Abstract: A computer process transforms a "general purpose" central processing unit (hereinafter "CPU") into one of a number of possible "special purpose" CPUs by changing operation of circuitry in the CPU. Changing operation of CPU circuitry as described herein "fine tunes" behavior of the CPU, e.g. provides resources and environment most suitable for execution of a specific application program, or even a portion of an application program. The computer process performs the steps of: checking whether the CPU has a tunable unit, waiting for a triggering event indicating a need for fine tuning, reading one or more statistics on the performance of the CPU, comparing the read statistics with corresponding predetermined statistics, determining a multi-valued parameter signal depending on the comparison, driving the determined parameter signal to the tunable unit and changing operation of circuitry in the tunable unit depending on the received parameter signal, thereby to fine tune operation of the tunable unit and the CPU.

Abstract: The present invention provides a more stable SRAM cell by reducing the backgate biased threshold voltage of the SRAM's select transistor. In some embodiments, masking layers are used during dopant implantation of the select transistors to minimize the net dopant concentration in the select transistor's channel region. Minimizing this net dopant concentration lowers the backgate biased threshold voltage of the select transistor without any reduction in its on-resistance. Another embodiment may be used to achieve increased stability for SRAM cells formed with CMOS technology. The masking layers used to form N-type and P-type well regions are overlapped such that a third well formed intermediate the N-type and P-type wells has a dopant concentration equal to the net concentrations of the respective N-type and P-type wells. This third well, therefore, may be used as discussed above to achieve a lower backgate biased threshold voltage.

Abstract: An in vivo video camera system and an autonomous video endoscope are described. Each system includes a swallowable capsule, a transmitter and a reception system. The swallowable capsule includes a camera system and an optical system for imaging an area of interest onto the camera system. The transmitter transmits the video output of the camera system and the reception system receives the transmitted video output.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.

Abstract: A laser scanning device is disclosed which includes a spinner, one light spot misalignment detector and a beam misalignment corrector. The spinner scans a light beam across a scanning line. The detector is located generally at a beginning of the scanned line and measures an initial misalignment of the light spot in a cross-scanning direction. The corrector dynamically corrects, during scanning along said scanning line, the scanning misalignment of the light beam in accordance with at least the initial misalignment. The corrector includes a pre-positioner which determines an offset for the initial misalignment, a pyramidal error estimator which estimates a first portion of the misalignment due to pyramidal error and a wobble estimator which estimate a second portion of the misalignment caused by wobble. The estimations are summed together and used for correcting the misalignment.

Abstract: A speech processing system and method are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes at least a maximum likelihood quantization (MLQ) multi-pulse analysis unit operating on a target vector. The MLQ multi-pulse analyses unit typically determines an initial gain level for the multi-pulse sequence and performs single gain multi-pulse analysis (MPA) a number of times, each with a different gain level. The pulse sequence which most closely represents the target vector is provided as an output signal. In another embodiment, the system includes at least a pulse train multi-pulse analysis unit wherein the target vector is modeled as a series of pulse trains. Each pulse train comprises a plurality of single gain pulses, wherein each pulse is at a position which is a pitch value distance apart from the previous pulse in the pulse train. Combinations of maximum likelihood analyses with pulse trains are also part of the present invention.

Abstract: A hand-held probe system for imaging is described which includes a hand-held probe and a detector assembly connected by a fiber optic cable. The probe includes a hand-portable housing, a detector assembly within the housing and an IR sensor placed on the cold finger of the detector assembly. The probe can include an optical system at a known distance from the sensor and a spacing tube defining the distance between the body and the optical system. The spacing tube ensures that the body whose thermal image is being read is always at, or is very close to, the object plane of the probe. The spacing tube is typically formed of a material having minimal thermal deformation which can minimize stray IR radiation.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the storage capacity of miniature disk drives without affecting reliability or yields of the disk drives uses an iterative seek process to define track zero. Initially, a physical reference point is defined and a transducer is moved in coarse steps from the physical reference point until interference with a stationery loading ramp or other mechanical component, hereinafter, "ramp," is detected. Upon detection of interference, the transducer is moved one coarse step away from the ramp and then the transducer is moved in fine steps towards the ramp until interference is again detected. Upon detection of interference, the transducer is moved away from the ramp a predetermined distance. After the transducer is moved the predetermined distance, a check is made for interference. If interference is detected, the transducer is moved in fine step towards the center of the disk until interference is no longer detected.

Abstract: A filter utilizes future and past information for at least some of the subframes. Specifically, the filter receives a frame of synthesized speech and, for each subframe of the frame of synthesized speech, produces a signal which is a function of the subframe and of windows of earlier and later synthesized speech. Each window is utilized only when it provides an acceptable match to the subframe.

Abstract: A sensor circuit is disclosed for use with a clock circuit providing a periodic timing signal to a clock output, wherein a timing reference for the periodic timing signal is provided by a crystal connected between a crystal input and a crystal output of the clock circuit, or alternatively provided by an external periodic logic signal coupled to the crystal input. The sensor circuit provides a sensor output in a first state, thereby indicating the presence of an external periodic logic signal timing reference, in response to at least a given number of large-signal voltage transitions on the crystal input within a certain period of time, and otherwise provides a second state on the sensor output, typically to indicate the presence of a crystal timing reference. Also disclosed is a clock circuit including a sensor circuit, and further including means for disabling a feedback resistor necessary for crystal operation when the timing reference is determined to be provided by an external periodic logic signal.

Abstract: A venetian blind tilt drum eliminates the separate staples, crimped sleeves and bullet-like members normally used to connect the vertical legs of a cord tilt ladder to the drum. The tilt drum is of one-piece construction and includes a top surface from which preferably three cord impalement integral barbs extend. A first barb of generally pyramidal shape is positioned on an upper top surface of the drum on the drum vertical centerline, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum and with a pointed vertex of the barb extending above that axis. A pair of similar second and third barbs also integral with the drum are offset from the drum vertical centerline, with each pointed vertex also parallel to the drum longitudinal axis but extending in an opposite direction than the first barb. Depending on the particular tilt ladder construction the upper distal ends of the tilt ladder both may be impaled on the first barb or one distal end impaled on the second barb and the other distal end impaled on the third barb.