Abstract: An apparatus and method for a multi-tier wireless home mesh network is described. The method may include formation of an infrastructure-less wireless home mesh networking environment comprising a collection of nodes that operate as a decentralized, ad hoc wireless network with multiple sub-networks or tiers that, are responsible for different functions within the network. Each node of the multi-tier network is configured to forward data to other nodes and is assigned to a particular tier based on the node's performance capabilities. A further embodiment includes identification of a wireless home mesh network. Once identified, one or more proprietary messages may be exchanged in a secure manner to establish connections with a home electronics device as either a mobile node or a stationary node of the home network. A home electronics device may wirelessly communicate to route data within one or more nodes of the wireless home mesh network. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A network of devices with remote control includes a network interconnecting two or more networked devices and a wireless remote control unit for communicating with one or more of the networked devices. The remote control unit stores an interface for one or more of the networked devices so that the networked devices can be controlled with the remote control unit.

Abstract: Techniques include outputting a graphical user interface including a widget and any combination of objects on a television. Thereafter one or more key events may be received from a remote control. The graphical user interface can be updated by moving the widget in response to each direction key activation if the one or more key events indicate activation of one or more direction keys on the remote control. In addition, a function designated by a given object may be initiated in response to the activation of the enter key if the widget is determined to be proximate the given object.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for inserting private user data. A user data identifier (UDI) associated with a pre-defined data structure is inserted into a data sequence within a content stream. The UDI is registered with a registration authority and is different from a standard identifier that is defined by a standard organization in a published standard document. The data is inserted into the data sequence according to the pre-defined data structure. The data sequence has the UDI and the private user data and is packetized into a transport stream. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for extracting private user data. A data sequence in a packetized transport stream is parsed to obtain a user data identifier (UDI) associated with a pre-defined data structure. The UDI is registered with a registration authority and is different from a standard identifier that is defined by a standard organization in a published standard document. The UDI is recognized.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a wireless home mesh network with a network topology visualizer is described. In one embodiment, the method may include collecting node topology information by a node of a wireless home mesh network, where the node topology information includes a list of neighbor nodes for the node. Thereafter, a communication socket is opened, and a node topology packet, including a lust of neighbor nodes, is transmitted in order to produce a global network topology map. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of descrambling digital multimedia content starts by sending an out-of-band request for encrypted control data to a headend. A descrambler integrated circuit may then receive digital program data in a scrambled format and the encrypted control data. The encrypted control data may then be decrypted entirely within the descrambler integrated circuit using a multiple-step decryption process starting with a unique key permanently stored in the descrambler integrate circuit and using the partial decryption of control data from the previous decryption step to generate a key to decrypt subsequent encrypted control data. The scrambled digital program data may then be descrambled in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control data from the last decryption step. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: Techniques for sending and receiving signals include pre-distorting signals before transmission across a communication path. The signals are pre-distorted as a function of a distortion on the communication path. In one embodiments, transmitter a broadcasts to receiver b and there is also a transmitter b broadcasting to receiver a. This return channel enables both transmitters a and b to have a priori information regarding the transmission medium and path the signal takes. In this way, the nature of the distortion or interference is known to the transmitter, therefore, it pre-distorts the transmitted signal to compensate for the receiver exceeding its capabilities in recovering signal.

Abstract: A technique for performing motion estimation using an adaptive motion search range includes calculating motion vectors for blocks of pixels in a target image, using the calculated motion vectors to generate a search range associated with a target block of pixels in the target image, and using the generated search range to estimate motion of the target block of pixels.

Abstract: An electronic system is provided including providing a target semiconductor device connected to a system power supply, measuring the system power supply with the control device for a power usage by the target semiconductor device, and controlling a fan with the control device based on the power usage.

Abstract: Techniques for reporting bandwidth in televisions include displaying bandwidth information for receiving one or more instances of the content and receiving a selection of a given instance of the content in response to the displayed bandwidth information. In addition, the techniques include receiving bandwidth usage history for one or more networks and displaying the bandwidth usage history.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) is described. The GUI includes first GUI elements that provide a visual representation of the nodes of an audio/video device. In response to user input, a signal is caused to be routed between nodes by manipulating circuitry within the audio/video device. Second GUI elements provide a visual representation of the signals being routed within the electronic device between pairs of first GUI elements (e.g., between nodes). As a result, the user can readily understand which nodes are connected to each other. Thus, for example, a user can easily visualize which source node is providing input to a target node and, by selecting the appropriate GUI elements, can just as easily switch from one source to another or from one target to another.

Abstract: Techniques for sending and receiving signals include pre-distorting signals before transmission across a communication path. The signals are pre-distorted as a function of a distortion on the communication path. In one embodiments, transmitter a broadcasts to receiver b and there is also a transmitter b broadcasting to receiver a. This return channel enables both transmitters a and b to have a priori information regarding the transmission medium and path the signal takes. In this way, the nature of the distortion or interference is known to the transmitter, therefore, it pre-distorts the transmitted signal to compensate for the receiver exceeding its capabilities in recovering signal.

Abstract: A home entertainment network has a computer with a multi-DVD changer which holds plural DVDs onto which content from an hard disk drive (HDD) can be transferred for storage. Also, DVD content can be ripped to the HDD, and multiple copies of home videos and photographs on the HDD can be made onto several disks simultaneously.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for maintaining smooth video transition between distinct applications. Preferably, the apparatus implementing the present invention includes a processor, a secondary memory and a system memory. In providing a smooth transition between two applications, the apparatus and method provides synchronization of the video and graphics components while transitioning from a first application to a second application. If there is no video component in either application, no action is needed to provide a smooth transition between applications, and when only the first application includes a video component, the video component need only be tamed off for smooth transition between the applications to occur.

Abstract: A system and method for generating remote control signals to control a device while conserving power. The method includes receiving an input command for communication to the device to be controlled and determining a use context based on the input command. Based on the context determination, communication over an infrared transmitter and a radio frequency transmitter is adjusted for power savings where one transmitter is typically active. The input command may then be sent via the infrared transmitter or the radio frequency transmitter. At the completion of the usage mode, the operational states of the transmitters can be switched.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying video content includes a scene detector to detect a plurality of consecutive scenes in the video content. The video content may include a video program and an advertisement contained within the video program. A signature generator determines a scene change signature for each of the plurality of consecutive scenes. A content identifier provides the plurality of scene change signatures to a comparator that compares the plurality of scene change signatures to a database having a plurality of video content items to identify the video program. The database includes an ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures for each item of video content in the database. The content identifier receives an identification of the video content from the comparator. The content identifier may further receive information related to a position of the plurality of scene change signatures within the ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures.

Abstract: A decoding signal circuit is configured to generate a dual operation decoding signal that enables a read operation and a write operation to be performed in one clock cycle. The decoding signal circuit is configured such that a read decoding signal and a write decoding signal are generated and multiplexed together to form the dual operation decoding signal. The memory device receives a read address and a write address consecutively in one cycle to generate the dual operation decoding signal. A single operation, such as a read only operation or a write only operation, can be performed as well as the dual operation of performing the read operation and the write operation in the same cycle.

Abstract: A method for creating sensory experiences operates by scanning the acoustical signal across the human neural cortex to create the desired sensory perceptions. The acoustic signal is scanned in a predetermined pattern. The pattern is then modified to fill in spaces in the predetermined pattern so that over a short time period, the desired signal is scanned across the intended region of the neural cortex. In one exemplary embodiment, the pattern begins with an array of points on the cortex. Thus, an acoustic signal in an array of points is directed towards the cortex. The acoustic pattern is then shaped to expand in radius about each point. Thus, the acoustic signal scans the visual cortex in an array of expanding circles. Varying the signal at each point along the radius as it expands produces neural firing differences in the neural tissue. When the circles expand to where they begin to touch, the pattern changes to fill in the areas between the original array of points.

Abstract: A Common Wireless Communications Protocol (CWCP) below the TCP/IP layer is a part of OSI layer 3a (SNDCF-Subnetwork Dependent Convergence Functions). CWCP serves as a common Application Program Interface (API) to the upper application layers. CWCP supports different call processing standards (GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000) and provides seamless Web or e-mail interfaces using Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or Transport Layer Interface (TLI) by the CWCP interfacing with the different physical layer (3G) standards. CWCP provides interoperability between the different physical standards and provides a plug-and-play environment for different wireless devices and applications. CWCP provides interoperability at the systems level via interoperable software through the IP software layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for decoding image data including I-picture, P-picture, and B-picture encoded data. A method includes receiving encoded image data and selectively performing a modified inverse discrete cosine transform (IDCT) process to generate output pixel array blocks at a lower resolution than the resolution of the received image data. The image data can be 8×8 pixel array blocks, which are used to produce lower resolution pixel array blocks such as, for example, 4×8 or 4×4 pixel array blocks. In certain instances, after the IDCT process is performed, the resulting pixel data is up-sampled before motion compensation is performed. Furthermore, in certain instances, the resulting pixel data is subjected to motion compensation and scaled to display size prior to display.