Abstract: Timing and frequency offset processing in sub-carriers is performed in an Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) receiver system. Sub-carriers are divided into two sub-sets, where the sub-sets contain an equal number of sub-carriers. Subsequently bad sub-carriers are removed, if present, from first sub-set of the sub-sets, and corresponding sub-carriers from a second sub-set of the sub-sets are also removed. Further, a phase difference on each sub-carrier from each sub-set is computed, and mean phase differences of each of the sub-sets are computed. Furthermore, frequency offset is computed by averaging the mean phase differences of the sets.

Abstract: A technique of acquisition in a MediaFLO™ (Forward Link Only) mobile multimedia multicast system, wherein the method comprises receiving a superframe comprising a first digital symbol in a receiver operating in a first state of operation; assuming the first received digital symbol to be a Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) pilot symbol; calculating a first sparseness index of the first symbol; storing the first sparseness index; operating the receiver in a second state of operation; receiving a second digital symbol; calculating a second sparseness index for the second digital symbol; the receiver remaining in the second state of operation when the second sparseness index is greater than the first sparseness index, wherein the second digital symbol is assumed to be the TDM pilot symbol; and verifying that the last assumed TDM pilot symbol is the correct TDM pilot of the superframe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of applying a superfast algorithm to a pilot-based channel estimation process includes receiving a signal comprising information bits transmitted in a wireless channel, executing the pilot-based channel estimation process having p structures for a vector of pilot structures and an upper bound N for a channel spread, determining a result of a matrix inversion of a channel correlation matrix for an error channel estimation offline without performing a matrix inversion, storing pilot information of the received signal for channel recovery in a transform domain, representing the Toeplitz inverse by a FFT representation, detecting and estimating nonzero taps of a channel impulse response of the wireless channel, obtaining a non-structured minimum mean-square-error (MMSE) estimate as a first estimate of locations of the nonzero taps, and replacing the non-structured MMSE estimate by an estimate computed by a tap detection algorithm.

Abstract: Generating device drivers for different user systems to facilitate communication with a hardware device. A device specification containing a program logic specifying the manner in, which external devices can communicate with the hardware device, is received as one input. A software specification specifying various characteristics of a runtime environment (e.g., operating system, processor, hardware components) is received as another input. A device driver generator then programmatically parses the input specifications and automatically generates the device driver code.

Abstract: A method for correlating scattered pilot locations in a sequence of OFDM symbols in a multi-carrier transmission system, and includes mapping pilot locations comprising pilot symbols having predetermined known values, wherein the pilot symbols are positioned among data subcarriers in time and frequency dimensions consisting of received pilot symbols and having a predetermined position pattern in the time and frequency dimensions, wherein the predetermined position pattern comprises a finite number of sub-position patterns each corresponding to positions of the pilot symbols; estimating a Doppler spread in a frequency spectrum between the transmitter and the receiver in the multi-carrier transmission system; estimating a channel length of a set of channel paths received at the receiver; and the receiver automatically selecting one of a plurality of predetermined methods of correlating the scattered pilot locations in the sequence of OFDM symbols based only on the estimating processes.

Abstract: A receiver for use in a pilot-aided OFDM system and a method of performing channel length estimation of a channel in a wireless communication system includes using transmitted and received wireless signals to estimate a channel carrier function vector at continuous and scattered pilot positions of consecutive OFDM symbols; performing time-domain interpolation by (i) upsampling the estimated the channel carrier function vectors at the scattered pilot positions by inserting zeros in between estimated scattered pilot positions, and (ii) filtering the upsampled vectors using a finite impulse response filter comprising a filter bank comprising a plurality of filters; mapping the channel carrier function vector to only one of the filters in the filter bank located in the finite impulse response filter, wherein the mapping causes noise reduction and enhanced channel estimation thereby increasing a maximum Doppler frequency in the channel.

Abstract: An assembly and method thereof comprising a screw head comprising an expandable bulbous end; a fixator component configured for receiving the bulbous end of the screw head; a load sharing mechanism positioned in between the bulbous end of the screw head and the bone fixator component, wherein the load sharing mechanism provides tensile resistance to the screw head; a pin mounted in the screw head; and a blocker adapted to engage the screw head. The screw head comprises a slot configured for receiving a longitudinal member. The load sharing mechanism may comprise any of a wave washer, a collapsible hollow washer, a coiled spring, and a flexible washer. Furthermore, the load sharing mechanism may comprise a washer having an outer surface with a plurality of cutout portions configured therein.

Abstract: A system, method, and service of managing data comprises establishing a computerized user profile guideline corresponding to selected television programming interests of a user; instructing a processor to manage data based on the computerized user profile guideline, wherein the data is received from a television programming broadcaster; and managing access to specified television programming when the computerized user profile guideline corresponding to the selected television programming interests of the user is satisfied. The process of managing access may comprise alerting the user with information pertaining to the specified television programming.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating timing and frequency offsets in an ISDB-T and ISDB-TSB receiver. In different embodiments, the method comprises estimating timing and frequency offsets by different estimation processes; assigning weights to the timing and frequency offsets according to the channel condition; and calculating timing and frequency offsets using the estimates of timing and frequency offsets and the weights.

Abstract: A MPE-FEC memory chip and method for use in a DVB-H receiver, wherein the memory chip comprises a TS demux; a RS decoder; a system bus; and a RAM unit adapted to simultaneously interface to the TS demux, the RS decoder, and the system bus through time-multiplexing, wherein the RAM unit is adapted to (i) access multiple-words per clock cycle, and (ii) cache write and read accesses to reduce memory access from the TS demux and the system bus, and wherein the RAM unit is adapted to be clocked at a speed higher than an interfacing data-path to increase an effective throughput of the RAM unit. The RAM unit may comprise multiple RAM sub units, wherein while a first RAM sub unit is clock gated, the remaining multiple RAM sub units are accessible.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for astronomical activity monitoring and imaging using a plurality of distributed remotely-reprogrammable observing devices communicating with a server, and providing astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information. In one embodiment the observing devices may also have sensors coupled to provide atmospheric data that further characterizes the astronomical activity monitoring and imaging information. Furthermore, remote reprogramming of observing device by broadcast data transmitted by a satellite is provided.

Abstract: A rod inserter and method of inserting a rod into a vertebral body, wherein the rod inserter holds a rod in a vertical or semi-vertical position from one end and allows the rod to be inserted and then rotated into its final horizontal position inside a wound. The device comprises a longitudinal member comprising holes located at distal ends of the longitudinal member; and a holder comprising a tip end comprising a first and second portion any of which comprise a prong tip. The holder also includes a handle end located distally away from the tip end, wherein the handle end comprises a first gripping arm and a second gripping arm; and an engaging member comprising tooth-like features connecting the first gripping arm to the second gripping arm, wherein the tooth-like features engage the second gripping arm, and wherein the prong tip fits into a hole of the longitudinal member.

Abstract: A pedicle fixation assembly and method for assembly comprises a screw head comprising a male bulbous end; a bone fixator component comprising a female concave semi-spherical socket for receiving the screw head; a locking saddle pin for engaging the screw head and the bone fixator component; and a blocker for engaging the screw head and for securing the longitudinal member.

Abstract: Enhancing stream layer transmission for a MediaFLO mobile multimedia multicast system comprising a transmitter and a receiver includes sending a plurality of multicast logical channels (MLC) forming a data frame from the transmitter, wherein each MLC comprises multimedia data streams comprising a stream 0, 1, and 2 data packet, and parity data bits; switching, by the transmitter, an order of the multimedia data streams of the MLC transmitted by the transmitter; sending a signal to the receiver from the transmitter to specify a mode of transmission of the MLC, wherein the mode of transmission comprises an order of transmitting the data packets of the MLC; inserting, by the transmitter, a flag in control information transmitted in the stream 0 data packets; decoding, by the receiver, the flag to determine the mode of transmission; and performing, by the receiver, a CRC of the stream 0 data packet.

Abstract: A technique for fast common overhead services acquisition for MediaFLO™ mobile multimedia multicast system, wherein encoding overhead information symbol (OIS) information in a first burst of MLC of each superframe, OIS comprises control channel (CC) information and reserved flow data comprising primary flow data, service information data, notification flow data, configuration flow data, and presentation metadata; encoding padding in second MLC burst; encoding parity bytes in third and fourth MLC bursts; encoding primary flow data in final MLC burst per superframe; encoding the remaining reserved flow data at the end of superframe; transmitting wireless data stream comprising first MLC at ½ forward error correction (FEC) rate and receiving it in receiver; determining a correctness of CC information by checking cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits at the end of each received data packet; and transmitter sending size wise remainder of reserved flows at the end of superframe.

Abstract: A sliding intervertebral implant and method includes a first member that connects to an intervertebral space between two adjacent vertebrae. The first member includes a pair of curved side walls connected to each of a front wall, an upper curved wall, and a lower curved wall, wherein a length of a first curved side wall is less than a length of each of a second curved side wall, the upper curved wall, and the lower curved wall, and wherein an edge of the second curved side wall is offset from an edge of the front wall. A second member is slidably attached to the first member, and includes a top and bottom curved wall each connected to an inclined side wall and a guide wall, wherein the guide wall comprises grooves, wherein the second curved side wall of the first member slides in the grooves of the guide wall.

Abstract: A cross-connector assembly construct and a method of locking comprises a flexible clip contacting a longitudinal member; a housing component contacting the flexible clip, wherein the housing component comprises a conical ramp towards a bottom end of the housing component; a locking mechanism contacting the housing component and adapted to engage the flexible clip; and a connecting member contacting the housing component. The flexible clip comprises a flexible bias member adapted to retain the longitudinal member. The flexible clip comprises a non-symmetrical socket portion; and a clip portion attached to the non-symmetrical socket portion, the clip portion being adapted to retain the longitudinal member. The locking mechanism comprises a camming pin adapted to be housed within the housing component and engage the flexible clip causing the longitudinal member to become affixed to the flexible clip; and a blocker mechanism operatively connected to the housing component and the connecting member.

Abstract: A method of layer combining based on generating a look-up table in an Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting (ISDB) receiver includes obtaining a transmission parameter configuration, generating the look-up table based on the transmission parameter configuration, assembling a null transport stream packets and a valid transport stream packets from a plurality of layers of a multiplexing frame, and generating a completed transport packet stream using the look-up table. The receiver may generate the look-up table by at least one of generating the look-up table in real time or selecting from a look-up table set based on the transmission parameter configuration. The transmission parameter configuration may include at least one of a transmission mode, a guard interval, a modulation, and a coding rate. The look-up table may define an order of the null transport stream packets and the valid transport stream packets from the plurality of layers in the multiplexing frame.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly and method of assembly comprises a longitudinal member; a bendable ball ring adapted to receive the longitudinal member; a poly stem comprising a bendable male bulbous end; and a connector comprising a pair of first apertures adapted to receive the poly stem; and a second aperture adapted to receive the ball ring and the longitudinal member, wherein the second aperture is transverse to the first aperture. The assembly further comprises a bone fixator component comprising a female socket adapted to receive the poly stem; and a blocker pin adapted to engage the poly stem and to secure the longitudinal member.