Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing bandwidth of an encoded media content stream by dynamically varying the quality of the encoded media content. One method involves encoding the media content using a first value for a quality factor, determining one or more metrics indicative of a bandwidth associated with the encoded portion of the media content, determining an adjustment for the quality factor to obtain an adjusted value for the quality factor based at least in part on a relationship between the one or more metrics indicative of the bandwidth and one or more bandwidth targets, and thereafter encoding a subsequent portion of the media content using the adjusted value for the quality factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of analyzing the distribution of weight of animals, including a base member, a plurality of sensor regions connected to the base member to respectively receive feet of the animal when the animal is standing, each sensor region having a plurality of sensors to generate signals indicative of weight applied by each foot to a respective sensor region, at least a portion of the sensors being located between the base member and the sensor regions and spaced apart proximate perimeter portions of each sensor region, and a control unit to generate an output indicative of the weight applied by each foot to the respective sensor regions based on an aggregation of the generated signals.

Abstract: An electronic pet gate. The electronic pet gate includes a gate transmitter generating a barrier field and a gate receiver generating a deterrent stimulus in the presence of the barrier field. The gate transmitter includes a loop antenna in a low profile elongated sill and a barrier signal generator. The loop antenna transmits the barrier signal and has an elongated geometric shape configured to shape the radiated electromagnetic field into a truncated ellipsoid. The truncated ellipsoidal barrier field has significant field strength along the length of the low profile sill and minimal field strength along the sides of the low profile sill. The low profile sill is designed to securely rest on the floor to block access to an area restricted to a pet without being a substantial physical impediment or hazard to people passing over low profile sill.

Abstract: High-quality video encoding may be implemented using a single-chip multiprocessor system. Video encoding may be parallelized to take advantage of multiple processing elements available on a single-chip multiprocessor system. Task level parallelism may comprise parallelizing encoding tasks, such as motion estimation, compensation, transformation, quantization, deblocking filtering, and the like across multiple processing elements. Data level parallelism may comprise segmenting video frame data into macroblock partitions and slabs adapted to provide data independence between parallel processing elements. Data communications and synchronization features of the single-chip system may be leveraged to provide for data sharing and synchronism between processing elements.

Abstract: An electronic pet gate. The electronic pet gate includes a gate transmitter generating a barrier field and a gate receiver generating a deterrent stimulus in the presence of the barrier field. The gate transmitter includes a loop antenna in a low profile elongated sill and a barrier signal generator. The loop antenna transmits the barrier signal and has an elongated geometric shape configured to shape the radiated electromagnetic field into a truncated ellipsoid. The truncated ellipsoidal barrier field has significant field strength along the length of the low profile sill and minimal field strength along the sides of the low profile sill. The low profile sill is designed to securely rest on the floor to block access to an area restricted to a pet without being a substantial physical impediment or hazard to people passing over low profile sill.

Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.

Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.

Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of analyzing the distribution of weight of animals, including a base member, a plurality of sensor regions connected to the base member to respectively receive feet of the animal when the animal is standing, each sensor region having a plurality of sensors to generate signals indicative of weight applied by each foot to a respective sensor region, at least a portion of the sensors being located between the base member and the sensor regions and spaced apart proximate perimeter portions of each sensor region, and a control unit to generate an output indicative of the weight applied by each foot to the respective sensor regions based on an aggregation of the generated signals.

Abstract: Described is an animal training device having a menu-driven user interface, a programmable stimulus delivery switch, and the capability to activate a stimulus delivery device such that it delivers a customized stimulus to an animal. More specifically, the menu-driven user interface enables a user to define the programmable parameters of a customized stimulus and to associate the customized stimulus with the stimulus delivery switch such that when the stimulus delivery switch is operated, the animal training device transmits a stimulus request signal, which includes information indicative of the defined parameters. The stimulus delivery device is responsive to the stimulus request signal to the extent that when the stimulus delivery device receives the stimulus request signal, it determines the defined parameters and delivers the customized stimulus to the animal.

Abstract: Described is a fluidic consumable dispensing device for reliably and consistently dispensing uniform animal consumables. More specifically, the device dispenses animal consumables having the viscosity of a fluid such that the consumables are not broken or malformed and do not become oriented within the device such that they clog the flow of consumables from the device.

Abstract: Described is an animal training/locating device including an animal training feature, an animal locating feature, and a transmitting device for communicating with the animal training feature and the animal locating feature independently. The training device and the locator device are secured to a carrying strap that is secured to the animal such that the training device and the locator device are carried by the animal. The training device is adapted to receive a training signal and the locator device is adapted to receive a locator signal. The transmitting device transmits the training signal and the locator signal. Whether the transmitting device transmits the training signal or the locator signal is governed by the trainer. Consequently, the trainer, by way of the transmitting device, communicates with the training device and the locator device independently.

Abstract: High-quality video encoding may be implemented using a single-chip multiprocessor system. Video encoding may be parallelized to take advantage of multiple processing elements available on a single-chip multiprocessor system. Task level parallelism may comprise parallelizing encoding tasks, such as motion estimation, compensation, transformation, quantization, deblocking filtering, and the like across multiple processing elements. Data level parallelism may comprise segmenting video frame data into macroblock partitions and slabs adapted to provide data independence between parallel processing elements. Data communications and synchronization features of the single-chip system may be leveraged to provide for data sharing and synchronism between processing elements.

Abstract: Described is a high-tech animal training system for delivering a stimulus to an animal and for providing a user with information relating to the ambient environment and to the operation of the animal training system, the information enabling the user to monitor and maintain the health and well-being of the animal. The animal training system delivers a stimulus to the animal such that the user is able to correct any undesired behavior exhibited by the animal and to reward any desired behavior exhibited by the animal. Additionally, the animal training system detects at least one an ambient condition and indicates the detected condition such that the user perceives the indication and is able to take action in protecting the animal from any detrimental conditions. The animal training system is also capable of storing data relating to the operation of the system and/or storing data input by the user.

Abstract: Described is an animal training system for delivering a stimulus to an animal, whereby the intensity of the stimulus is selected from a plurality of intensities that is within a selectable range of available intensities. More specifically, each of the plurality of intensities is within the range of available intensities. The range of available intensities is selected or defined by a user such that the lower limit and the upper limit of the selected range of available intensities defines the lower limit for minimum intensity and the upper limit for the maximum intensity of the plurality of intensities, respectively. Accordingly, each of the plurality of intensities is defined by the selected range of available intensities.

Abstract: A button assembly for selectively actuating a switch. The button assembly (10) includes a button member (16) for being mounted in an opening of a housing. The button member (16) is fabricated of a resilient material and defines an outer surface (38) that can be depressed to bring the button assembly (10) into contact with the switch for purposes of actuating the switch. The button assembly (10) also includes a compression ring (26) for being received in a bore (28) provided in the button member (16) whereby the compression ring (26) compresses the button member against the edges of the housing that define the opening in the housing creating a substantially liquid impervious seal and holding the button assembly (10) in place in the opening.

Abstract: Described is an animal training/locating device including an animal training feature, an animal locating feature, and a transmitting device for communicating with the animal training feature and the animal locating feature independently. The training device and the locator device are secured to a carrying strap that is secured to the animal such that the training device and the locator device are carried by the animal. The training device is adapted to receive a training signal and the locator device is adapted to receive a locator signal. The transmitting device transmits the training signal and the locator signal. Whether the transmitting device transmits the training signal or the locator signal is governed by the trainer. Consequently, the trainer, by way of the transmitting device, communicates with the training device and the locator device independently.

Abstract: An electronic animal training apparatus with feedback communication, or animal training communicator. The animal training communicator provides feedback to the trainer and the animal using the associated electronics. The animal training communicator includes a base unit accessible to a trainer and a remote unit carried by an animal. The base unit has at least a receiver and the remote unit has at least a transmitter.