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Chronicle Books Bakesale for Japan
Those of us who live along the Pacific Ring of Fire understand the risk, but it's difficult to imagine a catastrophic event when you're living amongst some of the greatest natural beauty on earth.
On March 11th, Japan's Tohoku Region was struck by the largest earthquake in recorded Japanese history. The resulting tsunami caused thousands of injuries and casualties, plus billions of dollars worth of damage. As both numbers continue to climb, our hearts go out to our brothers and sisters; neighbors in the Pacific Ocean.
If you are a Bay Area neighbor, we'd love to see your face at the Chronicle Books lobby store on Monday, March 21st for a fundraising bake sale. The sale will go from 11-2, and all proceeds will benefit the Japanese Red Cross' efforts.
Chronicle Books will also be matching 100% of proceeds and donations, so please come show your support!
Hope to see you there.
Chronicle Books Bakesale for Japan
Monday, March 21, 11am – 2pm
680 2nd Street, San Francisco 94107
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2 Comments
Thankyou very much!!
from japan
frogmom March 18, 2011 at 9:43 am
Great idea. Cake lollipops?


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Heads up – minor auroras out tonight March 28-29
Just got back from photographing Comet PANSTARRS and watching the moonrise. Shortly before 10 p.m. a dim auroral arc fanned across the northern sky about 10 degrees above the horizon. There were a few rays, too.
I was a little surprised because tonight's activity wasn't in the space weather forecast. I'm guessing it's spillover from yesterday's aurora caused by fluctuating speeds in the gust of particles from the sun called the solar wind. As far as I could tell, the aurora never showed here last night. Sky watchers at higher latitudes were more fortunate; a nice display graced skies over Finland, Norway and Alaska even in moonlight.
When the moon rose higher, the sky brightened and the lights faded back. Looking at the auroral oval, it's expanding toward the northern U.S. as I write this around 11 p.m. Might want to take a look if it's clear in case things take a turn for the brighter. The forecast calls for generally "quiet" conditions after tonight.
12 Responses
I was driving home from work about 2230 hrs last night, and saw the aurora. At first I thought it was just a reflection off my car window, but when I pulled off the freeway heading to Blackhoof I could see them a little more distinctly despite the brightness of the full moon. What a beautiful night.

subset: commoncrawl


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A Recent Favorite:
Uh Oh, Nothing Here Yet
Why don't you go browse some Comics or Editorials and pick a few to favorite?
Recent Comments
This is a fine example of a standard technique of the Lying Left: Straw Man. Dear Leader uses it all the time. Just create someone or some group out of thin air, have them make stupid comments, and then burn them down. Voila!!! You are a hero and the group you are trying to paint looks just plain terrible. Commies Lie. It is what they do.
Socialism in action. You pretend to work. They pretend to pay you.
I like Aunt Ruthie. She reminds me of our Miss Lucille. She is kind yet frank.
Fifteen Dollars per Hour. Eight dollar gag-burger. Worth every dime.
No. Just normal people, married to members of the opposite sex, who do not want much gubmint interference and surely do not want to pay for it.
What utter balderdash. Moronic on a good day with a tail wind.
Lighten up and smile.
What planet are you people from? Since 1964, we have spent $11T on this "War on Poverty." The Black Family Unit as disintegrated. The crime rate (black on black) has gone through the roof. We are now nearly $20T in debt with $120T in unfunded obligations. Obamacare is a disaster on its way to the larger train wreck of Single Payer. But, then, you will reject all this an so much more. One last thing though: The last unicorn was eaten by a werewolf and TANSTAAFL.
Go to Church??? Worship God?


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From: email@example.com [mailto:email@example.com] On Behalf Of Thomas, Danny L (Danny)
Sent: 30 November 2004 22:10
To: firstname.lastname@example.com
Subject: [saxon] help parsing ChineseI have inheirited a process that uses SAXON to parse an XML file and write out a fixed length text file. I have been told that the file will soon start to contain Simplified Chinese characters. I have received a test file and when the parser runs it writes out 3 bytes for each of the Chinese characters which causes all of the other character to be shifted out of place. The output encoding on the XSL is UTF-8.I really don't know much of anything about XML or the parser, so I would appreciate any advice.
Lucent Technologies o
Danny L. Thomas
SAP ABAP Specialist


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Category: In Passing
Muppets Co-Creator Jane Henson Dies
Puppeteer, philanthropist and founder of The Jim Henson Legacy dies in her Connecticut home on April 2, 2013 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
'Simpsons' EP Don Payne Dies at 48
Don Payne, a four-time Emmy winner for "The Simpsons," died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 48.
British Animator Bob Godfrey Dies at 91
VFX Pioneer Petro Vlahos Dies at 96
Petro Vlahos, the visual effects pioneer who developed the blue-screen and green-screen process, died on February 10 in Los Angeles at the age of 89.
'Underdog' Co-creator Dies at 85
Animator Lee Hartman Dies at 82
Notable former Disney and Warner Bros. "Tiny Toons" animator Lee Hartman dies on Christmas Eve, at age 82.
'Thunderbirds' Creator Gerry Anderson Dies at 83
Animator behind popular puppet TV shows "Captain Scarlet," "Stingray" and "Joe 90" dies in his sleep on Wednesday, December 26.
Tributes for Fyodor Khitruk
We thank those AWN readers who contributed their thoughts on the passing of legendary Russian animator Fyodor Khitruk.
Animator Rusty Mills Dies at 49
Former Warner Bros. animator Rusty Mills dies at the age of 49 following a battle with colon cancer.
Weta VFX Producer Eileen Moran Passes
Top visual effects producer Eileen Moran, who worked on such films as "Avatar" and "The Hobbit" dies in New Zealand.
Dutch Animator Gerrit Van Dijk Dies at Age 73
Russian Animator Fyodor Khitruk Dies
Fyodor Khitruk, the creator of the former Soviet Union's animated version of A.A. Milne's classic "Winnie the Pooh" tales, has died in Moscow at the age of 95.
Legendary Disney Designer and Concept Artist Mel Shaw Passes at 97
One of the most versatile and talented visual development artists, designers, and storymen to ever work at The Walt Disney Studios passed away on Thanksgiving Day from congestive heart failure.
Margaret Nichols Dies at 82
Voice Actor Lucille Bliss Passes
British Animator Run Wrake Dies
Czech Animator Bretislav Pojar Dies
Czech animator and puppeteer Bretislav Pojar, a two-time Cannes winner known for his short films starring a teddy bear duo, dies in Prague at the age of 89.
Frank Thomas' Widow Jeanette Thomas Dies at Age 91
Jeanette Armentrout Thomas, the widow of legendary Disney animator Frank Thomas (one of Walt Disney's renowned "Nine Old Men"), passed away on Saturday September 29th, from age-related illnesses.
IMAX Co-Inventor Roman Kroitor Dies
Canadian film pioneer Roman Kroitor, who co-invented the IMAX film system and inspired directors from George Lucas to Stanley Kubrick, has died.
In Memoriam-My Letter To Christine
There are special people who come and go in your life, who leave a lasting impression. Christine Kent, our beloved Career Coach, Mentor, Executive Recruiter, Counselor and Confidante, passed away on Saturday, September 8th at 46 years of age from a brief but terminal illness.
British Animator John Coates Dies at 84
Animator John Coates dies while working on an updated version of the British Christmas classic, "The Snowman."
Digital Pioneer Bob Lambert Dies
'Fantasia' Animator Ken Walker Dies
Animator and director Ken Walker, whose work for Disney included such memorable films as "Alice in Wonderland" and "Fantasia," died August 18 at the age of 91.
Count Puppeteer Jerry Nelson Passes
Emmy-winning puppeteer Jerry Nelson, best known for playing the famous Count von Count on "Sesame Street," passed away on Thursday, August 23.


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New Digital Firm Qloo Raises $3 Million From Hollywood Insiders
Investors in the company, described as "a Pandora for all your life," include actors Danny Masterson and Cedric the Entertainer.
A new product called Qloo, which recommends movies, music and more, said on Thursday that it raised $3 million in funding, much of it from entertainment industry insiders.
Qloo -- pronounced "clue" -- also launched on Thursday with a website and Apple application.
Investors in the seed-funding round announced Thursday include Cedric the Entertainer, actor Danny Masterson and Tommy Thompson, an oil tycoon and founding partner of Cross Creek Pictures. Others include Kindler Capital and Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury, who founded Arab Internet company Maktoob, which Yahoo purchased for $164 million in 2009.
Qloo's app, which is free to use, allows users to feed it their likes and dislikes in eight categories -- music, film, TV, dining, nightlife, fashion, books and travel -- so that it may accurately recommend products and experiences.
PHOTOS: 10 Highly Paid Entertainment CEOs
Qloo has struck affiliate relationships with iTunes, Netflix, Amazon.com and more, and it takes a fee when a user spends money with the companies it has partnered with.
"It's sort of like Pandora for all your life," said CEO Alex Elias, comparing Qloo to the digital music service that uses recommendation technology to choose appropriate playlists for its customers.
"Anything you see on Qloo you can swipe left or right to give it a thumbs up or down, and the suggestions get a lot better as you do that," Elias said.
The company was founded in 2012 and some well-known trendsetters helped out with beta testing, including actor Ashton Kutcher, fashion designer Duncan Quinn and musician Sonny Rollins.
Users of Qloo can begin by choosing as few as five things that they like, be it a combination of movies, songs, restaurants, books, etc. "We can ascertain quite a bit just from five preferences across different cultural boundaries," Elias said.
PHOTOS: 25 of Fall's Most Anticipated Movies
Recommendations are, in part, calculated by what other users with similar tastes enjoy, and customers can also drill down on certain categories. For example, they can tell Qloo to choose a good movie based solely on the books they like.
The company is headquartered in New York and employs 10 people.
"Qloo is a whimsical take on the word 'clue.' You give clues about your taste, and it gives clues back," Elias said.
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Congresswoman and DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schultz visits UF Campaigners
U.S. Representative and chair of the Democratic National Committee Debbie Wasserman Schultz, an alumna of the Political Campaigning Program (class of 1990), is a frequent visitor to Gainesville. She is… Read More
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Every two years, the UF Campaigning program brings together academics and political professionals for a day-long workshop discussing both the lessons learned from the previous election, and what is to… Click here to learn more
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Your Update on UF Political Campaigning The University of Florida's Graduate Program in Political Campaigning is a two-year program of study leading to a Master of Arts degree in political… Read More…
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Leave a Review
Awesome!!! I liked that the ribs were baked because the constant temperature assured they came out tender and moist.I had no leftovers even with this large a recipeflag if inappropriate
I have been using this recipe since 1995 when it first appeared in Bon Appetit. My family won't let me cook any other ribs. They are moist and tender as can be.flag if inappropriate
The best rib recipe i have ever found. I have found it works best for me baking them for 10 minutes less at the beginning. Mmmmmm.....flag if inappropriate
THIS IS MY FAMILY'S FAVORITE RIB RECIPE - AND SO DELICIOUS. THE SECRET IS IN THE SAUCE!!!flag if inappropriate
I can not tell you how many times my friend and I have made these ribs since the recipe was first published. They are always gobbled up and the recipe is always requested!flag if inappropriate
My family votes this the best ribs ever!flag if inappropriate


text: I will be up through New York to CT,MA, and Maine in mid January and wanted some tips on where I can get a bunch of goodies to bring back down south. We moved from Philadelphia to Nashville and the beer selection here is really rough! So I wanna stock up. We will be in Boston MA, Wallingford CT, and Scarborough ME. I tried searching for a place that carried a nice variety of Clown Shoes, and emailed different distributors but thought I would reach out on the forum too. and please if you guys have suggestions of good craft thats available up that way I would love some suggestions. We were spoiled in Philly with Dogfish, Victory, Troegs, Wyerbacher and so forth being so close. I loved them all!! Thanks in advance. This is my first time posting but beeradvocate has been my go to site when Im shopping! Thanks again


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Whitney Houston In Houston: A Brief Retrospective
All morning, the world woke up to the shocking, but not altogether surprising, news that troubled pop/R&B superstar Whitney Houston died Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. Houston, 48, was pronounced dead at around 3:55 p.m. at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, according to Reuters.
No cause of death has been announced, and an autopsy is pending.
Houston only appeared in Houston a handful of times - as befitting a perfomer of her vocal stature, only at arenas and amphitheaters. Her first concert here came as opener for Luther Vandross at the Summit in August 1985. She was 22 years old at the time, a freshly minted star thanks to her brand-new debut album, Whitney Houston. The above footage of the show later became a popular Internet clip.
Houston's headlining concerts came in September 1987 at the Summit, and at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in June 1991 on the "I'm Your Baby Tonight" tour. The 16-month Bodyguard World Tour reached the Summit in August 1994.
And that was it. Her last U.S. tour, 1999's "My Love Is Your Love World Tour," never came to Houston. Several shows were canceled, including as close as Memphis, but it appears the tour was never even routed through Texas.
Houston never played RodeoHouston (we thought she had at some point), and her first tour in a decade, 2010's Nothing But Love tour, never made it to the U.S. Maybe it would have at some point. We'll never know.
Jennifer Hudson will perform a tribute to Houston at Sunday night's Grammys, The New York Times reported. Rocks Off will have more about Houston later this week.
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"As slender as a psalm, and as heavy."—The New York Times
"The graduating college senior in your life probably just wants money. But if you want to impart some heartfelt, plainspoken wisdom in addition to a check, you can't do much better than [Congratulations, by the way]."—Entertainment Weekly
"The loving selflessness that [George Saunders] advises and the interconnectedness that he recognizes couldn't be purer or simpler—or more challenging."—Kirkus Reviews
"Warm and tender."—Publishers Weekly
George Saunders is the author of eight books, including the story collections Pastoralia and Tenth of December, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. He has received fellowships from the Lannan Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the Guggenheim Foundation. In 2006 he was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. In 2013 he was awarded the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story and was included in Time's list of the one hundred most influential people in the world. He teaches in the creative writing program at Syracuse University.
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Nice little book with an important message for young folks.Published 23 days ago by wendy l hutchins
A quick read, but incredibly insightful and powerful. A must read in our " me" society.
I wished every graduate read this book and then re- reads it every five years.
I was surprised and very happy to find this reprint of George Saunders' address to graduates. This describes to way to a better world at the cost of a gesture.Published 1 month ago by Heller Barr
This feels right. Saunders lays out the case for kindness in simple, honest terms. I am convinced. No more words or arguments needed. We all have it in us, that luminosity. Read morePublished 1 month ago by Peter in Maryland
First -- don't expect a full length book. This was a college commencement address. Second -- the blank pages aren't blank, but gradually fill with stars. Enjoy that. Read morePublished 1 month ago by JJ
This is a cute, heartfelt little book with nice pages and print. It is much smaller than I expected and is just a copy of George Saunders' commencement speech. Read morePublished 2 months ago by Amanda Tran
After hearing and reading about failures in kindness, my husband and I have begun our own 'be nice' campaign. Read morePublished 2 months ago by Janet A. Tueller


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Fluxx (Special Edition)
The perfect introduction to the Fluxx line, this special edition, also used in the phone ap, was tailored to appeal to folks who've never played before. It's a similar cardset to Fluxx 4.0, but with just the four basic card types – no Creepers, No Surprises, No Ungoals. Just pure unadulterated ever-changing fun!
The Keepers and Goals have a large overlap with Fluxx 4.0, though the swap out of just a few Keepers results in a larger number of changes in the Goal combos. Actions and New Rules will be largely familiar to veteran Fluxx players, though a few have been imported from themed versions of Fluxx, or brought in from promo status.
Price: $15.00
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Monster Fluxx
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Price: $16.00


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Two dead, 1 hurt in Route 7 head-on crashBy PATRICK MCARDLE
STAFF WRITER | July 16,2014BENNINGTON Two men were killed and a woman was seriously injured in a head-on crash in Bennington on Monday night, police said.
Jamie R. Sorel, 36, of Bennington, and Danny C. Thomas, 26, of Pownal, were killed. Tory Green, 19, of Pownal, was taken to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington and then flown by helicopter to the Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center with what police said were traumatic injuries.
Police believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette said members of the Bennington Police Department, the Bennington Rescue Squad and the Bennington Rural Fire Department were called to the scene of a reported two-vehicle crash around 11:35 p.m. Monday.
When emergency responders reached the crash, they found there were three vehicles involved, Doucette said. Two of the vehicles had crashed head-on, Doucette said.
He said the drivers of both cars, Sorel and Thomas, died at the crash scene. Green had been a passenger in Thomas car.
After a preliminary investigation, police believe Sorel was traveling north on Route 7 in a 2002 Oldsmobile. Sorel tried to pass a tractor-trailer truck driven by Steven D. Klatt of Weare, N.H.
Doucette said Sorel was driving north in the southbound lane when Thomas, driving a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta, came around the bend just south of Carpenter Hill Road.
The Oldsmobile and the Jetta collided head-on in the southbound lane, Doucette said.
The impact caused major crush and intrusion damage to both cars and collapsed the drivers compartments.
The Oldsmobile lifted off of the ground, spun and struck the side of the tractor-trailer.
Both cars came to a stop in the southbound lane of Route 7, and Klatt, 57, who was not injured, was able to stop his truck.
A representative from the Vermont Medical Examiners office responded to the crash scene along with an employee of Mahar and Son Funeral Home, to help emergency responders free Sorel and Thomas from the cars.
Sorel, Thomas and Green were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
Route 7 was closed for about four hours while emergency service workers investigated the crash. Doucette said the investigation will continue.
patrick.mcardle @rutlandherald.comMORE IN This Just In
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There's a lot to think about while racing down the track or trail. Do not make uncomfortable pants one of them. At Rocky Mountain ATV/MC, we have a huge selection of dirt bike pants that meets your needs as an off-road enthusiast.
The dirt bike pants we sell breathe and move with you while keeping moisture out. Lightweight and stretchable, our pants fit perfectly over knee braces and guards and have a reinforced lining on the knees and calves to resist potential burning from exhaust pipes. We have the pants to match your jersey perfectly, and you'll always pay a low price at Rocky Mountain ATV/MC.
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Looks great and hard to ripRead All Reviews
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- Junying Kirk (226)
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Author & Blogger
Junying Kirk
Originally from China and currently living and working in the UK, I have worked as an academic, administrator, researcher, teacher, professional interpreter, translator and cultural consultant. I enjoy reading and writing, and reflecting upon what's important in life. I blog at www.junyingkirk.com, topics ranging from books, cross-cultural communications, interviews, music and photography to leisure pursuits including food, keeping-fit and world travels. Come along for an amazing ride and enjoy the journey! My "Journey To The West" Trilogy - The Same Moon, Trials of Life and Land of Hope, are available on Amazon Worldwide, iBook and Smashwords.
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2014 – The Galloping #Horse Chases Away Creepy Snake #新春愉快 #马年幸运
Last year at this time, I was in China, busy jetting from Hong Kong to Guangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao and finally reaching Chengdu, my destination for celebrating Chinese New Year (CNY). It had been a long time coming, joining my extended … Continue reading
Posted in Arts & Culture, China & East Asia, Food & Cuisine Tagged Cantonese food, Celebration, Chengdu, Chinese New Year, Chinese Zodiac, Fair, Feast, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Horse, Nanjing, Qingdao, Sichuan Food, travel 2 Comments
The #MoonFestival: Chinese Mid-Autumn Customs, Celebrations, Legends & Poems #中秋节
I witness bright Moonlight in front of my bed. I suspect it to be hoary frost on the floor. I watch the bright Moon, as I tilt back my head. I yearn, while stooping, for my homeland more. The poem … Continue reading
Posted in Arts & Culture, China & East Asia, Food & Cuisine, Music & Poetry, Politics & History Tagged Celebration, Chang'e, Chinese, Chinese supermarket, custom, family reunion, Hong Kong, Li Bai, Mid Autumn Festival, Moon Cakes, Moon Festival, Pearl Zhang, poems, The Same Moon, tradition, 中秋节 2 Comments


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Nationals Suspend Jonathan Papelbon for Rest of Season for Choking Bryce Harper in Dugout
A Smashing Collection of Baseball Fans Running Onto the Field and Getting Tackled by Security
Probably — No, Definitely the Best Badminton Shot You'll Watch All Day
Generous Mom Catches Foul Ball, Gives It to Selfish Toddler Who Tries to Throw It Back
This NHL Playoffs Wrap-Up Video Puts Those 'One Shining Moment' Clips to Shame
Tampa Bay's Rene Rivera Pulls a Willie Mays Hayes, Slides Waaaay Too Early Into Second [VIDEO]
Tom Brady Probably Knew About Deflated Balls, According to Official NFL Report
Remember "Deflategate"? The NFL released the so-called Wells Report earlier today (full doc here), the result of a months-long, extensive investigation into whether the footballs used in the Patriots-Colts AFC Championship Game back in January were illegally tampered with. So were they? According to the report, probably.


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Classic character Garfield is traveling the globe with new promotions and merchandise in China, Japan, Brazil and a host of other regions around the world.
Mobile game company Pixowl has created a new Garfield game app in partnership with Paws, Inc.–"Garfield: Survival of the Fattest."
Garfield licensor Paws, Inc. has teamed with Bare Tree Media to launch digital content featuring the famous feline on messenging apps around the world.
Paws, Inc. has signed a range of new apparel licensees in the U.S., Brazil, Australia, Canada, the Middle East and France for Garfield.
Wicked Cool Toys has been appointed as the worldwide master toy licensee for Paws, Inc.'s Garfield brand.
Bulldog Licensing has signed another new Garfield licensee in the U.K.–Sambro will create a line of bags featuring the character.
Paws, Inc. and its regional licensing agents have signed a series of new deals for Garfield around the world.
Bare Tree Media, the master digital licensee for Paws Inc.'s Garfield brand, has teamed up with MyBrandEmail to launch a Garfield-branded e-mail service.
Paws, Inc. has appointed P&L Global Network to serve as the exclusive licensing agency for Garfield for Mexico and Chile.
Paws, Inc. has tapped the consulting firm Philliou Partners to represent the Garfield brand to card-issuing banks outside of the U.S.
©2015 ADVANSTAR COMMUNICATIONS INC. All rights reserved.


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All of the charms of this Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel blend are on the surface, but what a pretty surface it is. Polished raspberry and cherry fruit, bacon, cream and a splendid array of flashy spices characterize the flavors.
This Merlot, Syrah, Zin blend is a tribute to Buena Vista Winery's founder, Count Agoston Haraszthy. A Hungarian noble, Haraszthy moved to the US, journeyed across the west by wagon train in search of gold, finally settling in San Diego, where he was elected the county's first Sherriff in 1850. He established Buena Vista in 1857, dug Sonoma's first wine caves and was, in all, a visionary in California wine.
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2012 Novelty Hill Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2013 Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2013 Wines Of Substance Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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2012 Gundlach Bundschu "Mountain Cuvée" Sonoma County Red Blend


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Have you started following my new blog yet, This Simple Home? I hope you will!
We've been cooking and baking. Lots of good books have been read. And we're having fun! Right now we are planning a Little House on the Prairie birthday party! Right now we have two nice giveaways...one is for the 9 book Little House set or 2 picture books. The other is for a great family devotional.
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Kenneth Cole Decided To Tweet Something Completely Stupid About Syria
Good brand strategy, Kenneth Cole.
1. Kenneth Cole tweeted this on Thursday.
"Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers. #Footwear— Kenneth Cole (@KennethCole)
Kenneth Cole
"Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers. #Footwear/ Via
2. Needless to say, people aren't super pleased about it.
Pauline Collins
@KennethCole Not cool OR socially responsible./ Via
James Topham
@ddale8 What is wrong with PR people?/ Via
Stephen Miller
@hgil #facepalm/ Via
5. This is, uh, not the first time Kenneth Cole's Twitter account has decided to jump on a popular news event…
6. It's not the second time they've done this either…
Ryan Broderick is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in London.
Contact Ryan Broderick at email@example.com.


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Entry level price, advanced functionality and style! The passage series is made for those who want a value priced case but still have that timeless Sumdex quality and design. You will find this Briefcase to be simple and comfortable to carry, and sufficient for your daily business needs.
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Laptop Briefcase Nancy from New Bern, NC on 12/24/2014 – Verified Buyer
I bought this for my husband because I was tired watching trug off to board meetings with his "stuff" in an old tote bag. This was the smallest one I could find that still allowed his old generation Mac to fit. It barely does but it does. . .not much room in there for anything else but a few papers and maybe a notebook but there is a roomy zipper pocket on the outside and another smaller one in the front. He loves it and packed his "stuff" in it right away for a Christmas visit out of town. I am very pleased and so is he. Thank you Wayfair. . .again.
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Sexy computer case Sharon from Charlotte, NC on 01/22/2014 – Verified Buyer
This case is very cute and sexy. I have a 13 MacBook Air and needed a case to carry it in and keep it protected. It fits snugly and does not allow room for anything else, BUT there is an outside zippered pocket and a back pouch that closes via velcro. This allows for carrying a DVD drive and charging cord as well as papers, etc. The material is lightweight and sturdy. I'm really satisfied with my purchase!
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Great laptop bag Merrylin from Seattle, WA on 01/27/2015 – Verified Buyer– Top 500 Reviewer
It is good quality and works well. It could be a little bit wider to be able to hold a file folder or some paperwork, but it holds the laptop perfectly
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Good quality for the price becky from cambridge, MA on 08/11/2015 – Verified Buyer
Cute little laptop carrier bag. Fits my MacBook air 13" really well, and it's light and inconspicuous.
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Laptop Bag Rosylin Watson from Wickliffe, OH on 01/07/2013 – Verified Buyer
Nice material and just the right fit for my small acer computer. Would recommend purchasing if you have a smaller size laptop.
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text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Sep 22, 1998
|Filing date
|Aug 13, 1996
|Priority date
|Aug 13, 1996
|Fee status
|Publication number
|H. Russell Douglas
|Original Assignee
|Applied Voice Recognition L.P.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (125), Classifications (9), Legal Events (9)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
The present disclosure is directed to a computer assisted system which enables a computer user with less than fully developed computer skills to enable and implement a number of subroutines. The present disclosure is more particularly directed to a user not accustomed to operating a computer, and further not accustomed to operating a computer which presents a multitude of symbols on the screen which are used to open various subroutines. The disclosed system therefore improves the performance of the user so that the subroutines can be fetched more readily, operated more effectively to obtain the desired results or output, and then easily closed or terminated.
A powerful tool in the hands of a skilled computer operator may provide performance in the handling of a larger number of tasks, but the tasks can become daunting when the tool is viewed simply as icons or folders displayed on a monitor screen. The computer monitor is provided with a cathode ray tube (CRT) or flat screen display which provides an image on a screen. The screen typically will assist the user in some fashion by providing what is known as a graphic user interface (GUI) which is typically located on the "desktop". The term "desktop" refers to the marginal edge of the monitor display which is viewed by the user. The GUI is manifest by a number of symbols or other installed components bordering the edge of the viewed screen. The user then performs some task in the central portion of the screen which is, for want of a better word, sometimes known as a "window." If, as an example, the user is executing a word processing package to thereby prepare a short note or even a very long document, the window encloses the written document, and is encircled by the GUI which is at the desktop. The GUI can be displayed at the vertical margins of the window, or at the top or bottom margins of the window, or in any combination thereof. A specific task, such as creating a window within which a document is written by means of a keyboard, is usually initiated by "clicking" the appropriate GUI symbol with a mouse. This well known approach, now established in the personal computer (PC) trade, is often very intimidating to the user with reduced computer skills. Such users usually have a hesitancy to reach up, move a cursor, direct the cursor to a particular code or icon on the screen at the GUI, and click on it either by use of function keys or a mouse. When that occurs, there is always that stark uncertainty by the unskilled user that the next window opening may be correctly selected, but it may also be wrongly selected. Because of this difficulty in the execution of the symbols or icons, there is an intimidation factor which makes the users truly sense that they are less than skilled, and breakthroughs in their personal competency are retarded by this intimidation. In most cases, this type of intimidation is not helped by hands-on assistance from a well trained person. In fact, such assistance may simply be even more intimidating, because the well trained person tends to move so quickly, execute tasks so readily, and make what is difficult to one person look so easy, that the unskilled users are readily discouraged. If keyboard selections are made, there is an uncertainty on whether or not the keyboard inputs are the appropriate ones for the GUI which responds to function keys. The definitions for the various functions seem a bit remote or arcane and are, therefore, less than helpful to an unskilled or amateurish computer operator.
Voice activated and voice controlled computer interfaces have been developed for a number of reasons. The primary reason for the emergence of such technology seems not to be simplification of computer operation for the unskilled user, but rather to free the computer user's hands for the performance of other manual task while simultaneously operating a computer. Known prior art systems are configured about various voice recognition systems which are, in general, expensive to construct and rigid in design. This is particularly true for ruggedized systems suitable for heavy manufacturing uses such as plant floor robotics and for military and avionics applications. Most of these systems are also configured around a voice recognition system designed to store a vocabulary of hundreds or even thousands of words.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,976 to David E. Borth et al discloses an improved hands-free user-interactive control and dialing system for use with a speech communication device. The system incorporates audio but no visual feedback to the user. Switchable input/output circuitry is taught but limited to radio logic and control synthesizer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,406 to Jed Roberts et al teaches a method for creating word models for a large vocabulary, natural language dictation system. This system incorporates a node based concept, selective voice print update and a visual but not audio feedback to the user. The system is not directed toward the operation of a computer.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,385 to Reuel O. Launey et al discloses a system for, and a method of, providing an expandable home automation controller which supports numbers and different types of data communications with appliances and subsystems within the home as well as systems external to the home. Audio/visual feedback is provided to the user, as is switchable input/output to house control modules such as lighting control. The system is not directed toward computer operation.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,471,683, 4,725,956, 5,046,099 are directed toward a voice controlled weapons launch system, voice control of a remotely piloted vehicle, and a speech recognition system wherein prior parameters of acoustic prototype vectors are adapted to a new speaker to obtain posterior parameters by having the speaker utter a set of adaptation words, respectively.
The present disclosure sets forth a voice controlled, user focused interface for a computer and preferably for a personal computer. In particular, it sets forth an interface system which provides icons in the same fashion as the GUI on the desktop, yet it has the enhanced feature that takes out a tremendous amount of uncertainty for unskilled or semiskilled operators of personal computers. Rather than stroke a selected function key or alternately click on an icon to initiate a specific task, the user speaks an appropriate word or words to initiate and perform the desired task. Furthermore, the system verifies all spoken words so that the user knows without doubt that the word spoken corresponds to the task or action that is desired. When a spoken word is received or "heard" by the system, a voice controlled GUI is initiated in operation so that the spoken word is tested against a limited set of words or "vocabulary" in inventory within the system. If the spoken word is matched with one of the vocabulary words, the user is notified of the "recognition" of the word by audio or visual indication, or possibly both. As an example, if the user speaks a specific task to be performed, an icon in the GUI which represents that task may flash on the screen indicating that the spoken call for a subroutine to perform that task has been recognized by the system. Simultaneously, a tone may sound or a "spoken" verification may be issued by the system. If no recognition is indicated, then either (a) the spoken word is not recognized due to poor pronunciation of the word by the user, or (b) the spoken word is not in the system vocabulary. The system prompts the reader to again utter the word as an attempt to rectify mispronunciation. If the system again fails to recognize the word, the user is notified by the system that specific word or command is not in the vocabulary.
Upon recognition of a word, the system proceeds in performing a corresponding action or task. The recognized word is input into a sequence of computer instructions to perform the action of one or more tasks. Again, if the spoken word is a command to perform a specific task such as send a fax, the subroutine or subroutines required by the computer are automatically fetched by the system. The sequence of computer instructions is thereby configured to perform the defined task. The desired task is called or initiated by voice command only. No key strokes or cursor movements or mouse clicks are required. In other words, the intimidation factor is markedly reduced because the beginning user is then shown, on the monitor screen, which subroutine has been chosen or which task has been performed as a result of a spoken word or phrase. The action or called subroutine is clearly indicated and labeled on the monitor screen thereby giving the user the confidence that the proper and correct subroutine or task command has been chosen. As used hereinbelow, the term subroutine refers to a sequence of steps or instructions which are executed to accomplish a specific task.
Returning for a moment to use of prior art computer interface systems, the initial screen which is shown is normally a rather static or fixed graphic display. It is typically informative but it is informative only at a high level of competency. To a beginner, it can be very intimidating. The present invention begins with a new initial or start up screen altogether. As will be described in some detail below, the screen, at the start, enables the user to speak to the computer and have the computer return to the user an audio or a visual or and audio visual response. In effect, the initial and the first several screens thereafter act interactively a simulated personal attendant or "helper" to the unskilled user. Instead of communicating back and forth with the inanimate PC by means of a key board, a mouse, and a monitor screen, the disclosed system interacts with the beginning user as though it were a personal assistant or helper who is at the same level of communication skills as the user.
The set up interaction provided by the disclosed interface might be analogous to the initial interaction between an individual and a friendly butler. Upon meeting, the butler immediately speaks and says something in the way of greetings and solicitation to the individual. Likewise, the disclosed system greets beginning user at the start of the work session with the computer. Subsequently, the butler may say "may I help you?" By means of dialog back and forth between the individual and the butler, plans are made to accomplish specific tasks. Likewise, the user and the disclosed systems lay the groundwork for subsequent tasks by means of dialog prompted by initial screens. Even though briefly proceeding only through five or six screens with appropriate words back and forth, interactive system builds a sense of connection so that the user is then able to quickly get into the task that the user wishes to perform.
The above discussion has been directed toward the initiation or a start up of a work session with the computer. Attention is now directed to the performance of a specific task or the performance of specific tasks. At this point, the system has directed the computer to fetch the appropriate subroutine or subroutine as discussed previously. The system then prompts the user for the next command. Once prompted, the user speaks the appropriate word or phrase to execute the next sequential command in the subroutine. As in the initialization of the work session, each spoken command is compared with the system vocabulary, and recognition of the spoken command by the system is again indicated by preferably and audio and a video signal. Each recognized command is converted into a computer compatible instruction or "machine language" instruction and input into the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer for execution of the subroutine. The prompt, spoken word, word recognition, subroutine step execution cycle is repeated as the computer performs the user chosen task under the control of the appropriate subroutine. When the task is finished, the user is so notified by audio or visual prompt by the system. The user can also end the task as will be detailed in a subsequent section. If appropriate, the CPU outputs the results of the subroutine to an output device, such as a printer, facsimile machine, plotter, digital storage means and the like.
For purposes of briefly illustrating the voice control computer interaction system, the following example is presented. It should be understood that interaction between user and computer can take many forms, and the dialogue discussed below is representative of only one embodiment of the invention. Assume that the inexperienced user wishes to compose a memorandum or "memo", transmit the memo via fax, and file a copy of the transmitted fax. When the computer is turned on, the helper appears on the monitor screen preferably as a human image, and briefs the user on the general operation of the voice control interface system. The GUI icons representing various task modules or task subroutines are displayed on the desk top as described previously. These icons include representations of the tasks "create a memo" and "fax". Since the first task at hand is to create a memo, the user speaks, as an example, "create a memo". Upon recognition of this phrase by the system, the "create a memo" icon flashes notifying the user that this phrase has been recognized. Notification can alternately be by audio tone or even a synthesized voice acknowledgment. Under the control of the fetched "create a memo" subroutine, a window appears on the screen which displays a cursor. All module icons still remain clearly visible around the margin of the window. The user is then prompted, either visually or by synthesized voice, to start composing the text of the memo, and that the text will begin at the cursor position. Text can be input verbally, with each word appearing in the window in the form of written text as it is recognized by the system. Since the system is designed to contain a rather limited vocabulary, an alternate method of inputting text for a memo or letter is by means of a conventional computer keyboard. The system also informs the user how to "end" the memo. Upon completion of the memo, the user terminates the "create a memo" task as prompted by the system. This can be done by the simple utterance of the phrase "end memo" or, alternately, by function keys on the keyboard. The memo being completed, the user next speaks the word "fax". The fax icon preferably flashes indicating that the command word has been recognized by the system. The "fax" subroutine is fetched and the user is queried, either verbally or visually, to ascertain the fax recipient, the fax number, and any other pertinent information. Once the user provides this information verbally or by keyboard input, the subroutine transfers the composed memo through an interface unit to and external fax machine for transmission in a conventional manner. Furthermore, the user is queried by the fax subroutine concerning the filing of the transmitted fax, namely, if the fax to be filed and if so, the identity of the storage medium. The multiple tasks of creating a memo, sending this memo as a fax, and filing the fax is accomplished by the inexperienced computer user with minimal interaction with the computer other than verbal commands. The system prompts the user through every step. The initial screen is relatively uncluttered and unintimidating.
The foregoing sets forth some of the problems to be confronted in the use of the present invention and also provides an example of task executions for the less than skilled computer user. It provides something of a brief summary focusing on the particular example given. In addition to that, the foregoing sets out a sense of mastery of the user over the otherwise intimidating set of icons and instructions visible at the GUI.
So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of the elements of the voice control computer interface system cooperating with a computer system and a plurality of output devices;
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the start up sequence of the voice control computer interface system;
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the operating sequence of the voice control computer interface system;
FIG. 4 is an illustration of a monitor screen displaying selected task icons provided by the interface system; and
FIG. 5 depicts the screen for a "calculator" task subroutine.
Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 which shows a functional diagram of the voice control computer interface system cooperating with a computer and a plurality of computer output devices. A user communicates with the system preferably by speaking word or phrase instructions, commands, and query answers into a microphone 20. The microphone 20 is electrically connected to a conditioning circuit 22 which converts the acoustic word or words into preferably a digital representation of the spoken word or words. The conditioning circuit 22 also contains suitable amplification means to electrically amplify the digitized words, if necessary. It should be understood that the conditioning circuit 22 can be of the type to convert spoke words into analog rather than digital electrical representation, but digital conversion is preferred. The digitized words are next transferred to a recognition unit 24 which attempts to match the digitized spoken words with words contained in a stored vocabulary of words. The matching process is well known in the art. The stored vocabulary can reside in a host CPU 30, or can be stored in a separate data base memory within the recognition unit 24, or can be stored in a central data base shared by other systems and other users. A specific action or task instruction is stored with each vocabulary word. When a match or "recognition" between a spoken word and a vocabulary word is found, then the CPU 30 is instructed, preferably by means of a computer compatible instruction transferred from the recognition unit 24, to perform an action or task associated with the recognized word. This process is the basic means by which the user verbally instructs the computer to perform specific tasks or answers specific queries from the computer interface system.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the CPU 30, a monitor 32, and preferably a keyboard 34 represent the major elements of a "computer" identified as a whole by the numeral 35. As mentioned previously, the computer 35 is preferably a personal computer (PC), but can alternately be any type of programmable computer. Two way communication exists between the CPU 30 and the recognition unit 24 so that the word vocabulary can be stored within a data base residing in the CPU. The CPU 30 outputs information to an interface circuit 40 which, in turns, interfaces with a plurality of output devices. Four such output devices "Oi " (i=1, . . . ,4) are shown and identified with the numerals 42, 44, 46, and 48. These output devices might be printers, fax machines, plotters, mass data storage devices, and the like. As mentioned in previous discussion, the preferred method of data input or query response is by means of speaking into the microphone 20. Alternately, response can be entered manually by means of the keyboard 34. Also as discussed previously, the system can query the user or verify commands and answers by the user by either audio or visual means. The audio system responds is either a tone or a synthesized or recorded voice response emitted through a speaker 26 which is electrically connected to the CPU 30. The visual system response is either by text or flashing or highlighted icons displayed on the screen of the monitor 32.
Attention is directed to FIG. 2 which illustrates a simplified flow chart of the session start up sequence of computer instructions. More specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates the steps that the inexperienced user and the system take from the time the computer is switched on until the time that the user starts to perform specific tasks with the computer. The initiation of the session is identified by a step 50. At step 52, the user is presented with a video, with accompanying audio, that introduces the voice control interface system. The video is displayed on the screen of the monitor 32. Preferably, multiple videos narrated by a female, a male, and even an animated character are stored within the CPU 30 so that the user can select the narrator or "helper" that provides the greatest comfort level. At step 54, the helper queries the user to set up the interface system to match the needs of the user. Specific questions would include the name of the user, the name which the user would like to use in addressing the helper, the type of background that the user prefers for the screen of the monitor 32, the type of task module icons that the user would like displayed on the desk top, and the like. The user responds preferably verbally at step 56. Recognition of the user response is verified to the user at step 58. As discussed previously, this verification can be a visual signal on the monitor 3 2 or an audio signal, either tone or synthesized "word", over the speaker 26. Through a series of questions (or "queries") and answers, the user and the sequence of start up instructions configure the system to the users needs. At step 60, each response is checked to determine if it is the last response. If the response is not the last "start up" response, control is returned to the step 54 for the next start up query. If the response is the last start up sequence response, control is transferred to initiate a "task" sequence of computer instructions, for the task oriented portion of the session, at step 70. The last query response can be identified in several ways. The preferred method is "automatic" in that the system recognizes that it has issued the last start up query and that the following answer must, by definition, be the "last" response. Alternately, the user can terminate the start up sequence by speaking a key word or phrase which is preferably "end start up".
Before leaving the session start up sequence, the types of subroutine modules stored within the CPU 30 should be addressed. Recall that these task oriented subroutines are represented by icons which appear on the desk top of the monitor screen. During the start up session, the user specifies, preferably verbally, only the icon to be displayed based upon the tasks to be performed. This feature of the invention greatly reduces screen clutter and correspondingly reduces the anxiety level of the inexperienced computer user. Typically, the following subroutines to perform the following tasks will be stored in the data base preferably residing in the CPU 30:
TABLE 1______________________________________Write a fax Send a faxCreate a memo Create an expense reportCalculator Schedule an appointmentSend an Email Draw a pictureCreate a presentation Browse the InternetContact Manager Set a reminderCreate a data base Reconcile bank accountWrite a letter Schedule a meeting______________________________________
It should be understood that the above tabulation is only representative, and that additional subroutine modules can be added or deleted from the data base.
The actual performance of a desired task is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 3. This operational or task sequence of computer instructions phase is initiated at step 70. At step 72, the user selects a specific task to be performed from the group of task icons selected during the start up phase. The selection is preferably verbal. as an example, if the user selected the tasks "create a memo", "send a fax", "calculator", and "create a presentation" at start up, these icons will appear in the GUI on the users desk top. If the user speaks "create a memo", this will initiate the fetching of the subroutine needed to create a memo from the data base. At step 74, the user is notified that the spoken command has been recognized by the recognition unit 24 cooperating with the CPU 30. Recognition verification can be visual, such as a flashing "create a memo" icon in the example. Likewise, recognition verification can be audio such as a tone emitted from the speaker 26 or a repeat of the word synthesized by the CPU 30 and "broadcast" through the speaker 26. Both audio and visual recognition verification can be used simultaneously. At step 78, the system checks to see if the operation associated with the spoken word or phrase is designed to initiate a specific task. If the answer to this internal query is "yes", the appropriate subroutine to perform the task is fetched from the system data base. The answer "no" indicates that the appropriate subroutine has already been fetched and the actual execution of the task is underway.
The user can, at any time during the execution of a task, ask the system for "help" should it be needed. The request is preferably verbal and is obtained by simply speaking the word "help" into the microphone 20. Referring again to FIG. 3, the spoken word is checked at step 82 to determine if it is a help request. If the word is a help request, a help subroutine is fetched at step 90. The help subroutine, which is not illustrated in a flow chart, utilizes a "pointer" such that the system knows, at all time, what specific instruction of the task sequence of computer instructions is being executed. If the user requests help at any given point of the execution, the help subroutine can address problems associated with that particular step in the subroutine. The system, either verbally or through text, prompts the user through the difficulty.
If the query at step 82 determines that the recognized word is not a request for help, then the recognized word is examined at step 84 to determine if it is a command word required to perform the selected task. If the word is a command word, the specific task instruction associated with the word is performed at step 86, the user is prompted preferably verbally by the system for the next needed information at step 94, and control of the system is returned to step 76 where the next spoken word is received.
If the query at step 84 determines that the recognized word is not a task command, the word is examined at step 92 to determine if it is an "end task" command. If it is not an end task command, and it has been determined in previous step that it is not an initiate task, help, or task command, then an error exists in that the word has been recognized but can not be properly categorized. Control is transferred to fetch the help subroutine at step 90, and the help subroutine queries the user to determine the proper classification of the word. If, however, the query at step 92 determines that the word is an end task command, this indicates that the selected task has been successfully completed, and the task results are output to the appropriate external output device at step 96. Using the "create a memo" task as an example, the created memo is preferably read back by the audio function of the system to the user for approval, and then recorded on an external device such as a printer, or transferred to an external device such as a fax machine for transmission, or filed in an external device such as a disk storage device.
FIG. 4 illustrates a typical selected initial GUI screen identified by the numeral 100. The screen is configured by the user, to the user's specific needs, during the set-up sequence discussed previously and illustrated in flow chart form in FIG. 2. The GUI background has been selected by the user to be a marble pattern as denoted by the numeral 102. FIG. 4 shows that the user has selected five subroutine modules from Table 1, which is a tabulation of typical data base subroutines, during the start up sequence. These selected subroutine modules are "schedule a meeting" represented by an icon 104, "calculator" represented by an icon 106, "write a letter" represented by an icon 108, "create a presentation" represented by an icon 110, and "set a reminder" represented by an icon 112. It should be noted that subroutine modules can be added to the data base as they are developed or as they become available commercially. Corresponding words must also be added to the system vocabulary so that the added subroutine modules can be fetched as previously described. Furthermore, the data base in which the subroutines are stored can reside within the CPU 30, or resided within a shared, common data base (not shown) which can be readily accessed by the CPU 30.
If a task is selected which requires a window on the monitor screen, the icons in the GUI are positioned around the margin of the window so that they are still clearly visible at all times by the user. Task requiring such a window would include "create a memo", "write a letter", "prepare a memo", and the like.
A feel for the size of the vocabulary needed to communicate with available task subroutine modules can best be obtained by the use of an example. The "calculator" task will be used as a specific example. FIG. 5 illustrates a screen 190 displaying the "calculator" task which has been verbally specified. The background pattern 102 has been selected to be marble as in FIG. 4. Other selected icons 104, 108, 110 and 112 are automatically arranged in the margin by the system such that they are clearly visible at all times by the user. For purposes of illustration, a simple "four function" calculator is used and is identified with the numeral 150. The divide, multiply, add and subtract "keys" are identified by the numerals 154, 156, 158 and 160, respectively. The "clear" key is identified with the numeral 164 and the execute or "equal" key is identified with the numeral 162. Consider now the vocabulary that is necessary for the operation of the calculator subroutine. Numbers are required to be dictated by the user to the calculator subroutine. Therefore, the numbers "zero" through "nine" are stored as a total of ten vocabulary words. The "multiply", "divide", "add" and "subtract" functions require an additional four vocabulary words. The "equal" and "clear" functions and the decimal key 172 require an additional three vocabulary words. The total vocabulary for the calculator subroutine is, therefore, only seventeen words for the simple calculator illustrated in FIG. 5. For a more complex calculator which perform additional functions such as square root, factorial, etc., additional vocabulary would be required to command these functions. If the calculator subroutine is used to perform the simple multiplication of 7�0.5, the user would first speak "seven". Upon verification of the word "seven", the "7" on the calculator would flash, as illustrated by the numeral 170, indicating verification. Simultaneously, the system could verbally repeat the word "seven" indicating verification. Sequentially, the user would then speak "times", "point", "five", and "equals". After each word is spoken, the aforementioned visual and audio means of verification would indicate that the word is recognized. The answer appears in the calculator graphics field 152 and is alternately "spoken" as "three point five" by the system. If a digit or function is erroneously spoken by the user, the user simply speaks the word "error" which negates the previously spoken word. This feature, of course, requires another word be stored in the subroutine vocabulary, namely "error".
The system allows more than one task subroutine to be interchangeably accessed during a user session. Recall that icons representing all selected task subroutine modules are available to the user, as illustrated in FIG. 5, at all times on the GUI. Assume, as an example, a user is using the "Reconcile bank account" subroutine to trace a perceived error in a checking account. Assume further that the user needs momentary access to a calculator in tracing the perceived error. The user simply speaks "calculator", and the system recognizes that a new "initiate task" word has been spoken prior to ending a previous task. The previous task (in this example "Reconcile bank account") is held in suspension until the presently call for subroutine task (in this example "calculator") is terminated. The user speaks the phrase "end task" when finished using the calculator, and control of the system returns to the "Reconcile bank account" task subroutine.
In summary, the voice control computer interface allows users to create a tool that meets their individual needs. More importantly the system can be used to meet the requirements for personalized ease of use and utility for an inexperienced computer user. The simplified voice activated tools and options provided by the system meets the needs of the majority of computer users. While specific tools are supplied, the users are allowed to choose how these tools look and how these tools react on their computers. The users chooses the GUI backgrounds with which they feel comfortable. The users choose the icons representing the available tasks that they wish to accomplish. Icons and other graphics are placed on the monitor screen in any size they choose and in any location that they wish. Once these graphics are on the screen, the user is given preferably verbal tutorials on how to accomplish the tasks represented by the graphics. The user interface is comfortable, personal and intuitive. Help is always available for the asking. Additional task subroutine modules can be added to the data base as they become available. The system can operate with an individual data base, or from a common, shared data base which is accessed by the user's computer. The invention is used to make the computer a familiar and comfortable tool, especially for the unskilled computer user.
While the foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims which follow.
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|U.S. Classification
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Aug 13, 1996
Owner name: APPLIED VOICE RECOGNITION, L.P. A LIMITED PARTNERS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DOUGLAS, H. RUSSEL;REEL/FRAME:008166/0466
Effective date: 19960624
|Feb 20, 1998
Owner name: APPLED VOICE RECOGNITION, INC., TEXAS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:APPLIED VOICE TECHNOLOGIES PARTNERS, LTD.;REEL/FRAME:008981/0628
Effective date: 19980212
|Nov 23, 1999
|Feb 23, 2000
Owner name: G-51 CAPITAL LLC., A TEXAS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPA
Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:APPLIED VOICE RECONGNITION, INC. D/B/A/ E-DOCS.NET A DELAWARE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:010628/0194
Effective date: 19991129
|Mar 14, 2000
|Mar 8, 2002
|Fee payment
Year of fee payment: 4
|Apr 12, 2006
|Maintenance fee reminder mailed
|Sep 22, 2006
|Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
|Nov 21, 2006
|Expired due to failure to pay maintenance fee
Effective date: 20060922


text:
Hey Stefan,
I understand that you're looking into some new transition animations for an upcoming release, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. However, I was wondering if it would be difficult to refine the options on the "Slide" animation to allow a change in the movement between the last and first slides - essentially the point when the slideshow resets.
Currently, it rubberbands backwards from the last slide to the first one. I'd prefer it if there was an option to make it actually carousel to the first slide, as if it was in a huge loop. Might be something for you to think about for another version.
Let me know if there's a more straightforward solution to this and thanks for all your hard work!


text:
Health Politics: Learning From History in Art from the Reagan/AIDS Era
Today's post first ran on Health Populi on July 24.
The high cost of specialty drugs, opaque information on risks of many existing prescription drugs, and lack of cures for diseases impacting millions of people are forces driving patients into activism, the likes of which we haven't seen since the emergence of AIDS.
I was reminded this yesterday, not inside the Beltway at an FDA or Congressional hearing, or in an online social network of patient activists.
I was visiting the newly re-opened and re-built Whitney Museum, an architectural gem now re-energizing the Meatpacking District in Lower Manhattan.
It wasn't the building design (which is getting rave reviews from architecture critics) that turned my mind toward a déjà vu on health politics, but in the Neil Bluhm Family Galleries on the 5th floor which features artworks created during the AIDS crisis beginning in the early 1980s. (more…)


text:
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Hi i need a short book wrote on how to Astra Project and experience an out of body experience chapters as following
What is Astra Projection & OBE
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text:
Is this restaurant good for couples?
Does this place serve sandwiches?
Is this restaurant good for breakfast?
Is this restaurant good for business?
Is this restaurant good for lunch?
Is this restaurant good for brunch?
Is this restaurant family-friendly?
Does this restaurant offer takeout or food to go?
Does this restaurant offer free wifi?
Does this restaurant offer delivery?
Thanks for helping!
Looking for premade meals that are tasty and healthy? Stop in here. Also they carry many hard to get items that you can usually find only in whole foods. Staff is very knowledgeable.
The cafeteria-style dining was a refreshing change to the average fast food or deli. A surprising variety of food at average prices. The salmon was great! Mac N Cheese was excellent as well.
Delicious store made desserts, hot food and cold salads and sandwiches! Also, a health food store. Limited casual seating and limited vitamin selection. Definitely worth a visit!
There is nothing I dislike here. Wraps, hot food, mac n cheese, candies, desserts and a small grocery store. Staff is excellent! I think the only issue is that they're so busy at lunch. If you have never been there, it can be confusing..but well worth any waiting you do. Eat in or take out, but don't be afraid to...
Wonderful healthy choices of good home cooked food. Eat in or take it to go. You can,t go wrong at this delicious eatery.
We never cease to be impressed by the quality of the baked goods, and the deli. We usually take the "goodies" out, and enjoy them at home.
This is seemingly unnoticed from the highway, but it is a small but sufficient market for balk grains and nuts. It has a vast deli selection, noted for the "chicken Salad" and other wraps. I usually find the Peruvian Quinoa in balk rather economic.
The fruit and natural cream cakes are wonderful! Go for it!
Forever in love with the food here!!! Never a disappointment! The curried chicken salad goes great on a wrap or solo. The cold pasta mixes are perfectly decadent and the staff are all very sweet!!!
Big hardy wraps filled with quality ingredients. They are cheaper than subway and by far taste amazing! Their homemade honey mustard we always buy to bring home it's delicious. This is a great place to grab and go or sit for a quick lunch. Their homemade Mac n cheese is delicious. Their deserts are all made in the shoppe so...
Great entrees, sandwiches, salads, and desserts. You will never be disappointed. Everything is fresh daily.
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More About Me
Reasons why I prefer to eat vegetarian or vegan:
Save animal life, stop the consumerism that encourages mass murder of helpless animals.
I joined HappyCow Members Community because:
A community that collects information of healthy humane eating establishments is a great idea. Supervision and constant reviewing is the way to create a better environment for animals and people altogether.
Here are some places I've been that I liked... and places that I would like to visit one day:
Rome, Vienna, New York City, London. I would like to visit Bangkok.
Some of my favorite veg*n foods include:
Seiten, Salads, Pasta, Pizza, Vegan Burgers, Beans.
Here are some books, movies, magazines, and my favorites that I would recommend to other HappyCow members:
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Modern Saint Nicholas, damn it, I'm gifted
Lyric Meaning
Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, is known as a figure with legendary, mythical, historical and folkloric origins who is believed to give gifts to every good child on Christmas.
So like Santa giving gifts, he is gifted.
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Great Pizza! Chicken Parm is favorite.
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