Abstract: Multiple-level phase amplitude (M-PAM) clock and data recovery circuitry uses information from multiple phase detectors to generate one or more data sampling clocks that are optimized for each of the data slicers. One possible 4-PAM implementation includes 3 data slicers, 3 edge slicers, 3 phase detectors, and a single VCO. The phase detector outputs are combined (e.g., via weighted voting, weighted average, minimum error, and/or minimum variance) to determine an optimized phase estimate for the clock used to sample the data at all three data slicers. Another 4-PAM implementation similarly includes 3 data slicers, 3 edge slicers, 3 phase detectors, and a single VCO. The mid-amplitude edge slicer and phase detector are used in combination with the VCO to generate a central phase while a multiple-tap delay line provides N phase variants before and after the central phase.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for indicating the voice of each talker from a plurality of talkers to be heard by a listener. The method uses a signal that is transmitted over a telecommunications system. The method includes projecting the voice from each one of the plurality of talkers to the listener. A talker indicator is provided proximate to the listener. Talker identification information is generated in the talker indicator that can be used to indicate the identity of each talker who is speaking at any given time to the listener. A device is coupled to the talker indicator that can transmit the voice signal from each talker to the listener. In different aspects, the talker identification information can include such varied indicators as audio, video, or an announcement combined with a temporally compressed voice signal. In another aspect, an emotographic figure is displayed to the listener that each represent a distinct talker.

Abstract: A voice-controlled communication gateway for facilitating communications between a plurality of outside entities and at least one electronic device includes a receiver for receiving communications from the outside entities; a transmitter for transmitting communications to the outside entities; a microphone for receiving audible signals within an environment; a voice module for receiving an input from the microphone and for translating the input into a command; a microprocessor coupled to the receiver, transmitter and voice command processing module for receiving and executing the command; and a signal output from each electronic device corresponding to the audible output from the electronic device. The voice command processing module subtracts the signal output from each electronic device from the audible signal to produce the command signal.