Abstract: A method and apparatus for downscaling video images to a lower resolution (e.g. from HDTV to SDTV) is presented. The method comprising the steps of frequency domain anti-aliasing filtering and downscaling the first video signal in a first direction corresponding with a line direction in the first video signal to obtain a downscaled video signal, and spatial domain downscaling the downscaled video signal in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to obtain the second video signal. The method and apparatus of the invention are suitable for efficient and high quality decoding both progressive and any-type encoded interlaced signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for dynamically selecting a communication channel between an access point (AP) and a plurality of stations (STAs) in an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN). The method includes the steps of: determining whether a new channel to be used by the plurality of STAs is needed; measuring the channel quality of a plurality of frequency channels by at least one of the plurality of STAs; reporting the quality of the plurality of frequency channels in terms of a received signal strength indication (RSSI), Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) busy periods and periodicity; and, selecting one of the candidate channels based on the channel quality report for use in communication between the AP and the plurality of STAs.

Abstract: Described is a transmission system for transmitting a multicarrier signal from a transmitter (10) to a receiver (20). The multicarrier signal comprises a plurality of subcarriers. The receiver (20) comprises a channel estimator (28) for estimating amplitudes of the subcarriers and for estimating time derivatives of the amplitudes. The receiver (20) further comprises an equalizer (24) for canceling intercarrier interference included in the received multicarrier signal in dependence on the estimated amplitudes and derivatives (29). The channel estimator (28) and/or the equalizer (24) are arranged for exploiting an amplitude correlation between the derivitives of different subcarriers. By making use of this correlation the complexity of the receiver (20) can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A video display device, such as a television, having a picture-in-picture (PIP) display and a processor. The processor detects cues, such as color/texture/events/behaviors, etc., present in a primary display image, that is overlaid by the PIP. These cues are utilized by the processor to determine important and relatively unimportant portions of the primary display image. The processor then determines whether a change in a display characteristic of the PIP leads to the PIP obscuring less of an important portion of the primary display image, and if so, the processor changes the display characteristic of the PIP. Display characteristics of the PIP that may be changed by the processor include the PIP position, size, and transparency. The processor may also utilize a combination of the detected cues to determine important and relatively unimportant portions of the primary display image. The processor may also change combinations of display characteristics of the PIP.

Abstract: The invention relates to a video decoding method for decoding a set of video signals comprising a base layer signal and at least one enhancement layer signal and for supplying a decoded output signal, said decoding method comprising: a first decoding step for decoding the base layer signal and supplying a decoded base layer signal, said first step being associated with a compensating step for motion compensation of a reference image, a second decoding step for decoding the enhancement layer signals and supplying decoded enhancement layer signals, a combining step for combining the decoded base layer signal and the decoded enhancement layer signals to supply said decoded output signal. The decoding method is characterized in that it comprises a selection step for selecting, as a function of a selection signal, the signal from which said reference image is taken, the selection being made from said decoded base layer signal and said decoded output signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device to increase the resolution of an image by interpolating along edges of the image. Edges are detected and their direction is calculated (10). The interpolation (12) of new pixels is carried out along the direction of the edges. According to the invention, a pre-filter (8) is used with a high-pass filtering in the direction in which new pixels are interpolated, and a low-pass filtering in another direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antenna diversity comprising a first and a second antenna element where the first antenna element is operated in an active mode whereas the second antenna element is operated in a parasitic mode. The present invention minimizes the amount of mismatch while still being able to maximize a predetermined signal quality criterion for the electromagnetic signal on the active path between the first antenna element and the transceiver. By providing a pre-selection unit 130 as well as a selection unit 140 for selecting an optimal adjustable impedance connected to the second antenna ensuring that the amount of said mismatch is below a predetermined threshold value and that simultaneously a predetermined quality criterion for the transceived electromagnetic signal is fulfilled best within the range determined by the allowable mismatch. The invention further relates to a method for operating such an antenna diversity.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a flexible digital transmission system that improves upon the ATSC A/53 HDTV signal transmission standard. The system includes a digital television signal transmitter for generating a first Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard 8-VSB bit stream and, for generating an encoded new bit stream capable of transmitting high priority information bits, wherein symbols of the new bit stream are capable of being transmitted according to a transmission mode selected from group comprising: a 2-VSB mode, a 4-VSB mode, and a hierarchical-VSB (H-VSB) transmission mode. Each respective 2-VSB, 4-VSB, and H-VSB mode is characterized as having symbols mapped according to possible symbol values from an alphabet comprising respectively, {?7, ?5, 5, 7}, {7, 3, ?3, ?7}, and {7, 5, 3, ?3, ?5, ?7}. The standard 8-VSB bit stream and new bit stream may be simultaneously transmitted over a terrestrial channel according to a broadcaster defined bit-rate ratio.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for controlling congestion control in a packet data communication network in which a plurality of data is transmitted from a source node to a destination node. Depending on the congestion state in the network, the sender rate at which the source node is transmitting the data is adjusted based on the congestion feedback information and the bandwidth capacity of the network. The adjustment of the sender rate is performed according to predetermined criteria to establish a maximum data transmission rate and maximum fairness for the source.

Abstract: An electronic device such as a mobile telephone is provided with a reader for reading data from a physical data carrier. Physical data carriers are incorporated into accessories of the device, for example a telephone carrying case. The act of inserting the telephone into the case causes the reader to read data from the data carrier and the data is used to implement required device settings of the electronic device. The data carrier may be a bar code, RF tag or contact tag. By providing a number of carrying cases each with its own data carrier, merely exchanging cases initiates a number of associated device settings to be selected. Each case may be associated with a particular environment or user context allowing the user to alter the behavior of the device to suit context merely by interchanging carrying case. Data carrier may also be provided in other accessories such as car-telephone kits and battery chargers to alter device behavior accordingly.

Abstract: A TV-receiver 220 for receiving and decoding a broadcasted TV-signal representing an image and control data. The control data defines a vector indicating a location of a partition of important subject matter within the image. In addition an image display apparatus 200 and a TV-system comprising the TV-receiver and a method for operating the TV-receiver is described. The control data herein further defines the size of the partition showing the important subject matter and that the TV-receiver 220 further comprises a re-sampling unit being adapted to extract a re-sampled image to be displayed on the screen of a display device 200 from said decoded image by re-sampling said decoded image at a variable re-sampling rate defined at the receiving end such that the size of the partition of important subject matter in the re-sampled image is adapted according to a criterion.

Abstract: In communications systems such as telemetry systems in which a receiver (34) is periodically energised to receive transmissions from a central station, the receiver includes a power control means (12) for controlling the energisation of the receiver, a circuit (48) for detecting the presence of a carrier, which circuit (48) causes the power control means to de-energise the receiver (34) in the event of carrier not being detected, and a signal quality measuring stage (50) for determining if the demodulated signal is decodable, the stage (50) causing the power control means to de-energise the receiver (34) in the event of the signal quality not being acceptable.

Abstract: An image processing system processes a sequence of images to generate a statistical model for each of a number of different persons to be tagged so as to be identifiable in subsequent images. The statistical model for a given tagged person incorporates at least one appearance feature, such as color, texture, etc., and at least one geometric feature, such as shape or position of a designated region of similar appearance within one or more images. The models are applied to subsequent images in order to perform a person detection, person location and/or person tracking operation. An action of the image processing system is controlled based on a result of the operation.

Abstract: A fluorescent light fixture comprises a substantially rectangular housing, a ballast located in the housing, a fluorescent lamp for emitting light in response to a first signal received from the ballast, a reflector made as a unitary structure for focusing the emitted light onto a pre-selected area, and a sensor for detecting an activity or inactivity, such that a second signal is transmitted to the ballast for triggering the first signal.

Abstract: An information transmission system is formed by a first transmission assembly and second transmission assembly. A telecommunications device is provided to have access to these two assemblies of the time-division type to produce information pulses at times that differ from each other. Thus, double traffic is obtained simultaneously.

Abstract: A radio communication system comprises a communication channel between a transmitter (108) having a plurality of antennas (110) and a receiver (114) having at least one antenna (110). In such a system the communication channel comprises a plurality of paths (112) having a range of characteristics. Data for transmission is generated by one or more applications (102) and has one or more categories assigned to it, for example by the addition of tags by a tagging block (204) indicating its importance or other requirements. Depending on the assigned categories and the characteristics of the paths (112), the data is mapped to one or more of the transmitter's antennas (110) to select a suitable transmission path (112).

Abstract: A method and arrangement are disclosed for distributing multimedia content such that that the actual distribution of said content can be monitored in an efficient and reliable manner. The invention combines the extensiveness of feature extraction and the robustness of watermarking. Characteristic features of the content, e.g. luminance distribution, are extracted (11) to constitute a signature (SIG) of the content. In addition, a watermark is embedded (12) having a payload representing an index (ID) in a database (10) in which the content to be monitored is stored. The watermark serves as an index for limiting the database search needed for monitoring the signatures.

Abstract: A method of scaling a three-dimensional model (100) into a scaled three-dimensional model (108) in a dimension which is related with depth which method is based on properties of human visual perception. The method is based on discrimination or distinguishing between relevant parts of the information represented by the three-dimensional model for which the human visual perception is sensitive and in irrelevant parts of the information represented by the three-dimensional model for which the human visual perception is insensitive. Properties of the human visual perception are e.g. sensitivity to a discontinuity in a signal representing depth and sensitivity to a difference of luminance values between neighboring pixels of a two-dimensional view of the three-dimensional model.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for supporting real-time packetization of multimedia information and retransmission of lost multimedia packets over a packet network, and the method includes the steps of: packetizing multimedia bitstrems into a plurality of transmission packets according to a predetermined scheme; storing copies of the transmission packets for a predetermined time period; transmitting the transmission packets in sequence to the client; detecting lost packets; sending retransmission requests to the server upon detection of a lost packet; and, retransmitting copies of lost packets, which are stored in the server memory within a predetermined time period, to the client system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and devices for coding and decoding a coded data stream as well as a signal format for a coded data stream. The coded data stream includes at least one high-level data packet having partitions of data (56, 62, 68) requiring different protection rates. Partition detectors (50) are inserted between two such partitions by a partition detector inserter, in order to provide guidance for coding the partitions with different protection rates. Information about the code rates used for the different fields is extracted by a controller on the receiving side in order to decode the partitions with the right code rate.