Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of compressing video data having at least one frame having at least one block having an array of pixels. The method includes transforming the pixels of the at least one block into coefficients, creating a default transmission order of the coefficients, creating an optimal transmission order of the coefficients, comparing a coefficient position of at least one of the coefficients in the optimal transmission order with a coefficient position of the at least one of the coefficients in the default transmission order; determining an update value based on the comparison, and selectively encoding position information of the at least one of the coefficients in the optimal transmission order based on the update value.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system a swivel assembly has a swivel member defining first and second swivel member connector portions, a swivel housing, and first and second bearings operatively arranged between the swivel member and the swivel housing. The accessory mounting system operatively connects a helical pile driving system having a rotational drive system and at least one clamp system to an accessory. The first swivel member connector portion is adapted to operatively connect the swivel member to the drive system. The second swivel member connector portion is adapted to operatively connect the swivel member to the accessory. The swivel housing is adapted to engage the at least one clamp system such that the clamp system may be operated to fix a position of the swivel housing relative to the drive system. The first and second bearings are configured to allow rotation of the swivel member relative to the swivel housing.

Abstract: A method of operation within an integrated circuit device having a plurality of processing lanes. A first sub-stream of data, having a variable length, is generated in a first one of the processing lanes. A second sub-stream of data, also having a variable length, is generated in a second one of the processing lanes. The first and second sub-streams are then output to form a single bitstream.

Abstract: A method of compressing video data having at least one frame having at least one block and each block having an array of pixels is provided. The method transforms the pixels of each block into coefficients and creates an optimal transmission order of the coefficients. The method also optimizes the speed of processing compressed video data by partitioning the data bitstream and coding each partition independently. The method also predicts fractional pixel motion by selecting an interpolation method for each given plurality or block of pixels depending upon at least one metric related to each given block and varies the method from block to block. The method also enhances error recovery for a current frame using a frame prior to the frame immediately before the current frame as the only reference frame for lessening quality loss during data transmission. Enhanced motion vector coding is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a split-shaft S-cam and apparatus. The method for converting a one-piece S-cam into a two-piece comprises: cutting an S-cam along a non-bearing-surface portion resulting in an S-cam inner portion and a head portion; machining a coupling means for releasably joining the inner and head portions into each cut end; providing a nipple having, cooperating coupling means for engaging with the coupling means machined into each cut end, and a shoulder having a width equivalent to the material removed in the cutting step, the shoulder disposed between the coupling means and adapted to engage a cooperating shoulder on each of the ends; mating the coupling means with the cooperating coupling means; whereby, the two-piece S-cam allows replacement of at least a portion of an S-cam without requiring complete disassembly of a trailer brake. The coupling means and cooperating coupling means may be threaded, splined, or other well-known mechanical-type connections.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for decoding a video signal having a plurality of frames including a current frame. Decoding the video signal can include generating an alternate reference frame having a first quality level, determining a boost value indicative of a second quality level higher than the first quality level, determining whether to apply the boost value to the alternative reference frame, and selectively applying the boost value to the alternative reference frame if it is determined to apply the boost value to the alternative reference frame. The alternate reference frame can occur prior to the current frame in the video signal and other than a frame immediately prior to the current frame.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method of compressing video data having at least one frame having at least one block having an array of pixels. The method includes transforming the pixels of the at least one block into coefficients, creating a default transmission order of the coefficients, creating an optimal transmission order of the coefficients, comparing a coefficient position of at least one of the coefficients in the optimal transmission order with a coefficient position of the at least one of the coefficients in the default transmission order; determining an update value based on the comparison, and selectively encoding position information of the at least one of the coefficients in the optimal transmission order based on the update value.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for encoding a video signal having at least one frame with a plurality of blocks. The method includes determining, for a first block in the at least one frame, a motion vector that describes a spatial relationship between the first block and a second block within a previously encoded frame that is similar to the first block, determining a complexity value representative of a complexity of the second block; determining a length value representative of a length of the motion vector; selecting a filter from a plurality of filters based on at least one of the length value or the complexity value wherein the plurality of filters includes at least a bicubic filter and a bilinear filter; and applying the selected filter to at least a portion of the previously encoded frame to derive a predictor block.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for encoding a video signal having a plurality of frames including a current frame. The method includes identifying a first block within the current frame; determining at least one predictor token related to the first block; identifying a reference block within the plurality of frames; determining at least one prediction error token derived from a difference between the first block and the reference block; assigning the at least one predictor token to a first bitstream partition; assigning the at least one prediction error token to a second bitstream partition; and selecting a first encoding scheme for the first bitstream partition and a second encoding scheme for the second bitstream partition.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for decoding a video signal having a plurality of frames including a current frame. Decoding the video signal includes generating an alternate reference frame, detecting an error in the current frame and reporting the detected error, receiving a recovery frame in response to reporting the detected error, wherein the recovery frame is encoded using the alternate reference frame; and decoding the recovery frame using the alternate reference frame. The alternate reference frame occurs prior to the current frame in the video signal and is other than a frame immediately prior to the current frame.

Abstract: A method of operation within an integrated circuit device having a plurality of processing lanes. A first sub-stream of data, having a variable length, is generated in a first one of the processing lanes. A second sub-stream of data, also having a variable length, is generated in a second one of the processing lanes. The first and second sub-streams are then output to form a single bitstream.

Abstract: A method of estimating motion is disclosed. A first plurality of candidates is identified in a reference frame, wherein the total area occupied by the first plurality of candidates is substantially smaller than that of the reference frame. A first refinement search is then performed based, at least in part, on the first plurality of candidates. One or more best candidates are then identified based, at least in part, on the first refinement search. Finally, motion data is encoded based, at least in part, on the one or more best candidates.

Abstract: The invention presents a system and a method for assisting automation control module (ACM) customers to retrieve information relevant to their specific ACM(s). A service-portal ACM combines a conventional ACM with a service portal and/or a general-purpose computer to facilitate locating relevant information by the customers. The service-portal ACM comprises a first central processing unit (CPU), and a first memory operably connected to the first CPU. A second CPU is operably connected to the first CPU, and a second memory is operably connected to the second CPU for storing a service-portal database containing a first set of service-portal data and one or more links to a second set of service-portal data stored in a remote network server. A first network interface is operably connected to the second CPU and to a gateway configured for enabling the second CPU to communicate with the remote network server.

Abstract: A water-cooled furnace roll has a hollow rotating arbor, having cooling fluid passages formed therein, wherein the arbor is formed from a heat resistant centrifugally cast alloy, and a plurality of annular tires spaced along said arbor and secured to the arbor, wherein the spaces between the tires is adapted to receive refractory material to insulate the arbor.

Abstract: A method of compressing video data having at least one frame having at least one block and each block having an array of pixels is provided. The method transforms the pixels of each block into coefficients and creates an optimal transmission order of the coefficients. The method also optimizes the speed of processing compressed video data by partitioning the data bitstream and coding each partition independently. The method also predicts fractional pixel motion by selecting an interpolation method for each given plurality or block of pixels depending upon at least one metric related to each given block and varies the method from block to block. The method also enhances error recovery for a current frame using a frame prior to the frame immediately before the current frame as the only reference frame for lessening quality loss during data transmission. Enhanced motion vector coding is also provided.

Abstract: An aluminium foil rolling method comprising the steps of taking two strips of aluminium, bringing facing surfaces of the two strips into contact with one another and subjecting the two strips to a first pack rolling operation, thence subjecting the same two strips to a second pack rolling operation whilst maintaining the two strips in substantially the same registry as when the first pack rolling operation was carried out. Advantageously, following the first pack rolling operation, the two strips are coiled together onto a common coil in order to assist in maintaining their registry for the second pack rolling operation. In an embodiment, a release material is applied to the facing surfaces of at least one of the strips prior to bringing them together for the first pack rolling operation, and a further amount of release material, less than that applied before the first pack rolling operation, or even a zero amount, is applied between the two pack rolling operations.

Abstract: The invention presents a system and a method for assisting automation control module (ACM) customers to retrieve information relevant to their specific ACM(s). A service-portal ACM combines a conventional ACM with a service portal and/or a general-purpose computer to facilitate locating relevant information by the customers. The service-portal ACM comprises a first central processing unit (CPU), and a first memory operably connected to the first CPU. A second CPU is operably connected to the first CPU, and a second memory is operably connected to the second CPU for storing a service-portal database containing a first set of service-portal data and one or more links to a second set of service-portal data stored in a remote network server. A first network interface is operably connected to the second CPU and to a gateway configured for enabling the second CPU to communicate with the remote network server.

Abstract: A method for producing an easy open, easy tear package formed of flexible single layer or multi-layered material using a laser. The user configures a microprocessor with the sheet size, score pattern, and material parameters. The microprocessor controls the laser to score the film material to a depth less than a full depth of the material. The microprocessor modulates the laser to create tear initiation areas at predetermined locations precisely on the score line, so as to create a starting point for initiating a tear to open the package along the score line after the package is sealed.