Abstract: A system and method generate a pulse width modulated signal having variable duty cycle resolution. A hardware uses minimal hardware to improve the PWM duty cycle resolution up to 0, such that highest possible resolution of a waveform can be obtained, including a sine wave. An embodiment of the invention uses a microcontroller, a divide by W counter, a delay circuit, a flip-flop, and a logic gate.

Abstract: Video game systems for multiple-player games may exchange synchronizing data through the Internet or other data transmission link. These hidden status data records keep the video game systems synchronized with each other whenever different players are making use of a virtual game doorway or other shared passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus for entering and exiting low power mode comprising a processor having a cache; a power management mechanism connected to said processor for controlling a plurality of power management states, at least one of said power management states being a low latency low power state; a memory subsystem including a self sustaining mechanism connected to said processor for retaining data during said low power state; a pre-fetching routine in said memory subsystem for loading instructions into a cache prior to entering said low power state; a disabling mechanism in said processor for disabling any interrupts that may disturb said pre-fetched instructions; an enabling routine in said memory subsystem for initiating the self sustaining operation of said memory subsystem; a detecting routine connected to said processor for sensing a trigger to exit from said low power state; and a restoring routine in said power management mechanism for restoring the clock of said apparatus; thereby said processor disabling said

Abstract: A carrier tracking circuit includes a first phase adjustment circuit coupled to an input of a delay element and a second phase adjustment circuit coupled to an output of the delay element. A phase correction circuit is coupled to output of the delay element is operable to generate a phase adjustment value based upon a data symbol output from the delay element. The phase correction circuit includes a double phase correction circuit to prevent double application of the same phase adjustment value to a symbol by both the first and second phase adjustment circuits. The carrier tracking circuit may be used in OFDM communications systems with each data symbol being an OFDM symbol and with the delay element being an FFT. The carrier tracker circuit also may include a feed forward circuit for correcting the phase error of a given data symbol using a phase error generated from that symbol.

Abstract: A differential amplifier having a first and second output terminals and receiving an input signal at an input terminal. The amplifier comprises a first amplifier having a first input connected to the input terminal, a second input and a first output connected together to the first output terminal, and a second output connected to the second output terminal, the first amplifier reproducing the input signal on the first output. The amplifier comprises a second amplifier having a first input receiving a reference signal and a second input connected to the output terminals by resistive elements and controlling the provision by the first amplifier on the second output of a signal such that the signals received at the first and second inputs of the second amplifier are equal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a soft shelter extension for use with a hard shelter where the hard shelter has a perimeter opening defined by a side wall and sealable by a deck rotationally coupled thereto, wherein the deck is prevented from over rotating by a pair of opposing cables linking the side wall to the deck. Such embodiments include a bow assembly having a plurality of bows wherein first ends are linkable to each other and second ends are linkable to each other, either directly or indirectly. These embodiments further include a pair of cable slide interfaces linked to respective first and second ends of the plurality of bows to receive the respective pair of cables. A flexible panel covers the bow assembly, and mates to the side wall and to the deck to form an enclosed space when the deck is rotated to a position wherein the cables are in tension.

Abstract: A traction unit capable of traversing and turning on surfaces that include compound curves like the surface of a sphere or are inverted like a ceiling. The traction unit includes a plurality of trucks operable to propel the unit across a surface and a plurality of adherence members operable to releasably secure the unit to the surface. In operation, the adherence members cyclically attach to and release from the surface as the trucks propel the unit across the surface. Within each cycle, after the unit has traveled a predetermined distance relative to an attached member, the member releases the surface and reattaches to the surface at a different point.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus comprises: a chamber 12 having at least one opening and for generating plasma; a dielectric member 14 provided to cover the opening air-tightly; at least one wave guide 16 provided in the exterior of the chamber such that the one end side opposes the dielectric member; an electromagnetic wave source 20 provided on the other end side of the wave guide; a plurality of holes 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 provided on a surface opposing the dielectric member of the wave guide; and hole area adjusting means 18 provided in at least one of the above-mentioned holes so as to adjust the opening area of the hole.

Abstract: A storage circuit using a dual-access memory includes means for alternately activating one access, then the other, with a maximum frequency equal to twice the maximum possible frequency of activation of a given access. At least two successive activations of the means control operations of the same type, either reading or writing operations.

Abstract: A temporary fastener tool (20) for establishing and maintaining compressive alignment between at least two parts, each having an aperture through which the fastener tool is inserted. The tool includes a spindle (120) having a first and second end wherein a bulbous element (126) extends from the first end. The spindle engages collet (100) that includes a plurality of finger elements (106).

Abstract: A device for closing a door, including a spring element, an attachment element for fixing the device to a door, and an actuation element. The actuation element and the attachment element are linked at opposite ends of the spring element in such a way that, when the door is opened, differential rotation of the actuation element and the attachment element cause the spring element to be stretched and the energy stored in the spring element causes the door to close automatically. The actuation element is embodied as a support element that can be placed against the door frame or the adjacent wall regions in a supporting manner, and the attachment element can be removably mounted on an edge of the door without the use of fasteners or adhesive.

Abstract: A material made of a dielectric oxide of type Ca0.25Cu0.75TiO3 having a dielectric constant greater than 3,000.

Abstract: A method of storing a data file, particularly in the MPEG format and including a flow of different frames, comprises a protection system for the data file based on a parameter stored in the data file. Advantageously, the storage method comprises selectively protecting the frames by storing parameters that are associated with corresponding different frames whose values are selected to provide a playing quality level requested by an end user. Also, a method is provided for decoding a data file, particularly of the MPEG type and including a flow of different frames, wherein the data file is stored per above.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an SOI wafer, including the steps of: forming, in a wafer of semiconductor material, cavities delimiting structures of semiconductor material; thinning out the structures through a thermal process; and completely oxidizing the structures.

Abstract: A receiver and a method for receiving a signal including a carrier modulated with a known training sequence is described in which an estimate a carrier frequency offset is obtained from an autocorrelation signal by autocorrelation of the part of the received signal containing a known training sequence. The received signal is compensated with the frequency offset obtained to form a compensated received signal, and a timing reference for the received signal is obtained by cross-correlation of the compensated received signal with a known training sequence.

Abstract: An improved on-chip voltage regulator providing improved reliability by eliminating voltage stresses on critical components, comprising, a reference-signal generating block providing a first-order temperature-compensated voltage-reference signal and a first-order temperature-compensated current-reference signal, an operational-amplifier block providing a regulated voltage, connected to the outputs of said reference signal generating block; a standby protection block receiving an external signal for enabling/disabling said reference-signal generating block and said operational-amplifier block, and; a protection voltage block connected to all said blocks; wherein critical elements of said blocks are connected such that voltage difference between any two terminals is always less than the break down voltage of said critical element.

Abstract: A system and method provide random access to a multimedia object over a network. One embodiment of the invention includes a streaming media server that is connected to a client computer over a network. The streaming media server includes at least one multimedia object that is adapted for transmission (“streaming”) across the network. A pre-roll calculation program determines a pre-roll for each segment of the multimedia object and generates a modified multimedia object which includes a pre-roll for each of its segments, a pre-roll identifying a portion of the multimedia object to be transmitted by the streaming media server and received by the client computer prior to playback of the multimedia object at a selected segment. The pre-roll allows the client computer to present, starting at a selected segment, the multimedia object in its entirety without interruption.

Abstract: Magnitude enhancement analysis of medical and dental images of tissue or organs such as MRI, PET, CT and x-ray images configured to display intensity-related features of high-bit images, such as grayscale without distorting the underlying intensity unless desired, and/or enhancing perception of saturation, hue, color channels and other space dimensions in a digital image, and external datasets related to a 2D image. In a preferred embodiment, the tissue or organ has been administered a contrast agent prior to the image being taken. In a more preferred embodiment, a series of images of the same tissue or organ has been taken over time to show changes in the tissue or organ over time.

Abstract: Game software for use in video game systems can be downloaded from Internet servers to game consoles in encrypted form to protect the software from being copied by software pirates. A small but essential part of the game software can be encrypted for use with a larger amount software that is not encrypted. The encrypted portion is downloaded into a secure cryptoprocessor preferably in a memory cartridge that plugs into a game system. This cryptoprocessor decrypts the downloaded software, stores it in on-chip EEPROM and then executes it, all in the same cryptoprocessor. The non-encrypted software is processed in the game system by a conventional processor which depends on data generated by program instructions decrypted and executed in the secure cryptoprocessor.