Abstract: An integrated front-end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter includes at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller. Each data characterizes one of the plurality of passbands. The filter element is switchable from one passband to another in response to the control data signal.

Abstract: An integrated front-end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter includes at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller. Each data characterizes one of the plurality of passbands. The filter element is switchable from one passband to another in response to the control data signal.

Abstract: An integrated front-end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter includes at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller. Each data characterizes one of the plurality of passbands. The filter element is switchable from one passband to another in response to the control data signal.

Abstract: A cable tuner front end circuit is disclosed for receiving a radio frequency television input signal and for selectively amplifying the signal in dependence upon a predetermined level of the tuner circuit output signal. The tuner front end circuit having first and second radio frequency paths, where in dependence upon the predetermined level of the output signal, the input signal either propagating along the first path without amplification or the input signal propagating along the second path with low noise amplification. Such that, when amplification is not required the amplifier circuit is disabled thereby offering a savings in tuner circuit power consumption.

Abstract: Currently tuner circuits maintain normal power consumption while they are receiving RF signals and do not have provisions therein for disabling portions of their circuitry for reducing of power consumption. For example, during changing of channels, portions of the tuner are not used while the tuner is waiting for channel data. Thus, disabling portions of the circuit while the tuner is waiting for data serves to reduce power consumption of the tuner. Furthermore, tuner power consumption is reduced by determining whether a signal input to the tuner circuit requires amplification or not, or whether linearity in the amplifier can be sacrificed by a reduction in amplifier gain. Thus, a tuner circuit is provided that has control loop circuitry to execute control loops for controlling the gain and linearity of the tuner, as well as power consumption of circuitry therein.

Abstract: An integrated front end filter for a tuner provides an array of from several to a multitude of passbands, each for passing at least one but less than all channels designated in a band of frequencies. Each passband is exclusively selectable. The integrated front end filter can include at least one active filter unit with an active reactance element in either of fixed and variable filter configurations and a decoder coupled to said at least one active filter unit and being responsive to a control signal for selecting a one of the passbands. In one example, a multitude of active filter units of fixed filter configuration provide the multitude of passbands. In another example, a plurality of data corresponds to a like plurality of selectable passbands in combination with a filter element of the variable filter configuration. Each data is stored at a predetermined location and reproduced in response to a corresponding control data signal from a tuner controller.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment detect that a connection is lost while a call is in progress, prompt for a message in response to the detection, and save the message until the connection is available. After the connection is available, the message is automatically sent to the party to the call. In this way, information that was cut off when the connection was lost can be completed in an convenient manner. In another embodiment, the user may enter a message or messages for a designated recipient or recipients at any time, and the message(s) is saved and automatically sent when the connection becomes available.

Abstract: A VGA is provided that is designed to reduce or even eliminate entirely variations in phase response/shift with changes in gain. Compensation is made for parasitic capacitances of elements in the VGA that would otherwise cause variation in phase with changes in gain. An additional capacitance is introduced to the VGA to compensate for the sources of the parasitic capacitance. The technique for introducing the additional capacitance depends on the source of the parasitic capacitance being treated. The additional capacitance is introduced to one or more of transistor amplifier circuits in the VGA, wherein each transistor amplifier circuit has a different gain and one of the transistor amplifier circuits is selected depending on the desired gain of the VGA. These compensation techniques equalize the phase response of the transistor amplifier circuits (each having a different gain) so that regardless of which transistor amplifier circuit is selected, the phase shift will be substantially the same.

Abstract: Televisions, especially HDTV, require tremendous bandwidth, however a time interval to switch communication channels may result in the loss of several image frames or a large portion of a single image frame. Unfortunately, small glitches in television signals are not tolerable since this affects the quality of the entertainment. Thus, wireless television tuners are unacceptable to most users because of frequency of glitches occurring as a result of channel hopping. A novel wireless television tuner system is thus disclosed that switches—hops—between frequency channels for transmitting television data to the wireless television tuner. The novel tuner uses a fractional-N (FRAC-N) synthesizer with an improved settling time in order to reduce potential glitches occurring as a result of the channel hopping.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing elementary semiconductor devices such as a field-effect transistor, a capacitor, a resistor, an inductor, a transformer, or a diode, and devices produced by said method. According to the method, a semiconductor seed layer is applied to a substrate having regions of exposed semiconductor material and regions of exposed dielectric material. The method comprises a step of disposing the substrate in a growth chamber and nucleating the seed layer by exposing the semiconductor material and dielectric material to an atmosphere of gases presented at a predetermined flow rate, temperature and pressure selected to provide contiguous growth of the seed layer, the seed layer growing in a single crystal lattice over predetermined windows within the mixed topology substrate.

Abstract: A cable tuner front end circuit is disclosed for receiving a radio frequency television input signal and for selectively amplifying the signal in dependence upon a predetermined level of the tuner circuit output signal. The tuner front end circuit having first and second radio frequency paths, where in dependence upon the predetermined level of the output signal, the input signal either propagating along the first path without amplification or the input signal propagating along the second path with low noise amplification. Such that, when amplification is not required the amplifier circuit is disabled thereby offering a savings in tuner circuit power consumption.

Abstract: A system and method for reanchoring logical objects or members of a directory tree within a graphical user interface. First, at least one anchored logical object is designated for reanchoring. Logical objects which have a predetermined relationship with the selected logical object may be placed into a group with the at least one designated logical object. Next, the user selects a reanchor command and the selected group is reanchored. In an illustrative implementation, reanchoring moves the selected group to a location closer to a left margin of the display screen. Reanchoring allows a user to customize the directory tree. Customizing the graphic directory tree allows a user to increase the usability of the directory tree and decrease complexity of existing directory trees.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, user interface control and method indicate, on a data set user interface control, the size of a subset of data relative to an overall data set accessible by the control. The data set user interface control may be implemented in much the same manner as a scroll bar, including a slider control that can be manipulated along a scroll region of the scroll bar to adjust the parameters of the subset of data accessible through the window. Further, the length of the slider may be set relative to that of the scroll region to represent the size of the current subset relative to the overall data set. The length of the slider may also be manipulated by a user to adjust the size of the current subset. While a data set user interface control may be implemented in a wide variety of additional environments, one particularly suitable use is in a client-server environment where a data set is retrieved in the form of subsets from an external information source accessible via a server computer.

Abstract: A graphical selection marker provides a visual indication of selected items in a list and their relative position in the display window. The graphical selection marker is suitably provided on a scroll bar in each location on the scroll bar that represents a selected item in the list. In this manner, the graphical selection marker indicates a selected item in the list, even if the selected item is not currently visible in the display window.

Abstract: A graphical undo/redo manager provides a graphical indication of multiple tasks that were recently performed. A user may undo multiple tasks in one step by selecting a task the user wishes to revert to, and the graphical undo/redo manager then undoes all the commands that were done subsequent to the selected task, taking the computer program to a desired state in only one user operation. In similar fashion, a user may redo multiple tasks in one step by clicking on a selected subsequent task (that was previously undone) that the user wishes to go forward to, and the graphical undo/redo manager then redoes all the commands between the last undo and the selected task, including the selected task. In addition, the graphical undo/redo manager provides for collapsing multiple tasks into a marker, either automatically when certain commands are executed in the computer program or upon command by a user for future reference.