Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus for measuring a fluid flow rate includes a processor which receives an analog signal from a receiver transducer then transforms it into a digitized signal used for determining the fluid flow rate. The processor includes a bandpass sigma-delta converter having a bandpass loop filter, and a digital-to-analog converter in a feedback loop.

Abstract: Call screening is provided by a call processing method, involving detecting a first call directed to the premises of a service subscriber requesting call processing instructions from a service control point in response to the first call, operating the service control point to instruct the signal switching point to temporarily park the first call at the signal switching point, and controlling the disposition of the first call as a function of a determination as to whether a second call to the service subscriber was answered by a machine or a human being.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for scheduling mobile stations (MSs) to download data and/or to control the rate of downloading to an MS from a base station (BS) as a function of downlink channel condition information are described. Artificial channel variations, which can be measured at the MS, and feedback to a BS for scheduling purposes, are introduced through the use of two or more transmitter antennas at a BS. Each of the antennas transmits a signal at the same frequency having the same information content, e.g., modulated data. However the signals are made to differ with time in their phase and/or amplitude to introduce what appear to be channel variations to the MSs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing communication services such as voice dialing services are described. In one Centrex based voice dialing embodiment, voice dialing service subscribers are given access to personal voice dialing records including calling entries via the Internet as well as via telephone connections. Each calling entry normally includes the name and, optionally nickname, of a party to be called. It also includes one or more telephone numbers associated with each name. Different telephone number identifies, e.g. locations, can be associated with different names. A user can create or update entries in a voice dialing directory using text conveyed over the Internet or speech supplied via a telephone connection. In order to facilitate updating and maintenance of voice dialing directories over the Internet speaker independent (SI) speech recognition models are used.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing, accessing, generating and using information about speed limits and speed traps are described. The system includes a positional sensor such as a GPS device. Position information is used to access a database of speed limit and/or speed trap information. The database may be local or remote. Access to a remote database may be achieved using a wireless communications device such as a wireless (cellular) modem. Encountered speed traps are logged in response to the activation of a speed trap alert button by a user of the device or the output of a radar/laser detector. Speed trap position, date and time information is transmitted to the remote database system. Speed limit information is used to control the speed of the automobile as part of a cruise control operation and/or is used to provide the motor vehicle operator with warnings, e.g., that the applicable speed limit is being exceeded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improving the quality of images generated by reduced resolution video decoders and new and improved video decoders which produce reduced resolution images are described. Methods and apparatus for identifying conditions within an image which may significantly degrade image quality if particular portions of the image are used by a reduced resolution decoder as reference data are described. One specific embodiment is directed to a new video decoder which decodes portions of a single image, e.g., frame, at different resolutions. Areas of the image along high contrast vertical or horizontal edges are decoded at full resolution while other portions of the same image are decoded at reduced resolution. By decoding and storing portions of reduced resolution images at full resolution for reference purposes, the risk of prediction errors resulting from the use of downsampling on reference frames is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing digital resampling circuits which create one or more bitstreams which include samples at desired rates, from an input bitstream having a fixed sample rate, are described. The resampling circuits of the present invention achieve the desired sample rates by performing digital interpolation on samples included in the input signal. The interpolation is performed using a filter, e.g., an all-pass infinite impulse response filter which produces an output as a function of a controllable signal delay.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing gain control in a manner that is designed to maximize the use of the dynamic range of signal processing circuitry, e.g., an A/D converter, while minimizing signal clipping are described. In one embodiment a power reference level used for automatic gain control purposes is periodically adjusted. An exemplary state machine of the present invention has an analysis state which collects signal statistics, e.g., signal clipping and threshold statistics, for a period of time corresponding to a fixed number of samples. During the analysis state, the number of samples that equal or exceed either the minimum or maximum valid values (e.g., clip points), supported by the signal processing circuitry, are accumulated. Statistics are also accumulated on the number of data samples that exceed thresholds, e.g., +/−tail thresholds, corresponding to points near the outer portion of the range supported by the signal processing circuitry.

Abstract: A meter, in particular a fluid meter, having a meter body provided with a flow rate measuring device, a counter mounted on the meter body and provided in a top portion with a display for displaying the quantity of fluid that has been consumed, and in a bottom portion with a converter device for converting the fluid flow rate into the quantity of fluid that has been consumed, and fraud indicator assembly associated with the top portion. A portion of the fraud indicator assembly being designed to be partially or totally detached from the top portion so as to totally block the operation of the converter device after an attempt at fraud has been made on the meter, even if the mechanical action involved in the fraud is no longer applied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing communication services such as voice dialing services are described. In one Centrex based voice dialing embodiment, voice dialing service subscribers are given access to personal voice dialing records including calling entries via the Internet as well as via telephone connections. Each calling entry normally includes the name and, optionally nickname, of a party to be called. It also includes one or more telephone numbers associated with each name. Different telephone number identifies, e.g. locations, can be associated with different names. A user can create or update entries in a voice dialing directory using text conveyed over the Internet or speech supplied via a telephone connection. In order to facilitate updating and maintenance of voice dialing directories over the Internet speaker independent (SI) speech recognition models are used.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for decoding codewords using message passing decoding techniques which are particularly well suited for use with low density parity check (LDPC) codes and long codewords are described. The described methods allow decoding graph structures which are largely comprised of multiple identical copies of a much smaller graph. Copies of the smaller graph are subject to a controlled permutation operation to create the larger graph structure. The same controlled permutations are directly implemented to support message passing between the replicated copies of the small graph. Messages corresponding to individual copies of the graph are stored in a memory and accessed in sets, one from each copy of the graph, using a SIMD read or write instruction. The graph permutation operation may be implemented by simply reordering messages, e.g.

Abstract: Edge detection methods and apparatus which utilize the dc dct differential data included in encoded images, e.g., an MPEG-2 encoded video stream, are described. Use of the dc dct differential data allows efficient methods for detecting the presence of edges within encoded images. The edge detection methods and apparatus of the present invention can be used where differential coding of the DC DCT coefficients is employed. Accordingly, the edge detection methods of the present invention are applicable to MPEG-2 encoded images as well as other differentially encoded images.

Abstract: The oscillation frequency of a fluid jet in a fluidic oscillator is measured using a temperature sensor. The resistance of the temperature sensor varies as a function of the oscillation of frequency f0 of the jet. The method consists in feeding the temperature sensor with an AC voltage of frequency f, and then in determining the frequency components around the frequency 3×f in the output signal from the temperature sensor in order to determine the oscillation frequency f0 of the jet. The frequency components in the signal output by the temperature sensor are determined by measuring the measurement signal across the terminals of the temperature sensor, then by synchronously demodulating the measurement signal at the frequency 3×f, and finally by determining the frequency of the demodulated measurement signal, which frequency corresponds to the oscillation frequency f0 of the jet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encoding image data to facilitate subsequent insertion of local image data. Also methods and apparatus for inserting image data, e.g., at local broadcast stations, without having to fully decode a received encoded bitstream. The encoding methods involve treating images to be encoded as a plurality of distinct, non-overlapping image regions or segments for encoding purposes. Image segments which are designated for use for local data insertion are not used as reference data for motion compensated prediction purposes when generating motion vectors to represent image areas, e.g., the area representing the main picture, which are outside the local data insertion segments. Because image segments which may be replaced are not used as reference data for image segments which will not be replaced, unintentional prediction errors which might otherwise result from replacing one or more image segments as part of a local data insertion operation are avoided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid meter comprising an outside wall of determined thickness to which a flange connected to a pipe is fixed via fixing members which penetrate into holes organized respectively in the thickness of said flange and in said outside wall in order to install said meter on said pipe, said meter having an opening for fluid feed which is organized in the outside wall and behind which there is provided a “feed” chamber into which the fluid coming from the feed opening flows, wherein the fluid meter also has studs disposed inside the feed chamber so as to modify the fluid flow, and in which internal perforations are provided in alignment with the holes for receiving portions of said fixing members.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a reduced cost HDTV/SDTV video decoder are disclosed. The described joint video decoder is capable of decoding HDTV pictures at approximately the resolution of standard definition television pictures and can be used to decode HDTV and/or SDTV pictures. The described video decoder may be used as part of a picture-in-picture decoder circuit for providing picture-in-picture capability without providing multiple full resolution video decoders. The reduction in decoder circuit complexity is achieved through the use of a plurality of data reduction techniques including the use of a preparser, downsampling, and truncating pixel values.

Abstract: The spectral absorption of a body, placed between a source for emitting electromagnetic radiation and a detector for detecting the radiation, is measured. The technique includes emitting the electromagnetic radiation in a determined spectral range towards the body, filtering the electromagnetic radiation, and detecting the electromagnetic radiation attenuated by the absorption due to the body and deducing therefrom a measure of the spectral absorption of the body. The filtering and detection steps are implemented by a detector of the quantum type. The technique also applies to determining the calorific value of a gas, for measuring the energy of electromagnetic radiation, and an apparatus for implementing the technique.

Abstract: Tone sequences in a frequency hopping arrangement are generated and assigned by advantageously employing a combination of a sequence generator and a sequence assignor to generate sequences and assign them on a time slot by time slot basis. In a transmitter, the sequence generator and sequence assignor, in combination with a user tone assignor are employed to generate and assign tone sequences to a user on a time slot by time slot basis. In a receiver, the sequence generator and sequence assignor, in combination with a user tone identifier are employed to generate sequences and to identify incoming tone sequences to a user on a time slot by time slot basis. Specifically, the sequence assignment in a time slot is such that a prescribed plurality of sequences is assigned to a particular user.

Abstract: A receiver arranged to receive and store broadcast data transported by elementary stream of a multiplexed and modulated digital television signal in a rewritable memory during a low power consumption mode for later recall by a user of the receiver. For recall, the receiver is fully energized, and the receiver is further arranged to transfer the broadcast data stored in the rewritable memory to a receiver storage device for further processing of the data under control of the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for activating telephone services in response to speech are described. A directory including names is maintained for each customer. A speaker dependent speech template and a telephone number for each name, is maintained as part of each customer's directory. Speaker independent speech templates are used for recognizing commands. The present invention has the advantage of permitting a customer to place a call by speaking a person's name which serves as a destination identifier without having to speak an additional command or steering word to place the call. This is achieved by treating the receipt of a spoken name in the absence of a command as an implicit command to place a call. Explicit speaker independent commands are used to invoke features or services other than call placement. Speaker independent and speaker dependent speech recognition are performed on a customer's speech in parallel.