Abstract: Method of processing a digital audio input signal containing a sequence of input signal sample values, the method comprising: determining signal difference values between consecutive pairs of input signal sample values in the sequence of input signal sample values; determining a normalization value; dividing each signal difference value in the group of signal difference values by a divider associated with the normalization value; reducing a bit depth of the normalization value; reducing a bit depth of each normalized signal difference value in the group of normalized signal difference values; transmitting the group of reduced normalized signal difference values, and the reduced normalization value; receiving the transmitted group of reduced normalized signal difference values, and the transmitted reduced normalization value; multiplying each reduced normalized signal difference value by a multiplier associated with the reduced normalization value; determining a digital audio output signal containing a sequ

Abstract: Method of processing a digital audio input signal containing a sequence of input signal sample values, the method comprising: determining signal difference values between consecutive pairs of input signal sample values in the sequence of input signal sample values; determining a normalization value; dividing each signal difference value in the group of signal difference values by a divider associated with the normalization value; reducing a bit depth of the normalization value; reducing a bit depth of each normalized signal difference value in the group of normalized signal difference values; transmitting the group of reduced normalized signal difference values, and the reduced normalization value; receiving the transmitted group of reduced normalized signal difference values, and the transmitted reduced normalization value; multiplying each reduced normalized signal difference value by a multiplier associated with the reduced normalization value; determining a digital audio output signal containing a sequ

Abstract: The present invention provide apparatus, systems and/or methods for use in controlling a distributed network of main powered devices and battery powered devices. The devices control the operation of one or more appliances. In one embodiment, an adaptive network comprises a main powered device, a battery powered device and a network control device. The network uses a wireless network protocol that includes at least one of a group, network, unit, group flag, mood and/or mask identifier. The network may include a data storage device having a data structure comprising a listing of at least one battery powered device with which the main powered device can communicate on the network, and/or a connectivity rating and ranking of networked devices. The network may also include: a network traffic manager, a routing and a controller identifier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a voltage converting circuit (2) having:—an input terminal (11) for connection to a varying voltage or current source, and an output terminal (12) with a supply voltage,—an inductive element (5) being with a first terminal connected to the input terminal and with a second terminal to a capacitive element (8) and to the output terminal (12), the capacitive element (8) being with one terminal connected to a reference voltage (9),—a first switch (6) being with a first terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductive element (5), and with a second terminal to the reference voltage (9), the first switch (6) comprising a gate electrode (31) for opening and closing of the switch when a control voltage of a first level is applied to the gate,—an oscillator (13) comprising a power input (14) connected to the output terminal (12), a start-up output (15) connected to the gate electrode (31) of the first switch (6) for supplying a pulse-like signal to the gate electrode (31) and an osci

Abstract: An electrically-operated architectural covering that can be powered by a low current or voltage source includes a motor, an accumulator connected to the motor, a power source, and an electrical circuit connecting the power source to the accumulator. The electrical circuit includes a step-up converter, which preferably includes an input terminal connected to the power source; an output terminal with a supply voltage connected to the accumulator; an inductive element; a first switch having a gate electrode for opening and closing of the switch when a control voltage of a first level is applied to the gate; and an oscillator.

Abstract: An electrically-operated architectural covering that can be powered by a low current or voltage source includes a motor, an accumulator connected to the motor, a power source, and an electrical circuit connecting the power source to the accumulator. The electrical circuit includes a step-up converter, which preferably includes an input terminal connected to the power source; an output terminal with a supply voltage connected to the accumulator; an inductive element; a first switch having a gate electrode for opening and closing of the switch when a control voltage of a first level is applied to the gate; and an oscillator.

Abstract: An electrically-operated architectural covering that can be powered by a low current or voltage source includes a motor, an accumulator connected to the motor, a power source, and an electrical circuit connecting the power source to the accumulator. The electrical circuit includes a step-up converter, which preferably includes an input terminal connected to the power source; an output terminal with a supply voltage connected to the accumulator; an inductive element; a first switch having a gate electrode for opening and closing of the switch when a control voltage of a first level is applied to the gate; and an oscillator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a voltage converting circuit (2) having: -an input terminal (11) for connection to a varying voltage or current source, and an output terminal (12) with a supply voltage, -an inductive element (5) being with a first terminal connected to the input terminal and with a second terminal to a capacitive element (8) and to the output terminal (12), the capacitive element (8) being with one terminal connected to a reference voltage (9), -a first switch (6) being with a first terminal connected to the second terminal of the inductive element (5), and with a second terminal to the reference voltage (9), the first switch (6) comprising a gate electrode (31) for opening and closing of the switch when a control voltage of a first level is applied to the gate, -an oscillator (13) comprising a power input (14) connected to the output terminal (12), a start-up output (15) connected to the gate electrode (31) of the first switch (6) for supplying a pulse-like signal to the gate electrode (31) and an

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive assembly (45, 46, 52) for a covering of an architectural opening, comprising a motor drive (52), an accumulator (54) connected to the motor drive, a power source (45) and an electrical circuit (55) connecting the power source to the accumulator. The electrical circuit comprises a step-up converter.