Abstract: A communication system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a TMDS-like link, in which video data and auxiliary data are transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver, or in which video data are transmitted over the link from the transmitter to the receiver and auxiliary data are transmitted from the receiver to the transmitter (or from the transmitter to the receiver and also from receiver to the transmitter), a transmitter or receiver for use in such a system, and methods for sending auxiliary data and video data over such a link, synchronizing such auxiliary data with such video data, and generating clocks having frequency closely matching the rate at which the auxiliary data are transmitted. Typically, the auxiliary data include one or more streams of audio data.

Abstract: A binder strip cassette including a binder strip roll disposed within a cassette housing, with the roll including a multiplicity of elongated binder strips, each of said binder strips including a flexible substrate and an adhesive disposed on the substrate. The roll further includes a flexible elongated carrier supporting said binder strips, with said binder strips being disposed along a length of the elongated carrier in an end-to-end arrangement. The cassette is further provided with a drive apparatus for unwinding the rotatably mounted binder strip roll together with a separating apparatus disposed within the cassette housing for separating the binder strips from the elongated carrier of the unwound portion of the binder strip roll to produce a separated binder strip which is elected from the housing.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, a system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a serial link, in which the transmitter is configured to transmit video data, embedded-clock auxiliary data (or auxiliary data derived from embedded-clock auxiliary data), and a video clock over the link to the receiver. The transmitter is configured to extract a sample clock from the auxiliary data without use of a phase-locked loop, and to generate time stamp data in response to the sample clock and the video clock. Typically, the auxiliary data are SPDIF (or other) audio data, and the sample clock changes state in response to codes that occur periodically in the audio data. Other aspects of the invention are a transmitter for use in such a system, a time stamp data generation circuit for use in such a transmitter, and a method for generating time stamp data in response to a stream of embedded-clock auxiliary data and a video clock.

Abstract: A cable including circuitry for asserting information to a user or external device and a system including such a cable. The cable can include conductors, a memory storing cable data, and circuitry configured to respond to a request received on at least one of the conductors by accessing at least some of the cable data and asserting the accessed data serially to at least one of the conductors (e.g., for transmission to an external device). Other aspects of the invention are methods for accessing cable data stored in a cable and optionally using the data (e.g., to implement equalization). The cable data can be indicative of all or some of cable type, grade, speed, length, and impedance, a date code, a frequency-dependent attenuation table, far-end crosstalk and EMI-related coefficients, common mode radiation, intra pair skew, and other information.

Abstract: A system in which encoded data (e.g., encoded video and auxiliary data) are transmitted over a serial link. Other aspects of the invention are transmitters for use in encoding data for transmission over a serial link, receivers for receiving such data, and methods for sending encoded data over a serial link. Source data to be transmitted are encoded using a subset of a full set of code words. The subset consists of preferred code words. Disjoint clusters of code words in the full set are predetermined. Each cluster includes one or more of the preferred words, and optionally also at least one additional code word that is similar to a preferred word of the cluster in the sense that it is likely to be generated as a result of probable bit errors in transmission, or transmission and decoding, of such preferred word. Each preferred word of a cluster is indicative of a single source data value. Each received code word in a cluster is mapped to the source data value determined by each preferred word of the cluster.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for binding a stack of sheets which can be carried out using a conventional perfect binding machine. A stack to be bound is positioned between a pair of end leafs. Molten hot melt adhesive is then applied to the edge of the stack and to the first and second end leafs, preferably using the perfect binding machine. An elongated spine member is then applied to the edge of the stack and is secured by the hot melt adhesive. The elongated spine member is preferably part of a configuration having a form factor that generally matches that of the conventional cover so that configuration, including the spine member, can be applied using the traditional perfect binder machine. The respective edges of the spine member are secured to the outer sheets of the end leafs by way of pressure sensitive adhesives. In one embodiment, the pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed on the edges of the spine member and covered by release sheets.

Abstract: A method for arithmetic and geometric performance attribution which accurately links single-period attribution effects over multiple periods. The arithmetic attribution method optimally distributes the residual to yield a minimum-distortion residual-free arithmetic attribution system. The geometric attribution method defines the attribution effects in terms of ratios. The arithmetic method determines portfolio performance over multiple time periods as a sum of terms of form (Rt? Rt)(A+?t), where the coefficients ?t are defined as ? t = [ R - R _ - A ? ? k = 1 T ? ( R k - R _ k ) ? k = 1 T ? ( R k - R _ k ) 2 ] ? ( R t - R _ t ) . The value of A is A = 1 T ? [ ( R - R _ ) ( 1 + R ) 1 / T - ( 1 + R _ ) 1 / T ] , where R? R, or, for the special case of R= R, A=(1+R)(T?1)/T, where T is the number of time periods.

Abstract: A method for arithmetic performance attribution which accurately links single-period attribution effects over multiple periods. In preferred embodiments, the method determines portfolio relative performance over multiple time periods (t=1, 2, . . . , T) as a sum of terms of form R - R _ = ? i ? ? t ? ? c 1 ? a i ? ? t + c 2 ? a i ? ? t 2 ? , where ait is a component of active return for period t, the summation over index i is a summation over all components ait for period t, R ? ? is ? ? R = [ ? t = 1 T ? ( 1 + R t ) ] - 1 , ? R _ ? ? is ? ? R _ = [ ? t = 1 T ? ( 1 + R _ t ) ] - 1 , Rt is a portfolio return for period t, Rt is a benchmark return for period t, and the coefficients c1 and c2 are c1=A, and c 2 = [ R - R _ - A ? ? j ? ? t ? a j ? ? t ? j ? ? t ? a j ? ? t 2 ] .

Abstract: A method for arithmetic and geometric performance attribution which accurately links single-period attribution effects over multiple periods. The arithmetic attribution method optimally distributes the residual to yield a minimum-distortion residual-free arithmetic attribution system. The geometric attribution method defines the attribution effects in terms of ratios. The arithmetic method determines portfolio performance over multiple time periods as a sum of terms of form (Rt? Rt)(A+?t), where the coefficients ?t are defined as ? 1 = [ R - R _ - A ? ? k = 1 T ? ( R k - R _ k ) ? k = 1 T ? ( R k - R _ k ) 2 ] ? ( R t - R _ t ) . In preferred embodiments, the value of A is A = 1 T ? [ ( R - R _ ) ( 1 + R ) 1 / T - ( 1 + R _ ) 1 / T ] , where R? R, or, for the special case of R= R, A=(1+R)(T?1)/T, where T is the number of time periods.

Abstract: A communication system including a transmitter, a receiver, a communication link (for example, a TMDS-like link), and preferably also an external agent with which the transmitter and receiver can communicate, in which video data (or other data) are encrypted, the encrypted data are transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver, and the transmitted data are decrypted in the receiver, a transmitter and a receiver for use in such a system, a cipher engine for use in such a transmitter or receiver, a method for operating such a transmitter or receiver to encrypt or decrypt data, and a method for distributing keys to the transmitter and receiver. The receiver can be a player coupled to a downstream receiver by a TMDS-like link, and configured to re-encrypt the decrypted data (for example, using an AES or HDCP protocol) and send re-encrypted data over the link to the receiver.

Abstract: A data sampling method and circuit employing an oversampling clock to oversample a data signal, a phase tracker for use with or in a data sampling circuit, and a method for identifying a sequence of best sampling positions for sampling a data signal from signal samples generated using an oversampling clock. In some embodiments, data indicative of the phase of at least one of the oversampling clock's sampling positions relative to the center of the data eye are low-pass filtered in a manner determined by the data signal's bit rate. In other embodiments, the number of dead cycles of the phase tracker decision loop is reduced by generating possible solutions in parallel and moving the feedback point so as to occur as late as practical, or the phase tracker ignores a sample set when updating its determination of the best sampling position when the sample set indicates that the data signal has less than a predetermined number of transitions during a corresponding tracking period.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise apparatus includes an upstanding support connected to a front end of a base support, a rail assembly provided on a rear end of the base support, a wheel assembly mounted on the front end of the base support, a swing rod connected pivotally to the upstanding support, a slide rod having a rear end slidable forwardly and rearwardly along the rail assembly and a front end connected pivotally to the wheel assembly, a pedal seat connected pivotally to the slide rod, a pedal member mounted slidably on the pedal seat, a first link rod having a front end connected pivotally to the swing rod and a rear end connected pivotally to the pedal seat, and a second link rod having a front end connected pivotally to the swing rod below the first link rod and a rear end fixed to the pedal member.

Abstract: A communication system including two endpoints (transceivers or a transmitter and receiver) and a serial link between them. At least one endpoint is configured to generate encoded data in accordance with a line code and to transmit the encoded data over the link. The line code specifies a block code for encoding cells of application data and control bits, and typically also special characters that do not match bit sequences of encoded cells. Other aspects of the invention are methods for generating (and endpoint devices configured to generate and transmit, or receive and process) such encoded data, and methods for performing functions of multiple layers of a communication protocol in response to such encoded data. In accordance with the invention, multiple levels of communication protocol functionality can be efficiently incorporated within a line code.

Abstract: A PMOS device can be designed and manufactured in accordance with the invention to locate its drain junction breakdown point and maximum impact ionization point to reduce or eliminate drain breakdown voltage walk-in. In some embodiments, the drain junction breakdown point and maximum impact ionization point are located sufficiently far from the gate that the device exhibits no significant drain breakdown voltage walk-in. The device can be a high voltage power transistor having an extended drain region including a P-type lightly doped drain (P-LDD) implant, with drain junction breakdown and maximum impact ionization points appropriately located by controlling the implant dose employed to produce the P-LDD implant.

Abstract: A system including a multi-port storage device (e.g., a disk drive) and at least two users, each user coupled to a port of the storage device by a serial link. The storage device has an operational portion and an interface (including arbitration circuitry) between its ports and the operational portion. In response to a set of competing priority bids from the users, the arbitration circuitry grants one bid (including by sending an acknowledgement to the successful bidder) and preferably holds each non-granted competing bid without sending any notification to the unsuccessful bidder until the successful bidder sends a deselect signal. The system can be a RAID system including at least two disk drives and at least two controllers, where at least one drive is a multi-port device shared by at least two of the controllers. Preferably, each priority bid and deselect signal is a primitive code (e.g., an ordered sequence of a 10-bit control character and three 10-bit data characters in SATA format).

Abstract: A vertical color filter sensor group formed on a substrate (preferably a semiconductor substrate) and including at least two vertically stacked, photosensitive sensors, and an array of such sensor groups. In some embodiments, a carrier-collection element of at least one sensor of the group has substantially larger area, projected in a plane perpendicular to a normal axis defined by a top surface of a top sensor of the group, than does each minimum-sized carrier-collection element of the group. In some embodiments, the array includes at least two sensor groups that share at least one carrier-collection element. Optionally, the sensor group includes at least one filter positioned relative to the sensors such that radiation that has propagated through or reflected from the filter will propagate into at least one sensor of the group.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming and applying a wrap sheet to a hardcover for a bound book, including a planar guide having a width and length selected such that the planar guide can be uses as a template for cutting the wrap sheet. A reticule is disposed on the planar guide, with the guide being preferably transparent in at least the region of the reticule, for aligning the guide over the uncut wrap sheet. Anti-skid members are disposed on one side of the planar guide so that the guide will not tend to move during the cutting. A lip member is disposed on a surface of the guide, opposite the anti-skid members, which is used to assist in aligning the guide over the hardcover so that the guide can also be used for positioning and securing the cut wrap sheet onto the hardcover.

Abstract: An SCR device having a first P type region disposed in a semiconductor body and electrically connected to anode terminal of the device. At least one N type region is also disposed in the body adjacent the first P type region so as to form a PN junction having a width Wn near a surface of the semiconductor body. A further P type region is also disposed in the body to form a further PN junction with the N type region, with the junction having a width Wp near the body surface, with Wp being at least 1.5 times width Wn. A further N type region is provided which is electrically connected to a cathode terminal of the device and forming a third PN junction with the further N type region.

Abstract: Apparati, methods, and computer readable media for enabling two parties (1,2) to exchange encrypted messages, exchange symmetric cryptographic keys, and perform functions of public key cryptography. First and second key exchange algorithms use commuting pairs of subsets of a monoid. The first key exchange algorithm has four principal embodiments. In three of the embodiments, a set of matrices over a hyperbolic ring is used as the monoid. In the fourth embodiment, a braid group is used as the monoid. The second key exchange algorithm has five principal embodiments. In four of the embodiments, a set of matrices over a hyperbolic ring is used as the monoid. In the fifth embodiment, a braid group is used as the monoid.

Abstract: An apparatus matches the configuration of a first station of a local area network to the configuration of the second station of the local area network. The first station detects a protocol advertisement from the second station that indicates a protocol in which the second station is capable of operating. The first station compares the indicated protocol of the second station to a protocol in which the first station is capable of operating. The first station determines, when the result of the comparison is negative, which of the first station and the second station is a higher priority station. The first station advertises, to the second station, a protocol capability of the first station, The first station changes the advertised protocol capability of the first station when it is determined that the first station is the higher priority station.