Abstract: A method in a communication system is disclosed. In the method a procedure for setting up a communication link between a first user equipment and a second user equipment via a communications network is initiated. Information regarding at least two modes of communication that can be used for communication via the communication link is signaled between the first and second user equipment. An indicator regarding a mode to be used for the communication is also signaled between the first user equipment and the second user equipment. After the signaling steps, a procedure for setting the mode of communication in accordance with the indicator is initiated in at least in one of the user equipment. According to an alternative embodiment signaling for reserving a possibility for at least tow different communication modes occurs between elements of the communication system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for enhancing memory erase functionality. An apparatus may include a block-based mass memory and a controller configured to receive an erase command from a host device comprising an indication of a location of a block in the mass memory storing memory allocation data. The controller may be further configured to access the memory allocation data based at least in part upon the indicated location. The controller may additionally be configured to determine, based at least in part upon the memory allocation data, blocks within the mass memory that have been freed by the host device. The controller may also be configured to erase the freed blocks. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided a radio system, comprising: a receiver for receiving uplink channel traffic; a measuring unit for measuring periodicity of the received uplink channel traffic; and a control unit for controlling discontinuous uplink operation on the basis of the measured periodicity of the received uplink channel traffic.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing instructions to a destination that is revealed upon arrival may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive indications of context associated with a user, determine a destination for the user based on the context and user information, provide for a presentation of guidance instructions to guide the user to the destination, and reveal the destination to the user only when the user is proximate to the destination.

Abstract: A portable device having within it a multicolor illumination arrangement comprising: a surface; a plurality of light sources, (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e),at least one of the plurality of light sources being capable of generating two or more emission colors; and drive means (17) for causing the emission color of the at least one light source to vary; whereby the illumination arrangement can produce a varying illumination through at least part of the surface.

Abstract: Described herein are a method, apparatus and computer program to automatically inform a second party to a call that a first party to the call has or will disconnect due to a power source, such as a battery, of a terminal used by the first party becoming depleted. The second party can be informed by the generation and transmission of any suitable type of message, including a SMS message, a MMS message and a IMS message.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a plurality of options to a mobile telephone user based upon the user's prior activities. The present invention includes an “action input,” the actuation of which results in a menu of previously performed activities by the user. For example, the menu can display activities that frequently occur at the same time each day. The device software can automatically update and arrange the respective options based upon the user's activities.

Abstract: The information in the cloud is available in the form of software-as-a-service is accessible from laptops and personal computers. The system obtains information from multiple sources in the “cloud,” correlates the information, determines a subset of information based on context, and pushes the information to at least one mobile device. An engine extracts a context based subset of information and correlates the context based subset of information based on the same context or a different context. A data push engine makes the information available in real time to a user by pushing the information to the at least one mobile device like a smartphone, tablet, and/or navigation system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing method and apparatus, which perform image processing after dividing a collected images into a plurality of image slices. The image processing method includes: receiving an image collected by an image sensor; determining image slice size information by taking into account a boundary area between a plurality of image slices to be generated; dividing the image into the plurality of image slices according to the image slice size information; and processing the plurality of image slices in sequence using division information about the image slices. Thus, in the image processing method, the image collected by the image sensor is processed by dividing the same into the plurality of image slices, thereby reducing the amount of memory used in image processing and the overall size of the image module.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for managing and verifying car traveling information, and a system using the same. The method for managing car traveling information includes receiving traveling image data and traveling record data; extracting computation data for integrity computation from at least one of the traveling image data and the traveling record data; generating integrity verification data by computing predetermined identification number data and the computation data; and generating integrity traveling data by combining the traveling image data, the traveling record data and the integrity verification data. In this way, integrity of an image from a black box for cars can be easily verified while maintaining an original copy of the image and related traveling record data.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a video processing method using adaptive weighted prediction. The video processing method includes dividing a reference frame into a plurality of reference divisional areas, dividing a current frame into a plurality of current divisional areas, calculating absolute values of differences between respective average brightness values of the plural reference divisional areas and respective average brightness values of the plural current divisional areas, calculating a standard deviation of the absolute values, and implementing adaptive weighted prediction with regard to the current frame when the standard deviation exceeds a predetermined critical value. Thus, the video processing method can more quickly process rapid variation in brightness of an image with less operation when the rapid variation in brightness occurs due to flash, fade-in, fade-out, etc.

Abstract: A point of sale (POS) device may be configured to locate a payment system and transmit a payment authorization request from a remote location to a payment system, either directly, or via a payment system directory and/or a SSL Gateway. The invention also includes inserting third party account information into an encrypted portion of the payment request, so the payment request appears as a normal request to the issuing bank, but the third party account information may be used by the third party to bill the customer. The payment system directory is further configured to determine one or more payment processors to direct a payment authorization request, such that a single transaction may me allocated among multiple payment processors for authorization. Moreover, the payment system directory is able to format alternative payment methods into a format that is able to be processed over existing payment networks.

Abstract: An improved crutch assembly and walking aid is provided. The crutch assembly can be retrofitted to an existing walking aid and provides spring assisted motion. The assembly includes a ball-in-socket joint and a spring operably connecting the joint to a walking aid shaft.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, controllers, systems, and terminals can, in certain embodiments, determine a number and properties of potential interferers in a plurality of available radio channels. The properties of the potential interferers can include modulation methods used by the potential interferers. A network element responsible for channel allocation can perform channel allocation for a terminal and select a modulation method for the allocated channel on the basis of the determination.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for spectrum synthesis for use in a flash unit, wherein the spectrum synthesis includes combining a plurality of emissive light sources in order to provide a combine output beam and producing the output spectrum for the combined output beam at least based on a reference spectrum. The reference spectrum can be obtained by sensing the spectrum of ambient light or selected from a plurality of stored spectra. The flash unit has at least two emissive light sources and each of the light sources can be adjusted relative to each other so that the outputs from the light sources can mimic a selected illumination scenario. It is possible to use a mixture of quantum dots to tailor each light source so that the combined spectra from different light sources can reasonably mimic a number of frequently used illumination scenario.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a quantization method and apparatus of an audio encoder. The quantization method comprises calculating an absolute value of a maximum frequency spectrum of a first frame, externally received, by analyzing frequency spectrum data of the first frame, setting an initial value of a common scale factor to be used to quantize the first frame based on the absolute value of the maximum frequency spectrum of the first frame and an absolute value of a maximum frequency spectrum of a second frame, which has previously been calculated, and quantizing the frequency spectrum data of the first frame based on the set initial value of the common scale factor. Accordingly, before quantization is performed, an initial value of a common scale factor which is almost close to a value of an actual common scale factor can be previously set.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for converting a film image (e.g., a movie) into a television (TV) image. In the method and apparatus for converting the film image into a TV image, a pull-down field is added based on header information of a TV interface if BT601, BT656 and BT1120 are used as standards for the TV interface, thereby improving accuracy and reducing load of the apparatus upon conversion of the film image into the TV image. The apparatus includes a film image reception unit which receives a film image; a header information checking unit which checks header information of the film image; and an image conversion unit which uses the header information checked by the header information checking unit to convert the film image into the TV image.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image processing apparatus for vehicles which, when image input sources correspond to two or more image input channels, includes a plurality of central processors for image control of the channels, respectively, wherein a master central processor for controlling the other central processors is selected from among the plurality of central processors and images of the channels are stored as one file under control of the master central processor, thereby enhancing video recording quality and simplifying storage and recording of the videos. An image processing method for vehicles is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of a network topology for monitoring and controlling an array of solar panels include an intelligent node adapted to send and receive data and commands by at least two redundant means of communication. An intelligent node includes a solar panel, a node controller, a photovoltaic module, a bypass relay, a bypass bus, PLC and wireless communication interfaces for redundant means of communication, and sensor and actuator interfaces for monitoring and controlling the intelligent node. A PV module in the intelligent node may selectively be bypassed without interrupting network communications. Some embodiments include a plurality of intelligent nodes electrically connected serially into a chain of nodes and further connected to a gateway. Other embodiments include a plurality of chains of nodes connected to an inverter and a transformer, thereby defining an area. Additional embodiments further include a central server in communication with a plurality of areas.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a data signal that includes a plurality of encoded frames in a first access unit, receiving a data message indicative of a similarity between a portion of a first one of the plurality of encoded frames and a portion of a non-successive second one of the plurality of encoded frames in a second access unit, and decoding the portion of the second one of the plurality of encoded frames from the portion of the first one of the plurality of encoded frames when the data signal is corrupted.