Abstract: When we begin to build and interact with machines or robots that either look like humans or have human functionalities and capabilities, then people may well interact with their human-like machines in ways that mimic human-human communication. For example, if a robot has a face, a human might interact with it similarly to how humans interact with other creatures with faces, Specifically, a human might talk to it, gesture to it, smile at it, and so on. If a human interacts with a computer or a machine that understands spoken commands, the human might converse with the machine, expecting it to have competence in spoken language. In our research on a multimodal interface to mobile robots, we have assumed a model of communication and interaction that, in a sense, mimics how people communicate. Our interface therefore incorporates both natural language understanding and gesture recognition as communication modes. We limited the interface to these two modes to simplify integrating them in the interface and to make our research more tractable. We believe that with an integrated system, the user is less concerned with how to communicate (which interactive mode to employ for a task), and is therefore free to concentrate on the tasks and goals at hand. Because we integrate all our system's components, users can choose any combination of our interface's modalities. The onus is on our interface to integrate the input, process it, and produce the desired results.

Abstract: A computer (1) has three modes of operation: normal, repair and switching. In the switching mode, user input makes the system switch (13, 19) to the repair mode. Switching can be logically or physically and can control different components of the system. The system reboots and automatically copies data from the template data store (14) to the data store (12) to be repaired. After repair, the user resets the switch (13, 19) and reboots in normal mode. User settings determine what actions are performed in the repair mode.

Abstract: An integrated journey planner deconstructs user enquiries into information requests, each specifying a journey part using a single transport mode, e.g., rail, car or coach. The planner sends each request to one of a plurality of local and on-line databases, each corresponding to a different transport mode. Responses from the databases are reconstructed into multi-modal travel option(s) for the user specified journey, incorporating different transport modes. The multi-modal travel option(s) incorporates timetable travel information and non-timetable travel information. Also, a user can specify a geographical location and a transport mode to find the most suitable terminals and services for uni-modal point to point travel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for device authentication using a master key that is stored in protected non-volatile memory. The master key is used to derive sensitive data that is transferred to storage that is only accessible in a privileged mode of operation of the computing system. The sensitive data and the master key are not directly accessible by programs that are not running in the privileged mode of operation. The master key is used to derive one or more application keys that are used to secure data that is specific to an application/device pair. Non-privileged programs can request functions that run in the privileged mode to use these application keys. The privileged mode program checks the integrity of the non-privileged calling program to insure that it has the authority and/or integrity to perform each requested operation. One or more device authority servers are used to issue and manage both master and application keys.

Abstract: A multiple language user interface system for a thermal comfort controller. The user interface system has a central processing unit coupled to a memory, a language selector and a touch sensitive display unit. The memory can store at least one user interface object and at least one control algorithm. In some embodiments, the user interface system also has a network interface for connecting to the Internet or other network. In some embodiments, the first time the user interface system is powered-up after installation, a first set of user interface objects are displayed on the display unit and the user selects a preferred language. Once a preferred language is chosen, user interface objects can be loaded into the memory and the display unit will display the user interface objects in the preferred language. In some embodiments, control algorithms are loaded into memory.

Abstract: A system, method, and medium for enhancing a GUI and viewing environment for a computer user is disclosed. Enabling a user to fully navigate and operate a computer through the use of a remote control device, the present invention includes at least a PC mode of operation and a theater mode of operation, wherein the theater mode is designed for distance use with the remote device. While operating in theater mode, received function key signals are interpreted by the computer system to operate various functions which have been modified to accommodate remote viewing and control. To enable the remote device to fully control the applications executable on the computer, the disclosed process notifies the various applications of the current operating mode.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: Automatically changing the alert state of user devices for time-based and location-based events. In response to a time-based event, such as a scheduled calendar appointment, a system transmits a signal to an associated user device to change its alert state such as from an audible ringer mode to a non-audible vibrate mode. The system can make a similar alert state change upon receiving an indication of a location-based event such as detection of the user device within a particular building geographic area. If the user device is not remote controllable to change its alert state, the system transmits a text message or audio message to the user device to inform the user of the occurrence of the time-based or location-based event.

Abstract: A method and system for using navigation history in a voice command platform. The voice command platform maintains, for each user, a navigation history record indicating which voice command navigation points the user has accessed during one or more sessions with the platform. The platform may then use the navigation history as a basis to restore a voice command session with the user after a system disconnect and/or to determine that the user should be automatically transitioned to an expert-user mode.

Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using a single tuner and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode. These operations also include selecting an even based on actor, actress, director, etc., alerting a user to an attempt to record a duplicate program, displaying a status of a program from the available content the user is watching, playing paused programming or converting paused programming to recorded programming during a channel change, allowing a user to record an entire program after viewing the program for a period of time, permitting a user to capture a snippet of the available content, permitting a user to rewind recording in an increment for playback of a portion of the available content, enabling a user to jump back from a live broadcast to a last paused video segment.

Abstract: Retrieving a desired telephone number from a database in a mobile communication unit is facilitated by utilizing the frequency with which the user calls each telephone number stored in the database in a manner that allows the mobile communication unit to make a “best guess” of which phone number the user is seeking each time the user pushes a key while inputting a name or character string representing the person that the user wishes to call from the mobile communication unit. If the database does not include any name or character string potentially matching a desired character string entered via a keypad, the mobile communication unit automatically switches to normal phone number entry mode.

Abstract: A handover method in wireless telecommunication system supporting USTS is disclosed. The method for performing a handover of a mobile station in an asynchronous wireless telecommunication system supporting an uplink synchronous transmission scheme (USTS) mode, includes the steps of: a) performing a mode conversion of the mobile station from the USTS mode to a non-USTS mode based on a first signal measurement result from the mobile station; and b) performing a handover for the mobile station. In another embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of: c) performing a mode conversion from the non-USTS mode to the USTS mode based on a second signal measurement result from the mobile station.

Abstract: An adaptive performance support system is disclosed for facilitating access and presentation of information to a user. The system receives input of a scope of interest of the user including an access level, a working mode and a lesson/task/subject. The access level reflects the proficiency level of the user, such as novice, intermediate or advanced. The working mode reflects what the user wants to do, such as undertake a lesson to learn about, perform a task or browse topical or task related information on a particular subject. The lesson/task/subject is the subject matter of interest to the user. The system then selects information relevant to the chosen lesson/task/subject, oriented to the specified working mode and appropriate to the specified access level from a general pool of knowledge. The selected information is then interactively presented to the user avoiding the presentation of extraneous information.

Abstract: A multimedia human-computer interface includes a position sensitive panel and a display wherein gestures drawn onto the panel by a user are interpreted by gesture processing software, and, according to the gesture input and the context in which it is used, the operating mode of software for the manipulation of images is affected. Typically the panel will be coincident with the display. A programmable library of gestures is stored in a compute system, each gesture corresponding to a particular software function. Gestures may be programmed or reprogrammed to control any suitable operation of the software. The invention provides for the switching of operating mode, as well as the control of parameters associated with a given operating mode. The invention also provides for speech recognition techniques to be combined with the gesture recognition to enhance the functionality still further.

Abstract: A portable computing device or “information appliance” having terse user input (e.g., limit set of keys) is provided with a user interface for navigating user data. Application programs, which are provided for user operation of the device, are implemented as separate modules controlled by a module selector. The module selector serves as a user interface or shell representing the top-level or “home” display presented to a user. The module selector presents the user with selection icons for navigating to different applications or modules of functionality. The user interface implements a “single-click” style of button operation, so that users can associate each button with a particular task for a given program context. In addition to the single-click style, “click consistency” is imposed for each button. Generally, the same buttons are used over and over again to perform their respective tasks, even though the user has navigated to different modules of an application, so that the user is presented with a consistent interface or metaphor which can be easily mastered. The user interface supports in a small form factor device the browser-style navigation that users have become accustomed to on desktop computers (e.g., using Web browsers). More particularly, the interface supports up, down, forward, and backward navigation for allowing a user to “drill down” to “drill across” his or her data. This allows the user to find a data item (link) of interest and then drill down into it. Once at the appropriate level, the user can then easily select the particular item of interest. Further, once the user has selected or entered an item, the system provides the ability for the user to return to “home” with a single button click. In this manner, the present invention provides an interface allowing browser-style navigation in a device having a terse set of input keys.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that provides a digital audiovisual playback system that requires only the use of a standard telecommunication device to display remotely high quality music video on-demand. The user interacts with the system via a graphic user interface (GUI) using the keypad of the telecommunication device and a communication connection through a public telephone network. The system operates in two mode of operation a “Commerical Mode” and a “Jukebox Mode”. The Commerical Mode is a continuous mode of operation and display product advertisements on a digital display device. The JukeBox Mode is initialized by the end-user calling a phone number displayed in GUI. Once a connection is established with a central database, the end-user is prompted to make music selections by using the keypad of the phone used to make the initial call. The charge for the use of the system is automatically changed to the owner of the telecommunication device.

Abstract: For the remote distribution/installation of computer programs from a source to a number of target computers, the computer programs are transferred as packages. Attempt numbers for retrying a push mode and a pull mode distribution are pre-specified. A next package is identified and if a target computer is available then installation of the package on the target computer is started. Otherwise, if at least one push mode attempt is left, a next push mode is resumed and rescheduled and, if no push mode attempt is left, but at least one pull mode attempt is left, a next pull mode distribution is resumed and rescheduled. The mechanism particularly proposes a queue manager that activates a request i.e. moves the request from a request queue into an active queue and has implemented throttling that balances the load during a software distribution/installation.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product has a first terrain awareness mode and a second terrain awareness mode selectable by the pilot.

Abstract: A television program selection system and method for selecting television programs for viewing or recording utilizing a guide schedule list which is received from a cable or satellite broadcaster for example, and comprises characteristics such as topic-theme, relevancy, and broadcast time data. The user can select a time period and optionally in addition a selection mode, which corresponds to one of the alternative algorithms used to sort the programs in the schedule and generate a list of suggested television programs to be displayed for the user to select a program. The default selection mode can use a conventional selection algorithm, and the optional selection mode can eliminate all programs which have any characteristics having a zero weighting.

Abstract: An interface apparatus and method between a computer and an input peripheral are disclosed for activity sensing in the vicinity of the computer and signal activation indicative thereof to the computer so that the computer will not activate its normal security procedures, such as a password protected screen saver mode for example, during times of input peripheral inactivity so long as user presence is sensed. When a user leaves the vicinity of the computer, normal operation of a computer's resident security will control computer function. The apparatus when embodied in hardware includes a detector or sensor that detects the presence of the user, a controller receiving output signals from the detector and monitoring input peripheral activity, and host computer/input peripheral routing circuitry.

Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using at least two tuners (40, 41) and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode. These operations also include selecting an even based on actor, actress, director, etc., alerting a user to an attempt to record a duplicate program, displaying a status of a program from the available content the user is watching, playing paused programming or converting paused programming to recorded programming during a channel change, allowing a user to record an entire program after viewing the program for a period of time, permitting a user to capture a snippet of the available content, permitting a user to rewind recording in an increment for playback of a portion of the available content, enabling a user to jump back from a live broadcast to a last paused video segment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for providing a unified user interface to a communication network, comprising means for generating the user interface based on user mode (2), and means for converting the user mode to a presentation mode (3) using a list (4) of attributes for presentation. The user interface (1) is generated additionally taking account of the connectivity level . Selection means for selecting the user mode by a user, and detection means for automatically detecting available connectivity levels at the current environment may be provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for managing operations including encoding operations in a network system including an administrator terminal, at least one server communicatively coupled to the administrator terminal via a computer network, and at least one multimedia device operative to generate media data and being communicatively coupled with a corresponding one of the servers. Each of the servers is operative to selectively activate the corresponding multimedia device, and is also operative to encode media data received from the corresponding multimedia device, and is further operative to access a corresponding memory device for storing media data. The process includes the steps of: displaying a graphical user interface including a server select interface component enabling a user of the administrator terminal to select one of the servers, and a mode select interface component enabling the user to select between a manual encoding mode of operation enabling the user to manually start and stop a manual encoding process performed by a selected server, and a scheduled encoding mode of operation enabling the user to define a schedule for automatically starting and stopping a scheduled encoding process to be performed by a selected server. User input is received, the input including server identification information indicative of a selected server, mode information indicative of a selected mode of operation, and encoding operation information defined based on the selected mode of operation. Commands and associated parameters, generated based on the encoding operation information, are transmitted to the selected server via the network.

Abstract: Portable communication devices integrate functions such as radiotelephone capabilities with messaging or personal digital assistant (PDA) functions. A foldable portable communication device to accommodate the space limitations while providing the necessary tool to operate the provided functions comprises of a first housing portion and a second housing portion each having a user inputs, such as a QWERTY keyboard. When the device is open, the portable communication device operates in one mode, such as messaging mode and utilizes both user input devices on each housing. A display for displaying text is located between the first housing portion and the second housing portion. In the closed position, the first housing and second housing are coupled together and user inputs are used for a separate mode in the closed position, such as radiotelephone mode.

Abstract: In a digital still camera, it is determined whether a current photographing is performed in a document copy mode provided for precisely photographing a document or bar code, and if not, another determination is made as to whether the current photographing is performed under a particular image capturing condition including a resolution and a photographing distance. Further, if a determination that a paper money or security is photographed is affirmative, a predetermined image is overwritten on an image obtained by the photographing.

Abstract: Methods, system, and computer program products for browsing content with a display area and input system that may be limited in comparison to more traditional browsing systems. Movement between and selection of interactive elements generally occurs in a navigation mode, whereas interaction with a single interactive element generally occurs in an edit mode. In navigation mode, a direction input selects the next interactive element in the direction indicated. If no interactive element is at least partially visible in the direction indicated or if a selected interactive element is only partially visible, the display scrolls. Switching between navigation mode and edit mode is based on the input received, in view of the input supported, by a particular interactive element. Interactive elements may be limited to the width of available display area.

Abstract: When the recording mode of an information recording/playback device is a cognizant mode which analyzes embedded copy control information, the information recording/playback device performs content encryption using a content-encryption key generated by using a cognizant key as a content-encryption-key generating key in the cognizant mode. When the recording mode of the information recording/playback device is a non-cognizant mode which does not analyze the embedded copy control information, the information recording/playback device performs content encryption using a content-encryption key generated by using a cognizant key as a content-encryption-key generating key in the non-cognizant mode. By using these techniques, the above two recording modes are clearly distinguished and separately executed. This prevents an encryption mode indicator as copy control information and embedded copy control information from being mismatched.

Abstract: A method, logic and computer system for managing electrical power consumed by a computer system and controlling access to functionality the computer system. A powersave mode is started after a first predetermined activity timeout duration has elapsed during which no user activity is detected, the powersave mode reducing an amount of electrical power consumed by a component of the computer system. A lock mode is started after a second predetermined activity timeout duration has elapsed during which no user activity is detected, following entry into the lock mode, the lock mode restricting use of the computer system until a specified security input is input into the computer system. Before the second predetermined activity timeout duration has elapsed, a user action other than the specified security input reactivates the computer system for use from the powersave mode.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a wireless phone having both communications and non-communications functions may be operated in a communications disabled operating mode appropriate for transmission restricted environments, such as an airplane in flight. Power may be supplied to a component in a communications module of the phone, for example, one or more local oscillators in a frequency converter. A processor in the phone may control a switch to cut off power to that component in response to a command input to the phone while maintaining control and the power supply to components supporting non-communications of the phone. A user may enter the command through a user interface including, for example, a display screen, a speaker, and input keys, buttons, and/or switches. The display screen may display an indicator such as a graphical icon or textual banner that indicates that the phone is operating in the communications disabled operating mode.