Abstract: In video compression processing, such as MPEG-2 compression processing, the quantization (Q) matrix used to quantize discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients is updated from frame to frame based on a parameterized Q matrix adaptation algorithm. According to the algorithm, the Q matrix for the current frame is generated based on DCT coefficient data from the previously encoded frame of the same type (e.g., I, P, or B) as the current frame. In particular, the Q matrix is generated using a function based on shape parameters (e.g., the slope of the diagonal of the Q matrix and/or the convexity of the diagonal of the Q matrix), where the diagonal slope for the Q matrix of the current frame is generated based on the diagonal slope of a DCT map for the previously encoded frame. Before using the generated Q matrix to quantize the DCT coefficients for the current frame, the Q matrix is preferably adjusted for changes in the target mean from the previously encoded frame to the current frame.

Abstract: A method of forming high efficiency emission alkali metal activated gallium sulfide phosphors by including an excess of 1-7% of gallium. A solution of a soluble gallium salt is added to a sulfate precipitate of an alkali metal sulfate and firing in hydrogen sulfide atmosphere at temperatures up to about 900° C.

Abstract: A number of light-emitting fibers in side-by-side array comprise a display. Each fiber includes a number of light-emitting elements disposed along the length of one surface of an optical fiber, such as an electro-luminescent material, e.g., an OLED material, disposed between hole injecting and electron injecting electrodes. Contacts on the top ones of the electrodes are connected by a conductor disposed transverse to the longitudinal direction of the fiber. The conductors are preferably deposited on the optical fibers by mask deposition, preferably utilizing masks adapted for contemporaneously depositing a metal conductor across a plurality of fibers. Electronic circuits having patterned conductors corresponding to the transverse conductors may be connected thereto by solder, conductive adhesive and the like.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube includes an electron gun directing electrons towards a faceplate having an electrode biased at screen potential. The electron beam is magnetically deflected to scan across the faceplate to impinge upon phosphors thereon to produce light depicting an image or information. A neck electrode near the tube neck is biased at or below screen potential and a second electrode between the neck electrode and the faceplate is biased at or above screen potential. As a result, the electrons are deflected over a greater total angle than is obtained from the magnetic deflection. A third electrode proximate the faceplate is biased at or below screen potential to direct electrons towards the faceplate, thereby to increase the landing angle of the electrons thereon.

Abstract: For video compression processing, each frame in a video sequence is segmented into one or more different regions, where the macroblocks of each region are to be encoded using the same quantizer value, but the quantizer value can vary between regions in a frame. For example, for the videophone or video-conferencing paradigm of one or more “talking heads” in front of a relatively static background, each frame is segmented into a foreground region corresponding to the talking head, a background region corresponding to the static background, and an intervening transition region. An encoding complexity measure is generated for each macroblock of the previous frame using a (e.g., first-order) rate distortion model and the resulting macroblock-level encoding complexities are used to generate an average encoding complexity for each region. These region complexities are then used to select quantizer values for each region in the current frame, e.g.

Abstract: A tuning circuit, as for a television receiver or video recorder, employs switchable tuning circuits including micro-electronic electro-mechanical switches for selecting the ones of an array of capacitors and/or inductors as is useful in tunable circuits. The array of capacitors and/or inductors and micro-electro-mechanical switches of the switched tuning matrix is formed on an integrated circuit or an electronic circuit substrate along with amplifiers and other electronic elements of the tuning circuit for which the switched tuning matrix is employed. The switchable capacitance and inductance matrices are well suited for use in the resonators employed in the pre-selector filters, post-selector filters and oscillators of electronic tuners, such as those employed in television receivers and video recorders.

Abstract: A microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) switch includes a vane formed over a substrate for electrically coupling an input line to an output line formed on the substrate. The vane includes flexible hinges, which support the vane from the input line and allow the vane to rotate about a pivot axis. The substrate includes pull-down and pull-back electrodes to actuate the MEMS switch. The pull-back electrode allows the present invention to overcome stiction effects.

Abstract: A system for deterring unauthorized reproduction of a video presentation including a plurality of images to be displayed and method for operating the system. The system includes an encoder for encoding a signal for transmission over a vulnerable communications link to a decoder. The encoder includes: a first memory having a first plurality of addressable memory locations for storing at each of the locations data corresponding to a portion of at least one of the images to provide an array of data; and, a randomizer for pseudo-randomly addressing the first memory to provide a pseudo-random data signal corresponding to the one of the images.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a method for representing and analyzing spatiotemporal data in order to make qualitative yet semantically meaningful distinctions among various regions of the data at an early processing stage. In one embodiment of the invention, successive frames of image data are analyzed to classify spatiotemporal regions as being stationary, exhibiting coherent motion, exhibiting incoherent motion, exhibiting scintillation and so lacking in structure as to not support further inference. The exemplary method includes filtering the image data in a spatiotemporal plane to identify regions that exhibit various spatiotemporal characteristics. The output data provided by these filters is then used to classify the data.

Abstract: An ultra-wideband, multi-beam adaptive antenna includes a phased array system having an ultra-wideband antenna. The antenna further includes at least two sub-arrays of antenna elements for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals located in a respective at least two sub-bands of a desired wide frequency band. The sub-arrays are interspersed to provide a single wideband antenna, which is coupled with a phased array system having multiple beamforming networks.

Abstract: A variety of different types of video frame encoders can be configured with, e.g., a multimedia processing subsystem, as long as the video frame encoder conforms to the interface protocol of the subsystem. A video controller in the subsystem performs the higher-level functions of coordinating the encoding of the video stream, thereby allowing the video frame encoder to limit its processing to the lower, frame level. In particular, the video controller provides information needed by the video frame encoder to encode the current frame in the video sequence. In addition to the raw image data, this information includes the type of frame to be encoded (e.g., an I or P frame), the currently available bandwidth for encoding the current frame, the time since the previous encoded frame, the desired frame rate, and a quality measure that may be used to trade off spatial and temporal qualities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately computing parallax information as captured by imagery of a scene. The method computes the parallax information of each point in an image by computing the parallax within windows that are offset with respect to the point for which the parallax is being computed. Additionally, parallax computations are performed over multiple frames of imagery to ensure accuracy of the parallax computation and to facilitate correction of occluded imagery.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for identifying the spatial location of a coding unit, e.g., a texture unit (TU), in a hierarchically decomposed image. Specifically, the invention quickly computes and identifies the “starting point” of a texture unit, by using the texture unit number and the width and height of the “DC” band.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for encoding zerotrees in a wavelet-based coding technique. The method uses a depth-first pattern for traversing the zerotree, i.e., each branch of the tree, from parent to child to grandchild and so on, is fully traversed before a next branch is traversed. The depth-first tree traversal pattern is used to quantize the coefficients of the tree as well as to assign symbols to the quantized coefficients. The method assigns one of three symbols to each node: ZEROTREE ROOT, VALUED ZEROTREE ROOT, and VALUE. By using three symbols and the efficient tree traversal pattern, the method is substantially more efficient at encoding a zerotree than the prior art. Additionally, this concept is applied to the encoding of “vector” zerotrees.

Abstract: A spraying device for dispensing electrostatic liquid droplets includes a container holding a liquid at one end, and having a nozzle assembly with an aperture at another end. The nozzle assembly includes a longitudinal hollow tube terminating in a metallic structure. The metallic structure includes a metallic base plate having at least one aperture formed therein for fluid communication with the hollow tube. The longitudinal hollow tube includes an end inserted in the liquid. A charge accumulator disposed in the liquid accumulates electrostatic charges. A wire conductor between the base plate and the charge accumulator transfers the electrostatic charges from the liquid to the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A display device having features which enhance the contrast of displayed images includes a pixel structure that defines an active pixel area and an inactive pixel area. The display device may be an emissive device such as an OLED or electroluminescent device, a transmissive device such as a liquid crystal light-valve device or a reflective device, such as a Bistable, Reflective Cholesteric (BRC) liquid crystal device. The ratio of the active pixel area to the total pixel area is less than 50 percent. The display device includes a transparent cover plate having a black matrix formed on the viewer side of the cover plate. The display device may be a tiled display in which case the black matrix is formed on an integrator plate to which the individual tiles are bound to form the complete display device. For reflective or emissive display materials, the display device includes an electronics section including a circuit board which provides driving signals for the pixels of the display device.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube includes an electron gun directing electrons away from a faceplate having an electrode biased at screen potential. A plurality of electrodes located on or near the rear wall of the tube envelope are biased at graduated potentials so that the electron beam is deflected by the electrostatic field produced thereby to impinge upon the faceplate. The electron beam is magnetically deflected over a relatively small angle as it exits the electron gun to scan across the faceplate to impinge upon phosphors thereon to produce light depicting an image or information. The electrodes may be biased at or below screen potential, with the electrode closest the electron gun typically biased at a negative or ground potential and the electrode closest the faceplate (i.e. distal the electron gun) typically biased below screen potential to direct electrons towards the faceplate, thereby to increase the landing angle thereof.

Abstract: A subjective evaluator delineates regions of an information space to be encoded in a qualitatively preferential or non-preferential manner such that the encoded information space comprises one or more of normal, emphasized or de-emphasized information content.

Abstract: A method of forming low resistance contact pads on a metal support substrate for a multilayer ceramic printed circuit board comprising forming a patterned layer of a conductive metal on the metal support substrate made of the same metal as that used to form the circuitry on the ceramic circuit board, and firing the support substrate. The patterned conductive metal can be formed by electroplating, by screen printing from a fritless conductor ink or by screen printing from a glass frit-containing conductor ink that includes a reducing agent.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus is disclosed that is able to extend the intra-scene dynamic range of Time Delay and Integrate Charge-Coupled Device imagers. In accordance with the principles of the invention, the charge collected and accumulated over a plurality of photosensitive devices is limited by adjusting the barrier levels at which collected accumulated charge is removed from the photosensitive devices. By limiting the amount of accumulated charge that is collected, images of high intensity are prevented from overflowing or saturating the photosensitive devices. Thus, information that is included in the brighter levels of the image is not lost because of clipping the photosensitive device to prevent saturation. In one embodiment of the invention, the blooming barrier levels are adjusted in a step-wise linear manner to allow a known amount of charge to be retained during the initial collection phase while allowing progressively greater amounts of charge to be retained as the collection phase proceeds.