Abstract: A system and method for managing multimedia display content in a communication network is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may support the selection, scheduling, and delivery of media from a set top box at a first location to a multimedia display at a second location, using a communication network. The selection and scheduling may be performed via a user interface having at least one view comprising a representation of at least one media channel. The media delivered may comprise at least one of audio, a still picture, video, real time video, and data. The multimedia display may comprise a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, “electronic paper”, or a light emitting diode (LED) display. The multimedia display may be communicatively coupled to a set top box at the second location via a wireless link, and may comprise at least one sensor for detecting conditions such as, for example, the movement of a viewer. The display may change if the sensor detects the condition.

Abstract: A device of dynamic communication of information allows, on the average, non-integer bits per symbol transmission, using a compact code set or a partial response decoding receiver. A stream of selectable predetermined integer bits, e.g., k or k+1 data bits, is grouped into a selectable integer number of bit vectors which then are mapped onto corresponding signal constellations forming transmission symbols. Two or more symbols can be grouped and further encoded, so that a symbol is spread across the two or more symbols being communicated. Sequence estimation using, for example, maximum likelihood techniques, as informed by noise estimates relative to the received signal. Each branch metric in computing the path metric of a considered sequence at the receiver is weighted by the inverse of the noise power. It is desirable that the constellation selection, sequence estimation and noise estimation be performed continuously and dynamically.

Abstract: LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coded signal decoding using parallel and simultaneous bit node and check node processing. This novel approach to decoding of LDPC coded signals may be described as being LDPC bit-check parallel decoding. In some alternative embodiment, the approach to decoding LDPC coded signals may be modified to LDPC symbol-check parallel decoding or LDPC hybrid-check parallel decoding. A novel approach is presented by which the edge messages with respect to the bit nodes and the edge messages with respect to the check nodes may be updated simultaneously and in parallel to one another. Appropriately constructed executing orders direct the sequence of simultaneous operation of updating the edge messages at both nodes types (e.g., edge and check). For various types of LDPC coded signals, including parallel-block LDPC coded signals, this approach can perform decoding processing in almost half of the time as provided by previous decoding approaches.

Abstract: A wireless human interface device (HID) includes an input interface module for accepting inputs from a user; a microprocessor for processing the accepted inputs; a wireless transmitter for transmitting the accepted inputs to a host; and a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the wireless HID, wherein the microprocessor transmits the sensed temperature via the wireless transmitter to the host for displaying.

Abstract: Systems and methods for secure remote biometric authentication are provided. A network-based biometric authentication platform stores biometric templates for individuals which have been securely enrolled with the authentication platform. A plurality of sensor platforms separately establishes secure communications with the biometric authentication platform. The sensor platform can perform a biometric scan of an individual and generate a biometric authentication template. The sensor platform then requests biometric authentication of the individual by the biometric authentication platform via the established secure communications. The biometric authentication platform compares the generated biometric template to one or more of the enrolled biometric templates stored in memory at the biometric authentication platform. The result of the authentication is then communicated to the requesting sensor platform via the established secure communications.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) tuner includes a programmable tracking filter bank receiving an RF input and outputting a filtered RF signal. A mixer stage receives the filtered RF signal and outputs a first quadrature component of the filtered RF signal and a second quadrature component of the filtered RF signal. Two variable gain amplifiers receive the first and second quadrature components and output amplitude-controlled I and Q components of the filtered RF signal. In one embodiment, the programmable tracking filter bank includes a plurality of tank circuits each connected to the RF input through an impedance. Each tank circuit include an inductor and a capacitor connected in parallel thereby forming an LC network, and a plurality of switched capacitors in parallel with the LC network and switched in and out of the tank circuit by programmable switches. In another embodiment, the programmable tracking filter bank includes a plurality of peaked low-pass circuits each connected to the RF input through an impedance.

Abstract: Multiple levels of guided scrambling. Selective scrambling is performed on user data (or any information) that is to be output. The selection of which scrambling is to be employed can be based on whether or not a baseline error constraint and/or randomness constraint is met. The writing of the scrambled user data can be performed in parallel with, during the same time period, and/or simultaneously with the determination of whether or not a baseline error constraint and/or randomness constraint is met. If the constraint is not met, the outputting and/or writing of the scrambled user data can be aborted mid-process.

Abstract: A system is presented that monitors the quality of a communications channel with mirror receivers. A first receiver and a second receiver, coupled in parallel with the first receiver, receive a data signal transmitted over the communications channel. The second receiver generates an output signal. A signal integrity (SI) processor manipulates the output signal in order to determine the quality of the communications channel. The SI processor samples a phase-shifted version of the output signal, which has a phase shifted relative to a zero reference phase, and analyzes the phase-shifted version of the output signal for bit errors. In an embodiment, the SI processor manipulates the output signal to extract an eye diagram indicative of the quality of the communications channel. The SI processor non-intrusively determines the quality of the communications channel using the second receiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for improved electrical, mechanical and thermal performance of stacked IC packages are described. An IC package comprises a substrate, a first die, a second die, and an interposer with an opening in a first surface of the interposer configured to accommodate the first die. The first IC die is attached a first surface of the substrate. The interposer is mounted on the first surface of the substrate such that the first IC die is placed within the opening in the interposer. The second die is mounted on a second surface of the interposer. Wire bonds couple bond pads on the first surfaces of IC die are coupled to the first surface of the substrate. A mold compound encapsulates the first IC die, the second IC die, the interposer and the wire bonds.

Abstract: Aggregated fragment acknowledgement in a LAN. A transmitter sends a data packet to a receiver. The receiver then constructs an AFAF and sends that AFAF back to a transmitter. The transmitter is then able to determine the success and/or failure, in full or in part, of the transmission of the data packet to the receiver. A very precise granularity, or resolution, of the success of the transmission may be achieved on a per fragment basis. Bandwidth savings may also be achieved. When no resolution on a fragment basis is required, then that level of resolution is not employed. The resolution of the fragment basis may be adaptively employed when required to notify the transmitter of the status of one or more fragments within a data packet.

Abstract: A packet voice transceiver adapted to reside at a first end of a communication network and to send an ingress communication signal comprising voice packets to, and receive an egress communication signal comprising voice packets from, a second packet voice transceiver residing at a second end of the communication network. The packet voice transceiver includes a far-end echo canceller that reduces echo that is present in the egress communication signal. The far-end communicates with other functional components of the transceiver system and cancels echo or refrains from canceling echo based on the activity of the other functional components.

Abstract: A system of switches having a memory/command bus having a first interface, a second interface and a third interface. A memory is connected to the third interface of the memory/command bus. The memory has a first memory address. A first switch monitors the memory/command bus and interprets information written to the first memory address as proxy information. The first switch is connected to the first interface of the memory/command bus. The second switch monitors the memory/command bus and interprets information written to the first memory address as proxy information. The second switch is connected to the second interface of the memory/command bus.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit (IC) includes a local oscillation module, analog radio receiver, analog radio transmitter, digital receiver module, digital transmitter module, and digital optimization module. The local oscillation module is operably coupled to produce at least one local oscillation. The analog radio receiver is operably coupled to directly convert inbound RF signals into inbound low intermediate frequency signals based on the local oscillation. The digital receiver module is operably coupled to process the inbound low IF signals in accordance with one of a plurality of radio transceiving standards to produce inbound data. The digital transmitter is operably coupled to produce an outbound low intermediate frequency signal by processing outbound data in accordance with the one of the plurality of radio transceiving standards. The analog radio transmitter is operably coupled to directly convert the outbound low IF signals into outbound RF signals based on the local oscillation.

Abstract: Quasi error free method and system are presented for encoding and decoding information using turbo codes as an inner code in conjunction with an algebraic outer code linked by an interleaver. This combination of outer algebraic code and turbo inner code linked by an interleaver, which has a guaranteed minimum Depth between symbols output from the interleaver, can produce a quasi error free performance in systems utilizing Turbo-Codes without an increase in bandwidth.

Abstract: A method of presenting a selected portion of graphical images within a wireless terminal that includes receiving an original graphical image, having a source resolution, to be presented on a display screen. The native pixel resolution of the display screen may differ from that of the original graphical image. A complex decimation pattern when applied to the selected portion of the image allows the selected portion of the original graphical image to be resized from the source resolution to a decimated resolution operable to be displayed within the native resolution of the display screen. Decimated pixels need not be further processed to reduce the processing requirements imposed on the system processor. Operations normally associated with the decimated portions of the image may be offloaded from the processing module to improve system efficiency.

Abstract: A method for an antenna architecture may comprise receiving at a first radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) integrated within a mobile terminal, first signals via at least a first antenna, where the first signals may comprise signals within a 2100 MHz band. Second signals may be received at a second RFIC integrated within the mobile terminal via at least one of the first antenna and at least one other antenna, where the second signals may comprise signals within at least one of an 1800 MHz band and a 900 MHz band. Third signals may be received at at least a third RFIC integrated within the mobile terminal via at least one of the first antenna and at least one other antenna, where the third signals may comprise VHF/UHF broadcast signals within at least one of a DVB broadcast band, an ATSC broadcast band and an ISDB broadcast band.

Abstract: An RF mixer includes a plurality of submixers coupled to a single input transistor pair and a single tail current source. An input LO signal is divided into multiple individual waveforms, each having a different phase. The phase differences are even in that the phase difference between any two time-adjacent individual waveforms is approximately equal to the phase difference between any other two time-adjacent individual waveforms. The submixers are appropriately scaled so that the individual waveforms, when summed, create a piecewise linear LO signal. The submixers also combine the individual waveforms with an input baseband signal to produce an output signal or to produce a baseband signal from an input mixed signal. In order to reduce noise in the system, only one submixer is active at any time. Further, polarities of some individual waveforms are reversed so that to avoid signal cancellation when by combining waveforms of opposite polarities.

Abstract: A hand held radio host includes circuitry for selectively providing power to radiating transceiver elements and non-radiating application elements according to a plurality of power modes of operation to achieve desired effects and in a way that saves power and extends battery life. In one embodiment of the invention, the hand held host operates in one of three modes. In a full power mode, any selected application element as well as all transceiver elements are powered on at the same time. Thus, for example, a cell phone module, a wireless personal access network module, a wireless local area network module and one of a pager/short message service message module may all be powered on at the same time to receive corresponding messages, calls, data sessions, etc. At the same time that all of the transceiver elements are powered on, any selected application element receives power.

Abstract: A communications transceiver includes a baseband processor, a receiver section, and a transmitter section that includes a power amplifier. The receiver and transmitter sections communicatively couple to the baseband processor. In a calibration operation, the baseband processor produces a test signal to the transmitter section. Further, the baseband processor causes each of a plurality of power amplifier bias settings to be applied to the power amplifier. For each of the plurality of power amplifier bias settings, the power amplifier produces an amplified test signal, the receiver section couples back a portion of the amplified test signal to the baseband processor, and the baseband processor produces a characterization of the amplified test signal respective. Based upon a plurality of characterizations of the amplified test signal and respective power amplifier bias settings, the baseband processor determines power amplifier bias control settings.

Abstract: A quantizer is described for use in a flash analog to digital converter (ADC), which may be implemented as part of an integrated wireless transceiver or other highly integrated electrical circuit. The quantizer may be configured to operate within such a flash ADC in an accurate manner within a desired voltage range, while minimizing factors that may otherwise lead to errors in the analog-to-digital conversion process. For example, a comparator of the quantizer may be used that has properties that are particularly well-suited for such an environment, where such properties may include, for example, a relatively low input referred offset voltage that is associated with a preamplifier of the comparator.