Gateway, Inc.

Gateway 2000, Inc.

Ncr Corporation

Frank W Liebenow

Robert J Burnett

Richard Nelson

Bruce A Young

Keith Thomas

Stephen P Vossler

Mark Rapaich

Paul O Amdahl

Ajay Gupta

Carrie A Carlson

Tim Gilbert

Michael E Tubbs

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for encoding a series of still images. The first image is captured and stored, then for each subsequent image of the series, that image is captured and compared to the first image or the previous image and difference information between the first or previous image and each subsequent image of the series is stored, resulting in one output file that contains the base image and difference information for each subsequent image, thereby reducing the amount of storage needed to store a series of images.

Motion encoding of still images

A system and method for increasing capabilities of streaming content including video on demand to multiple users are provided. The system includes a central broadcast station and at least two user locations for receiving streaming content from the central broadcast station. Each user location includes receiving equipment capable of tuning into more than one channel simultaneously and capable of capturing content from a first channel in a first in first out buffer as it presents content from a second channel.

Method of increasing capabilities of streaming content including video on demand

A method for optimizing a code sequence by tuning the representations of an instruction set based on the frequency of operations performed by the code sequence. For example, the number of bit symbols used to represent a code sequence may be reduced using the present invention.

Huffman-L compiler optimized for cell-based computers or other computers having reconfigurable instruction sets

A method of performing power down of a computer monitor when a video signal is no longer present and apparatus which performs the method schedules an automatic power conservation mode after a given period of time unless an inhibiting power sustain command embedded in the video signal is received. The power sustain command is placed in the regular video signal at a regular interval. The frequency of the command may be made shorter than the power-off timeout in order to maintain the power-on state of the monitor. Multiple time lapse thresholds may be set to permit multiple power conservation modes. This method may be implemented without making hardware changes in retrofitting a monitor.

Monitor power management

A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting the ineffectiveness or failure of a fan that is used to cool an electronic device. The method and apparatus use temperatures measured before and after the fan is energized to determine if the temperature trend is affected by the operation of the fan. If the trend is not substantially affected by the operation of the fan, it is determined that the fan is not operating effectively and the user may be notified.

Method of determining cooling system effectiveness

Digitally encoded content (e.g., music) is provided in a protected mode, along with a player that can unlock and/or decode this music on a user's personal computer (PC) for enjoyment only at their PC. Since the music is in a proprietary, protected form, the user cannot download to players for other formats, e.g., MP3 players, nor can a CD be burned for use external to the PC. If the user decides that they like the content and wants to use it on another playback device, e.g., a MP3 player, or copy it onto a CD-R for use in a standard audio player, the user can initiate a transaction for payment through the player. Once the transaction is completed, the player either converts or transforms the content into a format usable by the, e.g., MP3 player, or converts or transforms the content into wave format and writes it to a CD-R.

Music distribution apparatus and method

A portable computer system with a battery and a processor, a memory, a display and storage device; all powered by the battery which includes a power management circuit configured to control the operation of the processor and memory in order to vary an amount of power consumed. The power management circuit is configured to accept a requested operating time and is configured to signal the power management circuit to modify the operation of the processor, memory, storage device and display so that the portable computer system can operate from the battery for said requested operating time.

Method and apparatus for power management by user needs

For analog telephone service subscribers, an apparatus and a method is provided for displaying a caller's originating number and/or the current time of day on the subscriber's incoming call line identification equipment. The subscriber's originating telephone number is obtained from a database within the telephone switching system providing POTS service to the subscriber. The time of day is obtained from a real-time clock within or in communication with the telephone switching system. Data is preferably transmitted to the subscriber's equipment by analog frequency shift keyed protocol.

Time, date and originating number display provided to calling party

The present invention is directed to a cellular or cordless phone whereby power line networking is either integrated within its base station and/or charger or added as a module that can be installed into the base station and/or charger, providing a method of transferring network data between the cellular or cordless phone and another processing element connected to the power line without any additional cables.

Home power line network connected phone

A grid power mode is defined such that, when the PC is in a grid power mode, pressing the power switch of the PC retains power to the system, but restores operation of the PC to the 'on/off/standby' mode the user expects. Other aspects include: an indicator telling the user that a grid function is in progress; a reprogrammed power on/off/resume switch; and a notification protocol.

Method of switching modes of a computer operating in a grid environment based on the current operating mode

A surge suppressor includes a high-pass filter configured to pass signals in the range suitable for use in a powerline network.

Surge protector including data pass-through

A powerline networking adapter attaches to a power brick and includes a network data connection and two AC power connections. In another embodiment, a hybrid power brick includes both AC-DC power conversion elements and powerline networking adapter circuits in the brick.

Power line networking adapter

The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing a device with protection from a weather event. A method for providing a device with protection from weather events may include receiving a notification of a weather event. At least one weather characteristic of the weather event is determined and whether at least one device of a plurality of devices is ascertained as susceptible to the determined weather characteristic. Protective action is taken to protect the at least one device susceptible to the determined weather characteristic from the notified weather event.

System and method for providing a device with protection from a weather event

A pointing device of a computer having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed. In a mouse pointing device embodiment, the mouse is movable over a mouse pad having a surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions. The mouse includes a mechanism to detect the position over which it has been moved, and conveys this information to the computer to which it is coupled. Specifically, the surface having a plurality of uniquely coded positions in one embodiment is a two-color gradient in which each color goes from maximum to minimum intensity level over an axis perpendicular to that of the other. The mechanism includes sensors to detect the intensity levels of the colors. In another embodiment, a joystick pointing device having absolute and relative positioning capability is disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Dakota Dunes, SD, United States of America

Frank W Liebenow