Abstract: Systems, methods, and a computer readable medium for performing an improved blowout prevention process in an image capture device are provided to compensate for occurrences of exposure “blowouts,” i.e., areas in a captured image where pixel brightness exceeds the sensor's dynamic range of capturing capability. In one embodiment, the captured image's histogram may be analyzed to determine if the image is indicative of the presence of exposure blowouts. Once it has been determined that there likely are blowouts in the image, an exposure bias for the image capture device may be set accordingly. Particularly, the exposure value (EV) for the image capture device may be gradually corrected, e.g., by one-eighth of a stop per captured frame, until the image histogram is no longer indicative of blown out regions, at which point the image capture device's exposure value may gradually be corrected back to “normal,” i.e., non-exposure bias compensated, levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for intelligently routing and managing audio signals within an electronic device is disclosed. The routing is responsive to a set of logical and physical policies which are stored in data tables which can be updated as needed.

Abstract: High-speed memory systems that consume a reduced amount of board space, have a low height or profile, or both. This reduction in board space and height may result in shorter signal paths from a board to a memory device, thereby improving the high-speed performance of the high-speed memory system. One example may provide a space-efficient memory system that consumes a reduced amount of board space. Space efficiency may gained by arraying memory devices on an interposer that mates with a socket attached to a board. Another example may provide a memory system that has a reduced height or profile. This reduced height may be achieved by employing a socket that accepts an interposer in a lateral or rotational direction.

Abstract: In response to a search query having a search term received from a client, a current language locale is determined. A state machine is built based on the current language locale, where the state machine includes one or more nodes to represent variance of the search term having identical meaning of the search term. Each node of the state machine is traversed to identify one or more postings lists of an inverted index corresponding to each node of the state machine. One or more item identifiers obtained from the one or more postings list are returned to the client, where the item identifiers identify one or more files that contain the variance of the search term represented by the state machine.

Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide low-capacitance protection from electrostatic discharges. One example protects a circuit in a cable connector that is connected to cable connector contacts. This example may include a number of spark gaps that may be used for electrostatic discharge protection. These spark gaps may be formed using traces a printed circuit board. Signal traces to be protected may be routed such that they pass in close proximity to a ground pad, line, plane, area, or connection. When excessive electrostatic energy builds up on the signal trace, the energy may spark across a gap from the signal trace to the ground pad. The gap and parts of the signal traces and ground may be uncovered such that the electrostatic discharge may dissipate through the air.

Abstract: Techniques for providing touch input to interactive and multitasking applications are disclosed. An input surface area receives input for multiple applications including interactive applications. The input received is directed to the appropriate application based on one or more locations of the input area effectively identified when input is received. In addition, the manner in which input is received can be used to determine which application should receive the input. Input can be provided in a simple and more intuitive manner by effectively allowing the user to interact with the input area in a way that mimics or approximates a desired action. Examples of such interaction include positional, directional (e.g., rotational), press or pressure input (or movement) which can easily be provided by a thumb or a finger, for example, on a touch screen.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a battery cell with multiple thicknesses. This battery cell includes a jelly roll enclosed in a pouch, wherein the jelly roll includes layers which are wound together, including a cathode with an active coating, a separator, and an anode with an active coating. The jelly roll also includes a first conductive tab coupled to the cathode and a second conductive tab coupled to the anode. The jelly roll is enclosed in a flexible pouch, and the first and second conductive tabs are extended through seals in the pouch to provide terminals for the battery cell. Furthermore, the battery cell has two or more thicknesses, wherein the different thicknesses are created by removing material from one or more of the layers before winding the layers together.

Abstract: Haptic systems are disclosed which may provide increased resolution in tactile feedback. A tiered haptic system may be formed by stacking of haptic elements. One or more arrays of shape change elements such as, for example, piezoelectric elements may be used to actuate a screen surface. Arrays may also be used to sense tactile interactions and stimuli on a screen surface. An embedded haptic system may be formed by inserting haptic elements into a contoured elastic sheet. The embedded haptic system may provide tactile interactions to a user. In some embodiments, both tiered and embedded haptic arrangements may be used.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, in response to one or more terms to be indexed, each of the terms is indexed in a regular index. In addition, for each of the terms having multiple characters, at least one prefix portion of the term is indexed in a prefix index, where the regular index is used for regular searches and the prefix index is used for prefix searches without having to combine a plurality of postings lists of the regular index at the point in time.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a file received from a first user is stored in a storage device, where the file includes private metadata encrypted by a secret key associated with a second user. A private metadata identifier is stored in a predetermined storage location, indicating that private metadata of the file has not been decrypted and indexed. In response to an inquiry subsequently received from the second user, the predetermined storage location is scanned to identify the private metadata identifier based on the inquiry. The encrypted metadata identified by the private metadata identifier is transmitted to the second user for decryption. In response to the metadata that has been decrypted by the second user, the decrypted metadata is indexed for the purpose of subsequent searches of at least one of the metadata and the file.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing small form factor desktop computer is described. The small form factor desktop computer can be formed of a single piece seamless housing that in the described embodiment is machined from a single billet of aluminum. The single piece seamless housing includes an aesthetically pleasing foot support having at least a portion formed of RF transparent material that provides easy user access to selected internal components as well as offers electromagnetic (EM) shielding. This simplicity of design can accrue many advantages to the small form factor desktop computer besides those related to aesthetic look and feel. Fewer components and less time and effort can be required for assembly of the small form factor desktop computer and the absence of seams in the single piece housing can provide good protection against environmental contamination of internal components as well as EM shielding.

Abstract: A system and method for coding video data wherein a pixel block may be coded for refresh with reference to an LTR frame that was successfully transmitted, or has a high probability of having been successfully transmitted from the encoder to the decoder. Not all pixel blocks in the frame may be refreshed at the same rate. Pixel blocks containing edge details, containing a significant object, or containing foreground image data may be refreshed more often than pixel blocks containing smooth, background, or relatively less significant image data.

Abstract: A system which starts up and shuts down a resonant oscillator circuit. During start up, the system operates a driving circuit, which is external to the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the driving circuit uses a first clock signal to control a first phase output of the resonant oscillator circuit. At the same time, the driving circuit uses a second clock signal to control a second phase output of the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the first and second clock signals have opposite phases. While the first and second phase outputs are being controlled, the system ramps up an input voltage, which is used to power the resonant oscillator circuit, wherein the ramping takes place across multiple initial oscillation periods. During shut down, the system shuts down the resonant oscillator circuit by ramping down the input voltage. Next, the system clamps the first and second phase outputs to a fixed voltage.

Abstract: Handheld electronic devices are provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include antenna structures. To accommodate manufacturing variations, the antenna structures and handheld electronic devices may be characterized by performing measurements such as antenna performance measurements. Appropriate antenna adjustments may be made during manufacturing of a handheld electronic device based on the characterizing measurements. An antenna may be formed using an inverted-F design in which an antenna flex circuit is mounted to a dielectric antenna support structure. Cavities in the support may be selectively filled with dielectric material and dielectric patches may be added to the antenna flex circuit to adjust the dielectric loading of the antenna. The length of a ground return path in the antenna may be adjusted by appropriate positioning of an electrical connector within the ground return path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a receiver circuit is provide that may receive either a differential input or a single-ended input corresponding to an interface. The receiver circuit may include at least two current sources to control a gain of an amplification stage in the receiver. If the receiver circuit is receiving a differential input, one of the current sources may be used. If the receiver circuit is receiving a single-ended input, both of the current sources may be used. A larger gain may thus be provided for the single-ended input as compared to the differential input.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a test method is implemented to test an integrated circuit that includes at least one processor. The method may include programming a memory to which the integrated circuit is coupled during testing with one or more test programs. The integrated circuit may be booted, and the processor may execute the test programs from the memory. In one embodiment, the memory may also store a control program that may manage the execution of the tests. In an embodiment, the control program may also implement a protocol to communicate with the ATE to perform the testing. The protocol may be implemented over a set of general purpose input/output (I/O) pins, for example. Using the protocol and test vectors on the ATE, the tests may be selected and executed, and test results may be reported.

Abstract: A display system provides a display assembly having a display screen. LEDs are presorted into a plurality of groups, each group of LEDs having substantially the same color that is different than the color of another group. LEDs are selected from one of the groups. The selected LEDs are mounted in the display assembly to illuminate the display screen. A non-electronic color adjuster is mounted in the light path from the selected LEDs to shift the light color to a predetermined color.

Abstract: An arrangement for charging an electronic accessory (such as a wireless headset) using a docking station that obtains power from at least one of a power port and a data port of an attached electronic device (such as the pairing cellular phone). The docking station provides mechanical support and a convenient storage arrangement for the electronic accessory, as well as power conditioning. In another embodiment, the charging and storage functions for the electronic accessory are provided by a cigarette lighter plug employed to charge the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic thermal management and control within, e.g., small form-factor wireless devices such as laptop computers or cellular “smartphones”. In one embodiment, a thermal management system monitors the temperature (or other relevant criteria) for one or more components, and implements different operating states within the wireless transceiver (e.g., Wi-Fi™ or WiMAX transceiver) so as to both reduce thermal output and minimize disruption to the wireless link and/or user experience. In another embodiment, a wireless client may communicate with other clients, and/or access points, so as to cooperatively provide more options for thermal management. In addition, methods and apparatus employing “high performance” (e.g., high power output or high data rate) radios within aggressively small industrial designs are also disclosed.