Abstract: A method for producing a visual rhythm in a video system, includes the steps of: a) sampling a portion of pixels contained at each of frames; and b) producing the visual rhythm summarizing changes of video contents by using the result of the sampling.

Abstract: In a telecommunication network, a method for managing varying traffic load by establishing an instantaneous demand for bandwidth at a pre-defined location of the telecommunication network. The total number of bits required is compared with a number of bits available for use in that pre-defined location, and a bit rate adjusting mechanism is applied to each one of the algorithms associated with an active channels when required. The bit adjusting mechanism is based on pre-defined functions that describe the number of bits that will be allocated for each active algorithm under varying loads of the network. Thus, the bit adjusting mechanism allow the adjustment of the number of bits for each one the network channels, obeying to the constrain that the total number of bits allocated to all channels shall not exceed the total number of bits available.

Abstract: The voice quality of telephone calls is evaluated. A first connection is established between a computerized apparatus and a person acting as a first experimenter, and a second connection is established between the platform and a second experimenter. The first and second connections are interconnected by the computerized apparatus to establish a call between the two experimenters and enable them to converse, the apparatus being cut into the call in order to acquire data about the call. The experimenters' opinions are solicited concerning their perceptions of the quality level they observe during their conversation. The apparatus evaluates consistency of the data collected with the nominal experimental conditions and the nominal quality level associated with the current test. Then, a determination is made as to how the current test is to be carried out as a function of a test plan and of the result of the evaluation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring a telecommunication system comprising at least one sending entity and one receiving entity between which the same link transmits several transport channels with different qualities of service. The sending entity matches the rate between the different coded transport channels with separate qualities of service, and the different coded transport channels are then multiplexed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring a telecommunication system comprising at least one sending entity and one receiving entity between which one and the same link ensures the transmission of several transport channels of different qualities of service. The sending entity performs a rate matching between the various qualities of service, on completion of which the various qualities of service are multiplexed. The matching rate specific to each quality of service is determined on the basis of a first parameter (Eq) representative of the ration Eb/I and of a second parameter (Pq) representative of the maximum puncture rate specific to the quality of service considered.

Abstract: An interface device and method for use with an intelligent content-broadcast network. User profile information is collected and stored in a memory device assessable to a secondary content processor. Secondary content is information, such as advertisements from a television network source, that is available for insertion into the primary broadcast stream as appropriate. When a particular user is identified as viewing a primary-content program, a processor associates the user with a stored profile and uses the profile information to determine what, if any, secondary content should be inserted and thus presented to the user as if it had been a part of the broadcast stream. The portion of the primary broadcast stream where secondary content may be inserted is indicated by embedded cues.

Abstract: A wireless communication system constructed according to the present invention includes at least one base station controller (BSC) that couples to a packet data network to service packet data communications between the packet data network and a mobile unit. The BSC is serviced by a mobile switching center (MSC) and services a plurality of base stations. The BSC includes circuitry that perform necessary interfacing functions to service the packet data communication requirements of the mobile unit. The mobile unit requests the wireless communication system to initiate this operation via a request made to a servicing base station. The base station forwards the request to the BSC which interacts with the MSC to initiate the packet data session. The BSC allocates a digital signal processor (DSP), processor and packet data network interface to service the packet data session for the mobile unit.

Abstract: A method for installing and/or removing a cable (300) in conduits (500) for the passage of cables and to an associated implementing device. According to this method, a current of water is conveyed inside the conduits (500), the cable (300) to be installed has a conduit fill rate that can attain 90%, and the conduits (500) form a winding course on a length greater than 2000 m. This method is chiefly characterized in that the cable (300) is subjected to a thrust force that drives its speed of progression (v), and in that said thrust force and the pressure of the water flowing in the conduits are regulated so as to maintain a constant water flow rate inside the conduits (500).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method which consists in: (a) stabilization of the monocrystalline silicon substrate temperature at a first predetermined temperature T1 of 400 to 500° C.; (b) chemical vapour deposition (CVD) of germanium at said first predetermined temperature T1 until a base germanium layer is formed on the substrate, with a predetermined thickness less than the desired final thickness; (c) increasing the CVD temperature from said first predetermined temperature T1 up to a second predetermined temperature T2 of 750 to 850° C.; and (d) carrying on with CVD of germanium at said second predetermined temperature T2 until the desired final thickness for the monocrystalline germanium final layer is obtained. The invention is useful for making semiconductor devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile set integrating a memory efficient data storage system for the real time recording of voice conversations, data transmission and the like. The data recorder has the capacity to selectively choose the most relevant time frames of a conversation for recording, while discarding time frames that only occupy additional space in memory without holding any conversational data. The invention executes a series of logic steps on each signal including a voice activity detector step, frame comparison step, and sequential recording step. A mobile set having a modified architecture for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Dielectric tube loaded metal cavity resonators and filters having a dielectric tube resonator extending substantially the full height of the metallic cavity are disclosed herein. The resonators and filters achieve low insertion loss in a size substantially smaller than conventional dielectric loaded resonators for equivalent quality factors. The dielectric tube resonators may be used with coaxial resonators to provide mixed resonator filter constructions.

Abstract: A test set includes at least one signal input port, a test circuitry, a processor, a user-input device, and a display. The test circuitry couples to and receives signals from the at least one signal input port. The test circuitry then generates test data corresponding to the received signals. The processor couples to and receives test data from the test circuitry and generates test results. The processor also couples to and receives commands from the user-input device. The processor further operatively couples to the graphical display that receives and displays the test results from the processor. In one embodiment, the test set is capable of performing line qualification and connectivity testing. A modem module can be used to facilitate connectivity testing. The modem module can be a plug-in module with a common interface to the test set. The modem module can also contain a fingerprint value that identifies the module type and the software revision number to the test set.

Abstract: The method allows the creation of 3-D facial models, which can be used, for instance, for the avatar implementation, video-communication applications, video games, video productions, and for the creation of advanced man-machine interfaces. At least one image of a human face is provided together with a 3D facial model (M) having a vertex structure and comprising a number of surfaces chosen within the set formed by a face surface (V), surfaces of the right eye (OD) and left eye (OS), respectively, and surfaces of the upper teeth (DS) and lower teeth (DI), respectively. Among the vertices of the structure of the model (M) and on such at least one face image, respective sets of homologous points are chosen. The model structure (M) is then modified in such a way that the above respective sets of homologous points are made to coincide (FIG. 2).

Abstract: There is provided a game pad connectable to a personal portable terminal. Each of a left handle and a right handle has a plurality of key buttons in the game pad. A mounting portion is formed between the handles and holds the personal portable terminal. A guide rib is formed along the upper ends of both sidewalls of the mounting portion, for guiding both ends of the personal portable terminal. A connector is formed on an end portion of the mounting portion to be electrically connected to an interface connector of the personal portable terminal and selectively detachable from the personal portable terminal.

Abstract: A method for estimating an interference phase shift when receiving a multicarrier signal formed of a time series of symbols modulating a plurality of carrier frequencies, at least some of the carrier frequencies of at least some of the symbols bearing reference elements, whereof the value at transmission level is known by the receiver carrying out the reception. The phase variation &dgr;n between at least two symbols bearing reference elements is estimated by analysing the reference elements. Each of the reference elements in the estimation is weighted by information representing the noise affecting the carrier frequency bearing the reference element.

Abstract: A junction box for a single-tube cable, and particularly an optical fiber cable for the connection of one or several wires or fibers of the cable to one or several wires or fibers of another cable. The box has a hollow support (3) suitable for a tensioned connected cable crossing (C) and a spacer (2) to hold the casing of the axially cut cable spread inside the hollow support (3) to free the cable wires or fibers (F). Application to the installation and maintenance of cable networks is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to an authentication process with an access control and/or payment system that maintains anonymity of the customer towards a third party, characterized in that a single-directional authentication protocol is used to send an authentication sequence that is completely different for each transaction, so that it is impossible for a third party to determine the identity of this customer, or even to determine which transactions are sent by a particular customer.

Abstract: An access network for mobile terminals has a switching circuit (VCX) connected to at least one other external network and to a local access network (RLA) which has a number of radio terminals (BR) for providing communication with mobile terminals (MT). Set-up and release protocols provide for signaling channels and user channels between switching circuit (VCX) and a mobile terminal (MT). Security protocol (SSCOP) provides for the channels implemented by exchanging signaling messages at the level of switching circuit (VCX) and mobile terminals (MT). An adaptation server (ARX) intercepts the messages sent by the signaling protocols and implements the intercepted messages. Management protocols of the local access network (RLA) oversee set up and release of the signaling channels and the user channels and reserves corresponding radio resources for the signaling channels.

Abstract: A method of forming a silicon oxynitride antireflection film which is noncontaminating with respect to deep-ultraviolet photoresists (DUV photoresists) on each of a series of silicon semiconductor substrates successively introduced into the same reactor chamber includes a step of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of a silicon oxynitride antireflection film and treatment of the antireflection film with an oxygen plasma. The reactor chamber is cleaned before the successive introduction of each of the substrates by purging the reactor chamber using an oxygen-free gas plasma and then depositing a silicon oxynitride blanket by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using precursor gases.