Abstract: An image encoding system and an image encoding method are provided. The image encoding system comprises a relation computing unit and an embedded unit. The relation computing unit receives a plurality of view-angle images each comprising a plurality of pixels, and calculates a relative relationship between pixels according to their colors and locations of the pixels to generate a plurality of encoding images. The embedded unit respectively embeds the encoding images in the view-angle images to generate a plurality of embedded images.

Abstract: An image depth information refreshing method applied to an image depth information refreshing device is disclosed. The image depth information refreshing device includes a storage unit and an arithmetic logic unit. The storage unit stores a previous depth diagram corresponding to a previous image. The image depth information refreshing method includes the following steps. The arithmetic logic unit divides a current image captured by an image capturing unit into multiple image blocks. The arithmetic logic unit calculates a depth reference value of each image block according to the previous depth diagram, and determines a weight of each image block according to the depth reference values. The arithmetic logic unit determines a refreshing frequency of each image block according to the weights. The arithmetic logic unit respectively refreshes the image block according to the refreshing frequencies of the image blocks, and generates a current depth diagram corresponding to the current image.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the handling, management, and retention of particular accounts. An allowable calling number list is generated via a suitable mechanism such as a call center. The allowable calling number list is utilized by telephone number management server to manage inbound call access to suspended accounts. Account representatives are given access to the suspended numbers. Additionally, certain emergency inbound calls may be permitted from select numbers.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses a trajectory-based control method which includes the steps of: obtaining at least one smoothed coordinate of an object in accordance with an object tracking procedure; performing a function control mode or a cursor control mode in accordance with a first trajectory of the object, wherein the first trajectory of the object is expressed in accordance with the at least one smoothed coordinate; performing at least one system function in accordance with the function control mode; and moving at least one cursor in accordance with the cursor control mode.

Abstract: A focus-adjusting apparatus and platform of an imaging device includes a base, a holding device, a gear set, an imaging device and a stepping motor. The imaging device is disposed on the base during the focus-adjusting process and can be removed from the base after the focus-adjusting process. The stepping motor adjusts the focus of the imaging device and an image-processing unit calculates and records the modulation transfer function of the imaging device. The focus of the imaging device is set to a value with which the imaging device has the optimum modulation transfer function.

Abstract: A system and method allow an Internet user to act as a broadcast session conductor by assembling audiovisual information in a multimedia document, and broadcasting that information to a predetermined group for simultaneous viewing. During the network broadcast, members of the predetermined group can interact with the Internet conductor using a standard telephone or other audio connection. The broadcast information may be used for such sessions as on-line training/teaching seminars, telemarketing, teleshopping and other multimedia events.

Abstract: A system and method that provides seamless mobility through cable and wireless (e.g. cellular) communication networks to allow users to use a single mobile phone everywhere. The system takes advantage of a variety of features of cellular or wireless systems residential systems, cellular or wireless distribution networks, mobile switching centers, and cable networks. Users access services according to the present invention through a combined wireless-wired infrastructure in the residence connected to wireless communication networks.

Abstract: A protocol for handling multiple access on broadband communication networks, e.g., fiber/coax networks and wireless networks, supports both continuous bit rate (CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) traffic representing voice, video telephony, interactive television, and data. The invention is carried out both in customer premise equipment (CPE) at stations, and in a common controller with which all stations communicate. A medium access control (MAC) processor provided in each of the stations and in the common controller divides the time domain for a given RF channel into a series of successive frames, each having a plurality of time slots. Because of the architecture of the communication network, individual stations do not communicate directly with each other, but can receive broadcast messages indicating the status of each time slot, which messages are generated in the common controller and transmitted in a downstream channel.

Abstract: The distributed broadband cable modem termination system centralizes the point to multi-point function of the downstream signaling while simultaneously localizing the multi-point to single point functions of the upstream signaling. The upstream broadband cable termination segment of the broadband cable modem termination system is located at a different layer of the broadband cable network from the downstream broadband cable modem termination segment of the broadband cable modem termination system. By splitting the broadband cable modem termination system functions into separable and independently operable upstream and downstream functions, network deployment is optimized for a number of reasons. The downstream and upstream functions scale independently so the system can selectively add capacity where needed in the direction needed independent of the capacity in the reverse direction.

Abstract: A system and method allow an Internet user to act as a broadcast session conductor by assembling audiovisual information in a multimedia document, and broadcasting that information to a predetermined group for simultaneous viewing. During the network broadcast, members of the predetermined group can interact with the Internet conductor using a standard telephone or other audio connection. The broadcast information may be used for such sessions as on-line training/teaching seminars, telemarketing, teleshopping and other multimedia events.

Abstract: A protocol for handling multiple access on broadband communication networks, e.g., fiber/coax networks and wireless networks, supports both continuous bit rate (CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) traffic representing voice, video telephony, interactive television, and data. The invention is carried out both in customer premise equipment (CPE) at stations, and in a common controller with which all stations communicate. A medium access control (MAC) processor provided in each of the stations and in the common controller divides the time domain for a given RF channel into a series of successive frames, each having a plurality of time slots. Because of the architecture of the communication network, individual stations do not communicate directly with each other, but can receive broadcast messages indicating the status of each time slot, which messages are generated in the common controller and transmitted in a downstream channel.

Abstract: A system and method allow an Internet user to act as a broadcast session conductor by assembling audiovisual information in a multimedia document, and broadcasting that information to a predetermined group for simultaneous viewing. During the network broadcast, members of the predetermined group can interact with the Internet conductor using a standard telephone or other audio connection. The broadcast information may be used for such sessions as on-line training/teaching seminars, telemarketing, teleshopping and other multimedia events.

Abstract: A communication system and method utilizing a divided customer Internet Protocol (IP) address space for access customer premises equipment (CPE) addresses and customer personal computer addresses. Both the access CPE and the customer personal computers are located at a customer premises. Using the system and method, Internet service providers can easily implement security measures to deny access to a Network Operation Center (NOC) by communications originating from customer personal computers but allow communications between the NOC and the access CPE.

Abstract: A delivery time differential is computed between an intended transmission time of a cell and a time that the same cell is successfully transmitted on a multiple access network. The delivery time differential is communicated from the client terminal, where it is initially calculated, to the host terminal side, which utilizes the delivery time differential to compensate for the time distortions resulting from multiple end-user devices accessing shared bandwidth on the multiple access network.

Abstract: An information access system and method is presented which allows a network-connected user to view information content on the network according to the electronic proximity to the user, and other factors. Information content is discriminated according to the type of that information, and physical channels available to access that information. The illustrated information types can include infoid, local content and remote content.

Abstract: A head-end dynamically allocates bandwidth of a communications channel as a function of the type of communications traffic. In particular, the head-end communicates to subscriber stations via a broadband cable network using an access protocol, which is modified to provide a variable number of mini-slots and a variable number of data slots in each frame. Each mini-slot is used to request assignment of a data slot(s) to subscriber stations for the communication of information and, also, as a vehicle to resolve contention between subscriber stations. The head-end dynamically adjusts the number of mini-slots over a period time as a function of the type of communications traffic, e.g., bursty and isochronous traffic sources. Any variation in the number of mini-slots concomitantly effects the number of data slots available to communicate information. For example, less mini-slots provides more data slots.

Abstract: STM traffic, e.g. voice and video telephony (VT), as well as packet mode (e.g. ATM) traffic, e.g. broadcast digital video, interactive television, and data, are transmitted via a multiple access broadband fiber/coaxial cable network. Customer premises equipment (CPE) at stations, and a bandwidth controller, which may be at a head end or central office, with which all stations communicate, work together to adapt to the changing demands of the traffic mix, and efficiently allocate bandwidth to a variety of bursty and isochronous traffic sources. The bandwidth allocation defines two types of time slots, STM and ATM, and divides each frame into two corresponding STM and ATM regions. The boundary between the regions can be changed dynamically. A contention access signaling channel is provided in the STM region, for call control and set-up requests.