Abstract: Methods for predicting a high dynamic range (HDR) image element based on a received low dynamic range (LDR) image element or data and a HDR image element or data. LDR data is extracted to create either a color-converted image element or a LDR image luminance element and a LDR image chrominance element. The created image element or elements are modified either based on prediction data or through a luminance modification operation and a chrominance modification operation. The HDR residual image element is then combined with either a HDR prediction image element or a HDR luminance prediction element and a HDR chrominance prediction element to form an HDR image element. Alternatively, a residual HDR image element may be calculated through a comparison operation.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention provide methods, devices, and systems enabling a central coordinator to manage hidden stations via a proxy central coordinator, where a hidden station is discovered based on beacons and made known to other networked devices via transmitted lists.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to video streaming, particularly to quality-aware adaptive and selective transmissions. The embodiments of the present invention provide for a set of scheduling patterns to be evaluated, and from such set determine the target scheduling pattern that is calculated to provide the least distortion increment based on the evaluation set.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is capable of interleaving detection of fluorescence and luminescence signals emitted from a plurality of samples. The apparatus is suitable for analysis of samples containing single cells or tissues up to and including living organisms. It contains an optical assembly or “sandwich” for producing a spectrally pure and spatially dispersed light source for illuminating the sample. The invention also provides a plurality of optical sandwiches that can be variously geometrically arranged and their intensities programmed to create spatially uniform illumination over a large sample. The invention further provides an apparatus having at least one of the optical sandwich and a detector system capable of interleaving detection of fluorescent and luminescent signals when a suitable sample is illuminated by the light source of the optical sandwich. Methods for preparing samples and using the sandwiches, arrays and apparatus, are further provided by this invention.

Abstract: A stereo-view image sequence is coded in an H.264-based sub-sequence coding by coding a first view of the stereo-view image sequence into a base layer of a sub-sequence coding. The second view of the stereo-view image sequence is coded into an enhancement layer of the sub-sequence coding. Accordingly, the sub-sequence coding can be decoded by a baseline-profile-compliant H.264 decoder. In one exemplary embodiment of the decoder, the decoder decodes both the base layer and the enhanced layer of the sub-sequence coding. In another exemplary embodiment, the decoder decodes one of the base layer and the enhanced layer of the sub-sequence coding. Additionally, a Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) payload could be used for each frame to signal the relationship between the current view and the secondary view.

Abstract: A multi-function peripheral device for producing output images. The device includes a scanning system for creating a scanned input image, a camera for creating a captured input image, a controller for receiving at least one of said scanned input image and said captured input image, and a printing system for producing an output image rendered by said controller.

Abstract: A log-periodic antenna having a layer of dielectric media interposed between a microstrip log-periodic portion and a slot log-periodic portion is described. Also described are antenna embodiments having a curvilinear, electrically conductive feed line and a substantially co-extensive curvilinear slot transmission line and additional embodiments including an array of two or more log-periodic antennas.

Abstract: A multi-service network switch allowing tiered access to system resources. Call policy records maintained by the switch designate quality of access (QoA) levels to different types of incoming calls. When a connection is requested, the call's call policy record is retrieved and the call's QoA level is identified. A requested resource is then allocated to the call based on the identified QoA level and current resource usage.

Abstract: An ATM switch with rate-limiting congestion control has a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports operatively associated with one or more data buffers, an output control and a switch fabric for switching data units from any of the input ports to any of the output ports on virtual connections. The ATM switch imposes and enforces transmission rate-limiting policies against the virtual connections when the backlog of data units for delivery to a particular output port reaches a particular level. The ATM switch may be arranged to exempt high priority data units from the imposed rate limitations and has a means to lift the rate limitations when the backlog has been sufficiently reduced.

Abstract: A queue scheduling method and apparatus for a queuing structure including a plurality of queues at different priorities and having different bandwidth privileges competing for the bandwidth of an output. The method selects a queue at the current priority, having data for release to the output and having available bandwidth to release data to the output. If there are a plurality of such queues, round-robin ordering determines which queue in the plurality is selected. The apparatus includes a plurality of bit masks representing the status in relation to a queue state variable of the different queues, which masks are combined in a bit-wise AND operation to determine which queues are selectable for releasing data to the output.

Abstract: In a switching device, a method of communicating data packets from sending ports to destination ports includes storing in a first stage queue packet-related data from a sending port; determining from the packet-related data which destination ports are to receive the packet-related data in the first stage queue; storing in a second stage queue associated with each determined destination port the packet-related data from the first stage queue; and using the packet-related data in the second stage queue to complete the communication of the data packet from the sending port to each determined destination port. Apparatus for practicing the method comprises a first stage queue storing packet-related data from a sending port; and a second stage queue associated with each of a set of destination ports storing the packet-related data from the first stage queue.

Abstract: A data communication switch receives packets having first priorities, generates second priorities as a function of the first priorities, prioritizes selected ones of the plurality of packets as a function of the second priorities and transmits the plurality of packets having the second priorities. The first priorities may be inbound Std. 802.1Q tag priorities and the second priorities may be regenerated Std. 802.1Q tag priorities. Priority selection may be communicated in the switch through the expedient of packet marking. Marks may be instantiated in the packets prior to subjecting the packets to prioritization on the switch and removed from the packets prior to transmitting the packets from the switch. The switch may be arranged to prioritize selected ones of 802.1Q-complaint tagged packets based on a tag priority while preserving tag priority signaling for all such tagged packets.

Abstract: Reservation, request, allocation, assignment and application protocols for conserving addresses requiring unique allocation from a finite address domain. In accordance with the protocols, a set of addresses within the domain are reserved for “intra-switch only” applications so as to be to allocable to a plurality of organizations for assignment and application in a plurality of switches without introducing addressing ambiguities into networks. Other addresses within the domain not having the “intra-switch only” restriction are reserved for a single organization so as to be assigned and applied in a single device to avoid introducing addressing ambiguities into networks. The addresses may be MAC addresses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accomplishing source learning in a data switch of the type having a plurality of switching modules where each supports one or more external network devices and a backplane interconnecting the switching modules. Each switching module has logic resident thereon for performing distributed source learning, including configuring unknown source addresses “seen” in inbound packets and for notifying the other switching modules that such source addresses were “seen” on a port thereof. Address-port associations are thereby configured on the switch using distributed logic, i.e. without intervention by a centralized management entity. In regard to configuring destination addresses—when a destination address is unknown, packets are delivered over a multicast queue until the destination address is found. Once the destination address is found, a method of flow integrity is used to avoid out of order packet delivery when the device transitions from using a multicast flood queue to a unicast queue.

Abstract: Priority processing for a data communication switch, such as a LAN switch supporting source-learned bridging, in which a priority value for application to an outbound tagged packet is determined based on an inbound tag priority and a plurality of other values, such as an inbound tag VLAN and receiving port identifier. The plurality of other values may be initially resolved to a virtual trunk identifier, which virtual trunk identifier may be applied with the inbound tag priority to determine the outbound tag priority. The virtual trunk identifier may be resolved by reducing the plurality of other values to a smaller-bit value and using the smaller-bit value in a table look-up.

Abstract: A multi-service network switch capable of providing multiple network services from a single platform. The switch incorporates a distributed packet forwarding architecture where each of the various cards is capable of making independent forwarding decisions. The switch further allows for dynamic resource management for dynamically assigning modem and ISDN resources to an incoming call. The switch may also include fault management features to guard against single points of failure within the switch. The switch further allows the partitioning of the switch into multiple virtual routers where each virtual router has its own set of resources and a routing table. Each virtual router is further partitioned into virtual private networks for further controlling access to the network. The switch supports policy based routing where specific routing paths are selected based on a domain name, a telephone number, and the like.

Abstract: An autocorrelator apparatus and method for economically measuring physical properties of an object where the measurement path is at least semi-translucent to light, such as thicknesses in multilayered optical structures, group index of refraction, and distance to a surface. The apparatus includes a non-coherent light fiber interferometer and an optional coherent light fiber interferometer in association so as to share PZT fiber modulators. Thickness and boundary extent measurements can be made, for example, of solids, liquids, liquids moving along a horizontal plane, or liquids flowing down a plane.

Abstract: A switching device for forwarding network traffic to a desired destination on a network, such as a telephone or computer network. The switching device includes multiple ports and uses a lookup table containing lookup keys to determine which port to forward network traffic over. The lookup table includes disparate forwarding databases that contain database entries in different formats. For example, one forwarding databases may relate to MAC addresses, while another database relates to IP addresses. The disparate databases are maintained in a single lookup table and a binary search engine searches the table without regard to the database format. Like-kind database entries are grouped within the lookup table and the lookup table is maintained in sorted order by prepending format identification bits to the lookup keys. Memory availability for the disparate databases can be dynamically changed allowing customization for a particular user application.