Abstract: Microchip devices and methods of use are provided for the controlled exposure of a secondary device. In one embodiment, the microchip device include a substrate, a plurality of reservoirs in the substrate, a secondary device in one or more of the reservoirs, at least one barrier layer covering each of the reservoirs to isolate the secondary device from an environmental component outside the reservoirs, wherein the barrier layer is impermeable to the environmental component, and a microprocessor-controlled actuation means for rendering the barrier layer porous or permeable to the environmental component to expose the secondary device to said environmental component. The secondary device can comprise a sensor or sensing component (e.g., a biosensor). In other embodiments, microchip devices are provided for the controlled exposure of a reacting component, such as an enzyme. In still other embodiments, sensors are provided on the device outside of the reservoirs.

Abstract: A media processing system is provided including a DRAM that includes a plurality of storage locations for storing digital data being processed by said media processing system, said digital data including video data that is compressed in a standardized format, a system for processing said digital data that includes said standardized format compressed video data to produce compressed video images and image data, a system for decoding said standardized format compressed video images to generate full motion video pixel data, a system for sharing said DRAM between said processing means and said decoding means, and a system for producing a full motion video signal from said full motion video pixel data. The media processing system may also have a system for multiplying or combining a first pixel by a second pixel in a single clock cycle.

Abstract: Keys (e.g., decryption key, authentication key) are stored in a non-volatile memory of a display unit. The keys are retrieved in encrypted form into an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit decrypts the keys and uses the keys. As the keys are available in decrypted form only within the integrated circuit and potentially only during use, the keys may not be available to unauthorized third parties.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allowing color adjustments in display devices is disclosed The apparatus comprises a multi-resolution structure for providing color adjustments; and an interpolator for interpolating at least one offset of the multi-resolution structure. An apparatus and method in accordance with the present invention uses a combination of color look-up tables with different levels of resolution, followed by interpolation to provide a display process which has high resolution but utilizes minimal memory. In so doing, memory is used for high-resolution areas only where needed. The multi-resolution structure is a very good approximation to the theoretical mapping table in the areas where it is needed. At the same time, since the high resolution areas are localized, a significant reduction in memory storage is possible.

Abstract: Methods are provided for hermetically sealing the reservoirs of microchip devices and for hermetically sealing the substrate assemblies in a hermetic packaging structure.

Abstract: According to some embodiments of the invention, a method of minimizing buffer requirements, in a packet based multimedia system having a multimedia source device coupled to a multimedia display device by way of a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the display device and the source device and vice versa and a unidirectional main link arranged to carry multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to the multimedia display device is disclosed. Interspersing special characters that allow the display device to distinguish each bit of pixel data included in the data packets thereby requiring only a small FIFO type buffer unit.

Abstract: A transmission efficient packet based display interface arranged to couple a multimedia source device to a multimedia sink device is disclosed. The transmission efficient interface includes a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia sink device and vice versa, wherein the information transferred over the auxiliary channel includes a set of packet attributes. The interface also includes a unidirectional main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the transmitter unit to the receiver unit each having a multimedia data packet header. In the described embodiment, each of the headers is substantially reduced in size over what would otherwise be necessary since the packet attributes are communicated via the auxiliary channel prior to the transmission of the main link packets over main link thereby minimizing the packet overhead and providing a very high main link efficiency.

Abstract: A packet based closed loop video display interface with periodic status check capability arranged to couple a multimedia source device and a multimedia sink device that includes an adjustable, high speed main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to the multimedia sink device. A bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to provide a number of support functions useful for main link set up and supporting main link operations such as periodically sending a status check of the multimedia display device to the multimedia source device such that the closed loop created by combining the adjustable, high speed main link with a very reliable auxiliary channel allows for robust operation of the display interface over a variety of main link conditions.

Abstract: A packet based display interface arranged to couple a multimedia source device to a multimedia sink device is disclosed that includes a transmitter unit coupled to the source device arranged to receive a source packet data stream in accordance with a native stream rate, a receiver unit coupled to the sink device, and a linking unit coupling the transmitter unit and the receiver unit arranged to transfer a multimedia data packet stream formed of a number of multimedia data packets based upon the source packet data stream in accordance with a link rate between the transmitter unit and the receiver unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of optimizing transmission (both real time and continuous) of a number of multimedia data packets between a multimedia source device and a multimedia display device is disclosed. In the described embodiment, the multimedia source device and the display device are coupled by way of a unidirectional main link arranged to carry the multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device and a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the multimedia source device and the multimedia display device. The method can be carried out by following at least the following operations. Providing a test pattern by the multimedia source device on the main link, determining a transmission quality factor of the main link based upon the test pattern, and optimizing the transmission of the multimedia data packets based upon the transmission quality factor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of reducing multimedia packet overhead, in a packet based multimedia system having a multimedia source device coupled to a multimedia display device by way of a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between the display device and the source device and vice versa and a unidirectional main link arranged to carry multimedia data packets from the multimedia source device to the multimedia display device is disclosed.

Abstract: A packet based display interface arranged to couple a multimedia source device to a multimedia sink device is disclosed that includes a transmitter unit coupled to the source device arranged to receive a source packet data stream in accordance with a native stream rate, a receiver unit coupled to the sink device, and a linking unit coupling the transmitter unit and the receiver unit arranged to transfer the video data in the form of a number of main link characters at a link character clock rate that is independent of the native stream rate such that video data and the link character clock are asynchronous to each other.

Abstract: An enumeration method for the link rate and a pixel/audio clock rate. The method can be performed by expressing the pixel/audio clock rate and the link rate with four parameters, A, B, C, and D based upon a master frequency 23.76 GHz as 210×33×57×111 Hz, and regenerating a pixel/audio clock from the link clock.

Abstract: In a system having a bi-directional auxiliary channel arranged to transfer information between a video source and a video display and vice versa and a unidirectional main link arranged to carry a number multimedia data packets from the video source to the video display, a method of establishing a stable main link. The method is carried out by performing a link training session carried out over the auxiliary channel to establish the stable main link, prior to starting transmission of multimedia data packet streams from a video transmitter to a video receiver over the main channel.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and manufacture for playing video in reverse can be implemented using frames from prior video object units. Scaling can be implemented to playback a video in reverse at a speed approaching normal forward play. A smooth shuttle can be implemented to transition between slow reverse, pause and slow forward.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing the method of decoding and playing in reverse MPEG encoded content. The MPEG encoded content comprises a plurality of pictures frames. The picture frames are comprised of one or more picture frame types selected from the group of picture frame types including I-frames, P-frames, and B-frames. The method and the apparatus for performing the method comprise the steps of obtaining a group of MPEG picture frames (“GOP”), determining the total number of picture frames in the GOP, and setting an index value equal to the total number of picture frames in the GOP. Next, a picture frame F that has a display order equal to the index value is decoded and displayed, and the earliest B-frame that depends upon frame F is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows a display device to adaptively and automatically control display contrast and color is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an interpolated pixel at a vertical position in a field of a video frame. The method comprises the steps of receiving at least two pixels vertically adjacent the vertical position in the field and at least three pixels from at least one adjacent field, detecting a degree of motion in the vicinity of the interpolated pixel, providing weighting factors based on the degree of motion, and calculating the interpolated pixel based on a combination of weighted contributions from the at least two pixels and the at least three pixels. The weighted contributions are derived from a combination of the weighting factors and at least vertical-temporal and temporal interpolation.

Abstract: Displaying the images encoded in a display signal which also contains synchronization signals and display enable (DE) signal. The DE signal indicates the time points at which the display data portion of the display signal contains active pixel data elements representing image frames. A display unit generates HDISP and VDISP signals (indicative of the active time in which active pixels and lines are respectively received) based on the DE signal. As the DE signal generally tracks (in the time domain) the active pixel data elements, the active pixel data elements forming image frames are accurately identified, and a superior image quality generally results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows a display device to adaptively and automatically control display contrast and color is disclosed. The method and system in accordance with the present invention can be described by the following sequential process: 1. Separating an input image data value into its luma and chroma components. 2. Collecting the luma distribution data over the entire image or a specified window. 3. Analyzing the luma distribution. 4. Generating an appropriate contrast control response that modifies the input luma component to generate an output luma component, on a pixel by pixel basis. 5. Analyzing the input luma component and the output luma component, and an input chroma component, to generate an appropriate modification for the chroma component, on a pixel by pixel basis.