Abstract: The present invention is directed to a power transfer system for a four-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a torque transfer coupling which includes a clutch pack and a ball-screw actuator. The ball-screw actuator functions to axially translates an apply plate to operatively engage the clutch pack and vary the frictional engagement. This arrangement yields numerous operational advantages over the prior art including, but not limited to, establishing a direct drive between the motor output shaft and the apply plate, concentric mounting of the actuator elements with the motor output shaft, and a simplified mechanical arrangement that reduces the number of frictional elements increasing operational efficiency and decreasing motor requirements.

Abstract: A filter graph for processing media content is presented comprising a video processing subsystem to process video content, and an audio processing subsystem to process audio content. Each of the audio processing subsystem and the video processing subsystem is coupled through a parser to a single instance of a source of audio and video content, wherein the parser selectively provides the audio subsystem and the video subsystem with audio content and video content, respectively.

Abstract: A method of representing a development project is presented comprising identifying a plurality of sources comprising the development project, determining whether any of the sources are required simultaneously and, if not, dynamically generating a filter graph representation of the development project utilizing a segment filter to couple a source to multiple processing threads.

Abstract: Multi-media project editing methods and systems are described. In one embodiment, a project editing system comprises a multi-media editing application that is configured to enable a user to combine multiple different video clips into a video project. A bitmap processor coupled with the multi-media editing application receives a first bitmap that can be used to render a transition between video clips and automatically processes the first bitmap to provide a different transition between video clips. Processing of the first bitmap can include, without limitation, using the first bitmap to provide an entirely new and different second bitmap, or processing the first bitmap in a manner which renders a transition that is different from the transition defined by the first bitmap. In one embodiment, a user is able to enter one or more parameters, through a user interface (UI), with the parameters then being used to manipulate the first bitmap to provide the different transition.

Abstract: A method comprising generating a source chain for use in a development project, and caching the source chain when it is not currently required in the development project.

Abstract: A system is presented including a plurality of sources, and an interface, selectively coupled to the plurality of sources, to generate and implement a development project of processing chains, wherein the interface dynamically loads a processing chain for each of the plurality of media sources at a point during the execution of the project when the chain is required, and wherein the interface is configured to unload at least a subset of the chains when they are not required.

Abstract: Methods and systems of simulating dynamic properties on computer-implemented objects that do not support dynamic properties are described. In one embodiment, one or more first objects that do not support dynamic properties are provided. One or more second programmable objects are provided and are programmed to effect property value changes on the objects that do not support dynamic properties. The programmable objects can be programmed using data structures that, in one embodiment, comprise an array of one or more sets of data structures. Each data structure set is associated with a property whose value is desired to be changed. The data structure set can define a new property value, a time at which the property value is to be changed, and how to effect the property value change. The programmable object(s) is pre-programmed with the data structures and knows when to call the first objects so that they can change their properties.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing media content are described. In one embodiment, a software-implemented matrix switch is used in connection with multi-media editing software that enables users build or define their own editing multi-media editing projects that incorporate multiple different user-selected clips into an integrated project. Each clip can be defined in terms of one or more digital data streams, e.g. video and audio streams. One implementation provides a software-implemented method that defines a first data structure that represents a user-defined multi-media editing project and processes the data structure to provide a second data structure. The second data structure contains data that can be used to program the matrix switch so that multiple switch inputs are routed to multiple switch outputs. Flexibility and efficiency can be provided through the use of a composite or composition. A composite or composition can be considered as a representation of an editing project as a single track.

Abstract: A software enabled, matrix switch is presented wherein a scalable plurality of inputs, coupled to media content sources, provide media content which is recursively routed through select media processing object(s) coupled to a scalable plurality of matrix switch outputs in accordance with a user-defined media processing project.

Abstract: A method of generating a development project including at least a matrix switch and one or more adjacent objects is presented comprising establishing an initial rendering of the development project, and negotiating buffer size and attributes between an input/output coupling the matrix switch to an input/output of the adjacent objects, wherein the negotiated buffer is utilized to communicate information between the input/output of the matrix switch and the input/output of the adjacent object by sharing information via the shared buffer.

Abstract: A method of generating a filter graph of a development project is presented comprising identifying a plurality of source clips comprising the development project, wherein each source clip represents an access to a source, and combining two or more accesses for two or more source clips into a single access if the two or more source clips satisfy one or more criteria.

Abstract: A class of benzopyrancarboxylic acid derivatives comprises compounds that are potent agonists of PPAR alpha and/or gamma, and are therefore useful in the treatment, control or prevention of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis, obesity, vascular restenosis, inflammation, and other PPAR alpha and/or gamma mediated diseases, disorders and conditions.

Abstract: A multilayer ceramic device has top and bottom green ceramic layers machined and fired. Intermediate green ceramic layers are machined, have conductors laid down in the machined areas, are laminated, and are fired to form an enclosure layer. The areas of the layers which will be in contact with each other are coated with a bonding agent. The layers are aligned and bonded to form a structure having arbitrarily shaped, interior channels adjacent to the top and bottom layers which are not subject to detrimental nonplanarities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for designing an RF modular hybrid circuit assembly. The apparatus comprises a rule-based control mechanism, a graphical user interface and a library of RF hybrid elements including model front- and back-sides, and input/output instances. The method comprises the steps of initializing standardized front- and back-plane models, adding input/output instances along the perimeter of the back-plane, designing the hybrid circuit on the front-plane and combining the two planes to arrive at an RF modular hybrid layout design. A data library of RF hybrid elements is provided to facilitate rapid prototyping. The final design is then sent concurrently to a photo-plotter and a laser subsystem for printing the thick-film and cutting the PTHs respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed are substituted aryl piperazines of Formula I ##STR1## are tachykinin receptor antagonists useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, pain or migraine, asthma and emesis. In particular compounds of Formula I are shown to be neurokinin antagonists.

Abstract: A method for compressing video movie data to a specified target size using intraframe and interframe compression schemes. In intraframe compression, a frame of the movie is compressed by comparing adjacent pixels within the same frame. In contrast, interframe compression compresses by comparing similarly situated pixels of adjacent frames. The method begins by compressing the first frame of the video movie using intraframe compression. The first stage of the intraframe compression process does not degrade the quality of the original data, e.g., the method uses run length encoding based on the pixels' color values to compress the video data. However, in circumstances where lossless compression is not sufficient, the method utilizes a threshold value, or tolerance, to achieve further compression.

Abstract: A family of modular hybrid assemblies with high frequency interconnections is effected by a high frequency circuit assembly attached to a motherboard. Each assembly comprises standardized conducting elements and customizable transitions and circuit regions. The customizable transitions can be placed anywhere along the conducting element and are capable of low and high frequency performance. Attachment of the assembly can be effected via a standardized clamping structure which compresses an elastomeric member upon the conducting elements or by bending the conducting elements and soldering on end to attachment sites on the motherboard. Each member of the family of modular hybrid assemblies provides a controlled impedance transition from a transmission line on the circuit assembly to a transmission line on the motherboard.

Abstract: A composite transversely plastic interconnect for a microcarrier produces a carrier-to-substrate bond having low electrical resistance and high mechanical strength, significant bond height to mediate TCE mismatch between dissimilar carrier and substrate materials, and sufficient gap between the carrier and the substrate to permit effective post solder cleaning of the interconnect. A contact array consisting of solder balls is placed directly onto either of a carrier or a substrate interconnect surface with a stencil positioned to the chosen interconnect surface. The solder balls may have a selected melting temperature. Additionally, the solder balls may have a metallic coating, such as nickel or copper, or molten solder. The carrier and substrate are joined by mating an interconnect surface of each and applying heat. Solder paste may be applied to one of the interconnect surfaces to add additional height to the joint and compensate for lack of coplanarity between the carrier and the substrate.

Abstract: Substituted alicyclic compounds of the general structural formula: ##STR1## are tachykinin receptor antagonists useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, pain or migraine, and asthma.

Abstract: A composite transversely plastic interconnect for a microcarrier produces a carrier-to-substrate bond having low electrical resistance and high mechanical strength, significant bond height to mediate TCE mismatch between dissimilar carrier and substrate materials, and sufficient gap between the carrier and the substrate to permit effective post solder cleaning of the interconnect. A contact array consisting of solder balls is placed directly onto either of a carrier or a substrate interconnect surface with a stencil positioned to the chosen interconnect surface. The solder balls may have a selected melting temperature. Additionally, the solder balls may have a metallic coating, such as nickel or copper, or molten solder. The carrier and substrate are joined by mating an interconnect surface of each and applying heat. Solder paste may be applied to one of the interconnect surfaces to add additional height to the joint and compensate for lack of coplanarity between the carrier and the substrate.