Abstract: A super dithering method of color video quantization maintains the perceived video quality on a display with less bit depth of color than the input video. Super dithering relies on both the spatial and temporal properties of human visual system, wherein spatial dithering is applied to account for human eye's low pass spatial property, while temporal dithering is applied to achieve the quantization level of the spatial dithering.

Abstract: A suppression method that provides adaptive (i.e., selective) processing of an input picture to generate an enhanced output picture with ringing-like areas of the input picture suppressed. For each such window in the input picture, if the window is detected as around a ringing-like area in the picture, then the output pixel for the position of the window comprises the low-pass filtered (i.e., smoothed) pixel in the input picture. However, if the window is not detected as around a ringing-like area (i.e., the window is around a non-ringing-like area) then the output pixel for the position of the window comprises essentially the unchanged window in the input picture. As a result no blurring is introduced into the input picture in areas where ringing-like patterns are not detected. Therefore, the output picture includes portions of the input picture in which ringing-like patterns were not detected, and portions of the input picture with suppressed ringing-like patterns where detected.

Abstract: A low loading capacitance on-chip electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit for compound semiconductor power amplifiers is disclosed, which does not degrade the circuit RF performance. Its principle of operation and simulation results regarding capacitance loading, leakage current, degradation to RF performance are disclosed. The design, loading effect over frequency, robustness over process and temperature variation and application to an RF power amplifier is presented in detail. The ESD circuit couples an input to ground during ESD surges through a diode string coupled to the input, and a transistor switch or Darlington pair having its gate coupled to and triggered by the diode string. The Darlington pair couples the input to ground when triggered through a low impedance path in parallel to the diode string. A reverse diode also couples ground to the input on reverse surges.

Abstract: A method for detecting the Bisection pattern for use in conjunction with the deinterlacing is to improve low angle direction detection capability. A method of Bisection pattern detection operates in an interlaced video containing both top and bottom fields. For each missing pixel in a current input field, a window W is constructed whose center pixel is at the considered missing pixel. A binary map is generated which includes rows of values corresponding to pixels in the window, wherein the values indicate if each element of the window is greater than the sample mean of the area surrounding the missing pixel. The number of value changes in the values in each row of the binary map is counted. It is then determined whether or not the missing pixel is within the Bisection pattern based on said counts. In order to maintain both the low angle edge direction detection capability and low misdetection probability, complicated areas are identified by the Bisection pattern detection method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the copy protection of distributed material after conditional access is applied, regardless of where the material is distributed. The solutions described provide the advantage of being sufficiently simple in implementation to qualify as “curb high” solutions. “Curb high” solutions provide a range of security from minimal security to a high level of security while requiring relatively fewer system resources to implement than prior approaches.

Abstract: A high power, low loss RF strip transmission line coupling structure is provided. It includes a multi-layer printed circuit board (PCB), a top cover and a bottom cover. The top and bottom covers provide the ground reference for the strip transmission line coupling structure. The PCB is fastened to the top and bottom covers and is used for: creating the center conductor of an air dielectric strip transmission line and edge coupler; providing a means to transition from microstrip to air dielectric strip transmission line; supporting the air dielectric strip transmission line; routing of other signals; and passing ground to the top and bottom covers. To create an air dielectric strip transmission line, the PCB material is adequately removed to effectively form a rectangular bar of dielectric and metal layers. This rectangular bar is plated along the edges where the PCB material was removed to ensure that the top and bottom PCB metal layers are at the same potential.

Abstract: An improved interleaver design to fully explore the diversity of the MIMO OFDM systems provides higher diversity gain than usual. A method for wireless data communication using such interleaver design implements parsing a bit stream into multiple spatial data streams, interleaving the bits in each spatial data stream by performing bit circulation to increase diversity of the wireless system, and transmitting the bits of each spatial data stream.

Abstract: An interpolation system interpolates image positions in an original image to produce an interpolated output image, wherein the original image is represented by digital input pixel data. A first filter with a sharp interpolation characteristic, that interpolates a selected image position in the image to generate a sharp interpolation output value. A second filter having a smooth interpolation characteristic, that interpolates the selected image position in the image to generate a smooth interpolation output value. A controller that calculates a weighting coefficient for the output of each filter. And, a combiner selectively combines the output values from the filters as a function of the weighting coefficients, to generate an interpolation output value for the selected image position of an interpolated output image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighted truck bed rail for use with a truck. The lighted truck bed rails is formed from a tubular member made from a straight central member having end ports and a pair of curved end members that may be connected to the end ports of the straight central member. As a result, a rigid light source such as a neon bulb assembly may be inserted into and secured within the straight central member via one of the end ports. A plurality of light transmitting apertures are provided in the side wall of the straight central member so that the lighted truck bed rail enhances the appearance of the associated truck.

Abstract: An introducer system is used for implantation of pacemaker leads into the venous system of the human heart through the coronary sinus. The system is comprised of three telescopic components, an inner telescoping core, a precurved inner telescoping sheath, and an outer telescoping sheath, introducer, guide or catheter. In an embodiment where a core is used it is torsionally stiff. In an embodiment where no core is used, the inner sheath is torsionally stiff. In either case, the member which is torsionally stiff is torqueable. In general, the inner sheath and outer guide will be both laterally and torsionally flexible, while the core will be torsionally stiff. The core and inner sheath, when curved together in the venous system and proximally coupled, will be sufficiently bound to each other that proximal rotation of the core will be coupled to and cause distal rotation of the inner sheath.

Abstract: A suturing apparatus comprises a pair of jaws. A bendable needle housed in one of the jaws is adapted to carry a suture. An optional suture receiver may be disposed adjacent to the opposite jaw. A transition block curves the needle and directs it in a direction generally unparallel to an axis of the carrying jaw. The needle may also be configured to retrieve a suture. A retaining mechanism holds a suture in place to be engaged by the needle. The jaw housing the needle may include a lateral opening through which the suture may be inserted. The needle may also include a lateral notch which may be aligned with lateral opening to receive the suture. An actuator coupled to the needle enables the user to move the needle proximally to align the notch with the lateral slot.

Abstract: A four-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) nonresonant micromachined gyroscope utilizes a dynamical amplification both in the drive-direction oscillator and the sense-direction oscillator, which are structurally decoupled, to achieve large oscillation amplitudes without resonance. The overall dynamical system is comprised of three proof masses. The second and third masses form the sense-direction oscillator. The first mass and the combination of the second and third masses form the drive-direction oscillator. The frequency responses of the drive and sense-mode oscillators have two resonant peaks and a flat region between the peaks. The device is nominally operated in the flat regions of the response curves belonging to the drive and sense-mode oscillators, where the gain is less sensitive to frequency fluctuations. This is achieved by designing the drive and sense anti-resonance frequencies to match.

Abstract: A method for interpolating pixel data of an omitted line by use of pixel data from an interlaced scan, for de-interlacing an interlaced video image. Image edge direction is detected at the center position of every two neighboring scan lines in an interlaced scan. All the directions detected in a given field constitute an edge orientation map. Edge directions are filtered to remove false and unreliable edge directions from the edge orientation map. If an edge direction is removed, the vertical edge direction is used to replace that direction in the edge orientation map. For interpolating a new pixel at the center of two neighboring scan lines, the corresponding direction for that position is used as the interpolation direction to calculate the value of the new pixel. If the direction is vertical, a filter is used along the vertical direction to calculate the interpolation value.

Abstract: A suturing apparatus comprises a pair of jaws. A bendable needle housed in one of the jaws is adapted to carry a suture. An optional suture receiver may be disposed adjacent to the opposite jaw. A transition block curves the needle and directs it in a direction generally unparallel to an axis of the carrying jaw. The needle may also be configured to retrieve a suture. A retaining mechanism holds a suture in place to be engaged by the needle. The jaw housing the needle may include a lateral opening through which the suture may be inserted. The needle may also include a lateral notch which may be aligned with lateral opening to receive the suture. An actuator coupled to the needle enables the user to move the needle proximally to align the notch with the lateral slot.