Abstract: A multi-bit analog-to-digital converter architecture, which during normal operation behaves like a single-bit converter, thus sharing the high linearity and low distortion properties of the simpler system. When a high input signal is applied, a second bit is triggered and the system behaves like a more complex multi-bit system, providing system stability where a single-bit comparator would overload and the system would become unstable. During normal operation, a single-bit converter is sufficient to stabilize the system. When the input is a large, sustained signal (relative to the full scale of the converter) this single-bit approach is not sufficient to maintain system stability. Thus, if the input to the analog-to-digital converter is close to its maximum or minimum range (implying a large positive or negative input signal) a second bit is triggered, providing stable linearity where the signal-to-noise ratio of a conventional sigma-delta converter would rapidly drop off.

Abstract: In a film positioning system and method thereof, stable film positioning is accomplished. In the present invention, when a film is fed to a stop position by driving first feeding mechanism and second feeding mechanism synchronizing with each other and then the stop position is determined with the first feeding mechanism or the second feeding mechanism, a fixed tension is applied to the film by the other feeding mechanism.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses for tuning television channels that transmit either PSIP Transport Streams or non-PSIP Transport Streams. Specifically, PSIP Transport Streams contain PSIP sections that include a major channel number and minor channel numbers, whereas non-PSIP Transport Streams do not contain such PSIP sections. However, both PSIP and non-PSIP Transport Streams contain PAT sections. Upon receiving a PSIP Transport Stream from a television channel, the present methods and apparatuses directly obtain the major channel number and minor channel numbers from the PSIP section contained in the PSIP Transport Stream. Upon receiving a non-PSIP Transport Stream from a television channel, the present methods and apparatuses form the major channel number and minor channel numbers based on the information contained in the PAT sections. In so doing, the methods and apparatuses can process both PSIP and non-PSIP Transport Streams.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for improving the safety of a snow-related recreational device. The apparatus is attachable to the equipment and preferably provides a function compatible with normal use of the equipment as well, such as functioning as a stomp pad for a snow board during snow board use. The apparatus preferably includes some means for determining the location of the equipment user should a risky situation, such as an avalanche or white-out develop. An instructional graphical display, explaining to a user the proper method of use of the location determining means, is preferably integral to the apparatus. The apparatus may be removeably attachable to the equipment to enable a user of multiple pieces of equipment, such as multiple snow boards, to move the apparatus from one piece to another.

Abstract: A single horizontal scan range CRT monitor that includes a receiver for receiving display signals in a digital format from an external source, the initial display signals having one of a plurality of input resolutions, and a converter connected to the receiver and supplied with the initial display signals for detecting the input resolution of the initial display signals and converting the initial display signals to digital output signals having an output resolution selected from a plurality of different output resolutions matched to the detected input resolution of the initial display signals, and wherein all of the plurality of output resolutions have a same horizontal resolution and all of the digital output signals have a same horizontal frequency.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses for selecting Hangul components to form Korean characters on a screen located on electronic devices. All Hangul components are divided into three groups; namely, an initial consonant group, a medial vowel group, and a final consonant group. Any Hangul components can be found in these three groups. These three group Hangul components are alternatively displayed on a component display region (1006) located on the screen. At the beginning of inputting a Korean character, the first display region displays the initial consonant group in the component display region (1006). To form a Korean character, a user selects an initial consonant from the initial consonant group. Upon the selection of the initial consonant, the component display region (1006) displays the medial vowel group. The user then selects a medial vowel from the medial vowel group. Upon the selection of the medial vowel, the component display region (1006) displays the final consonant group.

Abstract: This invention provides a self-assembling polynucleotide delivery system comprising components aiding in the delivery of the polynucleotide to the desired address which are associated via noncovalent interactions with the polynucleotide. The components of this system include DNA-masking components, cell recognition components, charge-neutralization and membrane-permeabilization components, and subcellular localization components. Specific compounds useful in this system are also provided.

Abstract: Conventional method sets up parameters for a monitor by using the panel buttons installed in the front of the monitor, especially when the monitor is first connected to a computer. However, it is inconvenient to use the panel buttons to set up a monitor. To overcome the shortcomings of the available art, a monitor set up application displays a visual interface for setting up a monitor. The visual interface provides a pattern background and an adjustment window. Monitor adjustments can be performed through the adjustment window. The pattern background changes in response to each step of the adjustment, so that a user can observe the impacts of the adjustment. In addition, based on the model of the monitor, the visual interface provides the message indicating the recommended adjustments to the monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a circuit system, including selecting a plurality of pre-designed circuit blocks to be used to design the circuit system, collecting data reflecting the experience of the designer regarding the pre-designed circuit blocks, the designer's experience being adaptable to a processing method, accepting or rejecting a design of the circuit system in a manner based on the designer's experience data and acceptable degree of risk, upon acceptance, forming block specifications containing criteria and modified constraints for each of the circuit blocks, upon acceptance, forming block specifications for deploying the circuit blocks on a floor plan of a chip, as a system on a chip, in compliance with the criteria and modified constraints, and substantially without changing the selected circuit block and the processing method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for deriving the current network location of a cellular phone within a Cellular Mobile Telephone System. The cellular phone stores its previous network locations and links defining its movement between the previous network locations in a memory. Upon start-up, the cellular phone processes the stored data such that the most recently visited network location is searched for service. If no service is found, the cellular phone searches for service in network locations that are linked to the most recently visited network location. If service is still not found, the cellular phone continues with a linear search or a geographical search through the previously visited network locations. While searching a selected network location, the cellular phone scans the frequency channels in the selected network from the most utilized channel to the least utilized channel or from the most recently utilized channel to the earliest utilized channel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for eliminating a phase transient of a controlled frequency oscillator caused by replacing a first reference signal by a second reference signal when the first reference signal becomes corrupted or otherwise unavailable, and for running a controlled frequency oscillator in a frequency-controlled holdover mode. The contradictory requirements of using a relatively low-cost controlled frequency oscillator tunable over a relatively wide frequency range and achieving high stability of its frequency in holdover mode are satisfied.

Abstract: The invention comprises homogeneous nucleotide amplification strategies and assays. The methods involve amplification of a target nucleic acid sequence that includes the use of a probe that forms a duplex with a target nucleic acid sequence having an enzymatically cleavable region. The probe may anneal to other nucleic acid sequences but only forms an enzymatically cleavable region if the nucleic acid sequence is complementary to the probe. In other embodiments, the probe is configured to act as a primer for the amplification reaction if it anneals to a target nucleic acid sequence and is enzymatically cleaved. The target nucleic acid sequences amplified by the methods of this invention may be assayed by labeling the probe, by employing a second probe having features of the invention or by other suitable methods. Preferably, the probes comprise an RNA portion that forms an RNase H cleavable duplex with DNA.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ink ribbon, a cartridge containing the ink ribbon and a method of discriminating a failure location from an ink ribbon base film when the failure occurs on the ink ribbon. The ink ribbon is a sublimation-type ink ribbon manufactured from a column of the plural columns into which the ink ribbon base film is cut. The ink ribbon has a recording portion for recording column information indicating a column out of the plural columns of the ink ribbon base film, from which the ink ribbon is manufactured. The cartridge contains the ink ribbon. When a failure occurs on the ink ribbon, the column including the failure is discriminated from the plural columns of the ink ribbon base film based upon the recorded column information of the ink ribbon.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a multi-person, interactive auction, in a variety of formats, without using a human auctioneer to conduct the auction. The system is preferably implemented in software. The system allows a group of bidders to interactively place bids over a computer or communications network. Those bids are recorded by the system and the bidders are updated with the current auction status information. When appropriate, the system closes the auction from further bidding and notifies the winning bidders and losers as to the auction outcome.

Abstract: An apparatus and the method of its operation for decoding a received, encoded data signal having a plurality of data rates, such as a CDMA signal, by means of a deinterleaver for deinterleaving the recorded, encoded signal and outputting a frame of deinterleaved symbols, a feature calculation circuit for applying a plurality of different algorithms to the frame of deinterleaved symbols to produce a corresponding plurality of output feature values which are indicative of a degree of repetition of the deinterleaved symbols, a neural network for processing the plurality of output feature values according to a predetermined set of weights to produce a plurality of output rate determination values y1, y2, . . . yn, each of which corresponds to a different data rate, where m≦y≦M, n is an integer and m and M are predetermined minimum and maximum values, respectively, a rate detection circuit for comparing the plurality of output rate determination values y1, y2, . . .

Abstract: A data communication protocol is implemented to control data flow between a transport layer and a data link layer. The protocol provides two manners of data flow control. (1) In the first control manner, when the occupancy of packet buffers of the data link layer is smaller than a first threshold, the data link layer informs of the transport layer that the packet transport should be suspended, and thereafter when the occupancy is smaller than a second threshold smaller than the first one, the data link layer requests the transport layer to resume the packet transfer. (2) In the second control manner, when the amount of packets is smaller than a value determined based on the transfer rate and maximum burst size, the transport layer transfers a packet to a lower layer, and when the packet amount is larger than the value, a packet is transferred after a predetermined time passes to control the transfer rate to a predetermined one.

Abstract: A portable radio telephone is provided with a body, keypad for entering telephone calling functions and data information and a display for displaying telephone functions and status. The portable radio telephone is also provided with a cover hinged to the telephone body for assuming a closed or open orientation. When closed, the telephone keypad and display are covered. The cover includes a transparent window for enabling the user to visibly observe the display when the cover is in a closed orientation.

Abstract: An interchangeable plug device includes an electrical plug detachably mountable to a casing and movable between a detached and an operative position relative to the casing, and a releasable locking mechanism integral with the electrical plug to maintain the plug in an operative position. The locking mechanism can be released by a user to allow the plug to be moved to the detached position. A preferred form of locking mechanism is a depressible lock bar connected to or integral with an electrical plug body, which is designed to engage a detent in a casing. A preferred form of electrical connection between the plug and any casing comprises a submerged pin and sleeve configuration to protect the user or passerby from electric shock if the plug is detached from its operative position but remains a source of live current. A variety of interchangeable electrical plugs can preferably be fitted to the same casing.

Abstract: A wireless headset system for use with, e.g. mobile phones, and which incorporates a wireless headset which communicates with a base station via magnetic inductive coupling or radio frequency signals to dial and send or receive calls via a conventional phone, e.g. a mobile phone, attached to the base station. In one embodiment, the mobile phone is carried in the base station which is worn by the user.

Abstract: A system and a method for designing and constructing software components and systems by assembling them from independent parts which is compatible with and extends existing object models. A terminal interface and a terminal mechanism for interfacing objects is included. The mechanism is independent from the actual type of interactions established through it and allows objects to invoke directly services of other objects. All objects in a given system implement and expose a terminal interface. A property interface and mechanism with hierarchical property names and ability to execute queries is also included. The mechanism can be used for parameterization and serialization of objects, as well as to provide structured storage. A new and advantageous type of software object, named parts, is defined. Parts are constructed through an abstract factory and implement a property interface and a terminal interface.