Abstract: A system and method for correcting errors and losses occurring during a receiver-driven layered multicast (RLM) of real-time media over a heterogeneous packet network such as the Internet. This is accomplished by augmenting RLM with one or more layers of error correction information. This allows each receiver to separately optimize the quality of received audio and video information by subscribing to at least one error correction layer. Ideally, each source layer in a RLM would have one or more multicasted error correction data streams (i.e., layers) associated therewith. Each of the error correction layers would contain information that can be used to replace lost packets from the associated source layer. More than one error correction layer is proposed as some of the error correction packets contained in the data stream needed to replace the packets lost in the associated source stream may themselves be lost in transmission.

Abstract: An adaptive entropy coder is coupled with a localized conditioning context to provide efficient compression of images with localized high frequency variations. In one implementation, an arithmetic coder can be used as the adaptive entropy coder. The localized conditioning context includes a basic context region with multiple context pixels that are adjacent the current pixel, each of the context pixels having an image tone. A state is determined for the basic context region based upon a pattern of unique image tones among the context pixels therein. An extended context region that includes the basic context region is used to identify a non-local trend within the context pixels and a corresponding state. A current pixel may be arithmetically encoded according to a previously encoded pixel having the same tone or as a not-in-context element. In one implementation, a not-in-context element may be represented by a tone in a color cache that is arranged as an ordered list of most recent not-in-context values.

Abstract: An adaptive entropy coder is coupled with a localized conditioning context to provide efficient compression of images with localized high frequency variations. In one implementation, an arithmetic coder can be used as the adaptive entropy coder. The localized conditioning context includes a basic context region with multiple context pixels that are adjacent the current pixel, each of the context pixels having an image tone. A state is determined for the basic context region based upon a pattern of unique image tones among the context pixels therein. An extended context region that includes the basic context region is used to identify a non-local trend within the context pixels and a corresponding state. A current pixel may be arithmetically encoded according to a previously encoded pixel having the same tone or as a not-in-context element. In one implementation, a not-in-context element may be represented by a tone in a color cache that is arranged as an ordered list of most recent not-in-context values.

Abstract: An improved loss recovery method for coding streaming media classifies each data unit in the media stream as an independent data unit (I unit), a remotely predicted unit (R unit) or a predicted data unit (P unit). Each of these units is organized into independent segments having an I unit, multiple P units and R units interspersed among the P units. The beginning of each segment is the start of a random access point, while each R unit provides a loss recovery point that can be placed independently of the I unit. This approach separates the random access point from the loss recovery points provided by the R units, and makes the stream more impervious to data losses without substantially impacting coding efficiency. The most important data units are transmitted with the most reliability to ensure that the majority of the data received by the client is usable. The I units are the least sensitive to transmission losses because they are coded using only their own data.

Abstract: A motion video signal encoder maximizes image quality without exceeding transmission bandwidth available to carry the encoded motion video signal by comparing encoded frames of the motion video signal to a desired size of frame. If the size of encoded frames differ from the desired size, quantization is adjusted to produce encoded frames closer in size to the desired size. In addition, a cumulative bandwidth balance records an accumulated amount of available bandwidth. The cumulative bandwidth balance is adjusted as time elapses to add to the available bandwidth and as each frame is encoded to thereby consume bandwidth. If the cumulative bandwidth balance deviates from a predetermined range, quantization is adjusted as needed to either improve image quality to more completely consume available bandwidth or to reduce image quality to thereby consume less bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting errors and losses occurring during a receiver-driven layered multicast (RLM) of real-time media over a heterogeneous packet network such as the Internet. This is accomplished by augmenting RLM with one or more layers of error correction information. This allows each receiver to separately optimize the quality of received audio and video information by subscribing to at least one error correction layer. Ideally, each source layer in a RLM would have one or more multicasted error correction data streams (i.e., layers) associated therewith. Each of the error correction layers would contain information that can be used to replace lost packets from the associated source layer. More than one error correction layer is proposed as some of the error correction packets contained in the data stream needed to replace the packets lost in the associated source stream may themselves be lost in transmission.

Abstract: An improved loss recovery method for coding streaming media classifies each data unit in the media stream as an independent data unit (I unit), a remotely predicted unit (R unit) or a predicted data unit (P unit). Each of these units is organized into independent segments having an I unit, multiple P units and R units interspersed among the P units. The beginning of each segment is the start of a random access point, while each R unit provides a loss recovery point that can be placed independently of the I unit. This approach separates the random access point from the loss recovery points provided by the R units, and makes the stream more impervious to data losses without substantially impacting coding efficiency. The most important data units are transmitted with the most reliability to ensure that the majority of the data received by the client is usable. The I units are the least sensitive to transmission losses because they are coded using only their own data.

Abstract: An on-chip inductor device for Integrated Circuits utilizes coils on a plurality of metal layers of the IC with electrical connectors between the coils and a magnetic core for the inductor of stacked vias running between the coils. The magnetic core is made from a series of stacked vias which are deposited between each metal layer of the IC having a coil. The magnetic core desirably includes an array of magnetic bars comprising the magnetic core. The via material of the magnetic core may be both magnetic and electrically conductive. The magnetic and electrically conductive via material may also be used for the planar coil electrical connectors or other electrically conductive parts of the IC, or both, thereby lessening fabrication steps. Films of magnetic material may be formed at the ends of the inductor to provide a closed magnetic circuit for the inductor. A high Q factor inductor of small (e.g., transistor) size is thus obtained.

Abstract: A video processing system with reconfigurable instructions includes a processor, a first register file in the processor, an extension adapter, programmable logic, a second register file coupled to the programmable logic, and a load/store module. The processor executes a video application that contains an instruction extension not native to the instruction set of the processor. The extension adapter detects the instruction extension in the video application. The programmable logic device is configured to execute the instruction extension. The programmable logic device then executes the instruction extension. The load/store module transfers data between the first register file and the second register file, and transfers data directly between the second register file and a system memory for use by the processor in processing the video application.

Abstract: A new general method for building hybrid processors achieves higher performance in applications by allowing more powerful, tightly-coupled instruction set extensions to be implemented in reconfigurable logic. New instructions set configurations can be discovered and designed by automatic and semi-automatic methods. Improved reconfigurable execution units support deep pipelining, addition of additional registers and register files, compound instructions with many source and destination registers and wide data paths. New interface methods allow lower latency, higher bandwidth connections between hybrid processors and other logic.

Abstract: A system for adding advanced instructions to a microprocessor includes a language for formally capturing the new instructions and a method for generating hardware implementations and software tools for the extended processors. The extension language provides for additions of VLIW instructions, complex load/store instructions, more powerful description styles using functions, more powerful register operands, and a new set of built-in modules. The method is capable of generating fully-pipelined micro-architectural implementations for the new instructions in the form of synthesizable HDL descriptions which can be processed by standard CAD tools. The method is also capable of generating software components for extending software development tools for the microprocessor with new instructions.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with selectable input/output includes a first processor configured to execute instructions, an input/output interface configured to receive and transmit standard input/output communications, an inter-processor interface configured to process interprocessor communications with a second processor, and selection circuitry coupled to both the input/output interface and the inter-processor interface and configured to select between the input/output interface and the inter-processor interface.

Abstract: A pipette for use with a pipette tip to aspirate and dispense a quantity of liquid, comprising a housing, a pipette tip mounting shaft extending from the housing to receive a pipette tip, a pipette tip ejector mechanism for ejecting the pipette tip from the mounting shaft, energy storage means, means for storing energy in the energy storage means and means for releasing energy from the energy storage means to assist the tip ejector mechanism in the ejecting of the pipette tip from the mounting shaft.

Abstract: An adaptive entropy coder is coupled with a localized conditioning context to provide efficient compression of images with localized high frequency variations. In one implementation, an arithmetic coder can be used as the adaptive entropy coder. The localized conditioning context includes a basic context region with multiple context pixels that are adjacent the current pixel, each of the context pixels having an image tone. A state is determined for the basic context region based upon a pattern of unique image tones among the context pixels therein. An extended context region that includes the basic context region is used to identify a non-local trend within the context pixels and a corresponding state. A current pixel may be arithmetically encoded according to a previously encoded pixel having the same tone or as a not-in-context element. In one implementation, a not-in-context element may be represented by a tone in a color cache that is arranged as an ordered list of most recent not-in-context values.

Abstract: A method is provided for modifying a program written in a standard programming language so that when the program is compiled both an executable file is produced and an instruction is programmed into a programmable logic device of a processor system. The method includes identifying a critical code segment of a program, rewriting the critical code segment as a function, revising the program, and compiling the program. Revising the program includes designating the function as code to be compiled by an extension compiler and replacing the critical code segment of the program with a statement that calls the function. Compiling the program includes compiling the code with an extension compiler to produce a header file and the instruction for the programmable logic device. Compiling the program also includes using a standard compiler to compile the remainder of the program together with the header file to generate the executable file.

Abstract: A system and method for adding reconfigurable computational instructions to a reduced instruction set computer. A computer program contains instruction extensions not native to the instruction set of the processor core and is loaded into an instruction memory accessible by the processor core of the computer. The computer program is then detected for containing the instruction extension. The programmable logic device is then configured to execute the instruction extension. The programmable logic device then executes the instruction extension for use by the processor core in processing the computer program.

Abstract: A system and method provide unaligned load/store functionality for a processor that supports only aligned load/store instructions. An exemplary embodiment includes an extension adapter including registers for storing data and load/store buffers for realigning data. A processor executes aligned load/store instructions that transfer data in multiples of bytes. Instructions are included for transferring data between memory and the load/store buffers, initializing and transferring data, initializing and transferring data in numbers of bits, advancing or offsetting a data pointer, and for flushing the load/store buffers. In a preferred embodiment, the extension adapter comprises a wide register file for buffering full words of data, load/store buffers formed from multiple single-bit registers for buffering data bits and streaming data for use by the processor, and address generators for pointing to data or memory addresses.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a workpiece in a process chamber is provided, comprising a first “hot” chuck having a surface for supporting the workpiece, the hot chuck including electrical heating elements for heating the hot chuck, and a second “cold” chuck having a fluid path formed therein for circulating a thermal transfer fluid. The cold chuck can be selectively moveable towards and away from the hot chuck to vary a rate of heat transfer between the hot chuck and the cold chuck.

Abstract: In one illustrative example, a method of making a read sensor of a magnetic head involves forming a barrier structure which surrounds a central mask formed over a plurality of read sensor layers; etching the read sensor layers to form the read sensor below the mask; and depositing, with use of the mask and the barrier structure, hard bias and lead layers to form around the read sensor. The barrier structure may be formed by, for example, depositing one or more barrier structure layers over the read sensor layers and performing a photolithography process. The barrier structure physically blocks materials being deposited at relatively low angles (e.g. angles at or below 71 degrees) so as to reduce their formation far underneath the mask (e.g. when using a bridged mask), which could otherwise form an electrical short, and/or to improve the symmetry of the deposited materials around the read sensor.

Abstract: A plasma generator is provided with a plasma tube extending between a gas source and a process chamber, an end cap at one end of the plasma tube, and a seal extending around the plasma tube between the plasma tube and the end cap. The end cap includes a protrusion that extends into the plasma tube.