Abstract: Methods and systems for processing B pictures with missing or invalid forward reference pictures are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include decoding of a contiguous sequence of B pictures that immediately follow a first I picture after a sequence header. The decoding of the B pictures may handle video edit codes in the AVS1-P2 format and/or random access points. Some embodiments of the invention may discard B pictures that refer to invalid or missing forward reference pictures, while other embodiments of the invention may interpolate B pictures. For an invalid forward reference picture, the interpolation algorithm for generating pictures may use the invalid forward reference picture and the backward reference picture. For a missing decoded forward reference picture, as in a random access, the interpolation algorithm for generating pictures may use the backward reference picture.

Abstract: A device includes a gyrating circuit that generates a motion parameter based on motion of the device. An RF transceiver generates an outbound RF signal from an outbound symbol stream, transmits the outbound RF signal to a remote station of a wireless network, and generates an inbound symbol stream from an inbound RF signal received from the at least one remote station. A processing module processes the motion parameter to produce motion data, converts outbound data into the outbound symbol stream, converts the inbound symbol stream into inbound data, compares current motion data to past motion data, detects when a difference between the current motion data and the past motion data compares unfavorably to a motion change threshold, and include the motion data in the outbound data when the difference between the current motion data and the past motion data compares unfavorably to the motion change threshold.

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 method and system for processing video data using multi-pixel scaling in a memory system are provided. The multi-pixel scaling may include reading pixel data for one or more data streams from the memory system into one or more scalers, wherein each of the plurality of data streams includes a plurality of pixels, scaling the pixel via the one or more scalers and outputting the scaled pixels from the one or more scalers. Pixel data may be sequential or parallel. The plurality of scalers may be in parallel, scaling sequential pixel data with independent phase control, or scaling parallel pixel data in substantially equal phase. Pixel data may be transposed, replicated, distributed and aligned prior to reading by scalers, and may be aligned merged and transposed after scaling. Scaling may include interpolation or sub sampling using pixel phase, position, step size and scaler quantities.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for duty cycling a network device based on aggregate throughput of the device are provided. In this regard, a limit on aggregate ingress and egress data of a network device during a time interval may be determined. Processing of data by the network device may be duty cycled based on the determination. The device may process data at a first rate during a first portion of the time interval and process data at a second rate during a remaining portion of the time interval. In this regard, portions of the device may be slowed or powered down during the first portion of the time interval. Power consumed by the device during the first portion of the time interval may be less than power consumed by the device during the remaining portion of the time interval.

Abstract: Presented herein are system(s), method(s) and apparatus for an integrated circuit with conversion capabilities for transferring data to a portable media player. In one embodiment, there is presented an integrated circuit for providing video data. The integrated circuit comprises at least one input, at least one output, an encoder, and at least another output. At least one input receives video data. At least one output provides the video data to a display screen. The encoder encodes the video data into a particular compressed format. The at least another output for provides the video data in the particular compressed format to an interface.

Abstract: A system includes a first transmitter, a second transmitter, and a legacy receiver. The first transmitter transmits information via a first channel to the legacy receiver. The second transmitter transmits a time-shifted version of the information via a second channel to the legacy receiver. The legacy receiver combines the information received via the first channel and the time-shifted information received via the second channel to provide combined information. The legacy receiver processes the combined information as though it is received via a single channel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor die having increased usable area has at least six sides. The semiconductor die has a reduced stress at each corner of the die, resulting in smaller keep out zones near the corners of the semiconductor die, which allow the placement of bond pads near each corner of the die. The semiconductor die further allows the placement of active circuitry near each corner of the semiconductor die. One embodiment results in a 5.0% increase in usable area on the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of a cable sense mode for intelligent power saving in the absence of a link pulse may include detecting an energy level of an Ethernet link. The Ethernet link may couple a network adapter chip to a network. The power supplied to the network adapter chip may be adjusted based on the detected energy level. Power may be supplied to the network adapter chip if the detected energy level of the Ethernet link is greater than or equal to a particular energy level. Power may be reduced to the network adapter chip if the detected energy level of the Ethernet link is less than a particular energy level. An output signal and/or an interrupt signal may be generated that indicates a change in the detected energy level of the Ethernet link. Power may be provided to the circuitry that generates the output signal and the interrupt signal.

Abstract: A system and method providing concurrent multimode communication through multimode signal multiplexing. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise, during a first time period, transmitting a first portion of a first communication in a first communication mode in a serial wireless transmission stream. During a second time period after the first time period, a first portion of a second communication may be transmitted in a second communication mode in the serial wireless transmission stream. Also, during a third time period after the second time period, a second portion of the first communication may be transmitted in the first communication mode in the serial wireless transmission stream. In an exemplary scenario, prior to communicating various communications, transmission time may be allocated between the first and second communication modes. In another exemplary scenario, transmission may be switched between a plurality of communication modes in response to detected communication conditions.

Abstract: Distributing data is disclosed. A GPS signal is received from one or more GPS satellites. GPS data associated with at least a portion of the GPS signal is distributed via a power line. In some cases, at least a portion of the distributed signal is used to establish a reference.

Abstract: A technique is described for use in a decoder configured to decode a series of frames representing an encoded audio signal. The technique is for transitioning between a lost frame and one or more received frames following the lost frame in the series of frames. In accordance with the technique, an output audio signal associated with the lost frame is synthesized. An extrapolated signal is generated based on the synthesized output audio signal. A time lag is calculated between the extrapolated signal and a decoded audio signal associated with the received frame(s), wherein the time lag represents a phase difference between the extrapolated signal and the decoded audio signal. The decoded audio signal is time-warped based on the time lag, wherein time-warping the decoded audio signal comprises stretching or shrinking the decoded audio signal in the time domain.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for safely recharging a battery. A current source is coupled to a node and configured to produce a current. The battery is coupled to the node, and is configured to recharge during a recharging cycle based on receiving the current through the node. An overvoltage protection system is coupled between the node and the current source, and configured to disable the current source when a voltage at the node exceeds a threshold value. For example, the current source may be substantially instantaneously disabled when this occurs.

Abstract: A network device includes a network port, at least one register, and a network information receiver. The network port is configured to send and receive data packets. The at least one register contains configuration data related to the network port. The network information receiver is coupled with the network port and is configured to receive the data packet from the network port, extract low level data from the data packet, and update the at least one register based on the low level data.

Abstract: A handheld computing unit includes a processing module, memory, a transceiver, a first extended computing unit interface, a second extended computing unit interface, and an interconnection structure operably coupled to the processing module, the memory, the transceiver, and the first and second extended computing unit interfaces. The first extended computing unit interface couples to a first extended computing unit and the second extended computing unit interface coupled to a second extended computing unit such that the handheld computing unit and the extended computing units constitute a computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for retaining, associating, and reloading a user's preferences in a video game system without requiring active participation from the user is provided. The system may include an object control mechanism for receiving a passive indication from the user to perform a fingerprint scan of the user's fingertip. A fingerprint scanner may be coupled to the object control mechanism for transparently performing the fingerprint scan to generate identifying data for the user. If the identifying data for the user matches identifying data for a preexisting user, then preferences associated with the preexisting user may be reloaded. If the identifying data for the user does not match identifying data for a preexisting user, then preferences of the user may retained and associated with the user's identifying data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for reducing effects of impulse noise in a DSL transmitter receiver device are described. According to certain embodiment, the method includes using a periodicity associated with the impulse noise affecting a DSL transmitter receiver device to determine data frames that are affected by the impulse noise, and sending a reduced data rate during those frames. In certain embodiments, no data is sent during those frames. The method further includes using a high margin bits and gain table, instead of a normal bits and gain table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that controls the clock of a digital circuit, and therefore power consumption, without substantially comprising performance is provided. The apparatus may include monitoring the utilization of a First in First Out (FIFO) buffer. For example in a systems and methods according to the invention, clock speed may be reduced when the FIFO is relatively empty and increased when the FIFO is relatively full. The clock speed may be controlled by a phase locked loop, a clock divider, a clock masking device or a combination of more than one of these methods. Power reduction may also be obtained by controlling the clocking of different stages of a pipelined device. One or more aspects of the inventions may be implemented in combination with other aspects of the invention to further reduce power use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to process a received single stream communication signal and/or a multiple stream communication. A communications receiver is configured to receive the received communication signal. A communications receiver determines whether the received communication signal includes a single stream communication signal or a multiple stream communication signal. The communications receiver determines whether a received communication signal complies with a known single stream communications standard. The communications receiver determines whether the received communication signal complies with a known multiple stream communications standard. The communications receiver decodes the received communication signal according to the known single stream communications standard upon determining the received communication includes the signal single stream communication signal.

Abstract: A handheld computing unit includes a hardware section, an application section, and an operating system section. The hardware section and operating system section are operable to: detect another device; determine whether to merge functionality with the other device; and when it is determined to merge functionality with the other device, initiate a reboot of the handheld computing unit and of the other device in a merged mode, wherein, in the merged mode, the hardware section and a hardware section of the other device function as a single hardware section and the operating system section and an operating system section of the other device function as a single operating system section.