Abstract: In order to develop an electronic memory component or memory module (100), having at least one memory cell area (10) in which physical states (P) representing regular data are mapped by means of at least one mapping function (A) that describes at least one error correction code, for example at least one Hamming code, and also a method of operating at least one electronic memory component or memory module (100) of the abovementioned type, such that on the one hand the error detection probability is considerably increased and on the other hand unwritten memory blocks can be reliably distinguished from memory blocks that have already been written to once before, it is proposed that at least one further physical state in the form of at least one exceptional or special state (L, S) in the error correction code can be detected, encoded and/or indicated by means of the mapping function (A).

Abstract: A vacuum tube, in particular a cathode ray tube, equipped with at least one oxide cathode comprising a cathode carrier with a cathode base of a cathode metal and a cathode body with a cathode coating of an electron-emitting material that comprises an alkaline earth oxide, selected from the group formed by the oxides of calcium, strontium and 5 barium, and a sintering inhibitor.

Abstract: In order to promote its “xxx” signal encoding algorithm, company X offers users of a particular encoder (21) the possibility to up-load (parts of) their .xxx files to the company's website. The company's web-server (1) checks whether the received file is indeed xxx-encoded material by (i) decoding the file using an xxx-decoder (11), (ii) deriving a fingerprint (12) from the decoded signal, and (iii) awarding the owner if the derived fingerprint corresponds to one of the fingerprints stored in X's database (14). A possible award is the transmission, to the user, of metadata associated with the signal such as title, artist, lyrics, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light source (1) with a discharge vessel (12) which is filled with a filling gas, and with an electron beam source (2) which is arranged in vacuum or in a region of low pressure and which generates electrons, propelling the latter through an entry foil (10) into the discharge vessel (12). According to the invention, an electric field can be generated inside the discharge vessel (12).

Abstract: A television receiver, or some other display device, includes a display, a video signal processing circuit, a display driving circuit, and a control unit for controlling the video signal processing circuit and the display driving circuit. In order to reduce power consumption by the television receiver when the television receiver is not being viewed, the television receiver includes a presence detector for detecting the presence of a person in a room containing the television receiver. When the presence detector does not detect the presence of a person, the control unit disables the display by turning off either the video signal processing circuit or the display driving circuit, or both. When the person re-enters the room, the presence detector indicate this to the controller which then re-enables the display by turning on the video signal processing circuit and/or the display driving circuit.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus for reproducing an audio signal from a record carrier having a first digital audio signal (a PCM encoded audio signal) recorded on it in a first format and a second digital audio signal (an MPEG encoded multi channel audio signal) recorded on it in a second format. The apparatus includes a read unit for reading an information signal from the record carrier, a decoding unit for channel decoding the information signal read from the record carrier into a decoded information signal, a keyboard for receiving a selection signal and an output terminal for supplying an output signal which comprises either the first digital audio signal or the second digital audio signal in response to said selection signal. An output circuit is available to add an identification signal (bit b1) into the output signal, indicating that the output signal includes either the first digital audio signal or another audio signal.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the transmission rate between a plurality of stations in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are provided. Each mobile station evaluates the current link condition based on the Received Signal Strength (RSS) from received frames and adjusts a new transmission rate according to predetermined criteria, which is updated based on whether the transmission of subsequent signals is successful.

Abstract: A position dependent information retrieval system is disclosed including a light source having a driver and an encoder. The driver and the encoder are coupled to the light source so that the light source produces a modulated light signal in accordance with a predetermined signature. The system also includes a receiver having a photosensitive detector capable of detecting the modulated light signal and a decoder capable of decoding the predetermined signature. A controller is communicatively coupled to the receiver, a memory and output device. The controller is arranged to receive the decoded predetermined signature, based upon the decoded predetermined signature, obtain at least one localized message in the memory, and output the localized message using the output device.

Abstract: There is provided a fluid-advancing fiber capable of being sewn, woven or knitted, using conventional methods, into a conductive mesh for use with various wearable fabrics for making direct contact with the skin. The fluid-advancing fiber has an inner portion and an outer portion, one or more conductive elements adjacent the outer portion, wherein the one or more conductive elements are adapted to constrict when heated by electric current and relax when cooled. The fluid-advancing fiber facilitates comfortable fluid communication between different wearable fabrics and the skin.

Abstract: A control panel for an electrical/electronic device allows a user to use the control panel without looking at the control panel. The control panel is formed by a graphic user interface (GUI) having a display for displaying various control icons for controlling the device. The display is touch sensitive so that a user is able to select the control function by pressing on the appropriate control icon. The display further has touch detectability for enabling a user to distinguish between the icons by touch. The touch detectability may be in the form of the surface of the display having raised portion in the vicinity of the control icons. While the positioning of the raised portions may be fixed, to allow for changing layouts of the control icons, the display may be flexible and an array of actuators may underlie the display whereby the actuators are selectively activated to press against the underside of the display thereby raising the upper surface of the display in the vicinities of the control icons.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling an array of LEDs includes at least one signal amplifier, signal processing means, driver means for driving the array of light emitting diodes, at least one switch, and control means for controlling the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is formed using silicon-on-insulator technology and is selectively shielded from the array of LEDs. The integrated drive electronics with silicon-on-insulator technology will allow for improved white light generation.

Abstract: An audio recorder-player includes M tuners that generate N audio signals transmitted by N audio sources, an analyzer that extracts R×N audio signal characteristics from the N audio signals, a memory that stores the R×N audio signal characteristics, and output circuitry that reproduces an audio signal corresponding to one of the N audio signals responsive to selection of at least one of the R×N audio signal characteristics, where R is a positive integer and M and N are positive integers greater than 1. If desired, the audio recorder-player advantageously can be included in one of a radio, a computer, or a set-top box. Methods for operating the audio recorder-player are also described.

Abstract: A data-processing arrangement [DPA] is capable of processing different types of data [I, II, III] such as, for example, luminance (Y) and chrominance (UV) pixels from various pictures. The data-processing arrangement [DPA] comprises a controller [MCP] for executing a set of program items [PI]. A program item [PI] causes the data-processing arrangement [DPA] to fetch and process [F&PR] a block of data [DB] of a certain type [I, II, III]. The data-processing arrangement [DPA] further comprises an interface [INT] for temporarily storing a block of data [DB] in one of a plurality of memory sections [MS]. The memory section in which the block of data [DB] is stored is defined by the position that the program item [PI] for the block of data [DB] has within in the set of program items.

Abstract: A universal remote control device for adjusting N display devices generating N copies of a video image includes an analyzer that analyzes video data corresponding to a captured Nth video image with respect to predetermined video data and generates correction data, a processor that generates correction commands applicable to the selected one of the N display devices to convert the captured video image to a desired video image responsive to the video data responsive to the correction data, and a transmitter that outputs the correction commands to the selected one of the N display devices to thereby permit the video image generated by the selected one of the N display devices to approximate the desired video image, where N is a positive integer greater than 1. A corresponding method and a memory for storing computer-readable instructions for instantiating functions by which the method can be performed are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the raster geometry of a rear projection television receiver detects the outputs of optical sensor placed on the display screen above, below and on both sides of a viewing area of said display screen, and based on the outputs of these sensors in response to test raster patterns displayed on the display screen, adjusts the centering, width, height and linearity of the raster being projected by the projection television receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the rate at which electronic program guide (EPG) data is scrolled within a video signal corresponding to an EPG display, includes first circuitry for receiving first and second signals, and second circuitry for incrementing and decrementing the scroll rate of EPG data within an output video signal responsive to the first and second signals, respectively. Methods and corresponding software for operating the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing recovery and backoff rules for a hybrid coordinator of an IEEE 802.11e Quality of Service (QoS) wireless station. The invention comprises a wireless local area network that is capable of using the recovery and backoff rules of the present invention in the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer of QoS hybrid coordinators. The HC recovery and backoff rules of the present invention minimize collisions especially when hybrid coordinators from an overlapping basic service set are present.

Abstract: A majority decision method for improved frame error rate in the digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT) system. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a method for improving retransmission efficiency of a data frame within a communication system. The method includes the step of receiving and storing three corrupted versions of a data frame within a memory. Moreover, the method also includes the step of performing a byte-wise comparison of the three corrupted versions of the data frame to locate an inconsistent byte position. In response to locating the inconsistent byte position among the three corrupted versions of the data frame, the method includes the step of performing a byte-wise majority decision among the three corrupted versions of the data frame to select a correct byte value of the inconsistent byte position.

Abstract: A method for determining parameters of a material includes comparing a range of an actual x-ray scattering profile with a range of an expected x-ray scattering profile for a material sample. The expected profile is modified to match the actual profile and this is then repeated with an ever-larger range of the profiles until the two profiles match across the whole of their profile. From the last modified expected profile the parameters of the material are determined.

Abstract: A method in which incoming RF signals to a given node of a wireless network are detected in real-time by using a comparison circuit for comparing a signal which is indicative of the strength of an incoming RF signal with a prescribed threshold level. The output of the comparison circuit is coupled to an input of the digital signal processor (e.g., microprocessor) of the node. The microprocessor is preferably programmed to check this input prior to attempting to transmit data thus minimizing the chances of a collision occuring due to overlapping data transmitting and receiving operations. Preferably, the prescribed threshold level utilized in the comparison circuit of a given node can be selectively varied in order to thereby selectively vary the size of the cell in which the given node resides. In this connection, the neighborhood or cell sizes in which the individual nodes in the network reside are preferably adaptively varied in such a manner as to maximize the data throughput of the entire network.