Abstract: A digital information encoder including a divider configured to divide a block of information into a plurality of sub-parts, an initial bit allocator configured to perform an initial allocation of bits to a KTH sub-part of said plurality of sub-parts, a processor configured to compute an estimated number of bits for encoding said KTH sub-part, and a bit allocation adjuster configured to obtain an adjusted bit allocation for said KTH sub-part by adjusting said initial allocation of bits to said KTH sub-part based, at least in part, on said estimated number of bits, wherein the encoder encodes said KTH sub-part using said adjusted bit allocation for said KTH sub-part.

Abstract: Hybrid range coding/combinatorial coding (FPC) encoders and decoders are provided. Encoding and decoding can be dynamically switched between range coding and combinatorial according to the ratio of ones to the ratio of bits in a partial remaining sequence in order to reduce the computational complexity of encoding and decoding.

Abstract: An encoder/decoder architecture including an arithmetic encoder that encodes the MSB portions of a Factorial Pulse Coder output, and that encodes an output of a first-level source encoder, e.g., MDCT. Sub-parts (e.g., frequency bands) of portions (e.g., frames) of the signal are sorted in increasing order based on a measure related to signal energy (e.g., signal energy itself). In a system that overlays Arithmetic Encoding on Factorial Pulse coding, the result is bits re-allocated to bands with higher signal energy content, yielding higher signal quality and higher bit utilization efficiency.

Abstract: A encoder/decoder architecture (200, 300, 700) that uses an arithmetic encoder (220) to encode the MSB portions of the output of a Factorial Pulse Coder (212), that encodes the output of a first-level source encoder (210), e.g., MDCT. Sub-parts (e.g., frequency bands) of portions (e.g., frames) of the signal are suitably sorted in increasing order based on a measure related to signal energy (e.g., signal energy itself). Doing this in a system (100) that overlays Arithmetic Encoding on Factorial Pulse coding results in bits being re-allocated to bands with higher signal energy content, ultimately yielding higher signal quality and higher bit utilization efficiency.

Abstract: A system including a rate governor is provided for monitoring and controlling the amount of communications between a remote communication unit (201) and communication server (220). Preferably, as threshold are passed a user is alerted to amounts (time and/or charges) spent or remaining, and once a use limit is reached further communication is restricted. A main rate governor (234) is maintained at the communication server (220), allowing access, control and the like by administrators (260) and the like. A further rate governor (209), responsive to the main rate governor, may also be used at the remote unit (201). By means of the rate governors a method is provided for both limiting user or group data transfer beyond a set amount, as well as providing alerts to users as a limit is approached.

Abstract: A method includes the steps of receiving (402), by a first receiver (102), a first received signal comprising a first signal (110) and a second signal (120), and receiving (402), by a second receiver (104), a second received signal comprising the first signal (110) and the second signal (120). A branch weight associated with the first receiver (102) and at least one other branch weight associated with the second receiver (104) are determined (406). The branch weight associated with the first receiver (102), the at least one other branch weight associated with the second receiver (102), the first received signal, and the second received signal are combined, forming a combined signal. Channel state information is determined for the combined signal, and the channel state information of the combined signal is restored (412).

Abstract: High quality epitaxial layers of compound semiconductor materials can be grown overlying large silicon wafers by first growing an accommodating buffer layer on a silicon wafer. The accommodating buffer layer is a layer of monocrystalline oxide spaced apart from the silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer.

Abstract: Circuit (10) has a dual layer gate dielectric (29) formed over a semiconductor substrate (14). The gate dielectric includes an amorphous layer (40) and a monocrystalline layer (42). The monocrystalline layer typically has a higher dielectric constant than the amorphous layer.

Abstract: A computer system having an integrated energy system on a system communication bus where the energy system includes a plurality of energy devices. Each energy device is integrated on the system communication bus and has a memory and processor. Each energy device processor selectively monitors the system communication bus for communication data idleness and upon the communication data being idle, each energy device attempts to communicate with other energy devices of the energy system. The energy devices attempt to communicate in a predetermined sequence after communication data idleness has been detected. Examples of energy devices are battery packs, desktop chargers, analyzers, and radios.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an improved apparatus for removing gas bubbles from a reaction chamber comprising a flexible layer removably affixed to a substrate layer having a multiplicity of oligonucleotide binding sites disposed thereon, in which biological reactions are performed. The invention specifically relates to methods and apparatus for removing gas bubbles from a reaction chamber wherein target molecules contained in a sample fluid are reacted with probe molecules immobilized on a substrate having an array of oligonucleotide binding sites. The arrays are covered with a flexible, gas permeable layer that permits mixing of the sample fluid on the biochip and removal of gas bubbles from the fluid by use of a means for facilitating diffusion of gas bubbles across the flexible, gas permeable layer.

Abstract: A communications system having a first server (205) with an electronic mail (e-mail) database for managing e-mail accounts, for storing radio device addresses associated with those accounts, and for storing electronic mail messages associated with those accounts. Each message has a header and text. A gateway connects the first server to a two-way radio network. A radio device (200) has a electronic messaging application. The radio device is capable of two-way communication over the two-way radio network. The first server comprises message handling software arranged to send, to the radio device, a portion of a message of a predetermined size, including a header portion and a text portion. The radio device (200) can request more of a message.

Abstract: A system including a rate governor is provided for monitoring and controlling the amount of communications between a remote communication unit (201) and communication server (220). Preferably, as threshold are passed a user is alerted to amounts (time and/or charges) spent or remaining, and once a use limit is reached further communication is restricted. A main rate governor (234) is maintained at the communication server (220), allowing access, control and the like by administrators (260) and the like. A further rate governor (209), responsive to the main rate governor, may also be used at the remote unit (201). By means of the rate governors a method is provided for both limiting user or group data transfer beyond a set amount, as well as providing alerts to users as a limit is approached.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for data communication between controllable devices, and more particularly, between a first programmable device (21) and at least one second programmable device (31) coupled to a processor. In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the second programmable device (31) includes an addressable memory location and an output, and is adapted to receive data from a processor. In this embodiment, the first programmable device (21) is programmed to decode at least one addressable memory location from the processor and enabled to transmit each address to each second programmable device (31) in a first simultaneous write operation. The first programmable device (21) then selects at least one of the second programmable devices (31) to output a signal (33) corresponding to the data in a second write operation.

Abstract: A self-aligning wireless interface system (1) couples a wide variety of equipment (12, 18, 20, 40, FIG. 1; 84, 90, FIG. 2) to one or more of a wide variety of communications, entertainment, Internet, security, control, and/or other wireless services. The system (1) can also provide a wireless interconnection among such equipment. The system (1) can include an antenna system (4), geo-location module (8), communications module (10), orientation module (22), solar cell array (24), and rechargeable battery (26). The system (1) provides a wireless link to satellite (30), airborne (36), and/or terrestrial (38) transceivers, and optionally a wireless link connecting user equipment. To facilitate installation, the system (1) can be deployed by a person possessing minimal or no technical qualifications, and it can power itself up into a fully operational state. The system (1) optionally comprises a self-contained power system, which can include a solar cell array (24).

Abstract: The present invention provides solid supports (e.g., glass) and polymer hydrogels (particularly polymer hydrogel arrays present on a solid support) comprising one or more reactive sites for the attachment of biomolecules, as well as biomolecules comprising one or more reactive sites for attachment to solid supports and polymer hydrogels. The invention further provides novel compositions and methods for the preparation of biomolecules, solid supports, and polymer hydrogels comprising reactive sites. The invention also provides for preparation of crosslinked solid supports, polymer hydrogels, and hydrogel arrays, wherein one or more biomolecules is attached by means of the reactive sites in a photocycloaddition reaction. Advantageously, according to the invention, crosslinking of the hydrogel and attachment of biomolecules can be done in a single step.

Abstract: A method enables a subscriber unit (20) to access a common communication system to communicate with a selected communication system. The subscriber unit receives (404) an indication of any communication systems available in a geographic region associated with the common communication system and requests access to the selected communication system. After receiving (506) an enabling program for the selected communication system, the subscriber unit transfers (508) the enabling program to an external processing device. A novel subscriber unit (20) and external processing device (24) are also described.

Abstract: An air moving device in the form of an axial flow fan is provided that is adapted for use in substantially enclosed high-density electrical systems, e.g. computers and the like. The fan includes an annular wall extending about the blades thereof and in which pressure equalizing openings are formed for increasing the maximum pressure in the preferred operating area of the fan and just before the stall effect occurs due to increasing system pressure resistance. A method is also provided for optimizing the number and size of the slots to obtain a desired maximum pressure increase. The slots are optimized so that there is no appreciable airflow loss in early stages of the preferred operating area while providing the desired increase in maximum pressure. The slots preferably have an elongated shape, e.g. rectangular or oval, with a major dimension extending generally axially and parallel to the axis of rotation of the blades, and are spaced from each other circumferentially about the annular wall.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the need for an apparatus and method for facilitating and performing distributed speech processing in a wireless communication system. The present invention encompasses communication infrastructure embodiments that facilitate distributed speech processing by establishing voice and data pathways to support distributed speech processing services. The present invention also encompasses a communication unit that performs distributed voice recognition and distributed speech synthesis via the communication infrastructure. The communication unit (102) requests communication services from the communication infrastructure (101) that support both voice and data communication and utilizes a data connection to a distributed speech processing unit (116) to perform distributed voice recognition and distributed speech synthesis.

Abstract: A method and mechanism provide for online testing, replacement, upgrading and modification of portions of a radio communications system 100. A task controller 200 tests and replaces online elements in a task unit. The task unit is generally comprised of a task input queue 208, a task output queue 210, a subagent 204 and a task 206. The task controller 200 checks the functioning of the queues 208 and 210. If either or both are functioning improperly, the task controller 200 may replace one or both online. If both are operating properly, the task controller 200 tests the task 206. If the task 206 is improperly functioning, the task controller 206 replaces the task 206 with another task 402 online. The task controller 200may further replace tasks to upgrade portions of the system.

Abstract: A linear power amplifier having one or more feedforward correction loops automatically reconfigures itself for single loop operation based on a power reduction condition. The power reduction condition may be a function of the input power of the linear power amplifier, a current draw of stages within the linear power amplifier, power consumption levels of feedforward error correction amplifiers, the time of day, or any other suitable condition. The linear power amplifier includes a main amplifier circuit (12) and at least a first feedforward error correction circuit (14). A control circuit (16) removes or reduces power from the power amplifier (26) in the main amplifier circuit (12) and reconfigures the feedforward error correction circuit (14) to serve as a temporary main amplifier circuit. This may be done, for example, at predetermined points where the linear power amplifier does not require the feedforward error correction circuit to obtain a desired level of linearity.