Abstract: The subject matter relates to a method for synthesizing game related sound using the laws of physics. In one implementation, one or more interactions between game elements within a game environment are identified. Properties associated with each of the gaming element are determined and parameters of the interactions are calculated. Based on these parameters and the properties of the elements, stored sound samples are used to produce appropriate sound.

Abstract: A differential signal comparator includes an input circuit operative to provide an absolute input current difference value that is associated with the absolute difference of differential input signal levels, and a reference circuit operative to provide an absolute reference current difference value that is associated with the absolute difference of the reference signal levels. Current comparison of the absolute input current difference value with the absolute reference current difference value identify whether an input differential signal is bigger than the reference noise level and should be processed, or an input differential signal is smaller than the reference noise level and should not be processed.

Abstract: A method for providing a desktop management tool includes displaying an active desktop having at least one application window representing an active application; storing data representing a virtual desktop in memory; while displaying the active desktop, receiving non-menu-based user input representing an application-move operation between the active desktop and the virtual desktop; and associating the active application with the virtual desktop. The method may also include displaying, as part of the active desktop, a visual representation of the virtual desktop. Other examples of the described method also include displaying an enlarged view of the contents of a virtual desktop in response to additional user input. An example apparatus for implementing the described methods is also described.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting client phase information to a host device over a bidirectional data link is described. Embodiments include detecting a phase of a clock signal relative to a data signal transmitted between a host device and a client device over a bidirectional data link. The data link includes one or more data lines each configured to transmit a corresponding bit of the data signal. The phase is encoded as client phase information and transmitted between the host and client device over the one or more data lines. The client phase information is transmitted during an electrical turnaround time period of the bidirectional data link between a read and write operation over the data link.

Abstract: A technique for approximating output values of a function based on LaGrange polynomials is provided. Factorization of a LaGrange polynomial results in a simplified representation of the LaGrange polynomial. With this simplified representation, an output value of a function may be determined based on an input value comprising a fixed point input mantissa and an input exponent. Based on a first portion of the fixed point input mantissa, a point value and at least one slope value are provided. At least one slope value is based on a LaGrange polynomial approximation of the function. Thereafter, the point value and the at least one slope value are combined with a second portion of the fixed point input mantissa to provide an output mantissa. Based on this technique, a single set of relatively simple hardware elements may be used to implement a variety of functions with high precision.

Abstract: A block-based image compression method and encoder/decoder circuit compress a plurality of pixels in a block where each pixel includes a corresponding color value and a corresponding luminance value. The encoder circuit includes a luminance-level-based representative color generator to generate representative color values for each of a plurality of luminance levels to produce at least a high color value and a low color value. In response to generating the representative color values, the luminance-level-based representative color generator associates each of the pixels in the block with one of the plurality of representative color values to produce corresponding bitmap values. The encoder circuit further includes a color type block generator to perform at least one of: (a) generate block color data indicating a regular/alternate color block type and (b) representing a block color type by ordering the representative color values that are to be sent to a decoder.

Abstract: A circuit includes a primary transceiver, a secondary transceiver, and control logic. The primary transceiver communicates information via a primary communication link. The secondary transceiver communicates information via a secondary communication link. The control logic is operatively coupled to the primary and secondary transceivers. The control logic selectively powers down the primary transceiver based on primary communication link traffic trigger information and causes communication using the secondary transceiver instead of the primary transceiver based on the primary communication link traffic trigger information.

Abstract: A circuit and method for reducing artifacts in decoded color video and images are disclosed. The circuit includes a buffer for receiving an input pixel in a first color-space, and a detector for determining after transformation into a second color-space, if at least one component of the transformed pixel would fall outside a predetermined range. The determination may be made by comparing components of the input pixel, to corresponding ranges in the first color-space. Upon determining that at least one component of the transformed pixel would be outside a corresponding predetermined bound in the second color-space, the detector causes the circuit to output a pixel in the first color-space, with at least one predetermined component. The output of the circuit may subsequently be converted to the second color-space by an external color-space converter and displayed onto a color display. The method reduces visible artifacts caused by clipping during color-space conversion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor packages at the wafer level is disclosed. A wafer has multiple integrated circuits (ICs) formed on its active surface, with each IC in communication with a plurality under-bump metallization (UBM) pads formed on one surface the package. The UBM pads include a larger pads near the center of package and smaller UBM pads near the periphery. The method includes attaching a stiffener to an inactive surface of the wafer; forming under bump metallization pads; and forming solder bumps extending from the UBM pads.

Abstract: In a process, a power mode indicator is transmitted from a content server and is received by a Portable Communication Device (PCD). The indicator is indicative of a power mode potentially available to a circuit block in the PCD. The circuit block exhibits different levels of power consumption when operated in different power modes and is operated in the indicated power mode in response to the received power mode indicator. The content server may be a stream server. The circuit block may be operated in the power mode to receive/process a data stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing an input image to produce a contrast enhanced output image is disclosed. The method involves producing a contrast value for each pixel in the input image, the contrast value being proportional to an intensity gradient between each respective pixel and at least one pixel adjacent the respective pixel. The method also involves selecting pixels in the input image having respective contrast values that meet a first criterion, thereby forming a selected plurality of pixels and producing a frequency distribution of intensity values of the selected plurality of pixels. The method further involves selecting at least one range of intensity values in the frequency distribution that meet a second criterion, thereby producing a selected range of intensity values for enhancement.

Abstract: A method and systems are provided for creating an authentication of secure communications between a software video driver and a video display. A video driver transmitting digital video data deemed high-bandwidth digital content, to a display, performs authentication to determine if a secure connection has been established with a display. The video driver and the display both generate encryption keys that are compared to ensure that the display used is authorized for secure communications. A single stream of video data is encrypted using the secret keys. A first encryption key encrypts even-numbered pixels in the single stream of video data. A second encryption key encrypts odd-numbered pixels in the single stream of video data. The stream is split into two streams of data, which are transmitted to a display. The display decrypts each of the streams of encrypted video data and merges them to re-create the original stream of video data.

Abstract: Briefly, the present invention includes a method and an apparatus for reducing power consumption in a graphics processing device. The apparatus and method include a memory module monitoring device operative to receive a memory module status signal from memory modules. The memory module monitoring device is operative to generate a clock control signal in response to the memory module status signal. The apparatus and method further include a clock cycle reduction circuit coupled to the monitoring module. The clock cycle reduction circuit receives the clock control signal. The clock cycle reduction circuit generates a reduced cycle clock signal in response to the clock control signal such that the reduced cycle clock signal reduces power consumption in the graphics processing device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a differential signaling circuit including differential signaling circuitry having at least one output and one input, that can operate in multiple mode of operations while using a single, low voltage supply source. Two or more switches are included and configured to selectively couple a supply voltage to the output dependent on a mode of operation of the differential signaling circuitry. The circuit also includes a switch control biasing circuit operatively coupled to at least one of the switches and to the output of the differential signaling circuitry. The switch control biasing circuit provides a switch control biasing voltage to control a state of the switch based on a voltage level of the output. Further, a bulk biasing circuit is included and operatively coupled to the switch. The bulk biasing circuit selectively provides a bulk biasing voltage to the switch based on the voltage level of the output.

Abstract: An integrated circuit suitable for power conservation is disclosed. The circuit includes a core-logic providing a core-logic output, a latch in communication with the core-logic to store a state of the core-logic output, and an isolation circuit for selectively interconnecting the core-logic output to an input of the latch. The circuit also includes and a power consumption controller in communication with the core-logic, the latch and the isolation circuit, for controlling the latch to store a state of the core-logic output, and output a corresponding signal. The controller is further operable to signal the isolation circuit to isolate the core-logic output from the latch by providing an output corresponding to predetermined value and transition the core-logic from a high power state and a low power state. This prevents transient signals from propagating to interconnected circuit blocks and external devices.

Abstract: A method of directing an audio signal to an intended user by a remote-control device coupled to an audio/video device is described. The remote-control device sends an instruction to the audio/video device to transmit an audio signal. The remote-control device receives the audio signal and process the audio signal to generate a directional audio. The directional audio is then routed to an intended user such that the directional audio signal is audible to the intended user, other recipients in the vicinity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, having a desired microstructure that is predominantly strengthened by ??-phase precipitates and comprises an amount of at least one grain boundary precipitate. Other embodiments of the present invention relate to methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys, and in particular 718-type nickel-base alloys, to develop a desired microstructure that can impart thermally stable mechanical properties. Articles of manufacture using the nickel-base alloys and methods of heat treating nickel-base alloys according to embodiments of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A differential serial communication receiver circuit automatically compensates for intrapair skew between received differential signals on a serial differential communication link, with deterministic skew adjustment set during a receiver training period. Intrapair skew refers to the skew within a pair of differential signals, and is hence interchangeable with the term differential skew in the context of this document. During the receiver training period, a training data pattern is received, such as alternating ones and zeros (e.g., a D10.2 pattern as is known in the art), rather than an actual data payload. The differential serial communication receiver circuit includes a differential skew compensation circuit to compensate for intrapair skew.

Abstract: A method and device for enhanced rendering providing reduced memory bandwidth requirements in a graphics processor. In the rendering process, a classification buffer of limited bit length is used for classifying the pixels. Based on the classification, a decision on the pixel color may be made without accessing the multi-sample buffer for a portion of the pixels. This reduces the memory bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for image processing using a graphics processor in a handheld device including a first memory device receiving a video input signal containing encoded video frame having a plurality of portions of encoded video frame data. The first memory device has a storage capacity less than all of the plurality portions of the encoded video frame data. The method and apparatus further includes the graphics processor coupled to the first memory device, wherein the graphics processor receives the first portion of the encoded video frame data and generates a first graphics portion. A second memory device receives the first graphics portion and stores the first graphics portion therein. As such, the encoded video frame is processed on a portion-by-portion basis using the first memory device and the second memory device in conjunction with the graphics processor.