Abstract: An adaptive contrast enhancement (ACE) method and apparatus provide a natural enhancement in accordance with the time-varying characteristics of a video sequence. Characteristics of a time varying video sequence are specified and a nonlinear transform over the input video sequence is performed to enhance mainly the contrast of the input. A probability density function (PDF) of a time varying input video sequence is computed and then some predetermined video parameters relating to contrast is extracted from the PDF. Based upon the extracted video parameters, a nonlinear transform function is then constructed and updated as a look up table (LUT), which is synchronized with the associated video picture or field SYNC signal. The transform LUT is then applied to the input video to provide an enhanced video output signal.

Abstract: A grid detector detects the existence and the location of grids in DCT compressed videos. When a grid is detected in the input video, a post-processor is turned on and the de-blocking processing is applied on the grid detected by the grid detector. When no grid is detected, indicating that the input video is either an uncompressed video or an already de-blocked video, post-processing turned off to avoid degrading the picture quality.

Abstract: An automated, location-based, dynamic notification system comprises a mobile unit hardware device and a control center computer facility with communication capabilities. The mobile unit comprises a position module, a location processor, an action processor, a data module, and an I/O module. The control center comprises a system processor, a communication module, and a master database. The system provides notifications of arriving, approaching, leaving, entering, and any other types of location-related notifications, which are issued in an automatic, unattended manner. The illustrated embodiments of the invention are based on location and thus are used in a dynamic routing situation where both route patterns and stop locations change frequently while the object is moving.

Abstract: A method for providing user interfaces in a first network including first devices interconnected via a communication medium and an interface device connecting the first network to a second network having interconnected second devices providing services. The user interfaces are for controlling the devices that are currently connected to the first network and communication with devices that are currently connected to the second network. The method includes: (a) obtaining information from first devices currently connected to the first network, the information including device information; (b) obtaining information from second devices via the interface device, about the services of second devices connected to the second network; (c) generating a user interface description in one or more of the first devices based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A video noise reduction system for a set of video frames that computes a first motion signal using a current frame and multiple consecutive previous frames, computes a second motion signal using the current frame and the processed preceding frame; computes the multi-frame temporal average of the current frame and multiple consecutive previous frames; computes the recursive average of the current frame and the processed preceding frame; generates a temporal filtered signal by soft switching between the multi-frame temporal average and the recursive average based on the first motion signal; applies a spatial filter to the current frame to generate a spatial filtered signal; and combines the temporal filtered signal and the spatial filtered signal based on the second motion signal to generate a final noise reduced video output signal.

Abstract: An RF amplifier system employing an analog predistortion module is disclosed. The disclosed analog predistortion module is based on zero crossings of the gain error curves (AM—AM and AM-PM curves minus DC). The hardware structure uses the product of first-order functions avoiding the need for large differential swings in the coefficients to shape the lower part of the gain curves. The higher-order nonlinear functions are preferably derived from a single envelope detector. An equal number of multipliers are preferably used in each path when the order of the magnitude and phase corrections are equal or differ by one, thus reducing delay mismatches between the magnitude and phase correction signals.

Abstract: The website hosted by the server is a collection of separately recorded musical tracks with the music containing a minimum of at least one musical instrument or vocal. Users may record additional tracks of music to add to a primary track. There is one primary track and up to six accompaniment or comptracks. The server allows the client to add one or more tracks to any other tracks for a given song title within the database. Separate tracks then selected by the client and mixed in the mixer into a single sound recording which is then communicated over the server across the internet to the client so the client may hear the finished or composite mixed musical work. If the mixed or composite composition is not to the liking of the user, then different tracks may be selected or rerecorded mixed in sample again.

Abstract: A feed forward amplifier and method of amplification are disclosed. The amplifier output is used to generate a pilot signal via feedback using uncancelled noise in the amplifier output. An automatic level control circuit maintains the pilot signal at a substantially constant level when the detected uncancelled noise in the amplifier output is above a threshold level. The generated pilot signal strength is allowed to vary when the detected uncancelled noise in the amplifier output is below the threshold and disappears automatically when the amplifier is aligned.

Abstract: A dual loop feedforward power amplifier. A dual loop feedforward power amplifier, comprising an input that provides a multicarrier signal; a first feedforward power amplifier; and a second feedforward power amplifier, wherein the first feedforward power amplifier serves as a main amplifier gain block in the second feedforward power amplifier, wherein the first feedforward power amplifier comprises a carrier cancellation loop and a first error amplifier loop, and wherein the second feedforward power amplifier comprises a third loop and a fourth loop that cancel small signal distortions that are not reduced by the first feedforward amplifier.

Abstract: A reflector for a light source, such as an LED, is provided with a shape which efficiently collects and directs energy to an illumined surface whereby almost 100% of the light is collected and distributed into a designer composite beam. The shape in one embodiment is comprised of three zones beginning with a parabolic surface of revolution at the base of the reflector, followed by a transition or straight conic zone and ending with an elliptical zone. In another embodiment the reflector shape is determined according to a transfer function which allows for arbitrary designer control of the reflected rays at each point on the reflector, which when combined with direct radiation from the source, results in a designer controlled composite beam or illumination. The device is more than 90% energy efficient and allows replacement of higher power, less energy efficient light sources with no loss in illumination intensity.

Abstract: A decorative device, such as a cornice, for crowing a variety of architectural structures also having modular and interchangeable components is disclosed. In one embodiment, a cornice comprises a horizontal base unit having a face section, a top and a bottom, and one or more interchangeable decorative modules. A decorative centerpiece for the cornice is also disclosed. Additionally, the disclosure includes novel means for attaching particular components to one another. In the preferred embodiments, the components are wood.

Abstract: A system and method for post filtering signal peak reduction adapted for use in a communication system incorporating a source of a communication signal band limited in a manner corresponding to a spectral band to which the communication system is limited. A first signal path receives as an input the band limited communication signal. A second parallel signal path includes a peak reduction calculation unit for calculating a peak reduction correction signal and a filter providing a filtering operation on the peak reduction correction signal corresponding to the spectral band to which the communication system is limited. The filtered peak reduction correction signal and delayed input signal are combined to provide peak adjusted output signals without violating the band limits of the communication signal or the modulation scheme of the communication signal.

Abstract: The invention is illustrated as an underwater acoustic transducer comprising an active acoustic element for transducing sound and electrical signals; a front and rear housing element disposed on each side of the active acoustic element to define a corresponding front and rear acoustic chamber on each side of the active acoustic element; and a rear cover disposed on the rear housing element to provide tuning of the corresponding rear acoustic chamber. In the method of manufacturing the an underwater acoustic transducer, the method includes the step of selecting a port diameter and/or thickness of the front and rear housing elements according to an empirically tuned acoustic performance of the underwater acoustic transducer in combination with the facemask, helmet or headgear in or on which the underwater acoustic transducer is mounted.

Abstract: A multi-layer wall panel includes a core filler material surrounded by two plastic sheets. Each sheet includes three-dimensional texture formed to resemble masonry or other desired aesthetics. A layer of concrete may be disposed between each sheet and the filler material. The sheet may be removed from the concrete layers to expose the concrete surfaces. Multiple wall panels may be stacked on top of one another and joined side-by-side with posts and connectors to form a wall assembly. A method for manufacturing vertical concrete wall structures is also provided.

Abstract: A rodent snap trap device includes a snap bar rotatably coupled to a base. The snap bar is rotatable between a spring biased, rest position and a loaded position. A unitary trigger is pivotably coupled to the base. The trigger includes a horizontal trigger portion with a rectangular platform and a vertical trigger portion with a catch. Disposed on an external side of the vertical trigger portion, the catch is located outside of a snap zone defined by a perimeter of the snap bar in the rest position such that setting up the trap does not require a user to expose his hand to the pathway of the snap bar. Adhesive material and/or rodent attractants may be disposed on a top surface of the rectangular platform. A removable cover is disposed over the platform, covering the adhesive material and/or rodent attractants.

Abstract: A radio frequency power amplifier has first and second amplifier transistors. The first and second amplifier transistors have a common element thereof electrically interconnected with a common bus. A forked conductor having two legs thereof electrically connected to the common bus, each leg having a distal end proximate one of the first and second amplifier transistors. The common bus and the forked conductor are generally symmetric about an axis about which the first and second amplifier transistors are symmetrically disposed.