Abstract: An island merchandiser including a first merchandiser module, a second merchandiser module, a third merchandiser module, and a fourth merchandiser module. The first merchandiser module includes a product display area maintained within a temperature range at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The second merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module. The third merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module. The fourth merchandiser module is positioned next to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module opposite the third merchandiser module. The island merchandiser also includes a first insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the third merchandiser module, and a second insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the fourth merchandiser module.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which the output power of a circuit or system at any point can be efficiently and cost effectively sampled in a simple and broadband fashion for processing in a closed loop system for applications such as power level control in very broadband circuits. A divider circuit consisting of a selection of passive lumped elements is used to create a very broadband means of sampling the RF power level at any point in a transmission line. Unlike prior art schemes of this nature, this circuit does not rely upon extremely accurate element values and minimization of parasitic reactances. Used in conjunction with a balanced detector-logarithmic or other amplifier combination this invention result in a very broadband low cost simplified realization of the traditional costly bandwidth limited directional coupler-detector combination.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intermediate frequency (fIF) is disclosed (FIG. 7). The method includes measuring a first signal quality (704) on a first channel at a first intermediate frequency. The method further includes measuring a second signal quality (706) on the first channel at a second intermediate frequency. The intermediate frequency with the best signal quality is selected (710).

Abstract: A method of wireless handover in a broadcast network (FIGS. 5 and 8) is disclosed. A wireless receiver (FIG. 4) receives a first signal (N) from a first transmitter (f1). The receiver measures a signal strength (RSSI) of the first signal. The strength of the first signal is compared to a first threshold (T0). The receiver receives a second signal (N+3) from a second transmitter (f3) in response to the step of comparing. The first and the second signals are sent to an application processor (120). The wireless receiver continues to receive the first and second signals until the application processor terminates receiving one of the first and second signals.

Abstract: A Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request (H-ARQ) technique is provided for Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) systems. The technique changes the basis (V) upon retransmission, which helps reduce the error probability upon retransmission. This basis hopping technique provides for improved performance gain without significant increase in design complexity. In one embodiment, communication device (100) includes a receiver section (114) for receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) or a non-acknowledgment (NACK) signal in response to information transmitted by the transmitter section of the communication device. If a NACK is received, a new basis is selected from a set of basis stored in a basis set unit (110). The new basis that is selected is then used by a linear transformation unit (106) in the retransmission of the information.

Abstract: An appliance for drying or warming associated laundry items includes a housing having a wall forming a stationary cavity dimensioned to receive the associated laundry items. At least one article support member is preferably contained within the cavity. A heater increases a temperature of associated air within the cavity and a fan circulates the heated air within the cavity. A vent is dimensioned to allow air to exit the housing cavity, and a controller regulates circulation of the associated heated air within the cavity.

Abstract: An island merchandiser including a first merchandiser module, a second merchandiser module, a third merchandiser module, and a fourth merchandiser module. The first merchandiser module includes a product display area maintained within a temperature range at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The second merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module. The third merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module. The fourth merchandiser module is positioned next to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module opposite the third merchandiser module. The island merchandiser also includes a first insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the third merchandiser module, and a second insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the fourth merchandiser module.

Abstract: A circuit is designed with a measurement circuit (746) coupled to receive an input signal from at least one of a first antenna and a second antenna of a transmitter. The measurement circuit produces an output signal corresponding to a magnitude of the input signal. A control circuit (726) is coupled to receive the output signal, a first reference signal (.eta..sub.1) and a second reference signal (.eta..sub.2). The control circuit is arranged to produce a control signal in response to a comparison of the output signal, the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a communication signal (FIG. 1) is disclosed. The method includes receiving a data signal (102). The method further includes receiving a codeword index (pre-coder selection) from a remote transceiver. A codeword is selected from a Householder matrix based codebook in response to the index. The data signal is precoded (104) in response to the selected codeword. The precoded data signal is transmitted (100) to the remote transceiver.

Abstract: A video encoding acceleration service to increase one or more of the speed and quality of video encoding is described. The service acts as an intermediary between an arbitrary video encoder computer program application and arbitrary video acceleration hardware. The service receives one or more queries from the video encoder to identify implementation specifics of the video acceleration hardware. The service interfaces with the video acceleration hardware to obtain the implementation specifics. The service communicates the implementation specifics to the video encoder. The implementation specifics enable the video encoder to: (a) determine whether one or more of speed and quality of software encoding operations associated with the video encoder can be increased with implementation of a pipeline of one or more supported encoding pipeline configurations and capabilities, and (b) implement the pipeline by interfacing with the service.

Abstract: A power converter system is provided, comprising a plant having a plant input and a plant output; and a plant identification filter that receives the plant input and the plant output, and estimates the values of poles and zeros of the plant, wherein the plant identification filter updates the estimates of the poles and zeros, based upon the plant input and the plant output, beginning from an initial state; and a rate at which the plant identification filter updates the estimates of the values of the poles and zeros is slower than a rate at which the plant input and the plant output are received by the plant identification filter.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing having at least one refrigerator compartment, a door for accessing the at least one refrigerator compartment, and an ice-dispensing assembly. The ice-dispensing assembly includes an insulated housing arranged within the at least one refrigerator compartment, an ice-making device arranged within the insulated housing and configured to produce ice, an ice-storage container arranged within the insulated housing, and a dispenser arranged within the door and communicating with the ice-storage container, wherein the dispenser is configured to transfer ice from the ice-storage container to an external portion of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A vertical blanking interval (VBI) signal testing tool captures, isolates, and analyzes a VBI signal to determine the quality of the VBI signal or signal source. A digitized VBI signal may be received and analyzed according to industry standards. The VBI signal is examined using thresholds, threshold points, and other points as a way of discerning waveforms in the signal and their individual characteristics. Thereafter, deviations of the VBI signal from industry standards are logged or displayed for review. One feature of the tool records captured VBI data to a persistent storage medium, thereby allowing post-processing of the VBI signal at another time and/or another location. An exemplary analysis program can read the recorded VBI data from the persistent storage medium and perform tests to determine the quality of the VBI signal or signal source. VBI signal translations are also contemplated.

Abstract: In an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for providing chilling in a localized area comprises a chiller compartment and an independent cooling source thermally coupled to the chiller compartment by a thermally conductive interface. The cooling source provides a separate controllable temperature to the chiller compartment, which is adapted to be removably positioned in a selected temperature controlled environment. In another aspect a refrigerator comprises a freezer unit, a fresh food unit and a chiller compartment adapted to be removably positioned in either the freezer unit or the fresh food unit as a secondary chilling compartment. In another aspect a method of chilling comprises cooling a modular chiller compartment using an independent cooling source, chiller compartment being removably positioned within a temperature controlled environment and the cooling source and the chiller compartment being thermally coupled.

Abstract: An air treatment system includes a housing defining a chamber, and an ultraviolet lamp positioned within the chamber. The housing further defines an air inlet at a first end portion of the housing and an air outlet at a second end portion of the housing opposing the first end portion. The chamber provides flow communication between the air inlet and the air outlet. At least one ultraviolet lamp is positioned within the chamber. The at least one ultraviolet lamp is positioned about a first axis and includes a first end and a second end spaced with respect to the first end along the first axis. The at least one ultraviolet lamp is configured for facilitating inactivating contaminants within air channeled through the chamber.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intermediate frequency (fIF) is disclosed (FIG. 7). The method includes measuring a first signal quality (704) on a first channel at a first intermediate frequency. The method further includes measuring a second signal quality (706) on the first channel at a second intermediate frequency. The intermediate frequency with the best signal quality is selected (710).

Abstract: A system, device, and method for virtually connecting a media device to a computing device are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a method to operate a virtual media device in a computing device, wherein the virtual media device that is controlled by a remote media device. In this manner, a computing device may stream media data to and from the remote media device.

Abstract: A circuit is designed with a measurement circuit (746) coupled to receive an input signal from at least one of a first antenna and a second antenna of a transmitter. The measurement circuit produces an output signal corresponding to a magnitude of the input signal. A control circuit (726) is coupled to receive the output signal, a first reference signal (.eta..sub.1) and a second reference signal (.eta..sub.2). The control circuit is arranged to produce a control signal in response to a comparison of the output signal, the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

Abstract: A circuit is designed with a measurement circuit (746) coupled to receive an input signal from at least one of a first antenna and a second antenna of a transmitter. The measurement circuit produces an output signal corresponding to a magnitude of the input signal. A control circuit (726) is coupled to receive the output signal, a first reference signal (?1) and a second reference signal (?2). The control circuit is arranged to produce a control signal in response to a comparison of the output signal, the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

Abstract: A Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request (H-ARQ) technique is provided for Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) systems. The technique changes the basis (V) upon retransmission, which helps reduce the error probability upon retransmission. This basis hopping technique provides for improved performance gain without significant increase in design complexity. In one embodiment, communication device (100) includes a receiver section (114) for receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) or a non-acknowledgment (NACK) signal in response to information transmitted by the transmitter section of the communication device. If a NACK is received, a new basis is selected from a set of basis stored in a basis set unit (110). The new basis that is selected is then used by a linear transformation unit (106) in the retransmission of the information.