Abstract: An educational server system has a computerized server, a plurality of business enterprises in a geographic, a browser-capable computerized appliance, and a user portal accessible by the computerized appliance, including a registration procedure enabling the person to register to services, a content management system (CMS) including aptitude testing for vocational preference, at least one training course compatible with the vocational preference, and vocational aptitude derived from the aptitude testing, wherein the businesses access the CMS via the portal and submit the training courses and employment offers, and the portal enables the person to initiate a search for an employment offer, and wherein the portal is partitioned according to a geography.

Abstract: A system includes a computerized server, a data repository and a processor executing software, a plurality of business enterprises each having a place of business in a specific geographic region, a computerized appliance usable by a person, training courses, interactive interfaces provided on a display of the browser-capable computerized appliance, a registration procedure, an aptitude testing procedure, and a search procedure enabling discovery of a suitable training course in the data repository that is compatible with the person's stated vocational preference or determined vocational aptitude, and also associated with a business enterprise in the same region as the region in which the person resides.

Abstract: A method has steps for (a) logging in to an on-line vocational education portal by a person seeking to gain vocational training; (b) guiding the person, by the vocational portal, through an aptitude test; (c) directing the person to one or more on-line vocational courses based on the aptitude test results; (d) guiding the user, by the vocational portal, through one or more assessment tests, determining the person's mastery of the one or more vocational courses; completion of the on-line course curriculum, the user is provided an assessment test; and (e) providing and recording a certification to the person based upon successful completion of the one or more assessment tests.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for delivering a haptic force feedback during a vocational tool operation. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a moving capstan drive mechanism connected to a holder and a motor. A sensor detects the rotation speed of a motor. A control circuit is connected to the sensor and to an information processor loaded with virtual reality environment software to provide a feedback force to the user, when the holder is displaced. The linear displacement of the holder is converted into a rotational movement of motor. The sensor outputs a signal based on the rotational speed of the motor to the control circuit to provide a haptic feedback force to a user and to provide a display, when the holder is displaced linearly by the user.

Abstract: A motion estimation algorithm finds the best match for a given block or macroblock so that the resulting error signal has very low energy level which is computed, for e.g., by the SAD method. The motion estimation algorithm also provides for an optional sub-pixel level estimation and an inter4v search, and allows for restricting the number of searches for a Frame-frame ME (motion estimation) using Top-Top and Bottom-Bottom field MEs. The algorithm provides for a selective early exit and enables selecting a suitable search area with N candidate points (4 to 8) for starting the search. The search is conducted progressively till a minimum error signal (low energy level signal) is reached. The candidate points for search may be in a diamond shaped configuration, and there may be a plurality of successive diamond configurations, the number of which is configurable. The invention has application in MPEG-4 and H.264 standards.

Abstract: A design method for implementing a high-memory algorithm for motion estimation and compensation uses a low internal memory processor and a DMA engine that interacts with the processor and the algorithm. The DMA takes care of large data transfers from an external memory to the processor internal memory and vice-versa, without using the CPU clock cycles. The design method is scalable and is suited to handle huge bandwidths without slowing down the processor. To prevent the processor from being idle during DMA, the processing is pipelined and staggered so that motion compensation is performed on an earlier block or data that is available, while DMA fetches the reference data for the current block. Several DMAs may be set up under an ISR if necessary. The invention has application in video decoders including those conforming to H.264, VC-1, and MPEG-4 ASP.

Abstract: A method for achieving bit rate controlled encoding, e.g., constant bit rate, uses a bit rate control model based on bits allocated per macroblock and based on error in estimating bits consumed in an encoding process in a macroblock. The method computes bits consumed per macroblock as a function of the formed bit rate control model, and allocates bits for the macroblock. To this end, a quadratic (second order) equation is used for the model, which equation might default into a first order equation requiring fewer computations, in the event that no second order solutions exist. In one form, the bit rate control model computes the bit rate to satisfy video buffer verifier (VBV) compliance in accordance with MPEG requirements. The bit rate control model makes allowances for the type of macroblock, i.e., inter, intra or bidirectional, and provides for any frame-skips.