Abstract:
A method processing image data captured by an image sensor at a first, relatively high, resolution prior to display of a captured image on a display or viewfinder screen at a second, substantially lower, resolution. The method comprises the steps of selecting a number of sets (28) of pixels from an image matrix (26) of pixels of captured image data, each of the sets (28) comprising at least three adjacent pixels in the imaging matrix (26), and each of the three pixels being of a different constituent colour (i.e. red, green and blue, or cyan, magenta and yellow). The pixels of each set are combined to create a single display pixel and the display pixels are used to create a display data matrix (30) of data to be displayed, the display data matrix (30) being of substantially smaller dimensions to that of the imaging matrix.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method for discounting printing, comprising a) receiving information about printing by a consumer of content that has been selected by the consumer for printing and specified by a content provider as printable at a discount; b) obtaining, for use in discounting printing consumables, an estimation of printing costs incurred by the consumer in said printing of the selected content; and c) preparing a bill, using said estimation, for billing a stakeholder in the content for said printing. There is also disclosed causing information to be provided in association with viewable content. The information communicates to a viewer that specified content, comprising or related to the viewable content, is printable by the consumer at a discount. The discount is directly related to costs incurred by the consumer in printing said specified content. The information may, for example, be provided in the form of a GUI element activatable by a user input device.
Abstract:
A user apparatus 10 forms a user identity such as in a trusted platform module 11, and captures at least one profile characteristic in a capture unit 12. An enquiry apparatus 20 sends a request to the user apparatus 10. In response, a profile unit 13 forms a user self-profile by combining the formed user identity with one or more selected profile characteristics of interest to the enquirer. Advantageously, the user profile is formed at the user apparatus, and sent on request to the remote enquiry apparatus. The user therefore maintains strong control of the user profile, and overhead such as data storage at the enquiry apparatus is decreased.
Abstract:
A voice call system and a method and apparatus for identifying a voice caller are disclosed. The system includes a call originator apparatus 10 and a called party apparatus 20. At least one trusted user identity is formed at the call originator apparatus 10, ideally in a trusted platform module 12 configured according to a Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) specification. The called party apparatus 20 checks the trusted user identity when establishing a new voice call. Advantageously, an identity of the voice caller using the call originator apparatus is confirmed in a reliable and trustworthy manner, even when the voice call is transported over an inherently insecure medium, e.g. an open computing system like the internet 30. Preferred embodiments of the invention use IP telephony, such as SIP (session initiation protocol) or H.323 standard voice telephony.
Abstract:
This disclosure describes a method for the solderless electrical connection of two contact elements by using a laser light beam attached to a fiber optic system which directs the light to the spot to be bonded. By using a fiber optic system the laser beam is optimally converted into thermal energy and bad connections due to underheating or destruction of the contacts due to overheating does not occur. The method and apparatus provides rapid, reproducible bonding even for the smallest of contact geometries. For example, the method of the invention results in solderless gold to gold compression bonding of conductive leads contained in a polymer flex circuit tape, such as a polyimide, without damaging the tape. A strong solderless gold to gold bond can be formed between the gold plated copper lead on the flex circuit tape and a gold plated pad on a semiconductor chip without the need for a window in the flex circuit and without any damage to the tape. In the application of the present invention to the bonding of conductive leads on a TAB circuit to the silicon substrate of an inkjet printhead the need for a window in the TAB circuits is eliminated. The elimination of the window results in elimination of the need for an encapsulation material to cover the conductive leads in the TAB circuit. This in turn results in die size reduction, or increased number of nozzles with the same die size, ease of assembly, higher yields, improved reliability, ease of nozzle serviceability, and overall material and manufacturing cost reduction.
Abstract:
A method of enabling player device operation using a mobile communication device involves receiving an identifier on the mobile communication device from a provider system, transmitting the identifier from the mobile communication device to a player device to permit operation of the player device, and transmitting a continual signal from the mobile communication device to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation. Appropriate player devices, mobile communication devices and provider systems are described.
Abstract:
In order to encourage listeners to remain tuned to a particular radio station, loyal listeners are rewarded by being enabled to use a service system accessible via a data-capable bearer service of a communications infrastructure. This is achieved by periodically including, amongst the material broadcast by the radio station, a variable-value access code and then only servicing request to the service system that include the most recent value of the access code. The listener takes advantage of the service by extracting the access code value from the received radio signal and including it in a service request. Typically, the service is a location-based service accessible by a mobile listener via a cellular radio network.
Abstract:
A computer network 1 comprises first, second, and third computer systems 3, 5, 7 connected to first, second, and third print devices 9, 11, 13 by means of a network 15. Each computer system 3, 5, 7 comprises at least one application program capable of generating print data for output to one or more of the print devices 9, 11, 13. The print data is output from each application program and stored on a on a print spooler (not shown) forming part of each computer system 3, 5, 7. Each print device 9, 11, 13 comprises a daemon 23 and a local memory 19, the data control module being configured to monitor, via the network 15, print data relating to a print job stored on a computer system, the print data including job timing information relating to the preferred time at which the print job is to be processed. The daemon 23 is also configured to retrieve a copy of the print data as soon as the data link becomes available to transfer the print data, and to store the print data on the local memory 19, the retrieval and storage operations being performed prior to the time specified in the job timing information. Accordingly, each print device 9, 11, 13 maintains a local storage of print data, the print data being retrieved and stored prior to the time specified in the job timing information at a time when the data link between the print device and a computer to which it is connected is capable of allowing the transfer, i.e. when the network traffic is low.
Abstract:
Tape drive apparatus comprising a read/write head assembly 301, 401 is disclosed. Means to effect movement of the read/write head assembly from a first read/write position to a second non-read/write position are provided. A tape engaging surface maintains tape tension and path in the non-read/write position. Movement of the read/write head assembly 301, 401 to a non-read/write position prevents read/write head element 302, 402 wear during tape searching.
Abstract:
A service-provider 600 including a physically and logically protected computing environment 401, and a user space 402 accepts a request 604 to provide a private virtual room for a particular purpose from a customer or multiple customers 606. At 702, it checks the legitimacy of the proposed purpose and seeks input about the criteria for filtering the participants. Providing the legitimacy of the proposed purposes are verified, at 703 the service-provider 600 sets up the private virtual room 608 which provides a secure environment within which participants can communicate electronically. At 704, the service-provider 600 receives requests from potential participants 610 to enter the virtual room 608, and its filters the participants 610 to ensure they meet previously-defined criteria.