Abstract: A digital communication receiver includes a blind equalizer using the Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) to compensate for channel transmission distortion in digital communication systems. Improved CMA performance is obtained by using a partial trellis decoder to predict 1 bit or 2 bits of the corresponding 3-bit transmitted symbol. The predicted bits from the partial trellis decoder are used to reduce the effective number of symbols in the source alphabet, which reduces steady state jitter of the CMA algorithm. Specifically, the received input signal to the CMA error calculation is shifted up or down by a computed delta (&Dgr;), in accordance with the predicted bit(s). In addition, a different constant gamma (&ggr;), for the CMA error calculation is selected in accordance with the predicted bit(s).

Abstract: A diversity receiver is coupled to a composite antenna having first and second antennas physically configured to provide one or more forms of diversity reception. The multiple channel diversity receiver includes first and second RF channels with joint signal processing. First and second RF signals are processed jointly in the multiple channel diversity receiver with respect to tuning, automatic gain control (AGC), baud clock recovery, RF carrier recovery and forward equalization. The multiple channels of the diversity receiver are linked or cross coupled to each other through respective joint processing circuitry. In particular, first and second RF tuners share a common local oscillator and a common AGC feedback loop. First and second front ends share a common baud timing loop and a common pilot carrier recovery loop. Finally, first and second diversity receiver channels share a common sparse equalization filter.

Abstract: A one-way broadcasting system comprises a headend system architecture adapted to receive data from the Internet and transmit the data through a digital TV network to receivers, a mapping function for mapping the Internet data to MPEG streams, a combining function for combining the Internet data streams with digital video streams, a broadcast function for broadcasting Web content to users throughout the one way network; a linking function for linking the Internet data with digital video channels; and a navigation function for navigating broadcast data in the one way network.

Abstract: An adaptive equalizer for use in blind equalization systems to compensate for transmission channel distortion and noise in a digital communication system uses multiple quantization levels for implementation of the Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA). Different quantization levels are used in different regions of the CMA error function for both passband and baseband equalizers. In one embodiment, a quantizer with a step rise having logarithmic scale is used to digitize the CMA error function. In particular, a quantizer with a step rise in which each level of the quantizer step rise is a power of 2 is used to digitize the CMA error function. In another embodiment, a quantizer with a step rise in which each level of the quantizer step rise is the sum of two or more logarithmic scales is used to digitize the CMA error function.

Abstract: An adaptive equalizer for use in blind equalization systems to compensate for transmission channel distortion and noise in a digital communication system quantizes the input signal samples to generate a quantized implementation of the Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA). To quantize the input signal samples, a nearest-element decision device (a slicer), that is typically present in a digital receiver, is used to pre-compute the quantized CMA error function. The number of unique values for the CMA error term is thereby reduced, and the reduced number of CMA error term values are stored in a lookup table. By greatly reducing the number of received signal values used in the CMA error calculation a relatively small lookup table can be used to compute the CMA error function. Passband implementation is accommodated by incorporating the signal de-rotation factor into the lookup table entries. In one embodiment the CMA multiply operation is replaced with shifts and adders.

Abstract: A formable garment hanger includes a foam tube over a malleable wire. The shape of the hanger is formable by hand manipulation to adapt the hanger to clothing articles of varying size and materials. The flex characteristics of the formable hanger are controlled so that the proximal section of the arms nearest the center is relatively more rigid and the distal section of the arms furthest from the center is relatively less rigid. In one embodiment, an external skeleton adds rigidity. In another embodiment, a variable diameter malleable wire provides the desired rigidity profile. In yet a third embodiment, an internal tube between the malleable wire and the tubular foam housing adds rigidity to the section of the hanger arms nearest the center.

Abstract: A multiple cavity, multiple port modular CATV housing permits a plurality of taps, splitters, equalizers and amplifiers to be arranged in various combinations. A plurality of modular cavities is connected in series from a coaxial connector input. Each modular cavity contains a module switch, which provides conductivity between the input and output of each respective modular cavity when the modular cavity is empty, and opened when a plug in module is inserted into the modular cavity. Various flexible electrical and mechanical modular configurations of CATV components are configured by plugging or unplugging desired modules such as subscriber taps of various numbers and values, an amplifier, an equalizer, a terminating load or a mid-module output. Taps with different values may be used in different modular cavities to accommodate longer subscriber drop lines.

Abstract: A hand-held bar code reader includes a laser scanning module and a two dimensional image sensor and processing for reading a bar code. The laser scanner assists the 2D image processing by providing information on location, type, range, reflectivity, and presence of bar code for 2D reading. Additionally, the 2D imaging reading operation is improved by using the laser scan as a spotter beam for aiming.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interactively controlling and coordinating the limb movements of computer-generated articulated characters with an arbitrary number of joints. On-line computational methods are used for animating limb movements of articulated characters by solving associated forward and inverse kinematics problems in real time subject to multiple goals and constraints. The methods provide computer animated characters with fully interactive goal-directed behaviors, such as bipedal walking, through simultaneous satisfaction of position, alignment, posture, balance, obstacle avoidance, and joint limitation constraints. Goal-based motion primitives, called synergies, coordinate sets of joint movements which separately attempt to satisfy each of the above constraints.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing a retroreflective object positions a light source proximate a human eye, by affixing it to, for example, a pair of goggles. The light source emits light outward in substantially the direction of view of the human eye. Upon striking a retroreflective object, the light is strongly reflected back to the human eye, producing a unique visual effect. The apparatus may be used in toy form to simulate a night vision scope. Various combinations of colored light sources, optical color filters interposed between the human eye and the retroreflector, and colored retroreflectors may be used to enhance the visual effect and increase the play variations available. The light source may switch on and/or off automatically, or may flash. Electronic light sensing means may provide a visible and/or audible alert when a retroreflective object is in view.

Abstract: An image rotation system includes a method and apparatus for rotating an image by skewing the image in both the vertical and horizontal directions, and interpolating the image in both the vertical and horizontal directions. A rough vertical skew is performed prior to horizontal skew and prior to any interpolation. Thereafter, more complex processing operations are carried using horizontal scan line pixel streams exclusively. In particular, the horizontal stream processing achieves vertical interpolation, horizontal interpolation corrected for the rough vertical skew, and a fine vertical skew adjustment.

Abstract: Recorded motion data is combined with interactive control techniques to manipulate the animation of articulated figures. The methods enable computer animated characters to produce fully interactive goal-directed behaviors, such as bipedal walking, through simultaneous satisfaction of position, alignment, posture, balance, obstacle avoidance, and joint limitation constraints while retaining qualitative characteristics of the original non-interactive motion data. Goal-based motion primitives, called synergies, are used to coordinate sets of joint movements that attempt to satisfy each of the above constraints.

Abstract: A hanger with a rigid hook and neck centered perpendicularly to a shoulder has left and right opposing arms protruding at an angle from the shoulder portion. The stationary arms are made of a sturdy rigid material to provide the support necessary to hold garments of a heavy weight such as overcoats and wet sweaters. A flexible arm portion at the end of each stationary arm of the hanger is contorted by hand to any shape, which shape is retained without the aid of external support. The rigid stationary arms and the flexible arm portions are covered with flexible foam with an outer non-slip surface. The diameter of the flexible foam is made sufficiently ample to support a weighty garment and distribute the weight of the garment, in addition to providing a sufficiently large non-slip surface. The flexible hanger is adjustable and re-adjustable to conform to the shape of the desired garment and retain its shape without external support.

Abstract: A retroactive recording device, having a main recording medium, temporarily stores past information in a memory. In particular, an audio tape recorder includes a solid state retroactive memory which is operated continuously to temporarily store a past time interval of digital audio information. To begin retroactive recording, all or a portion of the past information stored in the retroactive memory is transferred to the recording medium. After transferring the desired past information, recording is continued in real time. In one embodiment, where the recording medium is a magnetic audio tape, temporarily stored past information is transferred to the audio tape by operating the audio tape transport mechanism at a higher than normal speed so as to catch up to present time. In another embodiment, where the recording medium is a non-volatile memory, temporarily stored past audio information is transferred to the non-volatile memory, and the present recording is continued in real time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interactively controlling and coordinating the limb movements of computer-generated articulated. On-line computational methods are used for animating limb movements of articulated characters by solving associated forward and inverse kinematics problems in real time subject to multiple goals and constraints. The methods fully interactive goal-directed behaviors, such as bipedal walking, through simultaneous satisfaction of position, alignment, posture, balance, obstacle avoidance, and joint limitation constraints. Goal-based motion primitives, called synergies, coordinate sets of joint movements which separately attempt to satisfy each of the above constraints. The present methods adapt character movements on-line to accommodate uneven terrain, body modifications, or changes in the environment by automatically transforming and producing joint rotations relative to the instantaneous point of contact of the body with the world.

Abstract: A halftone screening method includes a method of moire suppression, in which the input image is first screened in a trial screening module. The input image is then subtracted from the trial screened image to produce an error image which contains both the trial screen pattern and the moire pattern introduced by the trial screening process. The error image is filtered in a lowpass filter to remove the trial screen pattern, leaving only the moire pattern, which is then subtracted from the input image to produce a compensated image. Finally, the compensated image is then screened in a final screening module. The moire image component of the compensated image tends to cancel the moire pattern introduced by the final screening module so as to suppress moire patterns in the final screened image. In two alternate embodiments, filter refinements are provided to reduce grayscale distortions and improve moire suppression in the extreme light and shadow regions of the image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for targeting the delivery of advertisements over a network such as the Internet are disclosed. Statistics are compiled on individual users and networks and the use of the advertisements is tracked to permit targeting of the advertisements of individual users. In response to requests from affiliated sites, an advertising server transmits to people accessing the page of a site an appropriate one of the advertisement based upon profiling of users and networks.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for use on the world wide web, a programmed digital computer detects one or more web browser programs and, responsive to the user, selectively modifies the default home page of the detected web browser program or programs. The user may indicate whether, and in which web browsers, the default home page setting is to be altered. In one embodiment, a floppy disk contains a program which scans the memory of the user's computer to detect one or more web browsers and automatically change the default home page web site setting in one or more of the detected web browsers. In a second embodiment, a program is downloaded over the internet which scans the memory of the user's computer to detect one or more web browsers and automatically change the default home page web site setting in one or more of the detected web browsers.

Abstract: In the generation of screened halftones of photographic images for low resolution marking devices, conventional screen techniques are too coarse, and adaptive dither techniques are too fine. The present invention preserves the advantages of the adaptive dither techniques, while creating screen patterns with an adjustable degree of coarseness. The invention applies a hysteresis constant and recursion techniques previously limited to adaptive screening with fixed dot patterns to vary the size of dots in the screened image, thereby allowing adjustment of the image coarseness by adjusting the hysteresis constant.