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Systems, methods, and user interfaces for storing, searching, navigating, and retrieving electronic information

Computer system navigation tools provide “links” to various different files, lists, folders, and/or other storage elements and allow users to organize files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, and the like. Such systems and methods allow users to assign properties to a file (optionally in a hierarchical manner), to change assigned properties, to search, view, and retrieve information based on the assigned properties, and the like.

1. A method of searching electronic data, comprising: selecting a first search parameter from a hierarchical structure including plural search elements; selecting a second search parameter from the hierarchical structure; determining whether the first search parameter is located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter; and displaying search results indicating a union of electronic files meeting the first search parameter or the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements includes plural properties arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the first search parameter includes a first property value included within the plural properties. 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the second search parameter includes a second property value included within the plural properties. 4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural folder elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first folder element. 5. A method according to claim 2, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural list elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first list element. 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein at least some of the plural list elements are list elements automatically generated by the computer system. 7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a scope for the search. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the scope of the search is defined, at least in part, based on the hierarchical structure. 9. A method of searching electronic data, comprising: selecting a first search parameter from a hierarchical structure including plural search elements; selecting a second search parameter from the hierarchical structure; determining whether the first search parameter is located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter; and displaying search results indicating an intersection of electronic files meeting the first search parameter and the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located outside the element set in the hierarchical structure of the second search parameter. 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements includes plural properties arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the first search parameter includes a first property value included within the plural properties. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the second search parameter includes a second property value included within the plural properties. 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural folder elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first folder element. 13. A method according to claim 10, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements further includes plural list elements arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the second search parameter includes a first list element. 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least some of the plural list elements are list elements automatically generated by the computer system. 15. A method according to claim 9, further comprising: determining a scope for the search. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the scope of the search is defined, at least in part, based on the hierarchical structure. 17. A method of searching electronic data, comprising: selecting a first search parameter from a hierarchical structure including plural search elements; selecting a second search parameter from the hierarchical structure; determining whether the first search parameter is located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter; displaying search results indicating a union of electronic files meeting the first search parameter or the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located within the same element set in the hierarchical structure as the second search parameter; and displaying search results indicating an intersection of electronic files meeting the first search parameter and the second search parameter when the first search parameter is determined to be located outside the element set in the hierarchical structure of the second search parameter. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein the hierarchical structure of plural search elements includes plural properties arranged in a hierarchical manner, and wherein the first search parameter includes a first property value included within the plural properties. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the second search parameter includes a second property value included within the plural properties. 20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising: determining a scope for the search, wherein the scope of the search is defined, at least in part, based on the hierarchical structure.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Tremendous volumes of information are stored on and/or available through computer systems and networks, and this information can be made available to computer users for a variety of different purposes. Although computers can provide this wealth of information to users, the information is only valuable and useful to users if users can reliably locate and retrieve the desired information from the system or network. The stored information is of little or no value to users if it cannot be readily located and/or retrieved without substantial searching time, effort, and/or frustration.

<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and user interfaces that provide navigational tools for storage systems of computers, their operating systems, networks, and the like. In accordance with at least some examples of this invention, navigation tools and/or their corresponding user interfaces and displays may be provided in multiple different windows, application programs, and the like. In at least some examples of this invention, navigation tools or and/or their corresponding user interfaces and display panel(s) may include windows or panes that include “links” to various different files, lists, folders, pages, and/or other storage elements. If desired, navigational tools in accordance with at least some aspects of this invention may be customized for different application programs, for portions of applications programs, for portions of operating systems, by different users, and the like (e.g., by independent software providers from those providing the computer operating system) to be better suited or targeted for navigating information relating to that set of files, etc., and/or to that user. The navigational tools in accordance with at least some examples of this invention also may provide useful ways of organizing and/or displaying information regarding the user's files, e.g., by hierarchical properties, lists, auto lists, folders, etc. Systems and methods according to at least some examples of the invention also may make it easy for users to assign properties to files, change assigned properties associated with files, and the like, optionally with the use of hierarchical properties. Additionally, in accordance with at least some examples of the invention, navigational tools may be provided for searching, locating, and viewing information relating to stored or accessible files, e.g., in a query-based file and/or retrieval system. Additional aspects of the invention relate to computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions stored thereon for performing various methods and/or operating various systems, including systems and methods having navigational tools for organizing, searching, locating, and/or displaying information relating to files located in a computer storage system and/or accessible through a computer system as described above (and as will be described in more detail below).

Color changeable sandles

What is new in this applied concept for sandal footwear made with side flap Attachments is the application and use of removable and replaceable Straps that are fitted with clip in buckles attached to strap ends that then connect And buckle into plastic clip in receiver buckles positioned onto the side flaps By a fabricated loop that is attached by sewing to the side flaps. The recepticle Buckles interlock into the receiver buckles that are attached to the side flaps. The purpose of the changeable straps and buckles being to change color designs On a sandal without the manufacture of a new entire pair every time change is Desired. The “COLOR CHANGEABLE SANDAL”, is a do it yourself technique And application that allows the consumer to have a choice in the design and/or Color of their sandal by use of the color change straps. The straps are adjustible By means of velcro on them. A variety of prints and solid colors may be Applied to the sandal by use of the straps. The straps are fitted and designed For safe and comfortable wear and may be applied to men, women, and children Sandal types.

1. The color and design changeable straps made with plastic, clip in Buckle recepticles on each end of the straps and that are adjustible by means Of velcro strips attached to the straps. The straps being removable and And replaceable on the sandal base made with side flaps. 2. The fabricated side flaps that have a loop attached to the outer sides That the receiver buckle attaches to permanently thru the loop. The receiver buckle connects the color change straps to the sandal bottom for wear. 3. The applied concept and use of plastic clip in buckles on the changeable Straps and on the sandal side fabricated flaps that the receiver buckle attaches To on the sandal bottom for wear.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The claimed footwear here in, being “COLOR CHANGEABLE SANDALS” And straps, were invented for the purpose of being able to change the color And/or print designs on a one pair set of sandals at a time by the use of Fabricated straps that are removeable and replaceable. The side flaps on a sandal bottom have a piece of material made on them. This piece of material is wedged between the bottom sole and the instep Sole of a sandal base. The side flaps have a loop attached on them on the outter Sides that secures the reciever buckle to the shoe. The reciever and loops are positioned to accomodate the clip-in straps for wear And design change by replacement of the straps. The straps are removeable and replaceable by use of plastic clip-in buckle Recievers and recepticles. They may be used in combination with each other On the sandal base. The straps have a clip in buckle on each end of them. These buckle into the reciever buckle on the side flaps of the bottom of the Shoe. The straps unbuckle with ease to change a strap as desired. The Changeing of a strap creates a new design or color on the sandal. The straps may be used as a one color tone pair, or a combination of different Colors may be applied. The problem with the prior sandal footwear made with straps is that the straps Are permanently attached to the shoe and accomodate a one design type shoe That is limited in fashion color co ordination to various fashion wear by the Consumer. The consumer must purchase a new pair of sandals each time a change Is desired to co ordinate with their fashion clothing. This type of manufacture And purchaseing is more expensive to both create and buy, and it limits the Consumers choice for fashion wear. The color change system allows the consumer a choice in the design and color Of thier sandal choice and allows a do it yourself technique to create that change.

<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The claimed footwear and changeable straps are used to change the appearance Of the sandal for wear with regard to color and print designs haveing Application to the sandal. The straps are adjustible for comfort and wear. The Straps clip-in with ease and remove just as easy for change of them. One pair of Sandals made with the color change side flap attachments and the reciever Buckles on them can accomodate several color combinations of the changeable Straps as desired by choice of straps and base side flaps. The advantage that the color change sandal and straps have over prior art types Of a strap sandal made with side flaps is; A. The color change sandal has straps that are removeable and replaceable. B. The design or colors on a sandal can be changed useing the straps with less Expense and time. C. The consumer has a choice in the color and/or print used on their Sandals and they may initiate the change by use of the straps. D. The color change sandal solves prior art problems in that one pair of sandals Can be changed to create several designs on that one pair for fashion change. The prior types can only show a new color or design by building a complete New pair of sandals overall.

Process for the offset printing of a catalytic species via a hydrophilic phase

An offset printing process comprising the steps of: applying a hydrophilic phase to a printing plate with or without an oleophilic phase, the hydrophilic phase comprising at least one catalytic species, and applying the hydrophilic phase applied to the printing plate to a receiving medium thereby realizing in a single step a functional pattern of the at least one catalytic species on the receiving medium, wherein, if the hydrophilic phase is applied with the oleophilic phase, the oleophilic and hydrophilic phases are either applied separately from an ink and a fountain medium or are applied together in the form of a single fluid ink, the single fluid ink consisting of a dispersing phase and a dispersed phase, and the hydrophilic phase is exclusive of an ionomer.

1. An offset printing process comprising the steps of: applying a hydrophilic phase to a printing plate with or without an oleophilic phase, the hydrophilic phase comprising at least one catalytic species, and applying said hydrophilic phase applied to said printing plate to a receiving medium thereby realizing in a single step a functional pattern of said at least one catalytic species on said receiving medium, wherein, if said hydrophilic phase is applied with said oleophilic phase, said oleophilic and hydrophilic phases are either applied separately from an ink and a fountain medium or are applied together in the form of a single fluid ink, wherein said single fluid ink of comprising a dispersing phase and a dispersed phase, and wherein said hydrophilic phase is exclusive of an ionomer. 2. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said at least one catalytic species requires no activation prior to said at least one catalytic species exhibiting catalytic activity. 3. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said dispersing phase in said single phase ink is said hydrophilic phase. 4. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said catalytic species is present in said hydrophilic phase as a solution. 5. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said catalytic species is present in said hydrophilic phase as a dispersion. 6. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic phase applied without an oleophilic phase is a water-based driographic ink. 7. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said catalytic species is selected from the group consisting of metallic particles, organic compounds, inorganic compounds, organometallic compounds, polymers, microporous species, microorganisms, antibodies, and enzymes exclusive of water-soluble hydrolase enzymes. 8. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said catalytic species is selected from the group consisting of electroless deposition catalysts, electrocatalysts, development nuclei, polymerization catalysts, structure specific catalysts, biological process catalysts, biochemical process catalysts, fuel cell catalysts, diffusion catalysts and gas-phase reaction catalysts. 9. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic phase further contains at least one non-ionic or anionic surfactant. 10. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said fountain medium is said hydrophilic phase. 11. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said ink is said hydrophilic phase. 12. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said fountain medium has a viscosity at 25° C. after stirring to constant viscosity of at least 0.75 mPa.s as measured according to DIN 53211. 13. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein said fountain medium has a viscosity at 25° C. after stirring to constant viscosity of at least 30 mPa.s as measured according to DIN 53211. 14. An offset printing process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, if said oleophilic phase is colored, said fountain medium contains a dye and/or a pigment such that the color tone of the ink and the background cannot be distinguished by the human eye. 15. An offset printing process according to claim 1, wherein, if said hydrophilic phase is colored, said oleophilic phase contains a dye and/or a pigment such that the color tone of the ink and the background cannot be distinguished by the human eye.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Surprisingly it has been found that if, in a conventional offset printing process using standard offset ink, the standard fountain is substituted by a fountain solution or dispersion containing a catalytic species, the conventional wetting and repairing function of a fountain can be augmented by coating the hydrophilic areas of the printing plate with a pattern of catalytic species, which are then transferred in the printing process to a receiving medium, thereby endowing the receiving medium with a pattern of catalytic species capable of catalyzing a process i.e. providing the receiving medium with a pattern of a functional species, namely a catalytic species. Furthermore, a high resolution pattern of a catalytic species can be realized on a receiving medium from an aqueous phase in a single step, without resorting to photographic techniques, in a low cost high speed process which lends itself to mass production. Moreover, the catalytic species thereby deposited do not require activation prior to use. Aspects of the present invention have been realized by an offset printing process comprising the steps of: applying a hydrophilic phase to a printing plate with or without an oleophilic phase, the hydrophilic phase comprising at least one catalytic species, and applying the hydrophilic phase applied to the printing plate to a receiving medium thereby realizing in a single step a functional pattern of the at least one catalytic species on the receiving medium, wherein, if the hydrophilic phase is applied with the oleophilic phase, the oleophilic and hydrophilic phases are either applied separately from an ink and a fountain medium or are applied together in the form of a single fluid ink, the single fluid ink consisting of a dispersing phase and a dispersed phase, and the hydrophilic phase is exclusive of an ionomer. This process can be carried out under ambient conditions and does not require coating in a compartment with controlled humidity and temperature. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

Process for contact printing of patterns of electroless deposition catalyst

A process comprising the step of: contact printing a pattern of an electroless deposition catalyst via a hydrophilic phase to a receiving medium, wherein said electroless deposition catalyst requires no activation prior to electroless deposition.

1. A process comprising the step of: contact printing a pattern of an electroless deposition catalyst via a hydrophilic phase to a receiving medium, wherein said electroless deposition catalyst requires no activation prior to electroless deposition. 2. Process according to claim 1, wherein said contact printing process comprises the steps of: applying a pattern of an electroless deposition catalyst via a hydrophilic phase to a intermediate stamp, plate or roller and transferring said pattern of electroless deposition catalyst from said intermediate stamp, plate or roller to a receiving medium. 3. Process according to claim 2, wherein said intermediate plate is a printing plate master. 4. Process according to claim 1, wherein said electroless deposition catalyst is non-metallic. 5. Process according to claim 1, wherein said electroless deposition catalyst is a heavy metal sulphide. 6. Process according to claim 1, wherein said electroless deposition catalyst is metallic. 7. Process according to claim 1, wherein said electroless deposition catalyst is capable of catalyzing silver deposition. 8. Process according to claim 1, wherein said process for printing is an offset printing process. 9. Process according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic phase contains a colorant. 10. Process according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic phase is the continuous phase of a single fluid ink. 11. Process according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic phase is a hydrophilic ink. 12. Process according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic phase is a water-based driographic ink. 13. Process according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic phase is an aqueous fountain. 14. Process according to claim 13, wherein said hydrophilic phase has a viscosity at 25° C. after stirring to constant viscosity of at least 30 mPa·s as measured according to DIN 53211. 15. Process according to claim 1, wherein an oleophilic phase is involved in said contact printing process. 16. Process according to claim 15, wherein said oleophilic phase is an oleophilic fountain. 17. Process according to claim 15, wherein said oleophilic phase is the dispersed phase of a single fluid ink. 18. Process according to claim 15, wherein said oleophilic phase is an oleophilic ink. 19. Process according to claim 15, wherein said oleophilic phase contains a colorant. 20. Process according to claim 1, further comprising the step of electroless deposition on said pattern of electroless deposition catalyst. 21. Process according to claim 20, wherein said electroless deposition is by a diffusion transfer reversal process. 22. Process according to claim 20, wherein silver is deposited on said pattern upon contact with a layer containing silver halide particles and a developer.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In addition to the printing of conventional colored inks, printing is being used more and more for the application of patterns of functional materials. In the case of functional materials which are only soluble or dispersible in aqueous media, problems may arise in incorporating them into oleophilic inks. WO 01/88958 discloses in claim 1 a method of forming a pattern of a functional material on a substrate comprising: applying a first pattern of a first material to said substrate; and applying a second functional material to said substrate and said first material, wherein said first material, said second functional material, and said substrate interact to spontaneously form a second pattern of said second functional material on said substrate, to thereby form a pattern of a functional material on a substrate. WO 01/88958 further discloses in claim 27 a method of forming a pattern of a functional material on a substrate comprising: non-contact printing a first pattern of a first material on said substrate; and applying a second functional material to said substrate and said first material, wherein said first material, said second material, and said substrate interact to spontaneously form a second pattern of said second functional material on said substrate, to thereby form a pattern of a functional material on a substrate. WO 01/88958 also discloses in claim 47 a method of forming a pattern of a functional material on a substrate comprising: non-contact printing a first pattern of a first material on said substrate; and applying a second functional material to said substrate and said first material, wherein said first and second functional materials are selected to have a sufficient difference in at least one property of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity relative to one another such that said first material, said second functional material, and said substrate interact to spontaneously form a second pattern of said second functional material on said substrate, to thereby form on said substrate a second pattern of said second functional material, wherein said second pattern is the inverse of said first pattern, to thereby form a pattern of a functional material on a substrate. WO 01/88958 also discloses in claim 57 a method of forming an electrical circuit element, comprising: applying a first pattern of a first material on a substrate; and applying a second material to said substrate and said first material, wherein said first material, said second material, and said substrate interact to spontaneously form a second pattern of said second material on said substrate, thereby forming an electrical circuit element. WO 01/88958 also discloses in claim 110 an electrical circuit element comprising: a substrate; a first pattern of an insulating material applied to said substrate; and a second pattern of an electrically conducting material applied to said substrate and said first material, wherein said insulating material, said electrically conducting material, and said substrate interact to spontaneously form a second pattern of said electrically conducting material on said substrate when said electrically conducting material is applied to said substrate having said first pattern of said insulating material applied thereon. WO 01/88958 also discloses in claim 123 an electronic device comprising: a) a first element comprising i) a first substrate; ii) a first pattern of an insulating material applied to said substrate and iii) a second pattern of an electrically conducting material applied to said substrate and said first material, wherein said insulating material, electrically conducting material, and said substrate interact to spontaneously form a second pattern of said electrically conducting material on said substrate when said electrically conducting material is applied to said substrate having said first pattern of said insulating material applied thereon; b) a second circuit element comprising i) a second substrate; ii) a third pattern of an insulating material applied to said second substrate and iii) a fourth pattern of an electrically conducting material applied to said second substrate and said third material, wherein said insulating, electrically conducting material, and said second substrate interact to spontaneously form a fourth pattern of said electrically conducting material on said substrate when said electrically conducting material is applied to said substrate having said third pattern of said insulating material applied thereon; and c) an electrically connection between said first and second circuit elements. WO 01/88958 also discloses in claim 127 a Radio Frequency (RF) tag comprising a pattern of a non-conductive first material on a substrate and a coating of an electrically conductive second material disposed over said substrate and said first material, wherein said first material, said second material, and said substrate interact to spontaneously form a second pattern of said second material on said substrate, to thereby form an Inductor-Capacitor (LC) resonator on said substrate. WO 01/88958 also discloses in claim 141 a mechanical device comprising: a) a first component comprising: i) a first substrate; ii) a first pattern of first material to said first substrate and iii) a second pattern of material applied to said first substrate and said first material, wherein said second pattern of said second material is spontaneously formed by the interaction of said first material, said second material and said first substrate; and b) a second component comprising i) a second substrate; ii) a third pattern of a third material applied to said second substrate and iii) a fourth pattern of a fourth material applied to said second substrate and said third material, wherein said fourth pattern of said fourth material is spontaneously formed by the interaction of said third material, said fourth material and said substrate; and wherein said first and second components are oriented in a such a way that the second and fourth patterns oppose each other, and are selected from the group consisting of identical patterns, inverse patterns, and any mechanically useful combinations. A number of different techniques can be used for printing. These techniques can be separated into so-called non-impact printing techniques, such as inkjet printing, electrographic printing, electrophoretic printing and electrophotographic printing using solid or liquid toners, and so-called contact printing techniques, such as screen printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing and offset printing. Depending on the application, substrate and desired print volume, different printing techniques will be better suited for the job. For the printing of high volumes at low cost, for example for the printing of packages, fast printing techniques are required such as gravure printing, flexographic printing or offset printing. The low cost is due to the high printing speeds of approximately 500 m/min or more for flexographic printing up to 900 m/min or more for heat set/web-offset printing. This makes offset printing particularly suitable for the cheap production of printed matter. Offset printing and gravure printing provide the highest quality prints with resolutions down to 10 μm. In 2001, Hohnholz et al. in Synthetic Metals, volume 121, pages 1327-1328, reported a novel method for the preparation of patterns from conducting and non-conducting polymers on plastic/paper substrates. This method, “Line Patterning” (LP), does not involve printing of the polymers and incorporates mostly standard office equipment, e.g. an office type laser printer. It is rapid and inexpensive. The production of electronic components, e.g. a liquid crystal and a push-button assembly were reported. Offset (lithographic) printing presses use a so-called printing master such as a printing plate which is mounted on a cylinder of the printing press. In conventional offset printing, the master carries a lithographic image on its surface, which consists of oleophilic (or hydrophobic, i.e. ink-accepting, water-repelling) areas as well as hydrophilic (or oleophobic, i.e. water-accepting, ink-repelling) areas. A print is obtained by first applying a fountain medium (also called dampening liquid) and then the ink to lithographic image on the surface of the printing plate on a drum, both are then transferred to an intermediate (rubber) roll, known as the offset blanket, from which they are further transferred onto the final substrate. The fountain medium is first transferred via a series of rolls to the printing plate. It conventionally acts as a weak sacrificial layer and prevents ink from depositing on the non-image area of the plate and has the function of rebuilding the non-printing (desensitized) areas of the printing plate during a press run. This is usually realized with an aqueous solution of acid, usually phosphoric acid, and gum arabic, the gum is adsorbed to the metal of the plate and thereby making a hydrophilic surface. The dampened plate then contacts an inking roller and only accepts the oleophilic ink in the oleophilic image areas. Fountain media have historically contained isopropyl alcohol to reduce the surface tension and thereby to provide for more uniform dampening of the printing plate, but, by eliminating (or greatly reducing) the isopropyl alcohol as a fountain medium additive, printers are able to reduce VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions significantly. In such fountain media isopropyl alcohol is replaced with lower volatility glycols, glycol ethers, or surfactant formulations. Conventional fountain media may also contain anti-corrosion agents, pH-regulators and surfactants. EP-A 1 415 826 discloses a process for the offset printing of a receiving medium with a functional pattern comprising in any order the steps of: applying a printing ink to a printing plate and wetting said printing plate with an aqueous fountain medium containing a solution or a dispersion containing at least one moiety having at least colouring, pH-indicating, whitening, fluorescent, phosphorescent, X-ray phosphor or conductive properties. In addition to conventional offset printing, several alternative methods have been developed, such as reverse lithography, driography and single fluid offset printing. In reverse lithography, a water- or glycol-based hydrophilic colored ink is used in combination with an oleophilic fountain medium. The printing plate contains image areas which preferentially attract a hydrophilic liquid and non-image areas which are repellent to the hydrophilic liquids. Printing plates can be prepared by applying a pattern of a material with a good tolerance to aqueous (miscible) liquids such as a vinylacetate-ethylene copolymer resin, polyester resin or a composition containing shellac, polyethylene glycol and wax onto a hydrophobic base sheet, such as polystyrene or polyethylene coated Mylar. Alternatively, the printing plate can be prepared by applying a hydrophilic liquid-repelling thermosetting siloxane composition as the non-image pattern on a zinc base material (U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,030). Additives like carbon black or zinc oxide may be added to the resin to increase the surface roughness, thereby improving the ink uptake. The hydrophilic inks can be dye- or pigment-based and contain a binder and water and/or ethylene glycol as the main vehicle. The (hydrophobic) fountain medium is based on hydrocarbons such as Textile Spirits or Super Naphtolite, mineral oils or silicon oils. Waterless or driographic offset printing was developed, for example by Toray Industries of Japan, to reduce the emission of VOCs from the fountain medium in conventional offset printing by dispensing with a fountain medium and only using an oleophilic ink. The non-image areas of a driographic printing plate are coated with an ink-repellant polymer, such as a silicone, while the image areas are ink-accepting surfaces for example a grained aluminium base plate, optionally overcoated with an additional coating layer. During driographic printing, only ink is supplied to the master. However, these driographic printing processes still have the disadvantage of VOC emission from the oleophilic ink. This has resulted in the development of water-based driographic inks, which contain surfactants, rewetting agents, dyes and/or pigments and resins in addition to water. Such driographic printing plates can be used, with, for example, the grained aluminium surface of the printing plate as the image areas and any type of hydrophobic material that repels the ink for the non-image area. Conventional and reverse offset printing require the continuous monitoring and adjusting of the ink/fountain balance so that the ink adheres exclusively to the printing areas of the plate to ensure the production of sharp, well-defined prints. Single-fluid inks have been developed to eliminate the need for the operator continuously to monitor and adjust the ink/fountain balance. These inks consist of a fine emulsion of the ink in the fountain or of a fine emulsion of the fountain in the ink and are applied to the printing plate via the ink rollers. The fountain is oleophilic when the ink is hydrophilic and is hydrophilic when the ink is oleophilic e.g. with the oleophilic ink part based on vinyl- and hydrocarbon resins with dyes and/or pigments and the hydrophilic fountain part based on glycol/water mixtures. Reverse offset printing inks using a hydrocarbon or mineral oil as fountain medium are described in for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,532, U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,388, GB 1,343,784A and U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,030. None of these patents disclose the addition of functional materials, other than dyes and/or pigments, to the hydrophilic ink or to the hydrophobic fountain medium. Water-based driographic offset inks are for example described in WO 99/27022A, WO 03/057789A and DE 4119348A. None of these patents discloses the addition to the hydrophilic ink of functional materials, other than dyes and/or pigments. Single fluid inks for offset printing are, for example, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,517 and in WO 00/032705A, but neither discloses an ink containing functional materials in the hydrophilic (fountain) part of the ink emulsion. US 2005/0003101A discloses a method of preparing a substrate such that it is capable of sponsoring autocatalytic plating of metal patterns over a pre-determined area of its surface comprising the steps of: i) coating some or all of the substrate material by a pattern transfer mechanism with a first layer composed of a first layer material comprising a catalytic material; ii) coating the first layer by a pattern transfer mechanism with a second layer composed of a second layer material such that the second layer overlaps the first layer to form a seal, the second layer material being incapable of promoting and/or sustaining the desired catalytic reaction iii) using an energetic ablative scribing process to remove a pre-determined pattern of material from the second layer material in order to expose the first layer material. The catalytic material is applied via a pattern transfer mechanism, such as inkjet printing or screen printing, coating a second layer over the first layer to form a seal and using an energetic ablative scribing process to remove a pre-determined pattern of the second layer in order to expose the first layer. Metal is deposited on the first catalytic layer by electroless plating. The disadvantage of this process is that the described scribing processes, such as e-beam, focused UV beam, collimated X-ray beam or plasma beams are slow processes. DE 2757029A discloses a process for the manufacture of integrated circuits in which an ink enriched with palladium, copper or silver nuclei is printed on a substrate provided with an adhesion-providing layer, the conductive patterns thereby produced then being metallized chemically in a copper depositing bath to electrically conductive circuits. Neither the printing method nor the ink compositions are further specified. WO 92/21790A discloses a method comprising printing a catalytic ink in a two-dimensional image on a moving web from a rotating gravure roll; wherein said catalytic ink comprises a solution of less than 10% by weight solids comprising polymer and a Group 1B or Group 8 metal compound, complex or colloid; wherein said ink has a viscosity between 20 and 600 centipoises as measured with a Brookfield No. 1 spindle at 100 rpm and 25° C.; and wherein said image is adaptable to electroless deposition of metal. This method has the disadvantage of the image not being directly usable for catalyzing electroless deposition. Moreover, rotogravure printing suffers from the disadvantages of the high cost of a gravure roll compared to an offset printing plate. A stamp having a patterned surface, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,285, is an alternative method of applying a catalyst for electroless plating on a substrate from an aqueous solution. However, this method is not roll-to-roll and is very slow compared to offset printing. Flexographic printing of a catalyst layer for the manufacturing of electromagnetic wave shield material is disclosed in JP patent 2002-223095A, but fails to disclose printing of a catalyst layer from a hydrophilic phase and suffers from the disadvantage of requiring relatively high viscosity inks, usually of the order of 200-600 mPa·s, for which binders are required. Other additives such as defoamers, waxes, surfactants, slip agents and plasticizers are often required to obtain the required printing properties. U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,526 discloses a processing composition comprising a reducing agent and an inert transition metal complex oxidizing agent which undergo redox reaction in a liquid medium in the presence of catalytic material which is a zero valent metal or chalcogen of a Group VIII or 1B element, wherein said liquid is a solvent for said reducing agent and said inert transition metal ion complex, said inert transition metal complex comprising (a) Lewis bases and (b) Lewis acids which are capable of existing in at least two valence states and said oxidizing agent and said reducing agent being so chosen that (1) the reaction products thereof are noncatalytic for said oxidation-reduction reaction and (2) when test samples thereof are each dissolved in an inert solvent at a concentration of about 0.01 molar at 20° C., there is essentially no redox reaction between said oxidizing agent and said reducing agent, and said oxidizing agent being a complex of a metal ion with a liquid which, when a test sample thereof is dissolved at 0.1 molar concentration at 20° C. in an inert solvent solution containing a 0.1 molar concentration of a tagged ligand of the same species which is uncoordinated, exhibits essentially no exchange of uncoordinated and coordinated ligands for at least 1 minute. Application of the processing composition using printing techniques, such as by printing with a stamp, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,526. Prior art processes have therefore realized patterns of an electroless deposition catalyst by either modifying a uniform coating by local application of an energy source be it with heat, light, X-rays, electrons, ions or some other energy source, by contactless printing techniques, such as ink-jet, electrostatic or electrophotographic techniques, by relatively low resolution contact printing processes such as screen printing or relatively slow contact printing processes such as stamp printing. There is therefore a need for processes not involving multiple process steps with removal of material, which lend themselves to mass production of high resolution patterns of electroless deposition catalysts. In respect of the catalyst, the avoidance of additives is preferred to prevent poisoning of the catalytic species and the resulting reduction in catalytic activity and to avoid embedding of the catalyst due to the resulting inaccessibility of the catalyst.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Surprisingly it has been found that a high resolution pattern of an electroless deposition catalyst can be realized from aqueous media in a single step, without resorting to photographic techniques, in a low cost high speed process which lends itself to mass production. Moreover, the electroless deposition catalyst thereby deposited does not require activation prior to electroless deposition. Aspects of the present invention are realized by a process comprising the step of: contact printing a pattern of an electroless deposition catalyst via a hydrophilic phase to a receiving medium, wherein the electroless deposition catalyst requires no activation prior to electroless deposition. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

Text reflow in a structured document

A method and computer program product for reflowing a PDL page without using the original application used to create the PDL page. The method and computer program product include receiving a page represented in a page description language, the page including a plurality of page objects, and changing one or both of a size of the page and a size of one or more of the page objects, while maintaining spatial relationships between the page objects.

1. A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for forming illustrations in a page, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: receive a page represented in a page description language (PDL), the page including a plurality of page objects including line art elements, each page object associated with a PDL element range including at least one PDL element; repeatedly augment each PDL range with a PDL element that is adjacent to the PDL range and is not part of another PDL range when the bounding box of the PDL element overlaps the bounding box of the PDL object associated with the PDL range; such that the PDL elements in each PDL range define an illustration. 2. The computer program product of claim 1, further comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: combine two illustrations when their PDL ranges are adjacent and their bounding boxes overlap. 3. A computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for forming illustrations in a page, comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: receive a page represented in a page description language (PDL), the page including a plurality of page objects including line art elements, each page object associated with a PDL element range including at least one PDL element; recursively coalesce line art elements having overlapping bounding boxes to form one or more illustrations; add to each illustration each PDL element within the PDL range of the illustration that is not part of the illustration when the bounding box of the PDL element overlaps the bounding box of the illustration; and repeatedly augment the PDL range of each illustration with PDL elements that are adjacent to the PDL range and are not part of another illustration when the bounding box of the PDL elements overlap the bounding box of the illustration; such that the PDL elements in each PDL range define an illustration. 4. The computer program product of claim 3, further comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: combine two illustrations when their PDL ranges are adjacent and their bounding boxes overlap. 5. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein the instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to recursively coalesce comprises instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: combine two line art elements having overlapping bounding boxes, thereby forming an illustration; and create a new bounding box containing the illustration. 6. The computer program product of claim 5, further comprising instructions operable to cause a programmable processor to: combine a line art element with the illustration when the bounding boxes of the line art element and the illustration overlap. 7. A method for forming illustrations in a page, comprising: receiving a page represented in a page description language (PDL), the page including a plurality of page objects including line art elements, each page object associated with a PDL element range including at least one PDL element; repeatedly augmenting each PDL range with a PDL element that is adjacent to the PDL range and is not part of another PDL range when the bounding box of the PDL element overlaps the bounding box of the PDL object associated with the PDL range; such that the PDL elements in each PDL range define an illustration. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: combining two illustrations when their PDL ranges are adjacent and their bounding boxes overlap. 9. A method for forming illustrations in a page, comprising: receiving a page represented in a page description language (PDL), the page including a plurality of page objects including line art elements, each page object associated with a PDL element range including at least one PDL element; recursively coalescing line art elements having overlapping bounding boxes to form one or more illustrations; adding to each illustration each PDL element within the PDL range of the illustration that is not part of the illustration when the bounding box of the PDL element overlaps the bounding box of the illustration; and repeatedly augmenting the PDL range of each illustration with PDL elements that are adjacent to the PDL range and are not part of another illustration when the bounding box of the PDL elements overlap the bounding box of the illustration; such that the PDL elements in each PDL range define an illustration. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: combining two illustrations when their PDL ranges are adjacent and their bounding boxes overlap. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of recursively coalescing comprises: combining two line art elements having overlapping bounding boxes, thereby forming an illustration; and creating a new bounding box containing the illustration. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: combining a line art element with the illustration when the bounding boxes of the line art element and the illustration overlap.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates generally to a system and method for generating output for computer systems, and more particularly to a system and method for modifying the presentation of structured documents. The rapid expansion of the World Wide Web—where dynamic, compelling images are crucial—has driven the demand for a document format that preserves all of the fonts, formatting, colors, and graphics of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it. One such format is referred to as the portable document format (PDF). PDF is a file format developed by Adobe Systems, Incorporated. PDF captures formatting information from a variety of desktop publishing applications, making it possible to send formatted documents and have them appear on the recipient's monitor or printer as they were intended. A source document can be authored in a page description language (PDL). PDL is a language for describing the layout and contents of a printed page. One well-known PDL is PostScript™ by Adobe Systems, Inc. PostScript describes a page in terms of page objects including textual objects and graphical objects such as lines, arcs, and circles. Moreover, PDF is a PDL. According to conventional methods, a PDL document is rendered by first defining a bounding box, such as a page, and then placing the textual and graphical objects defined for the page into the bounding box according to the definitions in the PDL document. Normally the size of a PDL page is chosen so that it is clearly legible on a standard full-sized display. For example, an 8-inch page width may be chosen for display on a 15-inch computer monitor. However, a single page size may not be ideal for devices having non-standard display sizes, such as a hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA). To view a PDL page having an 8-inch page width on a 3-inch-wide display, the user has two alternatives. The user can change the zoom factor of the display to show the entire page on the 3-inch display. However, this approach will generally render the page too small to be legible. Alternatively, the user can simply show a portion of the page at full magnification, and scroll horizontally and vertically to view the rest of the page. This approach is inconvenient and time-consuming. Another approach is for the author of the PDL page to generate a different PDL page for each display size using the application that created the PDL page. This approach is wasteful because multiple copies of each PDL page must be maintained. In addition, the user must select the copy that is appropriate for the display on which the PDL page will be viewed.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method and computer program product for reflowing a PDL page without using the original application used to create the PDL page. One use of the present invention is to resize a page for viewing on a display of a different size than the display to which the document was originally rendered, or to display at a different resolution, either because the inherent resolution of the display differs, or because the reader has demanded a larger, more visible representation. In one aspect the method and computer program product include receiving a page represented in a page description language, the page including a plurality of page objects; and changing a size of the page to a changed size in a first dimension without changing the size of the page objects, while maintaining spatial relationships between the page objects in a second dimension. Particular implementations can include one or more of the following features. The page objects can include textual and graphical elements, and the changing step includes maintaining spatial relationships between the textual and graphical elements in the second dimension. The changing step can further include creating one or more new pages having the changed size in the first dimension; and adding the textual and graphical elements to the one or more new pages. The adding step can include identifying distances in the second dimension between one or more textual elements and one or more graphical elements; adding the textual elements to the one or more new pages; and adding the graphical elements to the one or more new pages based on the distances in the second dimension and positions of the textual elements in the one or more new pages. The identifying step can include creating a map containing the positions of the textual elements in the page, and augmenting the map with the positions of the textual elements in the one or more new pages to produce a relationship for each textual element between the position of the textual element in the page and the position of the textual element in the one or more new pages; and the step of adding the graphical elements can include adding the graphical elements to the one or more new pages according to the map. The step of adding the graphical elements according to the map can include associating one or more particular textual elements with one or more particular graphical elements; determining distances in the second dimension between the particular textual elements and the particular graphical elements; and selecting positions in the one or more new pages for placement of the particular graphical elements based on the distances and the positions of the particular textual elements in the one or more new pages as listed in the map. The associating step can include associating a particular graphical element with a particular textual element that is nearest to the particular graphical element in the first dimension. The associating step can include associating a given graphical element with a plurality of given textual elements; and the selecting step can include scaling the given graphical element when a distance in the first dimension between the plurality of given textual elements in the page differs from a corresponding distance between the plurality of given textual elements in the one or more new pages. The textual elements can be organized as words. In another aspect the method and computer program product include receiving a page represented in a page description language, the page including a plurality of page objects; and changing a size of the page objects without changing the size of the page, while maintaining spatial relationships between the page objects in a dimension of the page. The page objects can include textual and graphical elements, and the changing step can include maintaining spatial relationships between the textual and graphical elements in the dimension. The changing step can include creating one or more new pages having the same size as the page in a further dimension; scaling the textual and graphical elements, producing scaled textual and graphical elements; and adding the scaled textual and graphical elements to the one or more new pages. The adding step can include identifying distances in the dimension between one or more textual elements and one or more graphical elements; adding the scaled textual elements to the one or more new pages; and adding the scaled graphical elements to the one or more new pages based on the distances in the dimension and the positions of the scaled textual elements in the one or more new pages. The identifying step can include creating a map containing the positions of the textual elements in the page, and augmenting the map with the positions of the textual elements in the one or more new pages to produce a relationship for each textual element between the position of the textual element in the page and the position of the corresponding scaled textual element in the one or more new pages; and the step of adding the graphical elements can include adding the graphical elements to the one or more new pages according to the map. The step of adding the scaled graphical elements according to the map can include associating one or more particular textual elements with one or more particular graphical elements; determining distances in the dimension between the particular textual elements and the particular graphical elements; and selecting positions in the one or more new pages for placement of the scaled graphical elements corresponding to the particular graphical elements based on the distances and the positions of scaled textual elements corresponding to the particular textual elements in the one or more new pages as listed in the map. The associating step can include associating a particular graphical element with a particular textual element that is nearest to the particular graphical element in the further dimension. The associating step can include associating a given graphical element with a plurality of given textual elements; and the selecting step can include scaling the given graphical element in the dimension when a distance in the dimension between the plurality of given textual elements in the page differs from a corresponding distance in the one or more new pages between a plurality of scaled textual elements corresponding to the plurality of given textual elements. The textual elements can be organized as words. In another aspect the method and computer program product include receiving a page represented in a page description language, the page including a plurality of page objects; and changing a size of the page to a changed size in a first dimension, and changing a size of one or more of the page objects, while maintaining spatial relationships between the page objects in a second dimension. The page objects include textual and graphical elements, and wherein the changing step can include maintaining spatial relationships between the textual and graphical elements in the second dimension. The changing step can include creating one or more new pages having the same size as the page in a further dimension; scaling the textual and graphical elements, producing scaled textual and graphical elements; and adding the scaled textual and graphical elements to the one or more new pages. The adding step can include identifying distances in the second dimension between one or more textual elements and one or more graphical elements; adding the scaled textual elements to the one or more new pages; and adding the scaled graphical elements to the one or more new pages based on the distances in the second dimension and positions of the textual elements in the one or more new pages. The identifying step can include creating a map containing the positions of the textual elements in the page, and augmenting the map with the positions of the textual elements in the one or more new pages to produce a relationship for each textual element between the position of the textual element in the page and the position of the corresponding scaled textual element in the one or more new pages; and the step of adding the graphical elements can include adding the graphical elements to the one or more new pages according to the map. The step of adding the graphical elements according to the map can include associating one or more particular textual elements with one or more particular graphical elements; determining distances in the second dimension between the particular textual elements and the particular graphical elements; and selecting positions in the one or more new pages for placement of the scaled graphical elements corresponding to the particular graphical elements based on the distances and the positions of scaled textual elements corresponding to the particular textual elements in the one or more new pages as listed in the map. The associating step can include associating a particular graphical element with a particular textual element that is nearest to the particular graphical element in the first dimension. The associating step can include associating a given graphical element with a plurality of given textual elements; and the selecting step can include scaling the given graphical element when a distance in the dimension between the plurality of given textual elements in the page differs from a corresponding distance in the one or more new pages between a plurality of scaled textual elements corresponding to the plurality of given textual elements. The textual elements can be organized as words. The amount of size change of a page object can depend on the type of the page object. In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method and computer program product for forming illustrations in a page. It includes receiving a page represented in a page description language (PDL), the page including a plurality of page objects including line art elements, each page object associated with a PDL element range including at least one PDL element; repeatedly augmenting each PDL range with a PDL element that is adjacent to the PDL range and is not part of another PDL range when the bounding box of the PDL element overlaps the bounding box of the PDL object associated with the PDL range; such that the PDL elements in each PDL range define an illustration. Particular implementations can include combining two illustrations when their PDL ranges are adjacent and their bounding boxes overlap. In another aspect the method and computer program product include receiving a page represented in a page description language (PDL), the page including a plurality of page is objects including line art elements, each page object associated with a PDL element range including at least one PDL element; recursively coalescing line art elements having overlapping bounding boxes to form one or more illustrations; adding to each illustration each PDL element within the PDL range of the illustration that is not part of the illustration when the bounding box of the PDL element overlaps the bounding box of the illustration; and repeatedly augmenting the PDL range of each illustration with PDL elements that are adjacent to the PDL range and are not part of another illustration when the bounding box of the PDL elements overlap the bounding box of the illustration; such that the PDL elements in each PDL range define an illustration. Particular implementations can include combining two illustrations when their PDL ranges are adjacent and their bounding boxes overlap. The step of recursively coalescing can include combining two line art elements having overlapping bounding boxes, thereby forming an illustration; and creating a new bounding box containing the illustration. Particular implementations can include combining a line art element with the illustration when the bounding boxes of the line art element and the illustration overlap. Advantages that can be seen in implementations of the invention include one or more of the following. PDL pages can be resized. A PDL page produced according to the invention can be legibly displayed on any size display. The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

Method of treating and probing a via

A method of treating a via connected with a substrate and a method of probing the via are disclosed. A pattern of a lead-free solder paste is applied around a hole of the via without completely covering a pad of the via. The paste is reflowed to form a pattern of a lead-free solder on a pad that covers only a portion of a surface area of the pad and is positioned around the hole. The solder may be substantially symmetrically positioned around the hole. A flux generated during reflow is insufficient to plug the hole. The lead-free solder can be probed by a blade probe including colinear first and second edges and having a preferred orientation relative to the pattern of the lead-free solder.

1. A method of treating a via connected with a substrate, comprising: aligning a stencil with the substrate, the stencil including a pattern with a plurality of apertures and a shield; connecting the stencil with the substrate so that the shield covers a hole and a first portion of a pad of the via, and the apertures are positioned over a second portion of the pad; applying a lead-free solder paste to the stencil to print the paste on the second portion only, the shield preventing the paste from entering the hole; removing the stencil; and reflowing the paste so that a flux drains through the hole and separate sections of a lead-free solder are positioned around the hole and wet only a portion of a surface area of the pad. 2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein during the applying, an edge of the aperture is aligned with a rim of the hole of the via. 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein after the applying, a portion of the lead-free solder paste abuts with a rim of the hole of the via. 4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein after the reflowing, the lead-free solder comprises two separate sections of the lead-free solder that are positioned around the hole. 5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the lead-free solder is substantially symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the hole. 6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the lead-free solder on the pad forms a butterfly pattern. 7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pad includes a surface coating of an organic solderability preservative. 8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the applying comprises a pasting of the pad on a side of the via that the via will be probed from. 9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apertures are symmetrically positioned on opposite sides of the shield. 10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apertures include a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangular shape, an arcuate shape, an angular shape, and a complex shape. 11. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the shield includes a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangular shape, an arcuate shape, an angular shape, and a complex shape. 12. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the paste is printed on the second portion in an amount selected from the group consisting of an excess pasting, a nominal pasting, and an under pasting. 13. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein after the reflowing, the lead-free solder has a position on the pad selected from the group consisting of a position that abuts with a portion of a rim of the hole, a position that is inset from the rim of the hole, a position that extends to an edge of the pad, and a position that is inset from the edge of the pad. 14. A via treated with a lead-free solder according to the method as set forth in claim 1. 15. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising after the reflowing: aligning a test fixture with the substrate, the test fixture including a blade probe connected with the test fixture in a preferred orientation, the blade probe including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade including a tip, a first edge, a second edge, the first and second edges are colinear with each other, and the preferred orientation and the aligning are operative to position the first and second edges to make a contact with a portion of the lead-free solder; and probing the via by urging the blade probe into contact with the lead-free solder. 16. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the preferred orientation of the blade probe and the aligning of the test fixture with the substrate operatively positions the first edge and the second edge in a substantially orthogonal orientation with an axis of the lead-free solder. 17. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein during the probing, the tip and a portion of the first and second edges are positioned in the hole of the via. 18. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the probing comprises an in-circuit-test process. 19. A method of probing a via connected with a substrate and including separate sections of a lead-free solder that is connected with a portion of a pad of the via and is positioned around a hole of the via, comprising: aligning a test fixture with the substrate, the test fixture including a blade probe connected with the test fixture in a preferred orientation, the blade probe including a shaft and a blade connected with the shaft, the blade including a tip, a first edge, a second edge, the first and second edges are colinear with each other, and the preferred orientation and the aligning are operative to position the first and second edges to make a contact with a portion of the lead-free solder; and probing the via by urging the blade probe into contact with the lead-free solder. 20. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the preferred orientation of the blade probe and the aligning of the test fixture with the substrate operatively positions the first edge and the second edge in a substantially orthogonal orientation with an axis of the lead-free solder on the pad. 21. The method as set forth in claim 19 and further comprising prior to the aligning: connecting the blade probe to the test fixture in the preferred orientation. 22. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein during the probing, the tip and a portion of the first and second edges are positioned in the hole of the via. 23. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the probing comprises an in-circuit-test process.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that is well known for its toxicity to humans. Lead poisoning in humans can occur by skin contact, breathing, eating, or drinking materials that contain lead. Lead containing products such as paint, plumbing, and gasoline have been banned in many countries including the U.S. and countries in the European Union (EU). Children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning and lead poisoning can cause developmental problems in children, such as learning disabilities, neurological damage, anemia, stunted growth, behavioral disorders, impaired speech development, loss of hearing, renal damage, and hyperactivity, just to name a few. Once lead is introduced into a bio-system, it is almost impossible to get rid of because lead does not dissolve in water, is not biodegradable, cannot be burned off, and does not dissipate or decay in concentration over time. A primary source of lead poisoning in humans is through groundwater contamination from products or materials that contain lead. For example, landfills often contain electronic products that have been dumped in the landfill. Those electronic products include circuit boards on which components have been soldered using a lead-based solder. The elements tin (Sn) and lead (Pb) are key components in the lead-based solder (e.g. a lead-tin solder) and the lead-tin solder itself is a fundamental material for electrically connecting and joining a component to a circuit board. Eventually, rain and other environmental factors cause the lead (Pb) in the lead-tin solder to leach out into the groundwater. Although lead-tin solder accounts for a small percentage (<1%) of worldwide lead consumption, the proliferation of electronic products, especially consumer electronics products, that are purchased and then later discarded in landfills, has prompted many countries to enact legislation that bans the use of lead-tin solder. For example, Japan and the EU have pending lead-free legislation that will restrict the use of lead-based solder. The EU Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (ROHS) will take effect on Jul. 1, 2006. These restrictions on lead-based solder will not only impact electronics manufactures in the enacting nations, but also electronics manufactures who trade goods with those nations. In either case, manufactures in the electronics industry are faced with developing an economically viable and environmentally friendly substitute for lead-based solder that complies with the lead-free restrictions. Currently, a lead-free solder is being considered as a replacement for lead-tin solder. Examples of a composition of the lead-free solder include: (1) 99.3% tin (Sn) and 0.7% copper (Cu); (2) 95.5% tin (Sn), 4.0% silver (Ag), and 0.5% copper (Cu); and (3) 92.3% tin (Sn), 3.4% silver (Ag), 1.0% copper (Cu), and 3.3% bismuth (Bi). However, there are some implementation problems that arise from the use of lead-free solder that must be overcome so that manufacturing of electronics using lead-free solder is economically viable. One such problem is an increased contact failure rate during in-circuit-test (ICT) of vias on PC boards. Typically, a PC board will include several test vias that include a lead-free solder on a pad of the via. The vias are probed by a test fixture after a reflow soldering of components to the PC board. The probing is necessary to ensure that the PC board and the components connected with it are functioning properly. A lead-free solder is easier to probe than a bare finished metal with the exception that vias pose a problem because a flux residue coats the via after reflow and the residue serves as an insulating barrier that prevents electrical contact between a probe and the lead-free solder on a pad of the via. Turning to FIG. 1 a , a prior electronic circuit 300 includes a PC board 301 including components ( 311 , 321 ) that are soldered 315 , using a lead-free solder, to pads 313 that are positioned on a surface 301 t of the board 301 . The dashed outline depicts a portion under the components ( 311 , 321 ) where the lead-free solder is reflowed to connect the components ( 311 , 321 ) to their respective pads 313 . The components ( 311 , 321 ) can be surface mount devices, such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, for example. Electrically conductive traces 312 connect the components ( 311 , 321 ) to other elements (not shown) that form the electronic circuit 300 . A via 303 is one such element that can be connected with the components ( 311 , 321 ) by the traces 312 . As will be described below, a lead-free solder paste is applied to the vias 303 and the pads 313 . The lead-free solder paste includes a lead-free solder component and a flux component. After a reflow soldering process, a pad 302 of the via 303 is covered by a lead-free solder 335 s and a hole 305 of the via 303 is filled with the solder 335 s . The solder 335 s includes a divot that is capped by a flux 335 f that is recessed in the divot. The solder 335 s also serves to solder the components ( 311 , 321 ) to their respective pads 313 as denoted by 315 . Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 b through 1 e , where the via 303 includes a diameter D V and a stencil 330 that is used as a mask to apply the aforementioned lead-free solder paste to the via 303 includes an aperture 331 that has a diameter D S . Typically, as was done when lead-based solder was used to solder components to a PC board, a one-to-one pasting (1:1) of a solder paste to the via was accomplished by using a stencil with an aperture that had a diameter that was greater than or equal to the diameter of the via. Accordingly, in FIG. 1 c , the diameter D S of the prior stencil 330 would be greater than or equal to the diameter D V of the via 303 (i.e. D S ≧D V ) of the via 303 in FIG. 1 b . When D S >D V , then the pasting of the pad 302 of the via 303 is referred to as an over pasting or over printing of the via. Consequently, the diameter D S of the aperture 331 completely covers the pad 302 of the via 303 as depicted in FIG. 1 f , where the stencil 330 is positioned in contact with the surface 301 t of the board 301 and a lead-free solder paste 335 is applied to the stencil 330 and flows through the aperture 331 and covers the pad 302 of the via 303 . Subsequently, heat h is applied to the lead-free solder paste 335 during a reflowing process. The reflowing causes a solder component 335 s of the paste 335 to wet and adhere to the pad 302 . Additionally, a substantial portion of the solder 335 s flows into the hole 305 of the via and a flux component 335 f of the paste 335 also flows into the hole 305 . As a result, the solder 335 s fills up a substantial portion of the hole 305 and the flux 335 f pools on top of the solder 335 s and plugs the hole 305 . The plugging of the hole 305 and the pooling of the flux 335 f are due to a higher solids content of the flux 335 f used in the lead-free solder paste 335 and to the aforementioned 1:1 pasting of the lead-free solder paste 335 to the via 303 . Because of the 1:1 pasting, more solder paste 335 than is needed is applied to the pad 302 . During the reflowing, that excess solder 335 s in the paste 335 flows into the hole 305 . As a result, the flux 335 f pools on top of the excess solder 335 s in the hole 305 as depicted in FIGS. 1 i and 1 j . The flux 335 f can be substantially flush with a top surface of the pad 302 or the flux 335 f can form a dome 335 fc that can be convex in shape (e.g. positioned above the top surface of the pad 302 ) or concave in shape (e.g. positioned below the top surface of the pad 302 ). In either case, a tip 350 t of a probe 350 that is urged U into contact with the via 303 is not able to make an electrical connection C with the solder 335 s on the pad 302 because the tip 350 t cannot penetrate far enough into the hole 305 due to the blockage caused by the flux 335 f . Consequently, a contact surface 350 c of the probe cannot connect with the solder 335 s on the pad 302 and an electrical continuity cannot be reliably established between the probe 350 and the via 303 . Moreover, the vias 303 are typically coated with an organic solderability preservative (OSP) prior to the applying of the solder paste 335 . The OSP is a low cost coating that if left over pasted, prevents repeatable contact with the via 303 . Returning to FIG. 1 a , after the reflowing of the solder paste 335 , it is desirable to probe the board 301 to perform an in-circuit-test (ICT) to verify proper functioning of the board 301 . However, the flux 335 f pooling in the hole 305 prevents a reliable ICT using the probe 350 as was depicted in FIG. 1 j . Essentially, the probe 350 fails to make a good electrical connection in high percentages with the solder 335 s on the pad 302 . The inability to repeatedly perform a reliable ICT on the board 301 results in an increased manufacturing cost for re-testing of lead-free solder treated boards, waste cost associated with boards that are mistakenly scrapped, increase liability exposure during a warranty period for products that contain bad boards, a negative impact on brand loyalty caused by defective products, and costs associated with troubleshooting the boards and the ICT functional testers used to probe the boards. Potential solutions to the above problems include using a higher cost board finish and using test pads instead of test vias. The use of a higher cost finish (e.g. electrolytic Ni/Au) is not acceptable for volume manufacturing, particularly for low margin consumer electronics products. Other notable finishes such as immersion tin and immersion silver may lead to whisker growth and failure mechanisms associated with whisker growth. The use of test pads versus test vias has the disadvantage of using up precious real estate on the PC board and adding capacitance to the signal net that can compromise signal speed, performance, and reliability. An additional solution is to chemically wash the boards; however, washing increase manufacturing costs and the chemicals used create environmental problems of their own. Consequently, there is a need for a method of treating a via with a lead-free solder that is economically viable and that prevents solder and flux from plugging up a hole of the via. Moreover, there exists a need for a method of treating a via with a lead-free solder that eliminates an over pasting of the via and reduces an amount of a lead-free solder paste that is applied to a pad of the via. Finally, there is also a need for a method of probing a via that has been treated with lead-free solder that provides reliable and repeatable probing of the via during in-circuit-test.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A method of treating a via connected with a substrate includes aligning a stencil with the substrate. The stencil includes a pattern with a plurality of apertures and a shield. The stencil is connected with the substrate so that the shield covers a hole and a first portion of a pad of the via and the apertures are positioned over a second portion of the pad. A lead-free solder paste is applied to the stencil to print the lead-free solder paste only on the second portion of the pad. The shield prevents the lead-free solder paste from entering the hole of the via. The stencil is removed from the substrate and the lead-free solder paste is reflowed so that a flux drains through the hole and a lead-free solder wets only a portion of a surface area of the pad. The aperture in the stencil reduces the amount of the lead-free solder paste applied to the pad so that upon reflowing, substantially all of the lead-free solder in the paste wets the pad and the flux in the paste drains through the hole without plugging up the hole. A method of probing a via that is connected with a substrate and including a lead-free solder that is connected with a portion of a pad of the via and is positioned around of a hole of the via includes aligning a test fixture with the substrate. The test fixture includes a blade probe connected with the test fixture in a preferred orientation and the blade probe includes a shaft, a tip, and first and second edges that are colinear with each other. The preferred orientation of the blade probe and the aligning of the test fixture with the substrate are operative to position a portion of the first and second edges to make a contact with a portion of the lead-free solder on the pad when the blade probe is urged into contact with the lead-free solder. The via is probed by urging the blade probe into contact with the lead-free solder on the pad. The blade probe allows for reliable and repeatable probing of the via during an in-circuit-test. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the present invention.

Methods and apparatus to manage advanced television system committee video in broadcast switched digital video systems

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to manage program streams in broadcast switched digital video (SDV) systems. An example method includes receiving a plurality of motion picture experts group (MPEG) multiple program transport streams (MPTSs) that contain a plurality of program streams; selecting a subset of the plurality of program streams to provide a line-up of program streams; and broadcasting the selected subset of program streams in the SDV system.

1. A method of managing program streams in a broadcast switched digital video (SDV) system comprising: receiving a plurality of motion picture experts group (MPEG) multiple program transport streams (MPTSs) that contain a plurality of program streams; selecting a subset of the plurality of program streams to provide a line-up of program streams; and broadcasting the selected subset of program streams in the SDV system. 2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein receiving the plurality of MPTSs comprises demodulating a plurality of received RF transmissions. 3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein broadcasting the selected subset of program streams in the SDV system comprises broadcasting the selected subset of program streams over an Internet protocol (IP) network. 4. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising: decoding program information present in the plurality of MPTSs; and selecting the subset of the plurality of program streams to provide a line-up of program streams based on the decoded program information and at least one business objective, operational rule, ratings rule, contractual commitment, or customer request. 5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein broadcasting the selected subset of program streams in the SDV system comprises: de-multiplexing the selected subset of program streams from at least one of the plurality of MPTS; and connecting the at least one of the selected subset of program streams to a respective one of a plurality of SDV broadcast engines. 6. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein broadcasting the selected subset of program streams in the SDV system comprises at least one of re-encoding or re-compressing the at least one of the program streams. 7. A method for managing program streams in a broadcast switched digital video (SDV) system that receives a plurality of motion picture experts group (MPEG) multiple program transport streams (MPTSs) that contain a plurality of program streams, the method comprising: decoding program information from the MPTSs; receiving program stream selections from a system manager; and configuring the SDV system to broadcast the selected program streams. 8. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein decoding program information from the MPTSs comprises extracting and decoding program and system information protocol (PSIP) packets present in the MPTSs. 9. A method as defined in claim 8 wherein decoding program information from the MPTSs further comprises extracting and decoding the at least one PSIP packet present in the MPTSs to create or update at least one of master guide table (MGT) information, rating region table (RRT) information, virtual channel table (VCT) information or event information table (EIT) information. 10. A method as defined in claim 7 further comprising demodulating a plurality of received RF transmissions to receive the plurality of MPTSs. 11. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein the decoded program information comprises at least one of a master guide table (MGT), a rating region table (RRT), a virtual channel table (VCT), or an event information table (EIT). 12. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein receiving program stream selections comprises providing the decoded program information to the system manager; and receiving a list of the at least one selected program stream to be broadcast by the SDV system. 13. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein receiving the program stream selections further comprises receiving assignments associating the selected program streams to respective SDV broadcast engines. 14. A method as defined in claim 12 wherein receiving the program stream selections further comprises receiving a list of at least one program stream to un-select. 15. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein the SDV system broadcasts the selected program streams over an Internet protocol (IP) network. 16. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein the system manager uses the decoded program information and at least one of a business objective, an operational rule, a ratings rule, a contractual commitment, or a customer request to select the program streams. 17. An apparatus for managing program streams in a broadcast switched digital video (SDV) system that receives a plurality of motion picture experts group (MPEG) multiple program transport streams (MPTSs) that contain a plurality of program streams, the apparatus comprising: a decoder to decode program information from the MPTSs; and a controller to receive program stream selections from a system manager, and to configure the SDV system to broadcast the selected program streams. 18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the decoder decodes program information from the MPTSs by extracting and decoding program and system information protocol (PSIP) packets present in the MPTSs. 19. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the controller provides the decoded program information to the system manager, and wherein the program stream selections include: (a) a list of at least one selected program stream to be broadcast by the SDV system, and (b) an assignment associating each of the selected program streams to a respective SDV broadcast engine. 20. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the controller configures the SDV system to broadcast the selected program streams by configuring a SDV switch to de-multiplex the at least one program stream from the at least one of the MPTSs and to connect the at least one of the program streams to at least one SDV broadcast engine. 21. An article of manufacture storing machine readable instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to manage program streams in a broadcast switched digital video (SDV) system that receives a plurality of motion picture experts group (MPEG) multiple program transport streams (MPTSs) that contain a plurality of program streams by: decoding program information from a plurality MPTSs; receiving program stream selections from a system manager; and configuring the SDV system to broadcast the selected program streams. 22. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 21 wherein the machine readable instructions cause the machine to decode program information from the plurality of MPTSs by extracting and decoding program and system information protocol (PSIP) packets present in the MPTSs. 23. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 21 wherein the machine readable instructions cause the machine to provide the decoded program information to the system manager and wherein the program stream selections include (a) a list of at least one selected program stream to be broadcast by the SDV system, and (b) an assignment associating each of the at least one selected program stream to a respective SDV broadcast engine. 24. An article of manufacture as defined in claim 21 wherein the machine readable instructions cause the machine to configure a SDV switch to de-multiplex the at least one program stream from the at least one of the MPTSs and to connect the at least one program stream to at least one respective SDV broadcast engine.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The amplitude modulated (AM)—vestigial sidebands (VSB) 6 Megahertz (MHz) television (TV) broadcast system only supports one standard definition video channel plus a pair of stereo audio channels and two auxiliary audio channels. In 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) broadcast standards for digital TV (DTV) (e.g., A/53B, A/65B, A/90, etc.). With support of motion picture experts group (MPEG) multiple program transport streams (MPTSs), the ATSC DTV standards include dynamic support for and transport of one or more program streams (e.g., each containing video plus audio) within a single 6 MHz broadcast channel. For example, a broadcaster may simultaneously provide a football game, a local news program, and weather information within a single MPTS. The ATSC DTV standards support an effective payload of approximately 19.3 Megabits per second (Mbps) for a terrestrial 6 MHz broadcast channel or approximately 38 Mbps for a 6 MHz cable broadcast channel. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example prior art transmitter 100 for the prior art ATSC DTV broadcast system. A plurality of application encoders 105 principally perform data compression and encoding for a plurality of sources 110 (e.g. video, audio, data, etc.) to reduce the number of bits required to represent the sources 110 . For example, the ATSC DTV system uses MPEG-2 compression for video sources and the ATSC compression standard (AC-3) for audio sources. A plurality of outputs 115 (i.e., program streams) of the application encoders 105 are provided to a transport packetizer and multiplexer (TPM) 120 that divides each of the program streams 115 into packets of information (including the addition of uniquely identifying information) and multiplexes the plurality of packetized program streams 115 into a single MPTS 125 . The TPM 120 also receives, packetizes, and multiplexes program and system information protocol (PSIP) information 127 into the MPTS 125 . Finally, a modulator 130 uses the MPTS 125 to modulate a carrier to create a radio frequency (RF) transmission 135 . The modulator 130 uses either 8-VSB or 16-VSB. Example implementations of the application encoders 105 , the TPM 120 , and the modulator 130 are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and, thus, will not be discussed further. The PSIP information 127 (as defined in ATSC standard A/65A) is a small collection of hierarchically arranged tables designed to operate within every MPTS to describe the programs carried within the MPTS. There are two main categories of PSIP information 127 : system information and program data. System information allows navigation and access of the channels (i.e., program streams) within the MPTS, and program data provides necessary information for efficient selection of programs. Some tables announce future programs, and some are used to logically locate current program streams that make up the MPTS. FIG. 2 is an example set of PSIP information tables 200 illustrating the relationships between the various tables. The master guide table (MGT) 205 provides indexing information for the other tables. It also defines table sizes necessary for memory allocation during decoding, defines version numbers to identify those tables that are new or need updating, and generates the packet identifiers (PID) that label the tables. For example, MGT 205 entry 207 points to the zero th (i.e., original) version of a ratings region table (RRT) 210 . The RRT 210 is designed to transmit the ratings system in use for each country. For example, in the United States the RRT 210 represents the television parental guidelines (TVPG), more commonly referred to as the “V-chip” system. A system time table (STT) 215 is a small data structure that serves as a reference for time of day functions, e.g., to manage scheduled events, display time-of-day, etc. A virtual channel table (VCT) 220 contains a list of all the channels that are or will be active, plus their attributes, e.g., channel name and number. Event information tables 225 a - b describe the program(s) for a time interval of three hours. There may be up to 128 EITs, EIT- 0 through EIT- 127 , allowing for up to 16 days of programming to be advertised in advance. Example implementations of generating PSIP information, PSIP tables, PSIP packets, and decoding PSIP information and tables are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art and, in the interest of brevity, will not be discussed further. FIG. 3 further illustrates information contained in the VCT 220 . In the example table, Short Name is typically displayed in the upper corner of a TV screen to identify a channel and Type indicates the type of channel. Major Channel indicates a 6 MHz RF broadcast channel, with Minor Channel indicating sub channels. Source ID provides a PID within a MPTS, and Extended Names are typically displayed in an electronic program guide (EPG). The VCT 220 facilitates selection and location of programs by a receiver or a user of a set-top box or television. The VCT 220 can be updated in real-time so that situations like over-time (OT) in sporting events can be supported in addition to the regularly scheduled programs, reducing the number of times that programs are “joined in progress.” FIG. 4 illustrates an example portion of a programming line-up transported in a MPTS showing how bandwidth of the MPTS could be utilized to support multiple simultaneous programs. The example of FIG. 4 conveys several points: 1. Bandwidth requirements are dynamic. In the case of nondeterministic programs, like sports, an allocation may change on a moment by moment basis. 2. The number of programming streams will change as programming options change. 3. The UT vs. A&M OT situation underscores the dynamic nature of the MPTS. 4. Services such as Weather Graphics, Text and other low bit rate services may also be supported. 5. Names of channels may change as the programming line up changes. The PSIP tables provide the necessary information so that an EPG can be created and/or updated, but also so that a receiver can locate, select and display programs. There are several subtle differences that exist between the PSIP protocols for terrestrial broadcast and the cable multiple service operator's PSIP. These slight differences are standardized, well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, and, will not be discussed further. However, a device supporting both terrestrial and cable broadcasts, must support both forms of PSIP information.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example prior art transmitter for the prior art ATSC DTV broadcast system. FIG. 2 is an example of the relationships among PSIP tables for the prior art ATSC DTV broadcast system. FIG. 3 further illustrates example information contained in the VCT of FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 shows an example bandwidth utilization of a MPEG MPTS. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example system for broadcasting ATSC video in a SDV system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an example manner of implementing the proxy server of FIG. 5 . FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an example manner of implementing the de-multiplexer and switch of FIG. 5 . FIG. 8 is a flow chart representative of machine readable instructions which may be executed to implement the controller of FIG. 6 . FIGS. 9 a - b are flow charts representative of machine readable instructions which may be executed to implement the controller of FIG. 6 . FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an example processor platform that may execute the example machine readable instructions represented by FIGS. 8 and 9 a - b to implement the controller of FIG. 6 . detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

Apparatus and methods to share time and frequency data between a host processor and a satellite positioning system receiver

Methods and apparatus to share time and frequency data between a host processor and a satellite position system (SPS) receiver in a satellite positioning system are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein generates a host processor local time based on a real-time clock associated with the host processor; adjusts the host processor local time to synchronize with a SPS time received from the SPS receiver and to correct a local frequency error of the real-time clock of the host processor; calculates an estimated SPS time based on the adjusted real-time clock signal of the host processor; and attempts to fix a SPS time and a position of the SPS receiver from SPS signals received from a plurality of SPS satellites based on the estimated SPS time.

1. A host processor in communication with a SPS receiver comprising: a real-time clock; a time computing device to estimate a SPS time based on the real-time clock; and a conversion factor adjuster to adjust the time computing device to synchronize a time developed from the real-time clock with a SPS time received from the SPS receiver and to correct a local frequency error of the real-time clock. 2. A host processor as defined in claim 1 wherein the host processor outputs the estimated SPS time to support a SPS receiver location and SPS time fix attempt by the SPS receiver. 3. A host processor as defined in claim 2 wherein the host processor further comprises a transmitter to transmit an electronic pulse at substantially the estimated SPS time followed by a message containing a first value representative of the estimated SPS time. 4. A SPS receiver in communication with a host processor comprising: a receiver to receive an estimated SPS time based on a real-time clock signal of the host processor; and a radio processor to receive SPS signals from a plurality of satellites, wherein the radio processor attempts to derive a SPS time and SPS receiver location from SPS signals received from a plurality of SPS satellites and the estimated SPS time. 5. A SPS receiver as defined in claim 4 wherein the SPS receiver further comprises a time recorder to record: (a) a first value representative of a local time of the SPS receiver substantially simultaneous to the estimated SPS time; (b) a second value representative of a SPS time value derived from the received SPS time signals; and (c) a third value representative of a second local time of the SPS receiver substantially simultaneous to the derived SPS time. 6. A SPS receiver as defined in claim 5 wherein the second local time of the SPS receiver is substantially the time when an electronic pulse from the host processor is received. 7. An SPS receiver as defined in claim 5 wherein the SPS receiver outputs the first, second, and third representative values to facilitate estimation of SPS times by the host processor. 8. An SPS receiver as defined in claim 5 wherein the SPS receiver calculates a local clock calibration factor and outputs the local clock calibration factor to facilitate estimation of SPS times by the host processor. 9. A SPS receiver in communication with a host processor comprising a radio processor to receive SPS signals from a plurality of satellites, wherein the radio processor attempts to derive a SPS time and SPS receiver location from SPS signals received from a plurality of SPS satellites; and wherein the SPS receiver outputs the derived SPS time to facilitate estimation of SPS times by the host processor. 10. A SPS receiver as defined in claim 9 wherein the SPS receiver further comprises a time recorder to record: (a) a first value representative of a first local time of the SPS receiver; (b) a second value representative of a SPS time value derived from the received SPS time signals; and (c) a third value representative of a second local time of the SPS receiver substantially simultaneous to the derived SPS time. 11. A SPS receiver as defined in claim 10 wherein the first local time of the SPS receiver is substantially the time when transmitting an electronic pulse to the host processor. 12. An SPS receiver as defined in claim 10 wherein the SPS receiver outputs the first, second, and third representative values to facilitate estimation of SPS times by the host processor. 13. An SPS receiver as defined in claim 10 wherein the SPS receiver calculates a local clock calibration factor and outputs the local clock calibration factor to facilitate estimation of SPS times by the host processor. 14. A method of sharing time and frequency data between a host processor and a SPS receiver comprising: developing a local time of the host processor based on a real-time clock associated with the host processor; deriving a SPS time and SPS receiver location from SPS signals received from a plurality of SPS satellites; and using the derived SPS time to adjust parameters associated with developing the local time of the host processor based on the real-time clock to correct a local frequency error of the real-time clock. 15. A method as defined in claim 14 further comprising: calculating an estimate of SPS time based on the local time of the host processor developed from the real-time clock associated with the host processor; and wherein deriving the SPS time and the SPS receiver location from the SPS signals received from the plurality of SPS satellites uses the estimated SPS time. 16. A method as defined in claim 15 wherein calculating the estimate of SPS time based on the local time of the host processor developed from the real-time clock associated with the host processor comprises using a programmable scale factor; and wherein using the derived SPS time to adjust the parameters associated with developing the local time of the host processor based on the real-time clock to correct the local frequency error of the real-time clock comprises updating the programmable scale factor based upon a first difference between the estimated SPS time and a first local time of the SPS receiver and a second difference between a second local time of the SPS receiver and the derived SPS time. 17. A method as defined in claim 15 further comprising: developing a second local time from a second real-time clock; computing a first difference between the estimate of SPS time and the second local time; and computing a second difference between the derived SPS time and a third local time developed from the second local clock; wherein adjusting parameters associated with developing the local time of the host processor based on the real-time clock to correct a local frequency error of the real-time clock uses the first and second differences. 18. A method as defined in claim 17 wherein computing the first difference between the estimate of SPS time and the second local time comprises computing a difference between the estimate of SPS time and the second local time developed from the second local clock substantially simultaneous to the estimated SPS time; and wherein computing the second difference between the derived SPS time and the third local time developed from the second local clock comprises computing a difference between the derived SPS time value and the third local time developed from the second local clock substantially simultaneous to the derived SPS time. 19. A method as defined in claim 17 wherein the first real-time clock is associated with the host processor and the second real-time clock is associated with the SPS receiver. 20. A method as defined in claim 15 wherein the host processor and the SPS receiver are located in a single housing. 21. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein developing the local time based on the real-time clock associated with the host processor comprises using a programmable scale factor; and wherein using the derived SPS time to adjust the parameters associated with developing the first local time of the host processor based on the real-time clock to correct the local frequency error of the real-time clock comprises updating the programmable scale factor based upon a first difference between a local time of the host processor and a first local time of the SPS receiver and a second difference between a second local time of the SPS receiver and the derived SPS time. 22. A method as defined in claim 14 further comprising: developing a second local time from a second real-time clock; computing a first difference between a local time of the host processor and the second local time; and computing a second difference between the derived SPS time and a third local time developed from the second local clock; wherein adjusting parameters associated with developing the local time of the host processor based on the real-time clock to correct the local frequency error of the real-time clock uses the first and second differences. 23. A method as defined in claim 22 wherein computing the first difference between a local time of the host processor and the second local time comprises computing a difference between a local time of the host processor that is substantially simultaneous to the second local time; and wherein computing the second difference between the derived SPS time and the third local time developed from the second local clock comprises computing a difference between the derived SPS time value and the third local time developed from the second local clock substantially simultaneous to the derived SPS time. 24. A method as defined in claim 22 wherein the first real-time clock is associated with the host processor and the second real-time clock is associated with the SPS receiver. 25. A method as defined in claim 14 wherein the host processor and the SPS receiver are located in a single housing.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Generally, satellite positioning systems (SPS), (e.g., the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) and the European Galileo System (currently under construction)), provide an invaluable service that has perhaps exceeded the imagination of the designers of the systems. For example, SPS systems are used in military, commercial, medical, scientific, and recreational applications. When a SPS receiver is first turned on, it must be able to acquire and receive the signal transmitted from a certain number of SPS satellites before it can determine its position and the current time. For example, in the GPS system, the GPS receiver should be able to receive the transmitted signal from at least three or four GPS satellites. Each satellite in the SPS system transmits a unique signal that can be used by the SPS receiver (in conjunction with signals from other SPS satellites) to calculate the SPS receiver's position and the SPS time. One of the most vital pieces of information that is transmitted in the SPS signal is highly accurate timing information. The differences between the timing of the various SPS signals received by the SPS receiver and its own internal clock are then used to calculate the position of the SPS receiver and the current SPS time. While SPS systems have become widely used today, there remains a major problem that hinders their use in certain situations. Since the satellites are in high-earth orbit and are typically powered by solar panels, the signals that are transmitted by the satellites are usually very weak by the time they reach the SPS receiver (signal strength being inversely proportional to distance). Additionally, SPS signals may be further attenuated by thick foliage, buildings, tunnels, etc. to a point where the SPS signals may fall below a minimum signal power threshold and become difficult or impossible for the SPS receiver to acquire and receive. Under such circumstances it may take several minutes or more to acquire the SPS signals, if acquisition is even possible. It has been noted that if the SPS receiver can be provided with an accurate timing reference through a source other than the actual signals transmitted by the SPS satellites, the acquisition process can be accelerated or completed if it was previously unable to do so. Moreover, the more accurate the timing reference that is provided through an alternate source, the easier and faster the acquisition process becomes.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example prior art satellite positioning system (SPS) with a SPS receiver and a plurality of SPS satellites. FIG. 2 shows the system of FIG. 1 operating in an environment where signals from the SPS satellites are attenuated by physical objects. FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example prior art SPS satellite used to communicate position and time information to a SPS receiver. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example SPS system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention wherein a host processor and a SPS receiver share time and frequency data. FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an example manner of implementing the host processor of FIG. 4 . FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of an example manner of implementing the example SPS receiver of FIG. 4 . FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example manner in which a host processor shares time and frequency data with a SPS receiver. FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating example machine readable instructions which may executed by the host processor of FIG. 4 . FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating example machine readable instructions which may executed by the SPS receiver of FIG. 4 . FIGS. 10 a and 10 b are flow charts illustrating example machine readable instructions for providing SPS receiver local clock frequency calibration information to a host processor. FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating alternative example machine readable instructions which may executed by the host processor of FIG. 4 . FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating alternative example machine readable instructions which may executed by the SPS receiver of FIG. 4 . FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an example computer which may execute the programs of FIGS. 8, 9 , 10 a - b , 11 and/or 12 to implement the host processor or the SPS receiver of FIG. 4 . detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

Uncopyable optical media through sector errors

A method for inhibiting the copying of digital data digital content on optical media that enables unique marking of each copy. This invention encodes data in errors that inhibit copying. Errors are common on optical media, and error checking and correction data increase the size of digital data on a standard Compact Disk (CD) by 322%. For every read of an optical disk, the errors found vary read to read, and handling of the CD adds new errors. This makes the presence of errors unreliable. Most optical media readers cannot provide detailed error information in any case. In the first embodiment of this invention, errors cause entire sectors to be unreadable. With overwhelming errors written to a sector these sectors can be reliably detected as unreadable. The ability to read or not read specified sectors comprises the 1's and 0's of digital data. As part of extracting the data from the optical media, a program knows to look for these potentially bad sectors. Because optical media copiers are not designed to copy errors, this data is not generally copyable. A program can seek to be sure the original optical media is present at will. There are multiple manufacturing means that can be used to cause sectors to be errored in unique ways, enabling unique identities for each copy of the data. The unique data is then used as content for license key generation so that each copy of the media has a unique license key. Because no watermarking has occurred, the digital content being protected remains unaltered and error free.

1. A method of creating a digital compact disc, called a CD, that includes uncopyable data for the purpose of protecting software or data by adding consistently detectable errors to the CD for the purpose of writing CD data. The method consists of a) Digital compact disc optical media able to be read using readers loosely conforming to standards International Electrotechnical Commission document 908 [IEC908] or European Computer Manufacturers Association document 130 [ECMA130], commonly referred to as a “CD-ROM”. Herein this media is referred to as the “CD”. b) An identifiable set of sectors on said CD where planned errors are potentially to be written. Sectors can be identified by absolute position on the CD, or by relative sectors within a file where the errors are within the start and end sectors of the file or files. c) The number of uncopyable data bits typically equals the number of said sectors in (b) on said CD. There is a one for one correspondence between the number of uncopyable data bits and said sectors in (b). The ability to read or not read each of the said sectors without reported media (a) represents a bit of digital data, 1 or 0, respectively. Conversely a readable sector could represent a 0 or 1, respectively. d) There is data or software (content) on said CD whose use is to be protected. e) Along with said software there is a program which enables extraction or use of the software only when said CD is present. f) Induced errors in said sectors in (b) are due to physical modifications to the master CD. These physical modifications need only make all the checksum data not match the data written to the data region of the CD. For mode 1 and mode 2 form 1 CDs this would mean CIRC error data as well as sector checksums and P and Q parity bits per [ECMA130] and [IEC908]. For mode 2 form 2 CDs this would only be CIRC error data. Specifically said induced errors are caused by inserting random data in place of checksum data so that 7 or more consecutive frames in a sector are determined by CD readers to be unreadable. The random data is properly EFM [EFM=Eight to Fourteen Modulation] encoded onto said CD media. g) Sectors where errors are potentially induced are detectable either individually or in clusters by a typical sector-error aware CD-ROM driver. A procedure performs sector based reads of said CD to using the driver to determine which sectors are or are not readable and turns that into digital data for said purposes of creating said CD. 2. Variations in the method of claim 1 such that the form of said induced errors in section (f) of claim 1 in said CD can be by multiple means. These means themselves are not claimed as inventions since they are generally understood by those in the industry, only that the use of any these means for purposefully making sectors uncopyable is claimed. The means of causing errors on CDs includes: a) The form of the pits can be errently long pits, contain smooth transitions between lands and pits, deeper pits so that there is no phase change in the returned laser light to an optical CD reader, or burned-through or darkened to cause the laser light not to be returned at all. b) Limits on the area of the physical modifications to said CD in order that said induced errors in each said sector shall not cause tracking errors for optical readers of compact discs (CD). The width of said induced error shall not interfere with or overlap an adjacent track of pits on said CD. Or, if the width of said induced error is wide enough to effect multiple tracks, the length of said induced error in the direction of the track shall not exceed 11 T, where “T” is the constant data spacing interval specific to the compact disc media as defined in [ECMA130] and [IEC908]. c) The density of said induced errors in each said sector in (b) are significant enough to cause a read of said entire sector to fail on all compact disc readers. The minimum number of induced errors required must seven frame errors as defined by [ECMA 130]. Error induction on other optical media has similar methods. 3. Applying the method of claim 1 to optical media other than said CD of part (a) of claim 1. Other optical media will contain sectors and use EFM encoding [EFM] or EFM-like encoding instead. Examples of alternate media include but are not limited to: a) All DVD Variants including but not limited to DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-14, DVD 18, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-Audio. b) All CD Variants including but not limited to CD+I, VCD, SVCD, Photo CD, CD-R, CD-RW. c) Variants of the above that use alternate reading methods including but not limited to red, green, and blue lasers, such as Blu-Ray. 4. Applying the method of claim 1 for other purposes than creation of making said CD in claim 1 an uncopyable means of media distribution. Such purposes include but are not limited to: a) Said CD provides only a key to enable access to the data or software, where the software or data protected by said uncopyable CD may not reside on said CD itself but be distributed by other means. b) Use or features of said software are enabled or restricted by the presence of said CD, however access to the software or data itself is not restricted by said CD. c) Said CD is used only for identification or validation purposes that may not be specific to any software, software feature, or data. 5. Applying the method of claim 1 to create errors unique to individual CDs. Thus making CDs both uncopyable and unique. Errors can be systematically induced to guarantee uniqueness, or virtually unique by inducing random errors. 6. Use of the method of claim 1 with cryptographic software that utilizes said error-induced data of claim 1 (c). Said data may combine with calculated data associated and possibly distributed with said CD (such as a key written down as human readable text), where the two elements of data are compared to uniquely validate the authenticity of the CD, or provide the key to decrypt or enable the software or data on said CD or associated with said CD. 7. Any combination of the variations in said method of claim 1 as combined with claims 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. 8. A means of inducing errors causing whole sector error conditions on optical media using non-imaged or stamped techniques, that is where the CD data is sequentially written using lasers while the disk is spinning where the use of high DSV (digital sum variance) data written to CD sectors to cause selected sectors to be written weakly enough to be considered unreadable and therefore containing induced errors on a sector for the purpose of providing one bit of data. That is, if said sector is readable versus unreadable will provide a digital “1” or “0” of data for said purpose of creating said CD. 9. The protection of the content residing on the optical media of claim 1 using a 2 part key security mechanism, one written to the optical media as sector errors, and a second piece of key data distributed using another medium. 10. The inducing of low level errors on physical media that is prone to random read and media errors to result in producing consistently readable sector level errors for the purpose of conveying digital data wholly in terms of the existence or non-existence of such sector level errors where that data is to be used as information. There must be multiple such potentially errored and individually read sectors that are interpreted as information. This claim does not apply to situations where errors are solely to inhibit reading or other standard functional when accessing the content on the physical media.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Physical CD-ROM Media CD-ROMs are an optical medium, using lasers to store and read data. A CD is made up mainly of polycarbonate plastic. The bottom layer contains optical pits which are stamped into the CD-ROM. For a CD reader to read the data, a reflective layer above the polycarbonate is used to reflect the laser light back to the optical reader. This reflective layer is only a few microns thick, and if any damage is done to it, the data in that area can't be read. On top is a sturdy protective layer of plastic on which the label is printed. This is shown in FIG. 1 . Data is stored on a CD-ROM using pits and lands. The CD reader uses a laser on the 780 nm wavelength to determine the distance between the laser and the pit. The reader detects differences in depth by detecting changes in phase in the returned signal as shown in FIG. 2 . The optical pit lengths are measured in T, which is a distance around 0.29 μm. Pits vary in length from 3 T-11 T. Any pit less than 3 T is too small to be accurately detected by the laser and pits longer that 11 T are too long to accurately read. Bytes of data are translated into optical pits using a technique known as Eight to Fourteen Modulation, or EFM, encoding. This takes 8 bits and turns it into a 14 bit code that can be written using these 3 T-11 T long pits. CD-ROM Error Correction CD-ROMs have massive amounts of error correction. All CD-ROMs have a low-level correction known as Cross-Interleave Reed-Solomon Coding, or CIRC. For every 24 bytes of data, 8 bytes of CIRC are added. Besides adding error correction, the order of the data is also scrambled in the process. This decreases the likelihood of losing data and error correction codes even with a large scratch. These 32 bytes are then grouped together with a signal byte into what is known as a frame. This is used on both data and audio CD-ROMs. Another type of error correction (Mode 1) is used on data CDs for an added level of data security. For every 2048 bytes of data, 276 extra bytes of CIRC encoding are used. This is a preventive measure to make sure the data can be read, reducing errors from 1 per hour to 1 per century with a read speed of 1×. CD readers can report the errors detected when reading a CD-ROM. A basic quality test finds out how many errors are there and how serious they are. There are two designations for low-level error correction: C1 and C2 errors. C1 errors are common even on a new CD. A block error rate (BLER) of 5 C1 errors per frame is typical. This is an example of why error correction is necessary. Very few CD readers are able to report C1 errors, so using this as a detection mechanism is something that would not work with most CD readers. The amount of C1 errors is used to determine whether the next level of error correction, C2, is necessary. FIG. 3 depicts the ratio of raw data bits written to a CD compared to error correction bits. C2 errors are a much more serious occurrence. The CD-ROM standard specifies that no pressed CD should have any C2 errors right after it has been manufactured. One C2 error means at least 28 of the least destructive C1 errors exist. If there are more than 2 C2 per frame, the frame cannot be corrected and is then passed, uncorrected, to the computer for Mode 1 error correction. Seven or more consecutive uncorrectable frames mean a failure of the entire data sector, which is 98 frames long. CD-ROM Copy Protection Solutions Many current solutions for copy protection already exist. All of them involve some kind of media peculiarity on the CD-ROM which the copy protection program checks for and that confuse CD copiers. One new method uses duplicated ranges of sectors so that reading the CD-ROM in one direction will get different data than it would if it read in the other direction. Because of these duplicated sectors, this method is not standards-compliant. Another newer method uses duplicated sectors rather than sector ranges. Throughout the CD there are duplicated sectors which cause the CD reader to read slower. The copy protection can detect this, and fails if the CD reads too fast. This method also violates the CD-ROM standard because it uses duplicated sectors. CD keys for mass-produced copy protection use a generation technique where multiple keys are able to unlock a copy of software. There are prerelease copy protections that have unique IDs burnt onto CD-Rs, but these are based on easily readable/copyable data on the CD. As of the writing of this section, all of the current copy protections can be defeated. Most copy protections are tricks to fool a CD copier. For example, the latest version of SecuROM uses the “twin sectors” method described above. The duplicate sectors on a CD slow down the CD reader. Within a few weeks of the protection's release, a program was available that could read these twin sectors and burn them back to a CD, making the protection useless. Based on the experiences of copy protections to date, it will be difficult to create copy protections that cannot be broken quickly. CD-ROM Unique Identifiers Custom CD-Rs have been created which contain unique data. More recently (March 2004) Sony has started to write 32 bytes of unique data to mass produced CD-ROMs. Thus there are techniques known in industry to modify mass produced CDs post pressing to make them unique. These same techniques can be means to induce unique sector errors on optical media such as a CD. Cryptography Two cryptographic methods were used to guarantee software protection. The two publicly available encryption techniques used are secure hashing and public/private key cryptography. The SHA-1 secure hash takes input data and forms it into a 160-bit output. Because it is a secure hash, the input cannot be determined from the output. The input cannot be guessed, either, as there are 2 160 , or 1,461,501,637,330,902,918,203,684,832,716,283, 019,655,932,542,976 possible outputs. This would take the fastest computer in the world years to determine the input. SHA-1 was chosen as an algorithm because it is the current federal secure hash standard. It should also have a 1 to 1 input to output ratio, meaning two unique inputs will not form the same output. Public/private key encryption is used to verify both identity and data safety. Private keys are encryption keys that are kept secret by the owner. The public key is generated from the private key using a non-reversible function. Since the public key is distributed freely, this prevents someone with the public key from determining the private key. When the public key is used to encrypt data, only the private key can decrypt the data. This prevents unauthorized persons from looking at the data. When the private key is used to encrypt the data, anyone with the public key can decrypt it. While the data is not secured, the origin of the data is verified because only one unique origin has the necessary private key. RSA was chosen as the algorithm because it is widely available and complies with current federal security standards.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This invention solves the copy protection problem for software distribution. Today, the software isn't protected, but the software installation keys are. Sometimes software requires the original CD-ROM to be present. However, software keys can be stolen, shared, or generated, and CD-ROMs and DVDs will invariably be copied or the copy protect mechanism circumvented. The source of the copied software can't be traced as well. This method is to insert deliberate errors on the software and data CD-ROMs that act to authenticate the optical media. The deliberate errors may be common to all CDs sharing the same content, or may be cause unique sequences of sector errors that can be used as an ID or validation key associated with each instance of optical media. And unlike other many copy protection solutions, this does not violate the CD-ROM standards. CD distributed software can now provide extra protection. Using a cryptographic technique, this solution makes every copy of the software unique so each copy is linked to a single owner and key. No two copies of the software are alike. Because there is only one key valid for each copy of the software, typical key generation techniques can not break the protection. For mass-produced CD-ROM distribution, induced errors are used to create uniqueness. These errors are constructed so that whole sectors on the CD Media are consistently unreadable by all CD readers. The reason that sector errors are used is that they are the only errors that are consistently reproducible on any CD reader. With extra care, these errors will also be read such that the optical readers can quickly determine that the media contains errors without requiring substantial real time to come to that conclusion. There are multiple published methods that can be used to induce errors so that any CD reader can read detect these errors consistently. These errors are induced using high precision equipment. A focused ion beam machine could be used, Panasonic's Burst Cutting Area machine, or a masking technique that applies a coating that causes the CD to deteriorate areas where laser light is shined brightly. The errors induced can produce uniqueness, as in a serial number. The method includes use of a program to read errored sectors from standard off-the-shelf the CD reader drives. Optionally the method includes writing of individual or pairs of bad sectors by writing high DSV valued data onto individual sectors as a method of inducing errors to indicate errored sectors. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

Cell phone feature

The present invention permits safeguarding of private data entered into a memory chip of a cell phone by permitting the cell phone owner to erase the data in a lost or stolen phone, using an preset erase code and erase command in the cell phone or the network base station, and disabling or erasing circuitry on the memory chip, preferably an EEPROM chip.

1-15. (canceled) 16. A cell phone recharging cradle comprising a dock for the cell phone, said dock comprising recharging circuitry which connects to the phone when the phone is in the dock, and cell phone interface circuitry which connects to the phone when the phone is in the dock, and upload/download cell phone memory device, said device comprising a micro-controller, comprising an application for comparing the numbers in the cell phone memory with the numbers in the cradle, and downloads to the cradle any new numbers in the phone, and uploads to the phone any numbers in the cradle but not in the phone. 17. A cell phone recharging cradle comprising a dock for the cell phone, said dock comprising recharging circuitry which connects to the phone when the phone is in the dock, said cradle further compromising an upload/download slot for a cell phone memory device, said slot comprising a micro-controller, and interface circuitry in communication with a cell phone placed in the dock. 18. The cell phone recharging cradle of claim 17, further comprising an upload/download slot for a cell phone memory device, said slot comprising a micro-controller, and interface circuitry in communication with the memory of a cell phone placed in the dock. 19. The cell phone recharging cradle of claim 17, further comprising an upload/download slot for a cell phone memory device, said slot comprising a micro-controller, and interface circuitry in communication with the cradle memory.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Modern telecommunications networks include mobile stations, such as cell phones, which utilize a SMARTCARD which includes a SIM (subscriber identity module). The SIM's have a memory chip that contains data such as the identity of the card holder (i.e., the service subscriber), billing information, and home location. When a cell phone user places a call, the SIM communicates the unique SIM code to the network. The network checks to see if the SIM code owner is a current subscriber to the network service, often by matching the SIM code with a list of authorized SIM codes. This authentication, or matching of SIM codes generally precedes all other network communication with the cell phone. SMARTCARDs were developed to allow cell phone activities other than simple telephone calls. The SMARTCARD can contain microprocessors for, e.g., transaction management, data encryption and user authentication. The SMARTCARD or the SIM may include subscriber entered telephone numbers and other valuable information. Theft of the phone places this valuable information in the hands of others. In fact, the loss of the phone is probably less important than the loss of the valuable information contained therein. This is especially true for the new cell phones which now access the Internet, and for cell phones coupled with handheld computing devices, which browse the Internet, store Power Point presentations, and do rudimentary word processing, as well as scheduling appointments and maintaining expense accounts. Many security features have been developed for cell phones. Most of these are related to prevention of theft of communication services by permanently disabling a stolen phone, temporarily disabling a phone for which the subscriber is in arrears, or blocking calls to geographical regions which are not part of the subscriber's contract. U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,783 discloses a telecommunications network with disabling circuitry which can disable the SMARTARD of the cell phone of a particular subscriber. The disable command can permanently incapacitate the SMARTCARD by destroying the power connection for the logic circuitry, or temporarily incapacitate the logic circuitry by erasing the memory within the card. According to this patent, the numbers of stolen phones can be reported to the network and entered into a database which is searched when any cell phone requests service, and a disable command or signal returned to the cell phone if its number is in the disable database. In the present invention, the subscriber erases the memory containing the private information without the additional steps and involvement of the network, giving the subscriber greater freedom and opportunity to safeguard their private information. U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,978 describes a telecommunications system having a manufacturer preset destruct code stored in each cell phone. When a subscriber reports a phone stolen, the network's base station controller initiates a destruct program, using the destruct code. The destruct code destroys the data necessary for performing the telephone functions, but not the private data. U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,908 describes a cellular phone system in which a locking code on a particular cell phone may be erased by means of a message transmitted through the cell phone system, but may not be erased or changed using the keyboard features of that phone. This arrangement has particular usefulness in a designated cellular system with many units, such as a communications network for the fire department of a large city. To set up or reconfigure the network, the entire network must be activated and the individual units (cell phones) assigned a particular number. According to the patent, all phones on the system have a locking code to prevent theft communications on the network until all units are assigned. This is a subscriber system approach to preventing theft of service of the communications system, and does not relate to the privacy of data of individual subscribers.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the present invention to safeguard the private data entered into a cell phone by its owner, by permitting the owner to erase or destroy that data using an on-air signal. According to the present invention, the memory chip of a cellular phone on which private data is recorded may be provided with an erase means. This erase means could comprise a fuse, switch, or similar device in a disable, or erase, circuit. The erase means executes an erase command on receiving an on-air erase code which matches the erase code preset by the owner. If the mobile phone is lost or stolen, the owner need only call the telephone number of the lost or stolen phone and enter the erase code. The private data will be erased. Thus, the owner can protect the phone numbers and the addresses of family, friends and associates. If the owner believes the phone has been misplaced, he can destroy the private information without disabling the telephone features, should the missing phone be found. It is also an object of the present invention to maintain the privacy and integrity of the cell phone owner's data, as well as to facilitate its transfer to a new cell phone. The integrity of the private data can be maintained with a novel recharging cradle or station. According to the present invention, the cell phone recharging cradle or station may incorporate a slot for a memory device, such as a PCMCIA card, which communicates with a phone docked in the cradle. Every time the phone is placed in the cradle for recharging the PCMCIA card does a check sum of the phone's memory. If numbers or other data have been entered into the phone, the card downloads that information so that the card is always updated. When a new phone is charged in the base station, the check sum is started, and all private data entered into the previous phone is automatically uploaded into your new phone. Using this system, if the user does not want anyone else to have access to their numbers they may simply remove the PCMCIA card from the phone. Also, a backup card can be easily carried in a wallet, when traveling. These objects, as well as other objects which will become apparent from the discussion that follows, are achieved, in accordance with the present invention, which comprises a cell phone programmable memory chip with erase means; a recharging cradle with slot for, e.g., a PCMCIA card, which can upload data from, or download data into, a cell phone docked therein; and a cell phone apparatus with a) first memory for storing the unique identification numbers of the apparatus, b) transmitting/reception means for transmitting and receiving a call in accordance with said identification numbers, c) an EEPROM with a programmable data base for data, and a predetermined address (or memory location) for an erase code, d) means for entering erase code at the predetermined location, and e) erasing means for erasing said database on receipt of the erase code. These objects are also achieved by the method of the present invention, for safeguarding private data stored in a selected cell phone on a mobile telecommunications system which comprises a plurality of individual mobile cell phone apparatus and a mobile telephone switching office, said at least one selected apparatus having a PROM for storing private data including an erase code, and a unique telephone number, said method comprising receiving at the selected mobile phone apparatus, from the switching network, a message containing the erase code from the switching network, and erasing the private data. For a full understanding of the present invention, reference should now be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Data Compilation system and method

A method, computer program product, client, and server application configured to store information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory. At least one distribution history data set is compiled for each member of the subset of users. The at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users are combined to form a combined distribution history data set. Information from the combined distribution history data set is transferred to a user electronic device.

1. A method comprising: storing information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory; compiling at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users; combining the at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users to form a combined distribution history data set; and transferring information from the combined distribution history data set to a user electronic device. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information includes storing information in a memory of a server device. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes transferring ranked information from the combined distribution history data set. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes transferring random information from the combined distribution history data set. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein storing information includes at least one of: storing top album information associated with the subset of users; storing top artist information associated with the subset of users; and storing top track information associated with the subset of users. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes at least one of: transferring information via a wireless connection; transferring information via a wired connection; transferring information via a universal serial bus port; and transferring information via a firewire port. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users is compiled by one or more of: a server device; and the user electronic device. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the combined distribution history data set is compiled by one or more of: a server device; and the user electronic device. 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of: a top album data set; a top artist data set; and a top track data set. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring information includes serving a web page that illustrates the combined distribution history data set. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the subset of users includes a single member. 12. A method comprising: enabling a user to define a subset of users having at least one member, the at least one member being chosen from a plurality of users of a media distribution service; and enabling a user to view a combined distribution history data set, the combined distribution history data set being a combination of at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of: a top album data set; a top artist data set; and a top track data set. 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the subset of users includes a single member. 15. A computer program product residing on a computer readable medium having a plurality of instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: store information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory; compile at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users; combine the at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users to form a combined distribution history data set; and transfer information from the combined distribution history data set to a user electronic device. 16. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the computer readable medium and the processor are included within a server device. 17. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for storing information include instructions for storing information in a memory of a server computer. 18. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for transferring ranked information from the combined distribution history data set. 19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for transferring random information from the combined distribution history data set. 20. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for storing information include instructions for at least one of: storing top album information associated with the subset of users; storing top artist information associated with the subset of users; and storing top track information associated with the subset of users. 21. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for at least one of: transferring information via a wireless connection; transferring information via a wired connection; transferring information via a universal serial bus port; and transferring information via a firewire port. 22. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users is compiled by one or more of: a server device; and the user electronic device. 23. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the combined distribution history data set is compiled by one or more of: a server device; and the user electronic device. 24. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of: a top album data set; a top artist data set; and a top track data set. 25. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the instructions for transferring information include instructions for: serving a web page that illustrates the combined distribution history data set. 26. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the subset of users includes a single member. 27. A client, configured to receive media distributed from a server device, the client further configured to: enable a user to define a subset of users having at least one member, the at least one member being chosen from a plurality of users of a media distribution service; and enable a user to view a combined distribution history data set, the combined distribution history data set being a combination of at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users. 28. The client of claim 27 further comprising: a user interface configured for allowing a user to access the combined distribution history data set. 29. The client of claim 27 wherein the client is chosen from the group consisting of: a client-side application, a client computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, a television, a cable box, an internet radio, and a dedicated internet device. 30. The client of claim 27 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of: a top album data set; a top artist data set; and a top track data set. 31. The client of claim 27 wherein the media distributed by the server device is chosen from the group consisting of: audio media, video media; and audio/video media. 32. A server application running on a server operating system, the server application configured to distribute media to a plurality of users of a media distribution service, the server application being further configured to: store information associated with a subset of users of a media distribution service in a memory; compile at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users; combine the at least one distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users to form a combined distribution history data set; and transfer information from the combined distribution history data set to a user electronic device. 33. The server application of claim 32 wherein storing information includes storing information in a memory of a server device. 34. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes transferring ranked information from the combined distribution history data set. 35. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes transferring random information from the combined distribution history data set. 36. The server application of claim 32 wherein storing information includes at least one of: storing top album information associated with the subset of users; storing top artist information associated with the subset of users; and storing top track information associated with the subset of users. 37. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes at least one of: transferring information via a wireless connection; transferring information via a wired connection; transferring information via a universal serial bus port; and transferring information via a firewire port. 38. The server application of claim 32 wherein the distribution history data set for each member of the subset of users is compiled by one or more of: a server device; and the user electronic device. 39. The server application of claim 32 wherein the combined distribution history data set is compiled by one or more of: a server device; and the user electronic device. 40. The server application of claim 32 wherein the combined distribution history data set is chosen from the group consisting of: a top album data set; a top artist data set; and a top track data set. 41. The server application of claim 32 wherein the media distributed by the server device is chosen from the group consisting of: audio media, video media; and audio/video media. 42. The server application of claim 32 wherein transferring information includes: serving a web page that illustrates the combined distribution history data set.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Media distribution services (e.g., the RealRhapsody service offered by RealNetworks of Seattle, Wash.) distribute media to users from a media server. A media distribution service may distribute media by allowing a user to receive downloaded files and/or receive streamed files and audio tracks. Streaming is a technique of transferring data such that the data is processed as a steady and continuous stream of information. When streaming data, the client-side browser can start processing the data before the entire file is transmitted, as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,634. The media streamed may include audio and/or video information, such as the streaming of music, radio broadcasts, movies, television/cable broadcasts, and sporting events, for example. Often, a media distribution service may provide its' users with summaries (e.g., tables) that define the consolidated preferences of all of its' users. For example, if the media distribution service streams music to 1,000,000 subscribers, summaries may be available to the users that summarize e.g., the top 100 tracks streamed (to the 1,000,000 users), the top 100 artists streamed (to the 1,000,000 users), and the top 100 titles streamed (to the 1,000,000 users), as generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,763. Unfortunately, as these summaries define the consolidated preferences of the entire user base, the value of these summaries is questionable, as the tastes and preferences of the entire user base would typically be quite divergent. For example, a classical music fan is probably not interested in what a rock-n-roll fan considers to be their favorite album.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a data compilation system and a media distribution service coupled to a distributed computing network; FIG. 2 is a display screen rendered by the media distribution service of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a client process executed by a client coupled to the distributed computing network of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 is a display screen rendered by the data compilation system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a server process executed by the data compilation system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a display screen rendered by the data compilation system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 7 is a display screen rendered by the data compilation system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 8 is a display screen rendered by the data compilation system of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 9 is a display screen rendered by the data compilation system of FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 10 is a display screen rendered by the data compilation system of FIG. 1 ; detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

Electrode for a pulse generator and method therefor

An implantable medical device includes a pulse generator having a housing with an outer casing having internal circuitry therein and a lead connector portion. An external electrode is wrapped around at least a portion of the housing or flexibly formed around a portion of the housing. The external electrode is electrically coupled with the internal circuitry. The device further includes at least one interconnect member electrically coupled with the external electrode.

1. An implantable medical device comprising: a housing including a header and an outer casing having internal circuitry therein; an external electrode wrapped around at least an outer portion of the housing; and one or more interconnect members electrically coupled with the external electrode and the internal circuitry. 2. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the external electrode is wrapped around at least a portion of the header. 3. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer portion of the housing is defined by two or more major planes, and the external electrode is wrapped along the two or more planes. 4. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the outer portion of the housing is defined by three or more planes, and the external electrode is wrapped along the three or more planes. 5. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal interconnect members include ribbon conductors. 6. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the header includes lead connector openings adapted to receive a lead therein. 7. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the external electrode is integral with at least one interconnect. 8. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 1, wherein the external electrode is a sheet metal formed electrode. 9. An implantable medical device comprising: an outer housing having a header including an electrode mounting portion with two or more sides, the outer housing further including a casing; at least one electrode flexibly formed around at least a portion of the electrode mounting portion; and an interconnect electrically coupling the at least one external electrode with circuitry within the outer housing. 10. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 9, wherein the electrode has a C-shaped cross section. 11. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 9, wherein the external electrode includes at least one electrode retention feature. 12. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 11, wherein the retention member comprises a crimped portion of the electrode. 13. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 9, wherein the electrode is coupled with a portion of the housing with an interference fit. 14. The implantable medical device as recited in claim 9, wherein the electrode is electrically isolated from the casing. 15. A method comprising: wrapping an external electrode around at least a portion of an outer housing of a pulse generator; mechanically coupling the external electrode with the housing; and coupling the external electrode with at least one interconnect and internal circuitry. 16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising wrapping the electrode around two or more sides of the housing. 17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein wrapping includes wrapping around a header of the pulse generator. 18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising insulating between the external electrode and a casing of the pulse generator. 19. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising coupling a lead with the outer case. 20. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein coupling the external electrode includes coupling a crimped portion of the external electrode with the housing. 21. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein coupling the external electrode includes snap-fittedly coupling the external electrode with the housing.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Implantable medical devices, such as cardiac rhythm management devices, commonly include implanted pacemakers and defibrillator units. These devices include sensing, signal processing and control circuitry, together with a power supply protectively housed in a hermetically sealed case or can in combination with one or more conductive electrical leads designed to connect to the patient's heart muscle tissue. To maintain the integrity of the components in the sealed case, provision must be made for sealed passage of electrical conductors to the exterior for connection to the leads and ultimately to the tissue of interest. This has been typically accomplished by using connector blocks and associated feedthrough conductors located external to the implanted pulse generator housing or case which, themselves, typically are placed within a sealed lead connector structure of medical grade polymer material. Button or similar leadless or “indifferent” sensing electrodes have also been provided on the outer surface of the lead connector portion of pulse generator cases or housing, each connected by an independent wire conductor between the electrode and the feedthrough system. These external leadless pulse generator electrodes and connecting conductors can be relatively expensive to manufacture and assemble. For instance, these electrode devices have been machined (a relatively expensive process) from medical grade stainless steels or titanium and thereafter wired to a feedthrough terminal. Wire conductive connectors have also been used between feedthrough terminals and corresponding connector blocks in the pulse generator lead/connecting portion with received and connect with the other external leads. What is needed is a medical device including an external leadless electrode and feedthrough connection system that overcomes these and other shortcomings.

<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>An implantable medical device, such as a pulse generator, includes a housing that has a header and an outer casing having internal circuitry therein. The implantable device further includes an external electrode wrapped around at least an outer portion of the housing, and a plurality of interconnect members electrically coupled with the external electrode and the internal circuitry. The pulse generator is optionally coupled with one or more lead assemblies. Several options are possible for the medical device, including, but not limited to, the options as follows. For instance, the external electrode, such as a thin, flexible electrode, can be wrapped around two or three sides of the device, allowing for multi sided access to the external electrode. One example of the flexible electrode is a sheet metal electrode wrapped around the housing. In another embodiment, an implantable medical device includes a header for receiving leads therein, where the header includes an electrode mounting portion with two or more sides. The device further includes at least one electrode flexibly formed around at least a portion of the electrode mounting portion, and an interconnect electrically coupling the at least one external electrode with circuitry within the device. The electrode is optionally coupled with the housing of the device, for example, by retention features, such as, but not limited to, crimped features, snap fit features, or interference fit. A method is further described herein that includes wrapping an external electrode around at least a portion of a housing of a pulse generator, coupling the external electrode with the housing, coupling the external electrode with at least one interconnect an internal circuitry. Several options are possible for the method, including, but not limited to, the options as follows. For instance, the electrode can be wrapped around one or more sides of the housing, and/or the header of the pulse generator. In another option, the electrode can be coupled with the housing in a number of different ways, such as interference fit, snap fit, forming crimp(s) in the electrode, etc. These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description and referenced drawings or by practice thereof. The aspects, advantages, and features are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Virtualized PCI switch

A PCI-Express interconnect device is provided. The device comprises: first and second upstream ports; first and second downstream ports; and a management entity. The management entity is operable to logically partition the device such that the first upstream port is operable to communicate with the first downstream port and the second upstream port is operable to communicate with the second downstream port. In one example, the management device is additionally operable to migrate the first downstream port from a partition in which the first downstream port is operable to communicate with the first upstream port into a partition in which the first downstream port is operable to communicate with the second upstream port.

1. An interconnect device for PCI Express, comprising: a plurality of ports, each said port configurable as either of an upstream port or a downstream port, wherein two ports are configured as first and second upstream ports, and two ports are configured as first and second downstream ports; and a management entity operable to logically partition the device such that the first upstream port is operable to communicate with the first downstream port and the second upstream port is operable to communicate with the second downstream port. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the management entity is further operable to migrate the first downstream port from a partition in which the first downstream port is operable to communicate with the first upstream port into a partition in which the first downstream port is operable to communicate with the second upstream port. 3. An interconnect device for PCI Express, comprising: first and second upstream ports; at least one downstream port; and a management entity operable to direct a disconnection request to said first upstream port in respect of a downstream port; wherein the management entity is further operable to direct a connection request to said second upstream port in respect of said downstream port. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the management entity is operable to direct said connection request to said second upstream port in response to receiving a disconnect allowed indication via said first upstream port. 5. The device of claim 3, wherein each port includes a PCI-Express to PCI-Express bridge. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein each PCI-Express to PCI-Express bridge is a virtual PCI-Express bridge. 7. The device of claim 3, further comprising a dummy downstream port, wherein said connection request includes a request for re-allocation of an address range for said dummy downstream port to said downstream port. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said dummy downstream port is operable not to be physically connected to a downstream device. 9. A switch for PCI Express, comprising: a first port operable to be connected to a first root complex; a second port operable to be connected to a second root complex; a third port operable to be connected to an I/O device and having a data connectivity path to the first port; and a migration controller operable to cause said data connectivity path to be closed and to cause a further data connectivity path to be established between said third port and said second port. 10. The switch of claim 9, wherein said first and second ports are upstream ports. 11. The switch of claim 9, wherein said third port is a downstream port. 12. The switch of claim 9, wherein said migration controller is operable to send a disconnect request message to said first root complex to cause said data connectivity path to be closed. 13. The switch of claim 9, wherein said migration controller is operable to send a connection request message to said second root complex to cause said further data connectivity path to be established. 14. The switch of claim 9, further comprising a fourth port operable not to be connected to an I/O device or host and having a data connectivity path to said second port. 15. The switch of claim 14, wherein said migration controller is operable to cause said further connectivity path to be established by redirecting the data connectivity path between the second port and the fourth port to the third port. 16. The switch of claim 9, wherein said first root complex and said second root complex are associated with a single host. 17. A connectivity fabric comprising: a first root complex; a second root complex; an endpoint; and a switch comprising: a first port operable to be connected to the first root complex; a second port operable to be connected to the second root complex; a third port operable to be connected to the endpoint and having a data connectivity path to the first port; and a migration controller operable to cause said data connectivity path to be closed and to cause a further data connectivity path to be established between said third port and said second port. 18. The fabric of claim 17, wherein the first root complex and the second root complex are associated with a single host. 19. The fabric of claim 17, wherein the switch further comprises a virtual port operable not to be connected to a root complex device or endpoint and having a data connectivity path to said second port. 20. The fabric of claim 19, wherein said migration controller is operable to cause said further connectivity path to be established by mapping the data connectivity path between said virtual port and said second port onto said third port. 21. The fabric of claim 19, further comprising a processing unit operable to manage device and memory allocation between virtual ports. 22. The fabric of claim 21, wherein the switch includes the processing unit. 23. A method of migrating an I/O device between two hosts, the method comprising: causing a connection between a first host and an I/O device to be terminated; and causing a connection between the I/O device and a second host to be initiated. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said causing a connection between a first host and an I/O device to be terminated comprises sending a disconnect request to the first host. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising sending said disconnect request from a configuration entity operable to control connections between the hosts and the I/O device. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein said causing a connection between the I/O device and a second host to be initiated comprises sending a connect request to the second host. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising sending said connect request from a configuration entity operable to control connections between the hosts and the I/O device. 28. The method of claim 23, wherein said causing a connection between the I/O device and a second host to be initiated comprises redirecting a connection between the second host and a dummy I/O device to the I/O device. 29. The method of claim 23, wherein the hosts are PCI Express hosts, and wherein the I/O device is a PCI Express device.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>In many computer environments, a fast and flexible interconnect system can be desirable to provide connectivity to devices capable of high levels of data throughput. In the fields of data transfer between devices in a computing environment, PCI Express (PCI-E) can be used to provide connectivity between a host and one or more client devices or endpoints. PCI Express is becoming a de-facto I/O interconnect for servers and desktop computers. PCI Express allows physical system decoupling (CPU <->I/O) through high-speed serial I/O. The PCI Express Base Specification 1.0 sets out behavior requirements of devices using the PCI Express interconnect standard. According to the Specification, PCI Express is a host to endpoint protocol where each endpoint connects to a host and is accessible by the host. PCI Express imposes a stringent tree structure relationship between I/O Slots and a Root Complex.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention has been made, at least in part, in consideration of problems and drawbacks of conventional systems. Viewed from a first aspect, there is provided an interconnect device for PCI Express. The interconnect device can comprise a plurality of ports, each configurable as either an upstream port or a downstream port, wherein two ports are configured as first and second upstream ports, and two ports are configured as first and second downstream ports. The interconnect device can also comprise a management entity operable to logically partition the device such that the first upstream port is operable to communicate with the first downstream port and the second upstream port is operable to communicate with the second downstream port. Thus a single physical interconnect device such as a switch can be partitioned into a number of virtual switches, each providing connections between a root complex and one or more endpoint devices. Viewed from a second aspect, there is provided an interconnect device for PCI Express. The interconnect device can comprise: first and second upstream ports, at least one downstream port, and a management entity operable to direct a disconnection request to said first upstream port in respect of a downstream port. The management entity can be further operable to direct a connection request to said second upstream port in respect of said downstream port. In some examples, each of the ports is configurable as either an upstream port or a downstream port. Thus a single physical interconnect device can be partitioned into a number of virtual switches, each providing connections between a root complex and one or more endpoint devices. By mapping virtual ports defined in each partition onto the physical ports of the interconnect device, an endpoint device connected to one of the ports can be migrated between partitions and hence between root complexes. Viewed from another aspect, there is provided a switch for PCI Express. The switch can comprise: a first port operable to be connected to a first root complex; a second port operable to be connected to a second root complex; a third port operable to be connected to an I/O device and having a data connectivity path to the first port; and a migration controller operable to cause said data connectivity path to be closed and to cause a further data connectivity path to be established between said third port and said second port. Thus a single physical switch can provide access to a single endpoint for each of a number of hosts by remapping a port to which the endpoint is connected from a partition which provides connectivity to a first host to a partition which provides connectivity to a second host. Viewed from another aspect, there is provided a connectivity fabric. The fabric can comprise: a first root complex, a second root complex, an endpoint and a switch. The switch can have: a first port operable to be connected to the first root complex, a second port operable to be connected to the second root complex, a third port operable to be connected to the endpoint and having a data connectivity path to the first port, and a migration controller operable to cause said data connectivity path to be closed and to cause a further data connectivity path to be established between said third port and said second port. Thus a single physical switch can provide access to a single endpoint for each of a number of hosts in a fabric by remapping a port to which the endpoint is connected from a partition which provides connectivity to a first host to a partition which provides connectivity to a second host. Thus the fabric can be altered to accommodate a given endpoint in a number of different hierarchies depending upon a variety of utilization and provisioning requirements. Viewed from a further aspect, there is provided a method of migrating an I/O device between two hosts. The method can comprise: causing a connection between a first host and an I/O device to be terminated; and causing a connection between the I/O device and a second host to be initiated. Thus a plurality of hosts can be provided with access to a single endpoint on a non-concurrent basis by remapping a data connectivity path from the I/O device between the hosts. Particular and preferred aspects and embodiments of the invention are set out in the appended independent and dependent claims.

Optical location measuring system

An optical location measuring system is provided including taking a reference image, taking a later image, comparing the reference image and the later image to determine a number of integer and non-integer pixels of movement, and taking a new reference image when the number of pixels of movement is substantially an integer number of pixels.

1. An optical location measuring system comprising: taking a reference image; taking a later image; comparing the reference image and the later image to determine a number of integer and non-integer pixels of movement; and taking a new reference image when the number of pixels of movement is substantially an integer number of pixels. 2. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising determining when the movement of the later image is insufficiently moved from the reference image to not take the new reference image. 3. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising determining when the movement of the later image is sufficiently moved from the reference image to take the new reference image. 4. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising continuously taking reference images, taking later images, and comparing the reference images and later images. 5. The system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising measuring the movement between the reference image and the new reference image. 6. The system as claimed in claim 1 comprising: moving an object; and determining the amount of movement of the object. 7. The system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising determining when the movement of the later image is more than 30% of the size of the reference image to take the new reference image. 8. The system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising determining when the movement of the later image is more than 60% of the size of the reference image to take the new reference image. 9. The system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising continuously taking reference images, taking later images, comparing the reference images and later images, and taking new reference images. 10. The system as claimed in claim 6 further comprising measuring the number of pixels moved between the reference image and the new reference image. 11. An optical location measuring system comprising: an optical sensor for taking a reference image and a later image; and a control processor for comparing the reference image and the later image to determine a number of integer and non-integer pixels of movement and for instructing the optical sensor to take a new reference image when the number of pixels of movement is substantially an integer number of pixels. 12. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control processor is for determining when the movement of the later image is insufficiently moved from the reference image to not take the new reference image. 13. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control processor is for determining when the movement of the later image is sufficiently moved from the reference image to take the new reference image. 14. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control processor is for continuously causing the optical sensor to take reference images, take later images, and compare the reference images and later images. 15. The system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control processor is for measuring the movement between the reference image and the new reference image. 16. An optical location measuring system comprising: a motor for moving an object; a computer for controlling the motor; an optical sensor for taking a reference image and a later image of the object; and a control processor for comparing the reference image and the later image to determine a number of integer and non-integer pixels of movement and for instructing the optical sensor to take a new reference image when the number of pixels of movement is substantially an integer number of pixels, the control processor for determining the amount of movement of the object and providing the amount of movement to the computer. 17. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the control processor is for determining when the movement of the later image is more than 30% of the size of the reference image to take the new reference image. 18. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the control processor is for determining when the movement of the later image is more than 60% of the size of the reference image to take the new reference image. 19. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the control processor is for continuously taking reference images, taking later images, comparing the reference images and later images, and taking new reference images. 20. The system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the control processor is for measuring the number of pixels moved between the reference image and the new reference image.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>The present invention relates generally to optical sensors, and more particularly to optical mouse sensors. Over the years, different functional control devices for use with computer display systems have been developed. These devices have taken several forms, such as joysticks, light pens, touch panels, and handheld cursor control devices. One of the most prevalent of these devices is the computer “mouse”. The mouse is moved across a surface such as a “mouse pad” to selectively move a cursor across a display screen. The mouse tracks the movement of the user's hand as the user moves the mouse about the mouse pad, usually next to the user's keyboard input to the computer system. The mouse is subject to wear and tear on its mechanical rollers and sensors, so development of the mouse along one line has been to eliminate moving parts by using optics and optical detection of mouse tracking functions. This development has resulted in the optical mouse that detects motion relative to the mouse body independent of mouse rotation and independent of any inherent coordinate system employed with the mouse for tracking. The current accuracy of the optical mouse is sufficient for moving a cursor around a display screen when the user is looking at the cursor. High accuracy is not required because the user's brain will correct for errors in the cursor location by causing the user's hand to unconsciously correct for any mistaken motions of the hand or mistaken motions reported by the mouse. Other mistaken motions by the mouse are due to noise and error in the optical mouse itself. Especially since the optical mouse is being made for the low-cost, high-volume consumer product market, the precision of the system is sacrificed to reduce the complexity of the system until the errors are appropriate for the market. For example, for the typical optical mouse moving across a piece of paper for a movement of about ten inches, the error will be about one percent. For a long time, those skilled in the art have been trying to develop a more accurate optical mouse sensor that could be used in measurement applications; e.g., to measure movements. However, it has not been possible to use an optical mouse in measurement applications because of the difficulty of achieving significant accuracy with existing optical sensors. There have been difficulties first in obtaining the accuracy, and second in having a device that is low cost. Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 a view of an optical location measuring system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a reference image taken by an optical mouse sensor shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of a later image taken by an optical mouse sensor shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of a new reference image taken by an optical mouse sensor shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a close-up example of a surface characteristic in an image; FIG. 6 is a close-up example of the surface characteristic of FIG. 6 after approximately a half-pixel movement; FIG. 7 is a graph of probable error versus pixel movement of an image; FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an optical location measuring system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an optical location measuring system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

Cold weather outerwear

An outerwear system for use in cold weather includes a vest to which external components may be attached. These components include sleeves, a cape, a hood, and a vest extension. The components may be individually attachable to the vest by slide fasteners.

1. An outerwear system to be worn by a user, said outerwear system comprising: a vest covering the chest, back, and shoulders of a user; and a vest extension removably attachable to said vest, said vest extension covering the thighs of the user. 2. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vest extension has a front and a back and carries means for connecting said front to said back between the thighs of the user. 3. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a cape removably attachable to said vest. 4. The outerwear system as recited in claim 3, wherein said vest has a collar carrying a first portion of a slide fastener and wherein said cape carries a second portion of a slide fastener, said first portion of said slide fastener being attachable to said second portion of said slide fastener to fasten said cape to said vest. 5. The outerwear system as recited in claim 4, wherein said collar has a top side and an opposing underside, and wherein said first portion of said slide fastener is carried on said underside of said collar. 6. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a hood removably attachable to said vest. 7. The outerwear system as recited in claim 6, wherein said hood is dimensioned to permit the user to wear a hat under said hood. 8. The outerwear system as recited in claim 6, wherein said vest has a collar carrying a first portion of a slide fastener and wherein said hood carries a second portion of a slide fastener, said first portion of said slide fastener being attachable to said second portion of said slide fastener to fasten said hood to said vest. 9. The outerwear system as recited in claim 8, wherein said collar has a top side and an opposing underside, and wherein said first portion of said slide fastener is carried on said underside of said collar. 10. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a left sleeve and a right sleeve, said left and said right sleeves covering said left and said right arms, respectively, of the user and being removably attachable to said vest. 11. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a left sleeve, a right sleeve, a cape and a hood, said left sleeve, said right sleeve, said cape and said hood each being removably attachable to said vest in any combination. 12. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vest carries a pouch dimensioned for carrying said vest extension. 13. The outerwear system as recited in claim 11, wherein said vest carries a pouch dimensioned for carrying said vest extension, said left sleeve, said right sleeve, said cape and said hood. 14. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vest and said vest extension are composed of at least three layers, said at least three layers including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer, said intermediate layer carrying an odor-absorber. 15. The outerwear system as recited in claim 14, wherein said inner layer is made of a non-woven material. 16. The outerwear system as recited in claim 14, wherein said outer layer is made of a woven material. 17. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vest and said vest extension are composed of at least three layers, including an inner layer, an intermediate layer and an outer layer, said outer layer of said vest being removably attachable to said outer layer of said vest extension without said intermediate and inner layers of said vest. 18. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vest carries a first portion of a slide fastener and said vest extension carries a second portion of a slide fastener, said first and said second portions of said slide fasteners being fastenable together to attach said vest and said vest extension. 19. The outerwear system as recited in claim 3, wherein said cape has interior pockets dimensioned to receive the hands of the user. 20. The outerwear system as recited in claim 1, wherein said vest and vest extension carry a camouflage pattern.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to clothing generally and specifically to outerwear for use in cold weather. On colder days, most people don coats to keep themselves warmer when out of doors for a length of time. On very cold days, and especially when out of doors for extended periods, the choice of what garments to wear to keep warm can be as important from a safety standpoint as for comfort. Without adequate insulation from outerwear to preserve body heat, a person can suffer hypothermia or freeze to death. A person out of doors on such days will generate more or less body heat depending on the activities engaged in. Furthermore, the type of activity of the wearer may vary greatly, ranging from sitting for extended periods in the cold when hunting or when attending a sports event, to much more rigorous activity such as hiking over rough terrain. Thus the anticipated outdoor activity of the wearer will have a significant bearing on the choice of outerwear. Outerwear, which term refers to garments worn over other the clothing typically worn indoors, includes coats, vests, hats, scarves, gloves, hoods, and capes, all of varying sizes and styles. Outerwear may be made of natural or man-made materials, woven or non-woven fabrics, and combinations of fabrics. Outerwear may use a variety of closures such as slide fasteners, buttons, and hooks and loops. Specialty outerwear for hunting may carry camouflage patterns and textures. There is a need for outerwear that can be easily and quickly adapted for the particular activity level of the individual, not only in advance but at the time of the activity level change. If a hunter has been sitting for an extended period of time in very cold weather and then begins to walk, the increasing activity will at first warm her but may eventually make her uncomfortably warm. Being able to reduce the ability of the outerwear to insulate or alternatively to increase its ability to vent heat from the outerwear is important in keeping the wearer from becoming too warm and perspiring while at the higher activity level only to may make her even colder when her activity level is again reduced. Thus there remains a need for improvement in outerwear garments, particularly in cold weather for extended out of door use.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to its major aspects and briefly recited, the present invention is an outerwear system to be worn by an individual for extended periods out of doors in cold temperatures. The improved outerwear system includes a vest that serves as a hub to which various components may be attached as needed. These components include a hood, a cape, sleeves, and a vest extension to extend the vest to cover the lower torso and legs. These components are preferably attached with slide fasteners. The outerwear according to a preferred embodiment is made of a material that consists of at least three layers: an inner non-woven fabric which provides both warmth and comfort to the wearer, a second layer is preferably made of a polymer impregnated with scent absorbing compounds. The third layer is preferably made of a woven material such as breathable wool or synthetic, preferably waterproofed. For use of the present outerwear in hunting, the third layer may carry a camouflage pattern or texture and the intermediate layer can carry an odor absorber. The choice of components is a major feature of the present invention. As the need for preserving body heat increases, the combination of hood, cape, sleeves and vest extension become more important as a way to extend the outerwear to cover those parts of the body that can also lose heat: the head and arms, the lower abdomen and thighs. In addition, the cape doubles the insulation on the body core and brings the arms within it to keep them warmer. The system of individually attachable components is another major feature of the present invention. Each component can be attached or not, as the user wishes. This feature allows the user to select those components needed for the activity engaged in and to shed them one at a time as no longer needed. These and other features and their advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art of apparel design from a careful reading of the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments accompanied by the following drawings.

Methods, computer-readable media, and data structures for building an authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements and identifying media items

Methods, computer-readable media, and data structures for building an authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements from digital media accessed by clients. The digital media including one or more media items, such as tracks on a CD. The methods, computer-readable media, and data structures further identifying metadata associated with a media item accessed by a client utilizing the authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements.

1. A method of building an authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements from digital media accessed by clients, said digital media including one or more media items, said method comprising: uploading a candidate base digital audio identifier for each media item on multiple copies of digital media accessed by one or more clients; processing the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers to create an authoritative base digital audio identifier for each media item from said digital media; and adding the authoritative base digital audio identifiers to an authoritative database of authoritative base digital audio identifiers associated with other digital media. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein uploading the candidate base digital audio identifiers comprises uploading a TOC associated with each of one or more compact discs (CDs) accessed by at least one of the clients. 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising uploading a candidate base digital audio identifier for each media item from another N copies of said CD accessed by respective N distinct clients and uploading a TOC associated with each of said N copies of said CD accessed by respective N distinct clients. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein said digital media comprises a CD and wherein said uploading occurs when at least one of the clients rips said CD or inserts said CD into a CD-ROM drive. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising uploading a candidate confirmation digital audio identifier for each media item on said multiple copies of the digital media accessed by the clients. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein uploading the candidate base digital audio identifiers comprises uploading said candidate base digital audio identifiers from a first time interval of each media item on said digital media and wherein uploading the candidate confirmation digital audio identifiers comprises uploading said candidate confirmation digital identifiers from a second time interval of each media item on said digital media. 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the second time intervals for uploading the candidate confirmation digital audio identifiers are about 20 seconds later than the first time intervals for uploading the candidate base digital audio identifiers. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein processing the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers comprises comparing each of the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers associated with a respective media item to one another. 9. The method of claim 8 wherein processing the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers further comprises ignoring any candidate base digital identifier wherein the difference between the ignored candidate base digital audio identifier and the other candidate base digital audio identifiers exceeds a threshold. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein processing the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers further comprises aggregating each of the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers associated with a respective media item. 11. The method of claim 10 wherein aggregating the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers comprises averaging all of the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers associated with a respective media item. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said processing further comprises ignoring any candidate base digital audio identifier wherein the difference between the ignored candidate base digital audio identifier and the average of the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers is greater than some multiple of the standard deviation of the candidate base digital audio identifiers. 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said multiple of the standard deviation is 1.5. 14. The method of claim 8 wherein said digital media comprises a CD and wherein processing the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers comprises generating an authoritative base digital audio identifier element associated with each respective media item of the CD for identifying each media item of the CD. 15. The method of claim 13 wherein processing the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers further comprises selecting the most common TOC of the various TOCs associated with a particular CD as an authoritative TOC. 16. The method of claim 1 wherein uploading said candidate base digital audio identifiers from copies of said digital media is terminated once the authoritative base digital audio identifiers associated with each respective media item are added to the authoritative database. 17. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more computer-readable media have computer-executable instructions for performing the method recited in claim 1. 18. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure representing a digital audio identifier element for identifying an audio CD of audio media items, said data structure comprising: a unique album identifier associated with said audio CD; and at least one track element, said track element corresponding to an audio media item on the audio CD, said track element comprising a candidate base digital audio identifier and a candidate confirmation digital audio identifier. 19. The digital audio identifier element of claim 18 wherein said candidate base digital audio identifier comprises a sample of the media item taken at a first time interval and said candidate confirmation digital audio identifier comprises a sample of the media item taken at a second time interval. 20. The digital audio identifier element of claim 19 wherein said first time interval is about 30 seconds from the beginning of the media item and said second time interval is about 50 seconds from the beginning of the media item.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Due to recent advances in technology, computer users are now able to enjoy many features that provide an improved user experience, such as playing various media and multimedia content on personal, laptop, or handheld computers, as well as cellular phones and other portable media devices. For example, most computers today are able to play compact discs (CDs) and have an internet connection capable of streaming and downloading audio and video so users can enjoy media while working on their computers. Many computers are also equipped with digital versatile disc (DVD) drives enabling users to watch movies. Such users are naturally desirous of metadata information identifying the media accessible via their computing device. Data providers are therefore interested in providing a metadata experience that accurately and quickly identifies a selected media item accessed by a user. As such, conventional systems attempt to identify media items in any number of ways, using data tangential to the media item, rather than the media item itself. For example, identification codes associated with media items or groups of media items, metadata associated with the accessed media item, or other previously identified media items stored near the media item of interest, may all be employed in an attempt to identify an accessed media item. These methods are fraught with error, however, because identification is not based upon the media item itself, but rather tangential data associated with the media item. Moreover, because many media items are stored in different formats, conventional systems have had difficulty identifying media stored in an unfamiliar format. In addition, metadata associated with media items is error prone. Much of this metadata is user-entered, and may misidentify the media item or include incorrect, misspelled, or out-of-date information. In addition, the conventional practice of utilizing identifiers associated with a media collection, such as a compact disc (CD), to provide matching may also introduce error through misidentification of similar or incorrectly matching identifiers. Moreover, such systems have difficulty identifying solitary media items not downloaded to a user device as part of an album. Unfortunately, these issues are not addressed by any conventional system. Conventional techniques provide identification only through tangential data, such as metadata matching or identification number matching. Such conventional techniques provide no assistance for individual media items having no metadata, incorrect metadata, or missing identifiers. Such conventional techniques also fail to perform well where media items are stored in a foreign format. Accordingly, a solution that enables identification of a media item identically in each case, irrespective of the format of the media item or the metadata associated with the media item is desired. There is a need, therefore, for a method or system whereby any media item may be identified based upon the actual content of the media item itself, rather than tangential data associated with the media item. A solution that enables identification of any media item, in any format, with no other identification or metadata is desired.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Accordingly, a method (or a computer-readable media or a data structure) for building an authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements from digital media accessed by clients and for correctly identifying metadata associated with a media item accessed by a client is desired to address one or more of these and other disadvantages. The method comprises uploading a candidate base digital audio identifier for each media item on multiple copies of digital media accessed by one or more clients, processing the uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers to create an authoritative base digital audio identifier for each media item from the digital media, and adding the authoritative base digital audio identifiers to an authoritative database of authoritative base digital audio identifiers associated with other digital media. For example, embodiments of the invention may be well-suited for preparing an authoritative database that may be shared with multiple users to quickly and correctly identify a media item based upon its content. In one aspect of the invention, a method of building an authoritative database of digital audio identifier elements from digital media accessed by clients is disclosed. The digital media includes one or more media items. The method comprises uploading a candidate base digital audio identifier for each media item on multiple copies of digital media accessed by one or more clients. The uploaded candidate base digital audio identifiers are processed to create an authoritative base digital audio identifier for each media item from the digital media. The method also comprises adding the authoritative base digital audio identifiers to an authoritative database of authoritative base digital audio identifiers associated with other digital media. In another aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure representing a digital audio identifier element for identifying an audio CD of audio media items is disclosed. The data structure comprises a unique album identifier associated with the audio CD and at least one track element. The track element corresponds to an audio media item on the audio CD. The track element comprises a candidate base digital audio identifier and a candidate confirmation digital audio identifier. In still another aspect of the invention, a method of identifying metadata associated with a media item accessed by a client is disclosed. The method comprises receiving at least one specimen digital audio identifier associated with a media item. The specimen digital audio identifier is uploaded from a client accessing the media item. The method further matches the specimen digital audio identifier with an authoritative base digital audio identifier, retrieves metadata associated with the authoritative base digital audio identifier; and returns the metadata to the client. In yet another aspect of the invention, a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for identifying metadata associated with a media item accessed by a client is disclosed. The computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprises receiving instructions for receiving at least one specimen digital audio identifier associated with a media item. The specimen digital audio identifier being uploaded from a client accessing the media item. The computer-executable instructions for performing steps also comprises matching instructions for matching the specimen digital audio identifier with an authoritative base digital audio identifier. The computer-executable instructions for performing steps comprises retrieving instructions for retrieving metadata associated with the authoritative base digital audio identifier and returning instructions for returning the metadata to the client. Alternatively, the invention may comprise various other methods, computer-readable media, and data structures. Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Zinc pyrrolidonecarboxylate dihydrate and method of producing the same