Abstract: A method forms a cluster from a set of projectors. Each projector in the set includes a projector sub-system in a fixed physical relationship to a camera sub-system, and a communication sub-system for sending and receiving messages. A calibrate message is received in the projectors via the communications sub-system. A ready message is broadcast by the projectors using the communications sub-system. A structured pattern is projected sequentially by each of the projectors on a display surface using the projector sub-system. An input image of the structured pattern is acquired sequentially by each of the projectors using the camera sub-system. The projectors are globally aligned with each other and the display surface according to the input images.

Abstract: A method forms a mosaic image on a display surface with a multiple projectors. For each projector in turn, a registration image is projected onto the display surface so that a union of the projected registration images forms a polygon. With a camera, for each registration image in turn, a corresponding input image is acquired. A display area on the display surface enclosed by the polygon is then identified, and a single projective matrix between the display area and each input image is determined for each projector. A source image for each projector is warped according to the corresponding homography of the projector. The pixels of the warped source image are weighted according to the single projective matrix, and then the warped and weighted source images are concurrently projected directly onto the display surface to form the mosaic image.

Abstract: A matrix transform method and circuit provides for MAP decoding of turbo codes. The method begins by initializing a forward recursion probability function vector &agr;0, and a backward recursion probability function vector &bgr;N. Then, transition probability matrices &Ggr;(Rk) and &Ggr;i(Rk) are determined according to each received symbol of the sequence R1N. And then, values of &agr;k, corresponding to the received Rk are determined according to &Ggr;(Rk). At the same time of determining &agr;k, a plurality of multiplacation on &Ggr;(Rk) and &Ggr;i(Rk) are accomplished in parallel. By making use of the results of the matrix multiplications, after receiving the complete symbol sequence R1N, values of all of the backward recursion probability vector &bgr;k, where k=1, 2, . . . , N−1, are determined in parallel, and the log likelihood ratio for every decoded bit dk, k=1, 2, . . . , N, are also determined in parallel.

Abstract: A rendering system pipeline includes a memory storing shape and shade attributes of a surface of the object. The attributes are arranged as an octree in the memory. The octree includes a plurality of nodes arranged at a plurality of levels, each node storing a plurality of zero-dimensional n-tuples, each n-tuple locally approximating the shape and shade attributes of a portion of the surface of the graphic object, and the n-tuples having a sampling resolution of an image space. A plurality of parallel processing pipelines are connected the memory. The pipelines project the shape and shade attributes of the octree to an image plane having a selected orientation by traversing the n-tuples of the nodes of the octree from a lowest resolution level to a highest resolution level.

Abstract: A method for representing an image in an image retrieval database first separates and filters images to extract color and texture features. The color and texture features of each image are partitioned into a plurality of blocks. A joint distribution of the color features and a joint distribution of the texture features are estimated for each block. The estimated joint distributions are stored in the database with each image to enable retrieval of the images by comparing the estimated joint distributions.

Abstract: A phase-lock loop circuit in a demodulator includes a timing recovery block and a carrier recovery block. The demodulator for demodulates a digital signal including symbols. The phase-lock loop includes an integrator processing a block of N samples to produce an average of the N symbols, and means for supplying the average of the N symbols to the timing recovery block and the carrier recovery block every NT period, where T is a sample time interval.

Abstract: A land and water flash flood detecting and warning system includes a buoyant waterproof casing. A detachable tether is externally fixed to the casing and a distal end of the tether is attached to an anchor to secure the casing in place on land. Accelerometers mounted internally to the casing are configured to measure short-range and short-term positional information of the casing when the casing is in water due to flooding of the land. A radio transceiver coupled to the accelerometers transmit the positional information to land based receiving stations to indicate a flooding condition.

Abstract: A method traces rays through graphical data. The method partitions the graphical data into a plurality of blocks according to a scheduling grid. For each block, a ray queue is generated. Each entry in the ray queue representing a ray to be traced through the block. The ray queues are ordered spatially and temporally using a dependency graph. The rays are traced through the blocks according to the ordered list.

Abstract: A wireless liquid sensing system includes a beverage container and a table top for holding the container. Embedded in the walls and bottom of the container are two electrically conductive plates coupled to a transponder wire coil. A reader radiates an RF signal at a predetermined frequency through a reader antenna. A microprocessor, also coupled to the transponder coil and the two plates, is powered by a rectifier circuit that gains power from then radiated RF signal. The microprocessor amplitude modulates the RF signal in accordance with the amount of liquid in the container. The reader can then detect this modulation with a peak detector to sense the amount of the substance in the container when the transponder antenna is inductively coupled to the reader antenna at the predetermined frequency.

Abstract: A multi-media delivery system for delivering a compressed bitstream through a network to a user device includes a transcoder and a manager. The transcoder is configured to operate on the bit stream using in any one of a plurality of conversion modes. The manager is configured to selecting a particular one of the plurality of conversion modes dependent on semantic content of the bitstream and network characteristics. The system also includes a content classifier to determine the content characteristics, and a model predicator to determine the network characteristics, and user device characteristics. An integrator of the manager generates an optimal rate-quality function to be used for selecting the particular conversion model for a given available bit rate of the network.

Abstract: In a receiver, an adaptive decision feedback equalizer receives broadcast signals having multipath interference. The equalizer includes a feed-forward, a feedback, and a partial feedback forward filter. The equalizer also includes a slicer and two accumulators. An output from the slicer is processed by the feedback filter and the partial feedback filter. The output from the feedback filter is subtracted from output of the feed-forward filter to form the input to the slicer, and the output of the partial feedback filter is subtracted from the received signal to form the input for the feed-forward filter to reduce the multipath interference.

Abstract: An apparatus receives and demodulates digital signals encoded in multiple formats. The apparatus includes multiple processor units and a memory embedded with the processor units, and a cache connected to each of the processor units. The cache for communicating between the plurality of processors. The embedded memory can include data and instruction memory. The processor units and memory are configured as a multi-mode receiver demodulator front-end capable of receiving digitally modulated signals in multiple formats, and demodulating the signals in real-time in response any one of the multiple formats.

Abstract: In a self-configuring store-and-forward computer network, a plurality of processors are each housed in an enclosure having a top surface and a bottom surface. Each processor has an associated block identification number. An array of m by n radially symmetric connectors are arranged on the top surface and on the bottom surface of each enclosure. Each connector has an associated connector identification number. The connectors physically and electronically couple the plurality of processors as a three-dimensional structure. Communications controller in each of the processors exchange the block and connector identification numbers between the processors and a host computer to determine an ordered list of connector numbers that is used to route messages between any of the processors and the host computer.

Abstract: A method corrects keystoning in a projector arbitrarily oriented with respect to a display surface. An elevation angle, a roll angle, and an azimuth angle of an optical axis of the projector are measured with respect to the display surface. A planar projective transformation matrix is determined from the elevation, roll, and azimuth angles. A source image to be projected by the projector is warped according to the planar projective transformation, and then projected onto the display surface.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a gateway device comprises a central processing unit, an external network interface, an internal network interface, and a positioning unit each coupled to the central processing unit. The gateway device further comprises a persistent memory, also coupled to the central processing unit, wherein the persistent memory is configured to store statistical data pertaining to content received through the external network interface as well as geographic location information. The gateway device is configured to collecting statistical geographic location information.

Abstract: An antenna is directed to optimally receive an advanced television signal. First, the strength of the signal is measured as a function of the azimuth angle of the antenna, and second the flatness of the signal is measured as a function of the azimuth angle of the antenna. The antenna is then rotated to maximize the flatness of the signal while maintaining the strength of the signal above a minimum threshold.

Abstract: A multi-user touch system includes a surface on which are a pattern of mounted antennas. A transmitter transmits uniquely identifiable signals to each antenna. Receivers are capacitively coupled to different users, the receivers are configured to receive the uniquely identifiable signals. A processor then associates a specific antenna with a particular users when multiple users simultaneously touch any of the antennas.

Abstract: A method is provided for remote monitoring and control of device (nodes) in a network system including a gateway device bridging the network system to an external network, wherein the method comprises: maintaining an address mapping table within the network system, the address mapping table comprising a node unique identifier column and node attribute information, receiving an input data packet from the external network at the gateway device, parsing the input data packet into an output request and input data, mapping the input data to a particular node on an internal network connected to the gateway device, transmitting the input data to the particular node, receiving a response from the particular node, generating an output data packet comprising the response from the particular node, and forwarding the output data packet to the external network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and useful learning system. A computer-based system permits a user to create and manipulate basic elements within an environment. The system then represents relationships within the environment. The system and user cooperate to provide a learning opportunity for the user. As the user makes or reviews changes of basic elements, he or she can learn how different aspects of an element affect the overall interactions. Two specific embodiments are disclosed. In a first embodiment, the system is used for exploring geometric patterns. The basic elements are tiles which are formed and manipulated through operations of geometric symmetry. The tiles can be combined into different repeating patterns. Multiple tiles can be used within a pattern. Also, new tiles can be created from portions of the pattern. Thus through simple interactions using basic operations and simple parts, complex effects emerge. In other embodiments, the system is used for exploring sociodynamics.

Abstract: A multi-functional general purpose random access memory is fabricated on a single semiconductor substrate. The substrate includes a memory array including a plurality of pages, at least one processing element, and internal-external address mapping means. The pages, processing element, and mapping means are connected to each other by clock, control, data, and address signal lines. The signal lines connect the at least one processing element and the internal-external mapping means to a host processor via an external access path, and signal lines connect the at least one processing element and the memory pages via a multi-function access path, and the signal lines connect the internal-external mapping means to the memory pages via in internal access path.