Abstract: A media player system is provided for receiving and processing a media program that uses a time interval interval tD required to decode ND frames of the media program segment. The media system receives the requested media program segment, processes the segment and determines if the throughput of the media program differs from the desired presentation throughput by a tolerance amount. Both decoding and rendering performance are determined and used to determine presentation throughput, and to determine if heavier or lighter variants of the media program should be requested for subsequent media program segments.

Abstract: A method for decoding image frames at a client is described. The method includes generating an estimated image frame after receiving an encoded image frame of a stream of encoded image frames. The method further includes decoding the encoded image frame when the encoded image frame is received at a decode interval set for a frame rate of presentation. The method includes using the estimated image frame when a corresponding encoded image frame fails to arrive within the stream for presentation at the frame rate.

Abstract: A method for decoding image frames at a client is described. The method includes generating an estimated image frame after receiving an encoded image frame of a stream of encoded image frames. The method further includes decoding the encoded image frame when the encoded image frame is received at a decode interval set for a frame rate of presentation. The method includes using the estimated image frame when a corresponding encoded image frame fails to arrive within the stream for presentation at the frame rate.

Abstract: A method and video decoder system using the method are provided for identifying video frames in an encoded or encrypted video stream without performing decoding or decryption. The method includes: receiving a video data stream comprised of a plurality of transport stream (TS) packets; detecting a first video frame in the video data stream, wherein detection of the first video frame includes registering a last checked position at the start of the video data stream, examining bytes in a next TS packet to identify a predetermined pattern indicating a network abstraction layer (NAL) unit, repeating the examining step until two TS packets have been identified that include an NAL unit, wherein the last checked position is updated after each examining step, and identifying a video frame based on a position of the NAL unit identified in the two TS packets; and repeating the detecting step for a plurality of additional video frames in the video data stream.

Abstract: A method and video decoder system using the method are provided for identifying video frames in an encoded or encrypted video stream without performing decoding or decryption. The method includes: receiving a video data stream comprised of a plurality of transport stream (TS) packets; detecting a first video frame in the video data stream, wherein detection of the first video frame includes registering a last checked position at the start of the video data stream, examining bytes in a next TS packet to identify a predetermined pattern indicating a network abstraction layer (NAL) unit, repeating the examining step until two TS packets have been identified that include an NAL unit, wherein the last checked position is updated after each examining step, and identifying a video frame based on a position of the NAL unit identified in the two TS packets; and repeating the detecting step for a plurality of additional video frames in the video data stream.

Abstract: A method for decoding image frames at a client is described. The method includes generating an estimated image frame after receiving an encoded image frame of a stream of encoded image frames. The method further includes decoding the encoded image frame when the encoded image frame is received at a decode interval set for a frame rate of presentation. The method includes using the estimated image frame when a corresponding encoded image frame fails to arrive within the stream for presentation at the frame rate.

Abstract: A media player system is provided for receiving and processing a media program that uses a time interval interval to required to decode ND frames of the media program segment. The media system receives the requested media program segment, processes the segment and determines if the throughput of the media program differs from the desired presentation throughput by a tolerance amount. Both decoding and rendering performance are determined and used to determine presentation throughput, and to determine if heavier or lighter variants of the media program should be requested for subsequent media program segments.

Abstract: A media player system is provided for receiving and processing a media program that uses a time interval interval to required to decode ND frames of the media program segment. The media system receives the requested media program segment, processes the segment and determines if the throughput of the media program differs from the desired presentation throughput by a tolerance amount. Both decoding and rendering performance are determined and used to determine presentation throughput, and to determine if heavier or lighter variants of the media program should be requested for subsequent media program segments.

Abstract: A media player system is provided for receiving and processing a media program that uses a time interval interval to required to decode ND frames of the media program segment. The media system receives the requested media program segment, processes the segment and determines if the throughput of the media program differs from the desired presentation throughput by a tolerance amount. Both decoding and rendering performance are determined and used to determine presentation throughput, and to determine if heavier or lighter variants of the media program should be requested for subsequent media program segments.

Abstract: A method and video decoder system using the method are provided for identifying video frames in an encoded or encrypted video stream without performing decoding or decryption. The method includes: receiving a video data stream comprised of a plurality of transport stream (TS) packets; detecting a first video frame in the video data stream, wherein detection of the first video frame includes registering a last checked position at the start of the video data stream, examining bytes in a next TS packet to identify a predetermined pattern indicating a network abstraction layer (NAL) unit, repeating the examining step until two TS packets have been identified that include an NAL unit, wherein the last checked position is updated after each examining step, and identifying a video frame based on a position of the NAL unit identified in the two TS packets; and repeating the detecting step for a plurality of additional video frames in the video data stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and/or method that corrects for tuning errors in vibrating structure gyroscopes that are configured to be driven along a plurality of axes without the need for dedicated torque elements. The correction is accomplished by introducing a phase offset in the drive signal of one or more of the drive elements relative to other drive elements to minimize or reduce the quadrature signal. The tuning may be accomplished as a one time “set and forget” adjustment, as a manual adjustment performed at the discretion of the user, or as a closed loop active correction system. The technique improves the tuning of the resonator assembly, rather than merely compensating for the mistuning. Accordingly, for various embodiments of the invention, the destructive interference between the plurality of drive axes is reduced. Conservation of vibrational energy present in the resonator is thus enhanced, with less vibrational energy transferred to the support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensation of the effects of various bias errors encountered by inertial rate gyroscopes, particularly vibrating element gyroscopes, configured to detect heading relative to true north. Certain embodiments are suitable for reducing rotational dynamic errors associated with rotating gyroscopes. Other embodiments may include compensation of biases not related to rotational dynamics, such as thermal drift. The various methods disclosed may also account for the bias by sampling the rotational vector of the earth at an arbitrary heading, and at a heading that is 180° offset from the arbitrary heading. The sequence may be repeated numerous times to compensate for bias drift. The bias drift may be constant with respect to time (linear) or changing over time (non-linear) during the data acquisition sequence. Some embodiments include methods that utilize data from accelerometers to infer the bank and elevation angles as well as earth latitude location relative to the equator.

Abstract: A method for compensating for bias and scale factor errors in vibrating structure gyroscopes. Certain embodiments utilize the functional relationship that bias and scale factor errors have with resonant frequency of vibration in the main vibrating body. Other embodiments utilize the functional relationships that other drive parameters of vibrating structure gyroscopes, such as drive voltage, have with bias and scale factor errors. The various methods may be used repeatedly during normal gyroscope operation in order to continually compensate for the bias and scale factor errors.

Abstract: An apparatus and/or method that corrects for tuning errors in vibrating structure gyroscopes that are configured to be driven along a plurality of axes without the need for dedicated torque elements. The correction is accomplished by introducing a phase offset in the drive signal of one or more of the drive elements relative to other drive elements to minimize or reduce the quadrature signal. The tuning may be accomplished as a one time “set and forget” adjustment, as a manual adjustment performed at the discretion of the user, or as a closed loop active correction system. The technique improves the tuning of the resonator assembly, rather than merely compensating for the mistuning. Accordingly, for various embodiments of the invention, the destructive interference between the plurality of drive axes is reduced. Conservation of vibrational energy present in the resonator is thus enhanced, with less vibrational energy transferred to the support structure.

Abstract: A vibrating inertial rate sensor has operational elements that define axes that are rotationally offset or “skewed” from a node or anti-node reference axis. The skew may be relative to separate node or anti-node reference axes, or take the form of an element that is “split” about the same node axis. Both the drive signal and the sense signal may be resolved from a common set of sensing elements. The drive elements may also operate on a skewed axis angle to rotationally offset the vibration pattern to affect active torquing of the gyroscope. Skewed drive elements may be combined with skewed or split elements on the same device. The skewed sensing scheme may be applied to vibratory systems having one or more node axes. The skewed drive scheme may be applied to vibratory systems having two or more node axes to affect active torquing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensation of the effects of various bias errors encountered by inertial rate gyroscopes, particularly vibrating element gyroscopes, configured to detect heading relative to true north. Certain embodiments are suitable for reducing rotational dynamic errors associated with rotating gyroscopes. Other embodiments may include compensation of biases not related to rotational dynamics, such as thermal drift. The various methods disclosed may also account for the bias by sampling the rotational vector of the earth at an arbitrary heading, and at a heading that is 180° offset from the arbitrary heading. The sequence may be repeated numerous times to compensate for bias drift. The bias drift may be constant with respect to time (linear) or changing over time (non-linear) during the data acquisition sequence. Some embodiments include methods that utilize data from accelerometers to infer the bank and elevation angles as well as earth latitude location relative to the equator.

Abstract: A vibrating inertial rate sensor has sense elements that operate on axes that are rotationally skewed from a node reference axis, enabling both a rate sense and a drive sense determination. Alternatively, the skew may be applied to rotationally offset the drive elements from antinode reference axes to affect active torquing of the gyroscope. The skewed sensing scheme may be applied to vibratory systems having one or more node axes. The skewed drive scheme may be applied to vibratory systems having two or more node axes to affect active torquing.

Abstract: A structure and arrangement for improving the accuracy and efficiency of an angular rate sensing gyroscope is herein disclosed. Voltage pick-off conductors are applied to an area of the surface of a resonating element of an angular rate sensing gyroscope that is subject to substantially zero stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. Actuator conductors are similarly applied to a resonating element at a location bounded by areas of the resonating element subject to substantially uniform levels of stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. A method for improving the voltage response of a piezoelectric resonating element is also disclosed.

Abstract: An angular rate sensor system [10] comprising a vibratory sensing element [12] and signal processing circuit [14]. The element [12] is preferably a polymorphic rectangular bar fabricated from two layers of piezoceramic material [26, 28] divided by a thin center electrode [Ec], and a plurality of electrodes [E1-E4] scored onto the planar conductive surfaces [30, 32]. The element [12] is suspended at its acoustic nodes [N, N?] to vibrate in one direction [V] normal to the physical plane of the electrodes [Ec, E1-E4] using any suitable mounting structure such as parallel crossed filaments [34] or inwardly angled support arms [64] that provide predetermined degrees of lateral [S?] and longitudinal [S] stiffness. The circuit [14] may optionally constitute totally shared [FIG. 7], partially shared [FIG. 8], or totally isolated [FIG. 9] driving and sensing functions, the corresponding element [12] being configured with dual-pair, single-pair, or single-triple outer electrodes [E1-E4], respectively.

Abstract: A structure and arrangement for improving the accuracy and efficiency of an angular rate sensing gyroscope is herein disclosed. Voltage pick-off conductors are applied to an area of the surface of a resonating element of an angular rate sensing gyroscope that is subject to substantially zero stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. Actuator conductors are similarly applied to a resonating element at a location bounded by areas of the resonating element subject to substantially uniform levels of stress when the gyroscope is rotationally stationary. A method for improving the voltage response of a piezoelectric resonating element is also disclosed.