Abstract: A hybrid architecture of a television (TV) receiving system is disclosed. The architecture includes two portions, a hardware portion and a software portion. The hardware portion includes a minimum amount of hardware to achieve operations of receiving a RF signal, producing an IF signal and outputting data representing the IP signal. The software portion, taking advantage of available computing power (e.g., high-speed microprocessor and a lot of memory) in a computing device and executed therein, includes one or more demodulators, all implemented in software. Each of the demodulators is implemented in accordance with one type of TV standard. Thus depending on the received data, a corresponding demodulator is activated to demodulate the received data and subsequently produces audio and video data.

Abstract: A hybrid architecture of a television (TV) receiving system is disclosed. The architecture includes two portions, a hardware portion and a software portion. The hardware portion includes a minimum amount of hardware to achieve operations of receiving a RF signal, producing an IF signal and outputting data representing the IP signal. The software portion, taking advantage of available computing power (e.g., high-speed microprocessor and a lot of memory) in a computing device and executed therein, includes one or more demodulators, all implemented in software. Each of the demodulators is implemented in accordance with one type of TV standard. Thus depending on the received data, a corresponding demodulator is activated to demodulate the received data and subsequently produces audio and video data.

Abstract: A method for de-interlacing is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) determining a plurality of target mode values for a target pixel being synthesized to convert a current field into a current frame, wherein at least two of the target mode values are based on both (i) a plurality of original pixels and (ii) a plurality of synthesized pixels in a plurality of synthesized frames, (B) generating a plurality of candidate values for the target pixel using a plurality of interpolation techniques that includes a motion estimation interpolation utilizing a particular one of the synthesized frames and (C) selecting a particular one of the candidate values for the target pixel in response to the target mode values.

Abstract: A method for rendering an object on a display screen, comprising the steps of (A) buffering a plurality of pixels in a plurality of line buffers, (B) determining a boundary of the object based on the buffered pixels, (C) determining a direction of the boundary, (D) testing if a pixel in the line buffers is in motion and applying one of a plurality of filter coefficients if the pixel is in motion, where the plurality of filter coefficients define a modified median filter having a predetermined threshold and (E) interpolating a new pixel in the direction of the boundary.

Abstract: A method for de-interlacing is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) determining a plurality of target mode values for a target pixel being synthesized to convert a current field into a current frame, wherein at least two of the target mode values are based on both (i) a plurality of original pixels and (ii) a plurality of synthesized pixels in a plurality of synthesized frames, (B) generating a plurality of candidate values for the target pixel using a plurality of interpolation techniques that includes a motion estimation interpolation utilizing a particular one of the synthesized frames and (C) selecting a particular one of the candidate values for the target pixel in response to the target mode values.

Abstract: A method for rendering an object on a display screen, comprising the steps of (A) buffering a plurality of pixels in a plurality of line buffers, (B) determining a boundary of the object based on the buffered pixels, (C) determining a direction of the boundary, (D) testing if a pixel in the line buffers is in motion and applying one of a plurality of filter coefficients if the pixel is in motion, where the plurality of filter coefficients define a modified median filter having a predetermined threshold and (E) interpolating a new pixel in the direction of the boundary.

Abstract: Techniques of designing a digital phase lock loop are disclosed. In one embodiment, the digital phase lock loop comprises a synchronization unit producing a producing a plurality of clock signals in accordance with a seed clock signal having a frequency, each of the clock signals having a modified frequency over the frequency of the seed clock signal and a phase shift from each other; a phase-frequency detection unit receiving an input signal and a feedback signal, and sampling the input signal and the feedback signal in accordance with the clock signals to determine differences in phase and frequency between the input signal and the feedback signal; a digital control oscillator receiving the clock signals and producing an output signal in reference to the differences from phase-frequency detection unit, and subsequently, a digitally controlled clock signal is produced.

Abstract: A thin pointing apparatus includes a base associated with a circuit board and pivotally connecting with a rotary disk. The circuit board joins six conductive annular rails, three photo-interrupters and a microprocessor. The rotary disk is provided with four conductive plates corresponding to the annular rails disposed underneath such that the user can press down the conductive plates to touch any two neighboring annular rails for changing the moving direction of the cursor quickly. The rotary disk further provides the photo interruption sets. Two photo-interrupters are disposed under the first photo interruption set for detecting the rotational direction and rotational displacement of the rotary disk. The third photo-interrupter is disposed under the second photo interruption set for detecting the absolute rotational angle of the rotary disk. The pointing apparatus is capable of attaching with a USB to perform the function of USB hub additionally.

Abstract: A thin pointing apparatus includes a base associated with a circuit board and pivotally connecting with a rotary disk. The circuit board joins six conductive annular rails, three photo-interrupters and a microprocessor. The rotary disk is provided with four conductive plates corresponding to the annular rails disposed underneath such that the user can press down the conductive plates to touch any two neighboring annular rails for changing the moving direction of the cursor quickly. The rotary disk further provides the photo interruption sets. Two photo-interrupters are disposed under the first photo interruption set for detecting the rotational direction and rotational displacement of the rotary disk. The third photo-interrupter is disposed under the second photo interruption set for detecting the absolute rotational angle of the rotary disk. The pointing apparatus is capable of attaching with a USB to perform the function of USB hub additionally.