Abstract: A video format identification system includes a master clock circuit which provides timing and counting signals, a synchronization activity detector operatively coupled to the master clock circuit, and a synchronization width qualifier configured to filter out noise or reference burst signals from showing up as sync signals. The system also includes a synchronization detector which regulates the rate of the incoming sync signal, a color burst sampler providing a window for sampling a reference color burst after the sync signal has occurred, and a color burst detector which looks for at least three transitions from a burst signal before it qualifies the as an appropriate reference color burst. A format sample timer generates sample clock signals. A format sample counter produces “take format” signals which are utilized by a set of format counter. The system further includes a video format identifier which enables a particular video format to be directed to a respective video connector.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for restoration of DC in video signals is presented. A sample pulse representing the back porch of an incoming video signal is generated from the horizontal sync signal. The sample pulse triggers a sample and hold circuit to acquire the correct offset voltage in the output signal during this back porch period. The offset voltage feeds back through a summing node upstream of either the circuit causing the offset or an input amplifier thereby restoring the video signal to the desired DC voltage level with respect to ground.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing secured access to a software rental or a postage metering system. The virtual postage meter software of this invention enables a user to print postage indicia on documents, envelopes or labels. To generate valid postage indicia the virtual meter software is executed on a first computer while it is in communication with the remotely located second computer. All communication between the first computer and the second computer utilize data encryption algorithms to preserve the security and integrity of the data transferred. In one embodiment, the second computer is a collection of one or more computers with virtual postage meter enabling software capable of communicating simultaneously to a number of user computers that are concurrently executing the virtual postage meter software. The second computer is connected to one or more US FIPS 140-1 security level 3 or better certified cryptographic devices identified as Postal Security Devices (PSD).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and correcting motion artifacts in interlaced video signal converted for progressive video display. A correction is applied where interlaced video material is determined to originate from film source, thereby having been converted to video using a process known as 3-2 pulldown. Where the video material is not a result of the 3-2 pulldown process, a check is made for the presence of “pixel motion” so that corrections may be applied to smooth out the pixel motion. To determine 3-2 pulldown or field motion, a video field is compared to the field prior to the previous field to generate field error. Field errors are generated for five consecutive fields and a local minimum error repeated every five fields indicate the origination of the video material from film source using the 3-2 pulldown process.

Abstract: Encoding of a dual mode digital signal for transfer using a dual mode super source follower circuit to drive the signal across a pulse transformer is presented. The dual mode signal comprises data in one mode and power/control in the other mode. In the power/control mode the magnitude of the signal pulses are greater than the magnitude of the data pulses. Thus, the current sinking deficiencies of the super source follower may introduce waveform irregularities when transitioning from the high of the power pulse to the high of the data pulse. An encoding method described herein uses a return to zero scheme to avoid such waveform irregularities during power to data transitions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of load impedance modulation as a result of communication of data from the secondary to the primary side of a transformer are presented. The load impedance on the secondary of the transformer barrier is modulated differentially using data to be communicated across the barrier. A detection circuit on the primary side isolates the load current from the magnetizing current in the primary. The load current is subsequently integrated over two consecutive Manchester periods and the integrated value from the first Manchester period is compared against that of the second period thereby recovering the receive data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for device discovery and channel selection in a wireless networking environment are described. As part of an automatic network configuration process, a super node sequentially traverses the available channels, broadcasting discovery messages including the channel switching schedule. Wireless nodes that receive those broadcast messages switch channels in lock step with the super node, sending discovery replies on those channels over which the broadcast discovery messages are successfully received. An association is generated identifying accessible nodes and the channels through which those nodes may be accessed. An optimum channel may then be selected based on this association information. Sub-nodes may repeat the broadcast discovery messages, and relay any discovery replies to the super node. The super node may then identify sub-nodes that may be used as proxies to access nodes that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for improving image-processing applications. Embodiments of the invention provide methods for preserving computation results and offer intermediary computation steps to allow the processing of images at any location to take advantage of previously processed image areas. The preferred embodiment offers a method for building a median filter that significantly improves the processing speed over basic techniques. By building a histogram hierarchy, image data statistics are added and subtracted using a multiplicity of histograms from the histogram hierarchy, where each histogram describes an image area. Furthermore, a histogram hierarchy is built using multiple layers, each layer defining a level of statistical resolution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for device discovery and multi-mode security in a wired and/or wireless control network are described. A controlled device is configured with discovery-level instructions and application-level control instructions. The controlled device includes a user-configurable parameter for selecting between multiple security modes. In one or more security modes, the controlled device may ignore application-level messages until encrypted communications are established with a controller. In one mode, the encrypted communication is established with an encryption key exchange using a predetermined security key. In another mode, a specific key is manually entered into the controller by the user/administrator to facilitate the encryption key exchange. Additionally, for control applications where security is not important, an unencrypted security mode may be implemented. A driver ID provided by the controlled device facilitates loading of a preferred device driver by the controller.

Abstract: The present invention provides lossless switching by configuring the output inductor so that the ripple current amplitude at load conditions results in small negative current during switching. The reconfigured output inductor results in increased ripple current amplitude. This increased ripple amplitude may be further controlled using zero ripple steering techniques to eliminate ripple at the output capacitor. A ripple steering technique involves adding a secondary output to the class D amplifier which steers the switching ripple away from the main output thus substantially relieving the main output from a major artifact of prior art Class D amplifiers.

Abstract: To facilitate the use of audio files for annotation purposes, an audio file format, which includes audio data for playback purposes, is augmented with a parallel data channel of line identifiers, or with a map associating time codes for the audio data with line numbers on the original document. The line number-time code information in the audio file is used to navigate within the audio file, and also to associate bookmark links and captured audio annotation files with line numbers of the original text document. An annotation device may provide an output document wherein links to audio and/or text annotation files are embedded at corresponding line numbers. Also, a navigation index may be generated, having links to annotation files and associated document line numbers, as well as bookmark links to selected document line numbers.

Abstract: A system for regenerating electronic mail, e.g., when a certain event transpires. If, for instance, a server program has previously sent the user an electronic mail message, that electronic mail message may be regenerated and retransmitted to the user or provided to support personnel upon request.

Abstract: A speaker mount includes a support structure attachment, an adjustable mount connected to the structure attachment and including a first connector, and a speaker attachment including a second connector. The first and second connectors may selectively be connected or disconnected, permitting a speaker to be connected to and disconnected from the remainder of the mount. The first connector is mounted to a ball. A lock plate is mounted at an opposing side of the ball from the first connector. A fastener controls the distance between the first connector and the lock plate. In one position, the fastener draws the lock plate and first connector towards one another, fixing the lock plate in a position on the ball, and in another position allows the first connector to be moved relative to the ball. The mount permits orientation of a speaker in a variety of positions relative to a support structure.

Abstract: A flexible electronic asset management system using Ethernet connectivity for electronic devices is presented. The invention enables multiple electronic devices to be controlled, monitored, and accessed from any browser connected to a computer network. A flattened stack approach is used to process network packet data. The flattened stack approach treats the network packet as a single string of data and uses the first few bytes of information to decide whether to drop or process the incoming data thus providing for faster network traffic processing. Since the lowest layer of the OSI stack has knowledge of what applications are active in the upper layers, the flattened stack allows the packet to be discarded at the earliest possible point so no processing power is wasted. The flattened stack also organizes its check/processing based on the raw data stream thus minimizing buffer requirements and providing for easier implementation into hardware.

Abstract: A mirrored arc geometrical arrangement of two conductors configured to perform similar functions as a traditional twisted pair of wires is presented. The mirrored arc conductor pair occupies the same physical space required by prior art twisted pair cable designs. Each conductor pair includes two inward-facing arc shaped conductors placed within a dielectric material. Each arc shaped conductor may be constructed from thin foil strips of a conducting metal or from a group of separate bare metal conductors which are placed side by side in intimate contact so as to effectively create the same mirrored arc geometry. The conductor pairs may subsequently be bundled to create a data network cable bundle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing the secondary side to the primary side of a transformer circuit are presented. A preamble which consists primarily of data pulses and inverted power pulses is used initially to obtain the parameters for and to set up a phase locked loop. For example, an edge-triggered one-shot circuit can be used to generate a reference clock from the preamble until lock is detected. Once the phase lock loop locks onto the clock, normal communication between the primary and secondary commences. The phase lock loop, which is in the secondary, is kept in phase during normal communication using valid Manchester edges from the transmit signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a video test generator having an overlay cursor and an associated scope trigger are presented. A user interface permits a user to move a cursor across a displayed image, and to select a scope trigger point in the analog video stream based on the location of the cursor in the displayed image. Video waveforms associated with particular image pixels of interest or groups of pixels are observed on an oscilloscope by placing the cursor over the subject pixels or pixels on the video display and using the derived scope trigger to time the capture of the video waveform on the oscilloscope. The cursor is generated by tracking the horizontal and vertical position of the cursor, and altering or substituting out the video signal where the pattern of the cursor should appear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for dynamically testing video equipment. A test pattern utilizes a presentation of alternating pixels and lines, along with features of the electronic video/graphics generator in which it is present to effect a close approximation to the demonstrable contrast transfer function percentage of the system or display under test. The test pattern, while depending on features of the electronic video/graphics generator for convenience of operation, may also be modified to be used as a static pattern capable of very similar utility.