Author: claimsbot

1. A method for managing and validating product development, comprising:
obtaining a product specification for a product;
identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications;
developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products;
obtaining approval for the performance specification;
developing the product according to the performance specification; and
validating that the product meets the performance specification.
2. The method of claim 1, further including:
creating a technical summary for the product by analyzing the product specifications;
storing the technical summary in a first database;
creating a performance contract based on the performance specification; and
storing the performance contract in the first database, wherein
obtaining approval includes obtaining approval for the performance contract.
3. The method of claim 2, further including:
creating first test data by simulating a first modeled product, the first modeled product being configured based on the product specifications;
creating second test data by simulating a second modeled product, the second modeled product being configured based on the performance specification;
creating third test data by testing the developed product;
storing the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data in the first database, and
storing technical details of the simulations and the testing in a second database.
4. The method of claim 3, further including providing a comparison between the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
a technical contract includes the product specifications, the product specifications indicating desired performance characteristics for the product, and
a performance contract includes the performance specifications.
6. The method of claim 1, further including using one or more web-based forms to:
obtain the product specification;
develop the performance specification; and
obtain the approval.
7. The method of claim 6, further including building the web-based form using a data dictionary including standardized terms for the product.
8. A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions which, when executed by a processor, perform a method for managing and validating product development, the method comprising:
obtaining a product specification for a product;
identifying prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications;
developing a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products;
obtaining approval for the performance specification;
developing the product according to the performance specification; and
validating that the product meets the performance specification.
9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method further includes:
creating a technical summary for the product by analyzing the product specifications;
storing the technical summary in a first database;
creating a performance contract based on the performance specification; and
storing the performance contract in the first database, wherein
obtaining approval includes obtaining approval for the performance contract.
10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the method further includes:
creating first test data by simulating a first modeled product, the first modeled product being configured based on the product specifications;
creating second test data by simulating a second modeled product, the second modeled product being configured based on the performance specification;
creating third test data by testing the developed product;
storing the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data in the first database, and
storing technical details of the simulations and the testing in a second database.
11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the method further includes providing a comparison between the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein:
a technical contract includes the product specifications, the product specifications indicating desired performance characteristics for the product, and
a performance contract includes the performance specifications.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the method further includes using a web-based form to:
obtain the product specification;
develop the performance specification; and
obtain the approval.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further includes building the web-based form using a data dictionary including standardized terms for the product.
15. A system for managing and validating product development, comprising:
a memory;
at least one input device; and
at least one central processing unit in communication with the memory and the at least one input device, wherein the central processing unit:
obtains a product specification for a product;
identifies prior products that have capabilities within a defined range of the product specifications;
develops a performance specification based on the product specification and the identified prior products;
obtains approval for the performance specification;
develops the product according to the performance specification; and
validates that the product meets the performance specification.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the central processing unit further:
creates a technical summary for the product by analyzing the product specifications;
stores the technical summary in a first database;
creates a performance contract based on the performance specification; and
stores the performance contract in the first database, wherein
obtains approval includes obtaining approval for the performance contract.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the central processing unit further:
creates first test data by simulating a first modeled product, the first modeled product being configured based on the product specifications;
creates second test data by simulating a second modeled product, the second modeled product being configured based on the performance specification;
creates third test data by testing the developed product;
stores the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data in the first database, and
stores technical details of the simulations and the testing in a second database.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the central processing unit further provides a comparison between the first test data, the second test data, and the third test data.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein:
a technical contract includes the product specifications, the product specifications indicating desired performance characteristics for the product, and
a performance contract includes the performance specifications.
20. The system of claim 15, wherein the central processing unit further:
uses one or more web-based forms to:
obtain the product specification;
develop the performance specification; and
obtain the approval, wherein

the web-based form uses a data dictionary including standardized terms for the product.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system comprising:
a digital camera that comprises a lens, an image sensor, a display, a video output port for coupling the camera to a television having a television display screen, and processing circuitry;
a test signal comprising a beacon stored in the digital camera; and
autocalibration firmware that runs on the processing circuitry and when the camera is coupled to a television, prompts the user to point the digital camera at the television display screen, displays the test signal and beacon on the television display screen, images the test signal and beacon displayed on the television display screen, moves the test signal and beacon horizontally and vertically towards respective edges of the television display screen until the beacon is lost at each edge, determines how much viewing area is available on the television display screen, and automatically adjusts the sizes of the images transferred from the camera for display on the television display screen to provide for the maximum viewing area while minimizing cropping or clipping of the images.
2. The system recited in claim 1, wherein the autocalibration firmware comprises a user interface that allows the user to selectively adjust the horizontal and vertical size of the displayed image.
3. The system recited in claim 2, wherein the television display screen comprises a 16:9 HDTV television display screen.
4. The system recited in claim 2, wherein the television display screen comprises a 4:3 NTSC television display screen.
5. The system recited in claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises a menu.
6. The system recited in claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises buttons.
7. A method comprising the steps of;
providing a digital camera that comprises a lens, an image sensor, a display, a video output port for coupling the camera to a television, and processing circuitry;
providing a television having a television display screen;
coupling the digital camera to the television;
storing a test signal comprising a beacon in the digital camera;
configuring the digital camera with autocalibration firmware that runs on the processing circuitry;
initiating the autocalibration firmware;
prompting a user to point the digital camera at the television display screen;
displaying the test signal and beacon on the television display screen;
viewing on the camera display the test signal and beacon displayed on the television display screen;
moving the test signal and beacon horizontally and vertically towards respective edges of the television display screen until the beacon is lost at each edge;
determining how much viewing area is available on the television display screen; and
automatically adjusting respective sizes of images transferred from the camera for display on the television display screen to provide for the maximum viewing area while minimizing cropping or clipping of the images.
8. The method recited in claim 7 wherein the autocalibration firmware comprises a user interface that allow the user to selectively adjust the horizontal and vertical size of the displayed image.
9. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the television display screen comprises a 16:9 HDTV television display screen.
10. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the television display screen comprises a 4:3 NTSC television display screen.
11. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises a menu.
12. The method recited in claim 8, wherein the user interface comprises buttons.

1. A method for electronically processing sound from an audio source, comprising:
a. causing a signal from a sound source to pass through an input amplifier and dividing the signal into two discrete signal paths, a first signal path and a second signal path;
b. causing a first signal traveling through the first signal path to travel through a high pass filter and then dividing the first signal into two separate filtered signal paths, a first filtered signal path in which the a first filtered signal is delayed by a first delay means and then causing the delayed first filtered signal to pass through a first attenuator, and causing a second filtered signal which travels along a second filtered signal path to travel through a harmonics generators which generates harmonics and then be passed through a second attenuator, then combining the first and second filtered signals in a mixer;
c. causing a second signal traveling through the second signal path to be delayed by a second delay means and then causing the delayed second signal to pass through a third attenuator and then combining the second delayed signal with the first and second filtered signals in the mixer;
d. causing the harmonics generated in the harmonics generator to be advanced in time ahead of the delayed first filtered signal and the delayed second signal to make the effect of the harmonics more apparent and audible because the delays cause the harmonics to not be masked by lower frequencies; and
e. causing the mixed signals to travel from the mixer through an output amplifier and then through an output transducer.
2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first delay means causes a delay of the first filtered signal in the range of twenty (20) micro-seconds to three (3) milliseconds.
3. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the second delay means causes a delay of the second signal in the range of twenty (20) micro-seconds to three (3) milliseconds.
4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the delays caused by the first and second delay means are equal.
5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the delays caused by the first and second delay means are unequal.
6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the attenuation from the first attenuator is in the range of zero to full attenuation.
7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the attenuation from the second attenuator is in the range of zero (0) to 20 dB attenuation.
8. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the attenuation from the third attenuator is in the range of zero to full attenuation.
9. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the harmonics are amplitude dependent.
10. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the harmonics are transient discriminate.
11. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the circuit is applied as a multi band circuit with each band having its own set of delays and attenuators.
12. A method for electronically processing sound from an audio source, comprising:
a. dividing a signal derived from a sound source into first and second signal paths, wherein the first signal path involves delaying the signal, wherein the second signal path involves passing the signal through a high pass filter and then dividing the resultant signal to produce first and second filtered signals, wherein the first filtered signal is delayed in time and the second filtered signal is processed by a harmonics generator which generates harmonics ahead in time of the delayed first filtered signal, and wherein said harmonics are also generated ahead in time of the delayed signal produced by the first signal path;
b. combining a plurality of signals in a mixer, the plurality of signals including a signal derived from the output of the first signal path, a signal derived from the delayed first filtered signal and a signal derived from the harmonics generated by the harmonics generator, whereby the combining causes the harmonics generated in the harmonics generator to be advanced in time ahead of the delayed first filtered signal and the delayed signal produced by the first signal path in order to make the effect of the harmonics more apparent and audible by reducing the masking of the harmonics by lower frequencies; and
c. causing the mixed signals to travel to an output transducer.
13. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the delay of the first filtered signal is in the range of twenty (20) microseconds to three (3) milliseconds.
14. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the delay of the signal in the first signal path is in the range of twenty (20) micro-seconds to three (3) milliseconds.
15. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the delay of the first filtered signal and the delay of the signal in the first signal path are equal.
16. The method in accordance with claim 12 wherein the delay of the first filtered signal and the delay of the signal in the first signal path are unequal.
17. A method for electronically processing sound represented by an input signal derived from an audio source, the method comprising:
a. passing the input signal through a high pass filter and then dividing the resultant signal to produce first and second filtered signals, wherein the first filtered signal is delayed in time and the second filtered signal is processed by an harmonics generator which generates harmonics ahead in time of the delayed first filtered signal;
b. delaying the input signal without passing the input signal through the high pass filter to produce a delayed third signal, wherein the harmonics generated by the harmonics generator are ahead in time of the delayed third signal; and
c. combining the delayed first filtered signal, the harmonics generated by the harmonics generator and the delayed third signal, whereby the harmonics are not masked by lower frequencies so that the perceived effect of the harmonics is more apparent and audible.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An apparatus for laterally moving an object comprising:
a winch mounted to a surface and wherein the winch comprises at least three spaces for winding line including a left space, a middle space and a right space;
a first guide positioned a first selected distance from the winch;
a second guide positioned a second selected distance from the winch; and
a left line having a proximal end coiled about the winch in a first rotational direction in the left space and being guided by the first guide;
a right line having a proximal end coiled about the winch in the first rotational direction in the right space and being guided by the second guide; and
a middle line coiled about the winch in an opposite rotational direction in the middle space and wherein distal ends of the left line, the right line and the middle line are joined such that the object engages the distal end and wherein as the winch is rotated in a first direction, the left and right lines uncoil from the winch while the middle line coils about the winch, thereby laterally moving the object toward the winch.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the object is a boat, the boat having a clip attached to a bow and wherein the clip is engagable with the distal end of the lines such that the boat is secured to the lines so that it can be winched.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first and second guides are mounted a selected distance rearwardly of the winch and are spaced from each other.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 where the lines are in a substantially taut state for engagement with the clip on the boat.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first guide comprises a first pulley.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 and wherein the first pulley is pivotally mounted to a left side member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the second guide comprises a second pulley.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 and wherein the second pulley is pivotally mounted to a right side member.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the third line section comprises a loop at a distal end and wherein the distal ends of the left and right lines slidably engage the loop.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second lines are connected to the third line via a looped line section such that the first and second lines are slidably connected to the third line.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the distal ends of the first, second and third lines are in a substantially taut configuration for engagement with the clip of the boat.