Abstract: A remote support site having a detector internally collecting information on a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic of a media-playing set or television and a server enabling specification of a preferred setting for such characteristic from this information. A method including maintaining a remote site, therefrom internally collecting information from the set about a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic, and therefrom specifying a preferred setting for such characteristic. A similar method but information detected upon user request about user-adjustable component for selecting on-screen characteristic and final step is remotely adjusting component. A similar method but information is about broadcast characteristic potentially selectable initially by user instead remotely specified initially. A similar method but information is about plural broadcast characteristics and final step is remotely providing settings for each.

Abstract: A remote support site having a detector internally collecting information on a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic of a media-playing set or television and a server enabling specification of a preferred setting for such characteristic from this information. A method including maintaining a remote site, therefrom internally collecting information from the set about a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic, and therefrom specifying a preferred setting for such characteristic. A similar method but information detected upon user request about user-adjustable component for selecting on-screen characteristic and final step is remotely adjusting component. A similar method but information is about broadcast characteristic potentially selectable initially by user instead remotely specified initially. A similar method but information is about plural broadcast characteristics and final step is remotely providing settings for each.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use with televisions having an internal Java engine are included among the embodiments. In exemplary systems, a PCMCIA port allows the Java engine to load and execute Java applets selected by the viewer. Provision is made for system-aware applets to run concurrently with platform-independent applets on different Java display planes that are merged for display. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use with televisions having an internal Java engine are included among the embodiments. In exemplary systems, a PCMCIA port allows the Java engine to load and execute Java applets selected by the viewer. Provision is made for system-aware applets to run concurrently with platform-independent applets on different Java display planes that are merged for display. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A circuit system and process utilizes back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage to assist in safe power down of devices, such as the read/write head in from low factor disk drives or similar devices. The BEMF voltage from a motor device, such as a spindle motor utilized in a circuit using negative voltage to drive some switches, such as positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (“PMOS”) driver transistors, to reduce and/or effectively minimize the on-resistance of the switches while delivering the current from BEMF voltage of the motor to another device, such as a motor that retracts controls a read/write head.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a television system having an internal microphone for implementing a voice-messaging system. Using the microphone, the television system detects a message spoken by a user of the television system, and records the message to a memory. Some embodiments of the invention may also record metadata about the message. Embodiments of the invention alert an intended recipient of the message using the audio output or video output of the television system, and subsequently reproduce the message using the audio output of the television system. Other embodiments of the invention are described in the specification and the claims.

Abstract: A Personal Video Recorder (PVR) generates an object index table in real-time that can be updated while streaming media is being encoded and stored in memory. This allows more dynamic video trick mode operations such as fast forward, reverse and skip. The PVR also provides automatic data rate control that prevents video frames from being dropped thus preventing jitter in the output media.

Abstract: A plural-source-capable, broadcast-reception, audio/video system and methodology which freely enable the simultaneous display, on a single television receiver screen, of different categories of these broadcast-information components which may be being broadcast at the same time from two different broadcast sources.

Abstract: A method for displaying content on a video display comprising the steps of coupling the video display with an external storage device having content files stored thereon. The content files from the external storage device are then grouped into one or more groups of content files by file type. Each of the groups are associated with a selectable icon, and the grouped content files of a particular type are displayed on the video display responsive to selection of the associated icon.

Abstract: Java Applets are packaged in a JAR file, including accompanying classes and resources as well as one addition file—a descriptor file. This last file can be read from the JAR file, and scanned to extract an icon to represent the applet on a menu, the applet's name in market applicable languages, applet size and position, and the applets main class name. No further processing need be done to present this applet to the user for selection. The entire applet need not be loaded into memory until the user requests it by using a remote control to select one of the applets represented on the display by a labeled icon. Once the user has selected the application, the applet can be sized and launched without further scanning.

Abstract: An intelligent, interactively maneuverable interface display of current electronic programming guide (EPG) textual information presentable on a user's television screen. The display, which is organized as a context display, includes keyword-sensitized text, and a virtual, user-employable navigation tool, such as a scrollbar tool, which, via a hand-held remote control device, enables a user quickly, intuitively, and with appropriate user-specific focus to locate programming material of special interest. Display information which is thus accessed by user manipulation of this tool is arranged in a sensible hierarchical manner so as to define different levels of focus-resolution which relate to different “positions” of a handle in the scrollbar tool.

Abstract: A system, a methodology and a related, on-screen, interactive user interface which displays electronic programming guide (EPG) text, with highlighted and user-selectable keywords that enable focused, precision informational navigation through the available EPG database. The display also presents different categories of virtual tools that can be employed by a user for navigating purposes, accessible via a suitable remote, hand-held control device.

Abstract: A plural-source-capable, broadcast-reception, audio/video system and methodology which freely enable the simultaneous display, on a single television receiver screen, of different categories of these broadcast-information components which may be being broadcast at the same time from two different broadcast sources.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted for use in a distributed network of electronic devices. The device includes a processor, a communications layer and memory. The communications layer is in electronic communication with the processor for communications with the distributed network. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. A software element is configured by an application to send a request to a plurality of receiver components where the request requires a response from each receiver component of the plurality of receiver components. The device also includes a smart listener configured to receive the request from the software element and to store the request in the memory. The smart listener is configured to transmit the request to the plurality of receiver components through the distributed network and to listen for responses from any of the plurality of receiver components.

Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated 3-D conductive pillar and a method of formation thereof. Significant economic savings are achieved by filling a substantial portion of the volume of the pillar with a lesser expensive conductive material. Additionally, the encapsulated 3-D conductor pillar forms a suitable unreactive, oxygen-stable electrode for use with high-dielectric constant (HDC) materials as the encapsulating barrier layer metal provides a stable conductive interface between the HDC material and the encapsulated conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention provides an encapsulated 3-D conductive pillar and a method of formation thereof. Significant economic savings are achieved by filling a substantial portion of the volume of the pillar with a lesser expensive conductive material. Additionally, the encapsulated 3-D conductor pillar forms a suitable unreactive, oxygen-stable electrode for use with high-dielectric constant (HDC) materials as the encapsulating barrier layer metal provides a stable conductive interface between the HDC material and the encapsulated conductive material.

Abstract: A direct liquid injection system and process which has on-line cleaning of the vaporizers without the need for shutting down the CVD process and thus eliminating down time is provided. The cleaning process includes the steps of providing at least one metalorganic precursor to a first vaporizer to produce a vapor containing the at least one precursor; transporting the vapor to a deposition chamber; periodically interrupting the supply of the at least one metalorganic precursor to the first vaporizer; providing the at least one metalorganic precursor to a second vaporizer to produce a vapor containing the at least one precursor; transporting the vapor to the deposition chamber; and during at least a portion of the time when the supply of the metalorganic precursor is interrupted to the first vaporizer, providing a cleaning fluid (either liquid solvent or cleaning gas plasma) to the first vaporizer, which fluid is effective to at least partially remove deposits of the metalorganic precursor.

Abstract: A direct liquid injection system and process which has on-line cleaning of the vaporizers without the need for shutting down the CVD process and thus eliminating down time is provided. The cleaning process includes the steps of providing at least one metalorganic precursor to a first vaporizer to produce a vapor containing the at least one precursor; transporting the vapor to a deposition chamber; periodically interrupting the supply of the at least one metalorganic precursor to the first vaporizer; providing the at least one metalorganic precursor to a second vaporizer to produce a vapor containing the at least one precursor; transporting the vapor to the deposition chamber; and during at least a portion of the time when the supply of the metalorganic precursor is interrupted to the first vaporizer, providing a cleaning fluid (either liquid solvent or cleaning gas plasma) to the first vaporizer, which fluid is effective to at least partially remove deposits of the metalorganic precursor.