Abstract: A technique for modifying data of an image, such as can be implemented in a still camera or video recorder in order to correct for defects in its optical and/or electronic systems, includes generating data to modify the image as a function of radial position across it. A variation of the intensity across an image (lens shading) that appears in data from a two-dimensional detector is an example of an application of the technique. In order to make modifications to the data, positions of a two-dimensional raster scan pattern of an image sensor are converted to radial positions and this is then used to generate the modification data. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor.

Abstract: A synchronization unit for performing timing synchronization in the time domain includes storage, a multiplier, a signal analyzer, and a timing error estimation unit. The storage stores a reference signal. The multiplier calculates a sum of minus one product shift and a sum of plus one product shift based on the reference signal. The signal analyzer calculates left and right cross-correlation points based on the sum or minus one product shift and the sum of plus one product shift. The timing error estimation unit estimates a timing error of a received signal based on the left cross-correlation point and right cross-correlation point.

Abstract: A method and device for accelerating a color conversion process that converts input image data corresponding to a first color space to output image data corresponding to an output color space. A temporary cache stores color information in an array, and performs a conversion calculation for each individual color combination. If a pixel corresponds to a new color combination, the pixel information is stored in a new index of the array. If the pixel repeats a previously processed color, the pixel information is stored in the same index of the array as the previously processed pixel. A color conversion calculation is performed after all pixels within a block of pixels are mapped to the temporary array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a technique to transfer two digital video signals synchronously across a bus sharing the same pixel clock and data bus.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an FFT window location for reception of an OFDM signal received over a transmission channel. The OFDM signal includes a plurality of symbols each having a guard interval. The system includes a correlation module that determines a location of maximum correlation in a first symbol, an FFT module to perform an FFT on the OFDM signal based upon an initial FFT window location, and an adjustment module. The adjustment module determines a plurality of permissible echo location options based upon the initial FFT window location, selects a permissible echo location option that corresponds most closely to the location of maximum correlation, and adjusts the initial FFT window location based upon the selected permissible echo location option so that the adjusted FFT window location includes substantially all of a useful symbol length of the first symbol while a maximum number of echoes are included within the guard interval of the first symbol.

Abstract: A method and system for accessing data by an application program is disclosed. The application program issues a data request to a data storage system. In response, the data storage system loads into memory a data node corresponding to the data request. The data node is stored as part of a data structure. The data storage system returns a reference to the application program, which is then used to access the node. The application program may further instruct the data storage system to de-allocate a node when available memory is low or when it is no longer using the node.

Abstract: A method of operating an equalizer includes combining a Least Mean Squares (LMS) algorithm and a Least Squares (LS) algorithm to determine a set of equalizer tap values to be used in processing a signal. A channel impulse response (CIR) is computed, and an equalizer taps interval is then determined based on the CIR. The LS algorithm is used to determine a set of equalizer major taps based on the interval, and the LMS algorithm is used to determine a set of equalizer minor taps based on the interval.

Abstract: A technique for modifying data of an image, such as can be implemented in a still camera or video recorder in order to correct for defects in its optical and/or electronic systems, includes generating data to modify the image as a function of radial position across it. A variation of the intensity across an image (lens shading) that appears in data from a two-dimensional detector is an example of an application of the technique. In order to make modifications to the data, positions of a two-dimensional raster scan pattern of an image sensor are converted to radial positions and this is then used to generate the modification data. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described that detect and correct for over-saturation lighting conditions in a CMOS Image Sensor.

Abstract: In a device that utilizes a memory device, the access bandwidth of the memory device is efficiently utilized by determining a set of operations to be performed on information stored in the memory device, and sorting the operations into an order so as to minimize the number of accesses to the memory device to perform the operations. The sorted operations are then performed in that order. An example of such a device is an error correction decoder, such as for use with an optical disk reader or player. The error correction decoder generates error correction data, representing error correction operations, and sorts the error correction data into multiple sets, each set for correcting the errors in a respective row of an ECC block stored in an external buffer. The error correction operations are then performed row by row.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for image shading variations appearing in data from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. These variations can be caused by imperfect lenses, non-uniform sensitivity across the photo-sensor, and internal reflections within a housing of the optical system, for example. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the camera or other optical system, preferably separate correction data for each primary color. The modification data is generated on the fly, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the modification takes place without slowing down data transfer from the image sensor.

Abstract: Rather than storing a table within a digital camera or other optical device of defective pixels within its image sensor, defective pixels are dynamically identified by comparing the output values of individual pixels under test with those of neighboring pixels. If the neighbors are all above or below the pixel under test by a defined threshold amount, the output of the pixel under test is replaced with a value calculated from the outputs of neighboring pixels.

Abstract: Techniques for modifying data of an image that can be implemented in a digital camera, video image capturing device and other optical systems are provided to correct for Image image shading variations appearing in data from a two-dimensional photo-sensor. These variations can be caused by imperfect lenses, non-uniform sensitivity across the photo-sensor, and internal reflections within a housing of the optical system, for example. In order to correct for these variations, a small amount of modification data is stored in a small memory within the camera or other optical system, preferably separate correction data for each primary color. Image data from individual pixels are corrected on the fly by interpolating individual pixel corrections from the stored modification data, at the same rate as the image data is being acquired, so that the correction takes place without slowing down data transfer of picture data from the image sensor.

Abstract: A method and a system for reconstructing a partial transport stream are described. One embodiment of the method includes time-stamping each packet when the packet arrives, storing of the selected subset of packets and the associated timestamps in a storage medium, reading the stored packets and their timestamps from the storage medium, and reconstructing the partial transport stream with the packets and their timestamps.

Abstract: A synchronization unit for performing fine synchronization in the Time Domain, the synchronization unit includes a storage configured to store reference signals. A multiplier capable of calculating sum of zero product shift, sum of minus one product shift, and sum of plus one product shift, based on the reference signals. A signal analyzer capable of computing left, center, and right cross-correlation points based on the sum of minus one product shift, the sum of plus one product shift, and the sum of zero product shift. A timing error estimation unit capable of estimating timing error of the received signal based on the left cross-correlation point and the right cross-correlation point. A phase estimation unit capable of estimating common phase error of the received signal based on the sum of zero product shift.

Abstract: A transport processor that can be used in a digital audio-video receiver system comprises a front end and a memory interface. The front end receives concurrently a plurality of transport streams, where two or more of the plurality of transport streams can have different formats, and each transport stream includes a plurality of packets. The front end includes a packet processor to create an aggregate transport stream in a single format from the plurality of transport streams. The memory interface is an interface through which the transport processor can store the aggregate transport stream in a memory for use by subsequent decode and display operations.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for an integrated high definition television controller are described. The integrated high definition digital television controller includes two or more the following functions in a single chip: MPEG2 Transport, Audio and Video Decoders, Video input capture and converter, flexible video scan rate converter, de-interlace processor, display controller and video D/A converters, graphics controller, a unified local bus, N-plane alpha blending, a warping engine, audio digital signal processor, disk drive interface, peripheral bus interfaces, such as PCI bus and local bus interfaces, various I/O peripherals, a bus bridge with a partitioned chip, and a CPU with caches. The integrated controller, in one embodiment, is designed to handle multiple television standards (for example ATSC, ARIB, DVB, AES, SMPTE, ITU) and designed to be deployed in various countries in the world.

Abstract: A phase measurement system for measuring a phase difference between an input signal and a reference signal, comprises: a phase comparator having a first input receiving a first sample of the input signal and a second sample of the input signal and having a second input receiving a clock derived from the reference signal, the phase comparator having an output representing a time between a crossing of a first threshold by the clock and a predetermined time along an interval from the first sample to the second sample where the input signal crosses a second threshold on the interval; an interpolator coupled to the first input and having an output indicative of an interpolated time of the second-threshold-crossing on the interval in the input signal; and a phase calculator coupled to the phase comparator output and the interpolator output and which computes the phase difference by combining the phase comparator output and the interpolator output.

Abstract: The invention relates to an audio/visual system for providing network connectivity to a common embedded interface by simulating the embedded interface. The audio/visual system is coupled to a computer that has at least one memory, and comprises a rendering circuit having a memory and an emulation circuit that is coupled to the rendering circuit. The emulation circuit comprises a memory for storing instruction sequences and a processor coupled to the memory, that executes the stored instruction sequences. The audio/visual system further comprises an audio/visual apparatus coupled to the rendering circuit and the emulation circuit, and a display coupled to the rendering circuit. The stored instruction sequences cause the processor to (a) retrieve information stored in one of the memory of the audio/visual apparatus or the memory of the computer; (b) forward the information to the rendering circuit for processing; (c) forward the processed information to the display; and (d) display the processed information.

Abstract: A unified memory controller (UMC) is disclosed. The UMC may be used in a digital television (DTV) receiver. The UMC allows the DTV receiver to use a unified memory. The UMC accepts memory requests from various clients, and determines which requests should receive priority access to the unified memory.