Audible feedback for input activation of a remote control device
US Patent 8,629,754
January 14, 2014
A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.
Networked sonar observation of selected seabed environments
US Patent 8,625,391
January 7, 2014
A sonar transducer network for observing a seabed includes a controller. A first transducer assembly includes a first acoustic transducer to convert a first ping to a first electrical signal; and a first transducer processor to receive a first electrical signal from the first acoustic transducer to generate the first transducer data. At least one second transducer assembly is spaced apart from the first transducer assembly. The second transducer assembly includes a second acoustic transducer to convert a second ping to a second electrical signal. The second transducer processor receives the second electrical signal from the second acoustical transducer to generate second transducer data. A network bus communicates first transducer data and second transducer data with the controller.
Methods and systems for data analysis and feature recognition
US Patent 8,625,885
January 7, 2014
Systems and methods for automated pattern recognition and object detection. The method can be rapidly developed and improved using a minimal number of algorithms for the data content to fully discriminate details in the data, while reducing the need for human analysis. The system includes a data analysis system that recognizes patterns and detects objects in data without requiring adaptation of the system to a particular application, environment, or data content. The system evaluates the data in its native form independent of the form of presentation or the form of the post-processed data.
Apparatus, systems and methods for electrical power generation from heat
US Patent 8,624,100
January 7, 2014
Systems and methods are operable to generate electric power from heat. An exemplary direct thermal electric converter embodiment includes at least a first recombination material having a first recombination rate, a second recombination material adjacent to the first recombination material and having a second recombination rate, wherein the second recombination rate is different from the first recombination rate, and a third recombination material adjacent to the second recombination material and having a third recombination rate substantially the same as the first recombination rate. Application of heat generates at least first charge carriers that migrate between the first recombination material and the second recombination material, and generates at least second charge carriers that migrate between the third recombination material and the second recombination material. The migration of the first charge carriers and the migration of the second charge carriers generates an electrical current.
Evaluating a questionable network communication
US Patent 8,621,604
December 31, 2013
Identifying a questionable network address from a network communication. In an embodiment, a network device receives an incoming or outgoing connection request, a web page, an email, or other network communication. An evaluation module evaluates the network communication for a corresponding network address, which may be for the source or destination of the network communication. The network address generally includes an IP address and a port number. The evaluation module checks a predefined white list for the network address to determine whether the network address is valid. Depending on the result, the evaluation module sets an indicator for preventing, allowing, or warning about the network communication. A category code, security code, organization code, or function code, may also be checked against the white list to ensure a valid network node is not compromised. A domain name may also be determined from the network address to further validate the network communication.
Tapered wearable pocket with earphone ports
US Patent D696,512
December 31, 2013
The ornamental design for a tapered wearable pocket with earphone ports, as shown and described.
Apparatus, systems and methods for a video thumbnail electronic program guide
US Patent 8,621,514
December 31, 2013
Video thumbnail electronic program guide (EPG) systems and methods are operable to include a video thumbnail. An exemplary embodiment receives a media content stream at a media device; picks a plurality of still image video frames from the received media content stream, wherein each still image video frame has information that is sufficient to construct the still image video frame; generate a plurality of still image video frame thumbnails, wherein each of the still image video frame thumbnails correspond to one of the still image video frames; generate a video thumbnail from the plurality of still image video frame thumbnails; and incorporate the video thumbnail with at least one program descriptor and a channel identifier associated with the media content stream into the video thumbnail EPG.
Apparatus, systems and methods for providing travel information related to a streaming travel relate
US Patent 8,621,516
December 31, 2013
Systems and methods for providing travel information associated with a presently viewed media content event. An exemplary method receives a selection for a media content event, receives a media content stream corresponding to the selected media content event, communicates the selected media content event to a media presentation device, communicates to the media presentation device a travel indicator during communication of the media content event, receives a user selection associated with the travel indicator, and presents travel information to the user based on the received user selection. The travel information is based on an analysis of content of the EPG information. The media content event is paused after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator. The travel information associated with the media content event is saved after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator.
System and method for determination and display of “in-network caller” notification on a mobile devi
US Patent 8,620,281
December 31, 2013
System and method for determining whether an incoming call originates from inside or outside of a mobile carriers network and indicates the result to the subscriber. An example system performs a GTT (global title translation) on an incoming number to determine the hosting carrier of any mobile phone number. When the result matches the subscriber’s carrier, the mobile device then indicates to the subscriber (i.e. mobile device) that the call is an “in network call.” Results of the comparison are stored and used for later incoming calls. The stored results are refreshed every time or periodically.
Determining patent infringement risk exposure using litigation analysis
US Patent 8,620,800
December 31, 2013
Methods, systems, and techniques for estimating patent infringement risk for a company using a statistical model of revenue are provided. Examples also provide a Patent Infringement Risk Assessment Tool, which uses these techniques to enable users to dynamically modify certain parameters and obtain a feel for their affect upon patent infringement risk exposure. Other examples describe the applicability of some of the methods and techniques for describing models of overall behavior when only the behavior of a segment at either the low end or high end (a tail) is known.
