mouse cursor in a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A client-server arrangement for camera viewing using digital cameras across a computer network. A camera server controls a motorized gimbal which determines the viewing angle of a camera, according to signals from a client computer which is equipped with an eye movement tracking system. Movements of the viewer's eyes result in changes in viewing angle of the remote cameras. The original full-resolution image is divided into a foveal area and a peripheral area. Subsequently, if a change in the peripheral area of a field of view is detected relative to the most recently displayed image, the viewing angle of the cameras is changed to center on the detected change, and an image is captured of this anticipated future field of view. When the viewer eventually changes his or her point of interest to the area of detected change, the pre-captured image is transmitted immediately for viewing.

Abstract: An apparatus for demonstrating, investigating and observing Brownian motion and temperature of a medium, such as gas or liquid, uses a small particle which is diamagnetically suspended in the medium. The tiny magnetized particle having a known mass is levitated using a diamagnetic technique, and the displacement of the particle over time is observable, which can be used to determine a temperature of the medium. Optionally, a second particle is suspended in a vacuum but mechanically connected to the same apparatus as the first enclosure with the first particle, thereby allowing observation and measurement of non-Brownian movement of the structure, and allowing more precise observation of Brownian movement effects on the first suspended particle.

Abstract: Information elements such as text, tables, graphics, and hyperlinks, are intercepted during their transfer from a computer source to a computer destination, such as during a cut-and-paste operation. It is determined if each intercepted information element is expressed in a natural language which matches a user-specified natural language intended for the destination, and if not, one or more natural language handling actions such as translation or isolation of the information elements is performed in order to match the desired destination language. Translated information elements are delivered to the destination, and isolated elements are placed in a data store for later review and/or exchange with other elements.

Abstract: A method for updating the return on investment (ROI) templates used by business consultants. The present invention comprises a Template Evaluation Program (TEP) and a Template Analysis Program (TAP). The TEP compares the default template to the templates modified by the consultants for the customer's ROI analysis and assigns an effectiveness factor to the modified templates. The TAP develops a data list from the default templates and the effectiveness factors and plots the data on a histogram. The TAP performs a statistical analysis for each parameter and updates the default template parameter values if the data fits a normal distribution curve. If the data forms more than one peak on the histogram, then the TAP uses one peak to update the default template and uses the second peak to create a new template. The new template's parameter value is derived from the data in the second peak.

Abstract: A client-server arrangement for camera viewing using digital cameras across a computer network. A camera server controls a motorized gimbal to affect camera viewing angle changes according to signals from a client computer which is equipped with an eye movement tracking system. Movements of the viewer's eyes result in changes in viewing angle of the remote cameras. Prior to transmission, the server divides the original full-resolution image into a foveal area and a peripheral area. The peripheral area data is reduced in resolution, thereby reducing the image data size, required transmission bandwidth, transmission size, and image update latency. Later, the full resolution data from the peripheral area of the image may be transmitted to the client machine so that the full image may be rendered in original full resolution.

Abstract: An extremely sensitive accelerometer suitable for use in extreme temperatures such as those encountered during space travel is formed by levitating a magnet in a box or sphere composed of diamagnetic material such as pyrolytic carbon, and a means for measuring the position of the magnet within the enclosure is provided so that over time, the position of the magnet can be monitored. Knowing the mass of the suspended magnet, the displacement over time of the magnetic can be used to calculate acceleration, which can then be used to determine position of a space vehicle.

Abstract: A method for allowing recipient translation of information received by a data processing system configured with a user interface having in a human language which is different from the human language of the transmitted information. A desired human language for user interface with resident software applications on said data processing system is first selected. Then incoming communications to the data processing system which involves transmission of human language-based ad information are intercepted and analyzed to determine if it is in a different human language than the desired human language. When the human language of the incoming communication differs from the desired human language, the human language of the incoming communication is dynamically translated into the desired human language. Finally, the translated incoming communication is transmitted in the desired human language to an output device of the data processing system.

Abstract: An apparatus for demonstrating, investigating and observing Brownian motion and temperature of a medium, such as gas or liquid, uses a small particle which is diamagnetically suspended in the medium. The tiny magnetized particle having a known mass is levitated using a diamagnetic technique, and the displacement of the particle over time is observable, which can be used to determine a temperature of the medium. Optionally, a second particle is suspended in a vacuum but mechanically connected to the same apparatus as the first enclosure with the first particle, thereby allowing observation and measurement of non-Brownian movement of the structure, and allowing more precise observation of Brownian movement effects on the first suspended particle.

Abstract: The present invention allows the user (author or creator) of a document to specify that certain portions of a document be selected for encryption while other portions of the document remain displayed as created. The user could employ a standard word processing editor technique to highlight (or swipe) portions of a document that the user desires to be encrypted. The highlighted portion would then be ‘tagged’ with a surrounding attribute indicating to the word processor that this highlighted portion of the document is to be encrypted. This process is similar to the existing word processor capability to highlight areas on a document and then assign rich text attributes, such as BOLD, ITALICS, etc., to those areas. With proper authorization, any encrypted portion of a document would be displayed as part of the document. Without proper authorization, the display of the document would only contain the unencrypted portions of the document.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling by orchestrated movement of pistons to displace gases or fluids. The present invention uses a plurality of pistons which move in arranged patterns that force air through a channel in a single direction. The movement of air displaces heat, and the apparatus can be placed so as to provide cooling to devices in, for example, a computer system, by quietly moving air away from a heat source. The pistons are preferably moved at subsonic rates so they do not substantially contribute audible noise.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array of non-uniformly spaced pixels having a plurality of overlaid pixel sets for avoiding moiré patterns in digital images by avoiding producing an inherent “frequency” or pattern that may interfere with details or harmonics present in the image source, thereby eliminating the occurrence of moiré patterns and the need for application of image processing to remove Moiré patterns. A first set of pixels, (imaging sensors or display elements) are arranged along a two axes according to a non-uniform predictable process. The first set pixels spacing inherently produces non-uniformly spaced and sized “gaps”, in which additional sets of pixels potentially having a different characteristics from the first set, may be placed, thereby yielding an array comprised of multiple overlaid arrangements of non-uniformly spaced pixels. As such, images samples from or displayed on the additional sets of pixel sensors also avoid production of Moiré patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed that allows a participant in a conference call to receive conference call roster information at a telephone display unit, at a computer display or at both types of display. The conference call information is updated during the call and includes identification of the speaker during a conference call. The conference callers are connected together and identified either by standard caller identification or by other identification provided by the operator. The conference callers' identifications are then transmitted in two ways. First, a coded signal is sent over the telephone connection to a telephone display unit. Second, an information packet is transmitted over the Internet to a conference call participant's computer. A server computer monitors the conference call and the identification of parties involved is updated a and parties are added or disconnected. The speaking party is identified in one of two ways.