Abstract: An electrical system may include a processing circuit and one or more electrical components that emit thermal heat energy. The processing circuit may be configured to identify signal degradation or failure of an in-band communication channel between the electrical system and a second electrical system, identify a data message to transmit to the additional electrical system via an out-of-band communication channel, and direct the one or more electrical components to adjust an electrical workload to modulate and transmit the data message on the out-of-band communication channel as a recoverable sequence of thermal pulses.

Abstract: An electrical system may include a processing circuit and one or more electrical components that emit thermal heat energy. The processing circuit may be configured to identify signal degradation or failure of an in-band communication channel between the electrical system and a second electrical system, identify a data message to transmit to the additional electrical system via an out-of-band communication channel, and direct the one or more electrical components to adjust an electrical workload to modulate and transmit the data message on the out-of-band communication channel as a recoverable sequence of thermal pulses.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques generating one or more polynomial elements for a polynomial function using a node value of a pseudo random number generator tree as a seed value, the polynomial function comprising a secret value and the polynomial elements, and the pseudo random number generator tree at least partially matching at least one other pseudo random number generator tree on another device, generating a plurality of share values based on the one or more polynomial elements and the polynomial function and distributing a share value of the plurality of share values to a device.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to an apparatus, method and other techniques generating one or more polynomial elements for a polynomial function using a node value of a pseudo random number generator tree as a seed value, the polynomial function comprising a secret value and the polynomial elements, and the pseudo random number generator tree at least partially matching at least one other pseudo random number generator tree on another device, generating a plurality of share values based on the one or more polynomial elements and the polynomial function and distributing a share value of the plurality of share values to a device.

Abstract: A computer system includes a display device, a storage device on which an application program is stored, and a processor. The processor retrieves the application program from the storage device and, under control of the application program, generates or receives a text string to be displayed on the display device. An information management engine receives the text string and uses it to generate a list of sources of information related to the text string. A display driver delivers the text string both to the display device for rendering and to the information management engine. The display driver also receives the list from the information management engine and delivers it to the display device for rendering.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing media center audio through microphones embedded in a remote control are described. One embodiment of the method involves receiving a command to optimize audio of two or more speakers. Audio data is outputted on the two or more speakers in response to the command. The outputted audio data is collected via a left microphone and a right microphone in the remote control. The collected audio data is analyzed to determine adjustments to the audio data outputted by the two or more speakers in order to optimize the outputted audio data.

Abstract: In a reconfigurable communication system, transmission and configuration data may be screened for authorization to provide security, to prevent unauthorized forms of transmission.

Abstract: In a reconfigurable communication network, a device may be equipped to support connecting to a single host using more than one communication protocol and more than one communication interface with the host.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a reconfigurable communication device may include an authentication element to authenticate configuration requests intended to configure a configurable element within the reconfigurable communication device. In the event a configuration request is authorized, the authentication element passes the configuration request onto the configurable element. In the event a configuration request is not authorized, the authentication node takes measures to prevent the configuration request from configuring the configurable element, including discarding the configuration request or resetting the reconfigurable communication device. In the event a configuration request is not addressed to the authentication element, the configuration request may be readdressed to the authentication element.

Abstract: A computer system includes a display device, a storage device on which an application program is stored, and a processor. The processor retrieves the application program from the storage device and, under control of the application program, generates or receives a text string to be displayed on the display device. An information management engine receives the text string and uses it to generate a list of sources of information related to the text string. A display driver delivers the text string both to the display device for rendering and to the information management engine. The display driver also receives the list from the information management engine and delivers it to the display device for rendering.

Abstract: A computer system includes a display device, a storage device on which an application program is stored, and a processor. The processor retrieves the application program from the storage device and, under control of the application program, generates or receives a text string to be displayed on the display device. An information management engine receives the text string and uses it to generate a list of sources of information related to the text string. A display driver delivers the text string both to the display device for rendering and to the information management engine. The display driver also receives the list from the information management engine and delivers it to the display device for rendering.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for taking digital pictures. A film camera having a standard back panel, a shutter, and a primary lens is provided. An image sensing array is disposed within the camera in an area normally occupied by film so as to be in optical communication with the primary lens when the shutter is open. A read-out circuit is packaged to reside in a cavity normally occupied by film when the camera is employed to take standard pictures. The read-out circuit is coupled to the image sensing array and reads out an image captured by the image sensing array. A memory is coupled to a read-out circuit to store images read from the image sensing array. The memory is packaged to also reside in a cavity vacated in the absence of film. In one embodiment, the read-out circuit and the memory occupy the same cavity. In another embodiment, the read-out circuit and the memory occupy different cavities.