Abstract: A method and system for decision feedback equalization for digital transmission systems is provided. Low-power integrating decision feedback equalization with fast switched-capacitor paths are used, for suppressing intersymbol interference (ISI) due to past data symbols. The decision feedback equalization involves performing current-integrating decision feedback equalization at low-power employing a fast capacitively coupled feed-forward path at the output of a current-integrating buffer and inducing voltage changes by charge redistribution via coupled switching capacitors, and performing a voltage digital-to-analog conversation to determine a feedback coefficient as a coupling voltage. Then switches are reset to a pre-charge coupling voltage in the buffers to eliminate residual ISI caused by signal history, thereby achieving current integrating buffering with switched-capacitor feedback during the integration, and the capacitive switches are triggered by previous symbols.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concurrency testing within a model-based testing environment is provided. One implementation involves concurrency testing within a model-based software system testing environment, by receiving concurrent test service requests; duplicating a model representing software under test, based on the number of requests; sending the concurrent requests to each of the duplicated models sequentially but in different orders; storing the outcomes of each of the models; comparing the outcomes from the models to the outcome from the software system under test; and if all comparisons fail, then indicating test failure.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling clocking speed of a processor, is provided. One implementation involves receiving a real-time precision signal representing available power from a power supply output, monitoring said real-time precision signal, and dynamically adjusting the clocking speed of the processor based on the monitored signal for dynamic processor speed throttling based on available power, whereby the processor is clocked at the maximum speed that matches the maximum output power available from the power supply, wherein the processor clock frequency is adjusted up or down continuously to always maximize processor performance based on available power at the system level.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a WORM storage system, the method including a sector-append capability. The method includes receiving data to be written to a WORM storage system. In addition, the method includes identifying a target sector at which the data is to be written. Also, the method includes determining if the received data can be added to the target sector. Moreover, the method includes adding the received data to the target sector if it is determined that the received data can be added to the target sector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video sample interpolation with edge sharpening, whereby edge sharpness can be essentially preserved and/or enhanced in the interpolated image. Image interpolation for an original two dimensional image is conducted along the horizontal and vertical directions separately using a 1D digital filter. In interpolating a new sample in the image, the digital filter is first used to obtain a temporary interpolation value for the new sample. Then, an appropriate amount of edge enhancement is calculated for the new sample location. The enhancement value is combined with the temporary interpolation value to result in a final interpolation value for the new sample.

Abstract: An antenna control system for setting the tilt angle of a main lobe of an antenna, in particular of an antenna constituting part of a base station in a mobile cellular communication system, said antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements and phase shifting means for varying the phase of at least one signal being fed to said antenna elements, wherein adjustment of said phase of said signal is achieved by actuating an operating element, and wherein actuation of said operating element is achieved by operating an operating element actuator. The operating element actuator is coupled to the operating element of the phase shifting means by means of a force field coupling.

Abstract: A water resistant switch assembly as a housing and cover. A reed switch is in the housing is connected to electrical wires extending out of the housing through an elastomeric grommet that seals to the housing. A plunger is mounted for longitudinal movement in the housing and supports a magnet which can move closer to the reed switch in one direction of motion and further away from the reed switch in the opposite direction. An elastomeric boot is between the housing and cover and also over the end of the plunger, thereby sealing the interior of the switch assembly. The boot has a flexible portion adjacent to the end of the plunger so that the plunger can be moved by pressing on the boot. This moves the magnet toward the reed switch to actuate the reed switch, and a spring biases the plunger and magnet away from the reed switch when pressure on the boot is relieved.

Abstract: An electrical contact assembly includes an electrical terminal, a push button, and a contact member adapted to be in electrical contact with the electrical terminal when the push button is compressed. The contact member has a first contact portion forming a first angle with a surface of the electrical terminal, and a second contact portion forming a second angle with the surface of the electrical terminal. The second angle is smaller than the first angle, and the second contact portion is adapted to slide on the surface of the electrical terminal when the push button is compressed.

Abstract: A method for managing data is provided which includes monitoring an activity profile for a given row of a database and determining a target database for a given row based on the activity profile of the given row. The method further includes identifying any row related to the given row and moving the given row and any row related to the given row into the target database while preserving referential integrity.

Abstract: A detection method and system that allows detecting an opaque logo after it has appeared in the digital video program for a short period of time, by deriving and analyzing the stochastic characteristics of the video signal along the temporal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for varactor bank switching for a voltage controlled oscillator is disclosed. Varactor bank switching involves generating a negative bias voltage signal as a control signal for a varactor bank switch in an off-state, the varactor bank switch comprising a pass-gate circuit including switching transistors. Generating the negative bias voltage signal includes employing an active rectifier circuit running at the speed of an oscillation signal, the negative bias voltage signal maintaining the gate-source voltage of the pass-gate circuit below a threshold voltage to prevent said switching transistors from becoming conductive in an off-state.

Abstract: A method for edge direction detection at a selected pixel on a center-line between two lines of an image includes defining two vectors using certain pixels on the two lines. A vector norm is defined which gives an indication of the correlation of between pixels of one vector and pixels of the other vector. If a vertical vector norm value indicates a low correlation in the vertical direction, then it can be assumed that the selected pixel is in a non-vertical edge area. Vector norm values associated with small angles from the vertical direction are used to determine candidate directions for the non-vertical edge. If a candidate direction is verified as being a preferred direction, then a direction-fine tuning process is performed in which vector norm values associated with big angles from the vertical direction are calculated in order to find a more accurate direction for the non-vertical edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of transmitting a communication signal between a radio base station and a radiation element. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an input signal. Then extracting a data signal from the input signal, the data signal includes values representing operating parameters of devices at the radiation element. And producing a status signal for each device that simulates a feedback signal for the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bridle for an animal, such as a horse, wherein the bridle can be adjusted, and readjusted, simply, and without altering buckles, clasps, and/or fasteners. Such an adjustable bridle for mounting on the head of an animal includes a mouthpiece including an elongate bit having a first end and a second end, a first strap, a second strap and a pulley ring, wherein the first strap is shorter in length than the second strap, wherein the first strap has a first end and a second end, such that the first end of the first strap is attached to the first end of the bit, and the second end of the first strap is attached to the pulley ring.

Abstract: A method for efficient removal of blocking artifacts in blocks of pixels forming a video image frame, without blurring image edges. First a current pixel is checked to determine whether it is a block boundary pixel. If the current pixel is a boundary pixel, then the “1-D central variance” is computed for horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions that cross the block boundary by using three pixels along a line centered at the current pixel. The “least central variance direction” is then determined by finding the direction which has minimal “1-D central variance”. Then, the current pixel is updated by replacing its value with the average value of the three pixels along the “least central variance direction”, to essentially remove undesirable blocking artifacts.

Abstract: An acoustic enclosure such as a loudspeaker (10) uses within the cabinet adsorbent material, and/or containment means (22) for the adsorbent material, which is at least partially hydrophobic. Preferably, the material is activated carbon treated to provide it with hydrophobic properties. Preferably, the adsorbent material is treated with a silicon-containing compound. This improves the acoustic compliance of the acoustic enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-pass gas cell that operates with reflected radiation pass through a gas, the reflected radiation transmitted and received by first and second fiber optic ports that are subject to an alignment adjustment, and a mirrored viewing window having a inner reflective surface exposed to an interior of the elongated cell body for reflecting the radiation within the cell body, an outer viewing surface, and a transmittance characteristic that permits a portion of the radiation to pass through the mirrored window, from the inner reflective surface to the outer viewing surface, as a visual indicator of the alignment condition of the reflected radiation relative to the first and second fiber-optic ports.

Abstract: A dual function binding machine for making journal notebooks at home includes a hole punching mechanism and a binding mechanism. A punch die includes a plurality of rectangular punch teeth in a graduated configuration to minimize the amount of force required to penetrate through the journal book materials. A guide provides different positions for punching through covers, inner pages and continuous punching of both. This allows the perfect alignment and fit of the outside covers with the inside pages. A spring biased lever operates the punch die in a horizontal direction. The binding mechanism included in the same machine has a vertical outer vise wall that is horizontally movable to compress the binding material to the pages and covers of the journal notebook.

Abstract: An envelope tracking radio frequency (RF) power amplifier having an adaptive envelope signal processing circuit is disclosed. An RF input voltage is sampled by the adaptive envelope signal processing circuit which provides control signals to the power supply which supplies voltages to RF power devices in order to simultaneously satisfy two operating conditions: a) provide best possible efficiency of the power amplifier stages depending on the input signal characteristics and b) provide compensation for RF transistor AM-AM and AM-PM distortion compensation across the power range. In particular, the voltage control provides for constant power amplifier gain across the input signal dynamic range, thus minimizing power amplifier amplitude distortions and extending the useful power amplifier linear dynamic range up to saturation point. The power amplifier thus exhibits better linearity and efficiency than offered by conventional techniques and topologies.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing the details of an image while suppressing or preventing shoots that would otherwise occur during a prior art enhancement process. The enhancing method is based on recognizing that Shoots are likely to occur at edges of an image to be enhanced, and therefore, if the enhancement is sufficiently reduced or even possibly eliminated at the edges of the image, the Shoots that would otherwise occur will be suppressed or even possibly eliminated. A gain suppressing function is used to attenuate the enhancement at the edges of the image. Preferably, the gain suppressing function inherently identifies the edges of the image to be enhanced.