Abstract: A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system, a multi-source data multiplexing system (e.g., a media access control (MAC)) accepts information packets from a plurality of signal sources, evaluates the relative efficiencies of data transmission, and transmits the information packets in provided grant regions for maximum efficiency. The multi-source data multiplexing system may accept any form of information packet from any form of signal source. The system receives a grant region, typically including a transmission time on a data channel, and inserts an information packet into the grant region. The actual information packet placed in the grant region may be one other than the packet for which the grant region was intended. Further, the multi-source data multiplexing system may fragment an information packet and transmit only a portion of the information packet in the grant region.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention may be found in one or more systems and/or methods to encapsulate or packetize non-MPEG and MPEG data. The encapsulation or packetization allows both the non-MPEG and MPEG data to be utilized by a set-top-box that conforms or complies with the OpenCable™ Advanced Multi-Stream POD Interface Specification and/or the OpenCable™ Multi-Stream CableCARD Interface Specification. In one embodiment, a method of processing video data, by a set-top-box that is communicatively coupled to a POD card, comprises receiving video data from a provider, first packetizing the video data using a first header to generate a first packet, wherein the first header comprises a first indicator. In one embodiment, a system for providing MPEG and non-MPEG video to a subscriber comprises a circuitry and a POD card capable of receiving, processing, and facilitating the display of non-MPEG and MPEG data.

Abstract: Within a local region, information may be communicated between two or more wireless multimode communication devices (WMCD) comprising 60 GHz band and lower frequency band wireless interfaces. Spatial relationships between devices may vary. The 60 GHz interface may handle location determination operations and data transfers. The lower frequency band may support WPAN, WLAN and may handle coordination of communications and data transfers. The WMCDs may be coupled with a network. Antennas may be directional. Moreover, the spatial orientation of the antennas may be dynamically modified or swept across a specified angle. Furthermore, intelligent and/or adaptive antenna systems may be utilized. The WMCDs may utilize a position and/or time reference system to aid in location determination operations.

Abstract: A system and method providing variable-frequency IF conversion in a multimode communication device. Various aspects of the present invention provide a multimode communication device comprising at least one RF signal receiver adapted to receive at least a first RF signal corresponding to a first communication protocol and a second RF signal corresponding to a second communication protocol. A controllable frequency source may, for example, be adapted to output a mixing signal characterized by one of a plurality of selectable frequencies. Such selectable frequencies may, for example, comprise a first frequency corresponding to the first communication protocol and a second frequency corresponding to the second communication protocol. A mixer may, for example, receive a received RF signal from the RF signal receiver, receive a mixing signal from the controllable frequency source, and convert the received RF signal to an IF signal utilizing the received mixing signal.

Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, a graphics input and an audio input simultaneously. A soft horizontal scrolling mechanism preferably enables placement of the contents of graphics windows on arbitrary positions on a display line. By blanking out one or more pixels aligned to the start address, the content of a graphics window may be shifted to the left. By accessing graphics data of an address just prior to the start address and blanking out one or more pixels aligned to that address, the content of a graphics window may be shifted to the right.

Abstract: An audio codec in a baseband processor may be utilized for mixing audio signals received at a plurality of data sampling rates. The mixed audio signals may be up sampled to a very large sampling rate, and then down sampled to a specified sampling rate that is compatible with a Bluetooth-enabled device by utilizing an interpolator in the audio codec. The down-sampled signals may be communicated to Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as Bluetooth headsets, or Bluetooth-enabled devices with a USB interface. The interpolator may be a linear interpolator for which the audio codec may enable generation of triggering and/or coefficient signals based on the specified output sampling rate. An interpolation coefficient may be generated based on a base value associated with the specified output sampling rate. The audio codec may enable selecting the specified output sampling rate from a plurality of rates.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is provided. The ADC includes a reference voltage generator configured to generate reference voltages, an analog to digital converter core configured to receive an input signal and the reference voltages and to generate a digital signal representative of the input signal, the digital signal having a number of bits, and a controller configured to determine a quality of the input signal, and, based on a quality of the input signal, to control the number of bits of the digital signal and values of the reference voltages.

Abstract: In multimedia systems that implement secure access techniques, a method and apparatus for a security policy and enforcing mechanism for a set-top box security processor are provided. A security policy may be determined for a multimedia terminal based on high-level requirements by various system users. A default mode of operation may be generated based on the security policy and may be stored in a security policy memory. An access control matrix that indicates the operation of security components in a security processor for various user modes may be stored in the security policy memory. Control and/or access operations not supported by the access control matrix may be supported by the default mode of operation. The user modes in the access control matrix may include composition user modes. Accessing the information in the security policy memory may be utilized to enforce the security policy in the multimedia terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for performing diagnostic tests on a real-time system controlled by a state machine. A sequence of states recorded as the state machine operates is used to determine error conditions. The sequence of states is compared to expected sequences of states to determine what, if any, errors have occurred. If the real-time system, such as a transceiver in a communication system, has adaptive components, the status of the adaptive components is used to estimate the condition of any external systems coupled to the real-time system.

Abstract: A system and method that scale a first image to a second image. The scaling factor between the first image and the second image may be used to determine the number of pixels from the first image to be used to produce a pixel of the second image. The number of pixels from the first image may be utilized to pre-compute coefficients of a filter to be applied to the pixels from the first image. The location of the pixels from the first image relative to the pixels of the second image may be utilized to compute the filter coefficients. The coefficients may be computed using a Sinc function. The predetermined coefficients may be organized according to the order in which the pixels from the first image are to be processed to produce the second image.

Abstract: A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) and a mixer coupled to the output of the LNA. The gain of the LNA is adjusted to maximize signal-to-noise ratio of the mixer and to force the mixer to operate well within its linear region when an intermodulation interference component is present. The RF receiver includes a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI_A) coupled to the output of the mixer that measures the strength of the wideband signal at that point. A second received signal strength indicator (RSSI_B) couples after the BPF and measures the strength of the narrowband signal. The LNA gain is set based upon these signal strengths. By altering the gain of the LNA by one step and measuring the difference between a prior RSSI_B reading and a subsequent RSSI_B? reading will indicate whether intermodulation interference is present.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for dynamically modifying at least one connection parameter between a client and a server connected via a network and thereby increasing throughput rate between the server and the client are provided. The method comprises determining a first parameter value based on one or more characteristics of the network and a connection between the client and the server. The method further comprises determining whether a second parameter value encoded in a connection parameter field of the first packet received from the client is optimum based on a comparison with the first parameter value and overwriting the second parameter value with the first parameter value, if the second parameter value is not optimum.

Abstract: Imbalance and distortion cancellation for composite analog to digital converter (ADC). Such an ‘ADC’ is implemented using two or more ADCs may be employed for sampling (e.g., quantizing, digitizing, etc.) of an analog (e.g., continuous time) signal in accordance with generating a digital (e.g., discrete time) signal. Using at least two ADCs allows for the accommodation and sampling of various signals having a much broader dynamic range without suffering degradation in signal to noise ratio (SNR). Generally, the signal provided via at least one of the paths corresponding to at least one of the respective ADCs is scaled (e.g., attenuated), so that the various ADCs effectively sample signals of different magnitudes. The ADCs may respectively correspond to different magnitude and/or power levels (e.g., high power, lower power, any intermediary power level, etc.). Various implementations of compensation may be performed along the various paths corresponding to the respective ADCs.

Abstract: A cellular telephone or other wireless communications device supports association with a third party sponsor other than a network operator. The device establishes default user interface settings for the user interface consistent with association with the network operator. The device then determines a desired association with one or more third party sponsors. Based upon the desired association, the device retrieve third party sponsor settings. The device then alters its user interface settings based upon the third party sponsor settings, wherein the altered user interface settings differ from the default user interface settings. The device then communicates with a third party sponsor server computer via the communications interface to exchange information relating to operation of the cellular telephone. Multiple third party sponsors could share access to the user interface. The third party sponsor may be a business, a group of individuals, or another entity.

Abstract: A wireless device receives a first emergency message in a first communication protocol via a first wireless interface of the plurality of wireless interfaces from a transmitting wireless device, translates the first emergency message in the first communication protocol to a second emergency message in a second communication protocol, and transmits the second emergency message via a second wireless interface of the plurality of wireless interfaces to a network infrastructure. A wireless device requesting emergency service prepares one or more emergency messages based upon an emergency message direction received from a user, repeatedly transmits the at least one emergency message via one or more available wireless interfaces. Upon meeting a termination criteria, the wireless device ceases repeatedly transmitting the at least one emergency message via the at least one wireless interface.

Abstract: A processing system includes a plurality of first circuit modules. A plurality of second circuit modules are coupled to an RF data bus via a 60 GHz communications. The RF data bus receives first data from at least one of the plurality of first circuit modules, and transmits the first data via 60 GHz communications to at least one of the plurality of second circuit modules.

Abstract: Group identification and definition employing look up table (LUT) within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A LUT provides a very concise representation of the relationship between group IDs and various subsets of wireless communication devices. Each respective group ID can correspond to more than one subset of wireless communication devices, and each when included within corresponding subsets, a given wireless communication device occupies a common, respective location (e.g., first location, second location, etc.) within each of those corresponding subsets. When a received multi-user packet (e.g.

Abstract: A system and method in a media server for synchronizing media delivery sessions to a plurality of media players that are receiving the same media content. The method includes determining, for a group of the plurality of media players, to deliver streamed media in a synchronized manner through a multicast transmission based on at least one media player and network information. Once media transmission scheduling has occurred, the method includes modifying scheduling for outgoing content to change at least some content from unicast to multicast transmissions, or vice-versa based upon subsequently received media playback performance data and network performance data. Unicast and multicast content can be transmitted to a media player at the same time in one embodiment. Generally, scheduling is performed to avoid having a media player wait for content.