Abstract: There is provided a data processing apparatus for segmental processing of input data. The apparatus includes a plurality of data processors connected in a series configuration, the plurality of data processors being able to transmit discrete data packets over a video bus to one another, with the plurality of data processors being divided into a plurality of data processing sets; and a central controller coupled to the plurality of data processors for controlling allocation of the input data to the plurality of data processing sets, the central controller being also for controlling transmission of output data from the apparatus. The apparatus incorporates several varying methods for data transmittal amongst data processors and has several applications which will be described.

Abstract: An earphone set with a first earphone and a second earphone, the earphone set comprising: a connector for connecting the first earphone and the second earphone; a memory module for storing audio data; and a power management module for preventing short circuit or inductive surge in current arising from connection or disconnection of the first earphone or the second earphone from the connector, the first earphone comprising: a first sound driver for sound production; and a power supply module for powering the earphone set; the second earphone comprising: a second sound driver for sound production; and a processing unit for converting the stored audio data in the memory module into sound producible by the first sound driver and the second sound driver, the power supply module being adapted to provide power to the first sound driver, the memory module, the second sound driver, and the processing unit, the connector enabling a functional connection between the first earphone and the second earphone, the memory mod

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for enabling karaoke. The apparatus includes a casing for the apparatus; a microphone array incorporated within the casing, the microphone array being concealed from a user by the casing; a controller coupled to the microphone array to at least process audio signals from the user input at the microphone array; a data storage device coupled to the controller, the data storage device being for storing pre-recorded songs used for karaoke, and for storing songs as sung by the user; and an image capturing device coupled to the controller, the image capturing device being for capturing images of the user while the user is singing, with the captured images of the user being stored on the data storage device.

Abstract: There is provided a first dock for a portable hard disk, where the first dock is connectable to a host device. There is also provided a corresponding method for accessing content on the host device during use of the dock. It is advantageous that the host device is able to access content from portable hard disks that are docked with the first dock and a second dock.

Abstract: An earphone set with a first earphone and a second earphone, the earphone set comprising: a connector for connecting the first earphone and the second earphone; a memory module for storing audio data; and a power management module for preventing short circuit or inductive surge in current arising from connection or disconnection of the first earphone or the second earphone from the connector, the first earphone comprising: a first sound driver for sound production; and a power supply module for powering the earphone set; the second earphone comprising: a second sound driver for sound production; and a processing unit for converting the stored audio data in the memory module into sound producible by the first sound driver and the second sound driver, the power supply module being adapted to provide power to the first sound driver, the memory module, the second sound driver, and the processing unit, the connector enabling a functional connection between the first earphone and the second earphone, the memory mod

Abstract: There is provided a data processing apparatus for segmental processing of input data. The apparatus includes a plurality of data processors connected in a series configuration, the plurality of data processors being able to transmit discrete data packets over a video bus to one another, with the plurality of data processors being divided into a plurality of data processing sets; and a central controller coupled to the plurality of data processors for controlling allocation of the input data to the plurality of data processing sets, the central controller being also for controlling transmission of output data from the apparatus. The apparatus incorporates several varying methods for data transmittal amongst data processors and has several applications which will be described.

Abstract: An earphone set with a first earphone and a second earphone, the earphone set comprising: a connector for connecting the first earphone and the second earphone; a memory module for storing audio data; and a power management module for preventing short circuit or inductive surge in current arising from connection or disconnection of the first earphone or the second earphone from the connector, the first earphone comprising: a first sound driver for sound production; and a power supply module for powering the earphone set; the second earphone comprising: a second sound driver for sound production; and a processing unit for converting the stored audio data in the memory module into sound producible by the first sound driver and the second sound driver, the power supply module being adapted to provide power to the first sound driver, the memory module, the second sound driver, and the processing unit, the connector enabling a functional connection between the first earphone and the second earphone, the memory mod

Abstract: There is provided a first dock for a portable hard disk, where the first dock is connectable to a host device. There is also provided a corresponding method for accessing content on the host device during use of the dock. It is advantageous that the host device is able to access content from portable hard disks that are docked with the first dock and a second dock.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for enabling karaoke. The apparatus includes a casing for the apparatus; a microphone array incorporated within the casing, the microphone array being concealed from a user by the casing; a controller coupled to the microphone array to at least process audio signals from the user input at the microphone array; a data storage device coupled to the controller, the data storage device being for storing pre-recorded songs used for karaoke, and for storing songs as sung by the user; and an image capturing device coupled to the controller, the image capturing device being for capturing images of the user while the user is singing, with the captured images of the user being stored on the data storage device.

Abstract: In a first aspect, there is provided a method for locating a position of at least one sound generating object using at least one audio pulse, with the at least one audio pulse being detected by a plurality of stationary microphones located at a first position being spaced apart by a pre-determined distance. In a second aspect, there is provided a method for locating a position of a microphone using audio pulses emitted from a plurality of sound generating objects. The at least one audio pulse may preferably be in a form of a logarithmic swept sine (LSS) signal, as the LSS signal is detectable at both low volumes and amidst background noises.

Abstract: A portable audio enhancement and media player device and method are disclosed for enabling an electronic consumer product such as a personal computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), cellular phone or the like, to process and format media having different data formats such “wav” “mp3”, “mov”, “midi” files, and the like. The portable device may be connected to an electronic consumer product via a connector such as universal serial bus (USB), firewire, audio out, audio in, and the like. By connecting the portable device via one of the connectors, the portable device provides the required processors for processing audio/video media data necessary to play such data formats and enable the electronic consumer product with sound card and media player functionality.

Abstract: A portable digital device having at least two control devices for controlling at least two operating functions of the portable digital device; a digital display for displaying information; and a processor. The processor is for rotating the information from a right-handed orientation to a left-handed orientation and vice versa, and remapping the at least two control devices to reverse their operating functions to allow for use of the portable digital device in both the first orientation and the second orientation. Upon remapping skip forward and skip back operating functions are interchanged, increase volume and decrease volume operating functions are interchanged; and menu move to the left and right operating functions are interchanged.

Abstract: There is provided a portable digital device including: a display; a processor for rotating content shown on the display from a first orientation to a second orientation; a connector for connection of the portable digital device to a peripheral device; and at least two control devices for controlling at least two operational functions of the portable digital device. It is advantageous that the content shown on the display is automatically rotated from a first orientation to a second orientation by the processor when a functional connection to the peripheral device is made using the connector. The content may be rotated as a single entity or it may be rotated pixel-by-pixel. Depending on the peripheral device, the rotation may be either 90° or 180°. The functional connection may preferably be detected by the processor using a mechanical switch, an impedence meter and a combination of the aforementioned. There is also provided a method for automatically reconfiguring a setup of a portable digital device.

Abstract: In a CD drive 100, a tracking subsystem comprising tracking detector 330, a control processor 310 and tracking actuator assembly 340, is coupled to photodiodes A-F, to have the lens assembly 200 track a data track 140 on a disc 105. A vibration detector subsystem comprising a vibration detector 350, the control processor 310, and the speed setting function 315, is also coupled to photodiodes A-F, and the vibration detector subsystem disables the tracking subsystem and detects vibration of the lens assembly 200 at a resonant speed.