Abstract: A technique is provided for automatically adjusting the volume, or magnitude, of an audio signal. The technique includes calculating an average power associated with a segment of an input audio signal, determining whether the average power is greater than an estimated signal level associated with one or more previously-processed segments of the input audio signal and, depending on the determination, either calculating an updated estimated signal level by subtracting from the average power an attenuated difference between the estimated signal level and the average power or setting the updated estimated signal level to the average power. A gain to be applied to the segment of the input audio signal is then determined based on the updated estimated signal level and a target signal level for an output audio signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory, such as an SRAM, is described that accommodates smaller read/write accesses in one mode of operation and larger read/write accesses in a second mode of operation, wherein power is conserved during the smaller accesses. Methods of using such a semiconductor memory are also described.

Abstract: A legacy device bridge for use in a network, such as a wired or wireless residential network, is provided. The legacy device bridge performs protocol conversion to enable a network-attached entity that uses a packet-based communication protocol to communicate with and control legacy devices, such as consumer electronics, that rely exclusively on infrared (IR) or serial communication protocols. The legacy device bridge also performs a virtualization function that allows legacy devices to be advertised to the network as devices that comply with a packet-based discovery and control protocol, and to be controlled as such. The legacy device bridge is also adapted to probe, deduce and publish information relating to the state of a legacy device to other entities on the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for exhaust silencers for engines, such as microturbines, are described. An exhaust silencer reduces noise produced by an engine. While passing through an exhaust silencer, an exhaust stream from the engine makes one or more turns, thereby reducing turbine noise. An exhaust silencer includes a body, a cavity in the body, a baffle plate that partially divides the central cavity, an inlet port formed in a first surface of the body, and an outlet port formed in a second surface of the body. The inlet port is configured to receive an exhaust stream that flows through the cavity, around the baffle plate. The outlet port is configured to discharge the exhaust stream from the body.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are described that are capable of recovering an asynchronous process after an error occurs with respect to the process. For example, the process may be re-initiated upon detection of the error. The re-initiated process is capable of not repeating tasks of the process that were completed prior to the occurrence of the error.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for managing bit errors present in a series of encoded bits representative of a portion of an audio signal, wherein the series of encoded bits is received over a communication link in an audio communications system. At least one characteristic of a portion of a received modulated carrier signal that is demodulated to produce the series of encoded bits is determined. A number of bit errors present in the series of encoded bits is then determined based on the at least one characteristic. Based on the estimated number of bit errors, one of a plurality of methods for producing a series of digital audio samples representative of the portion of the audio signal is selectively performed. The series of digital audio samples produced by the selected method is then converted into a form suitable for playback to a user.

Abstract: In a device control system that provides a means for controlling a variety of device types via a unified interface, such as via a handheld controller, a synchronization protocol ensures synchronization between a plurality of such controllers in a peer-to-peer network environment, provides a means for transferring custom configurations between such controllers, and provides a means for migrating such a controller from a peer-to-peer network environment to a server-based network environment and vice-versa.