Abstract: A circuit for use in a multimedia server module that is coupleable to a plurality of multimedia sources that produce at least one multimedia signal and that can transmit over a wireless communication path to at least one client module, the circuit includes an encoder module that encodes the at least one multimedia signal to produce an encoded signal. An RF server transceiver module produces a channel signal that includes the encoded signal, and that wirelessly transmits the channel signal at a link data rate over the wireless communication path, the RF server transceiver module including a first monitor module that generates first RF performance signals that are based on the performance of the wireless communication path, and a quality of service module that receives the first RF performance signals and adjusts both a range of the link data rate and the link data rate.

Abstract: A method signal for decoding in a diversity reception system can include converting the received RF signal into a plurality of digital baseband signals; phase aligning the plurality of digital baseband signals to produce a plurality of phase aligned digital baseband signals; determining a plurality of error terms from the plurality of phase aligned digital baseband signals; one of which corresponding to one of the plurality of phase aligned digital baseband signals; determining a plurality of weighting factors for the plurality of error terms based on characteristics of the plurality of digital baseband signals, one of which corresponding to one of the plurality of error terms; applying the plurality of weighting factors to the plurality of error terms to produce a plurality of weighted error terms; summing the plurality of weighted error terms to produce an error term for decoding.

Abstract: A multimedia server module includes a first transceiver module that modulates an encoded signal to produce a first radio frequency (RF) signal and that transmits the first RF signal to a client module over a first transceiver channel when the first transceiver module is in a transceive mode. The first transceiver module includes a first channel control module that performs a first channel scan when the first transceiver module is in a scan mode, that determines at least one performance parameter of the first transceiver channel and asserts a low performance signal when the at least one performance parameter compares unfavorably to a performance threshold, and that switches the first transceiver module to a selected alternative transceiver channel when the low performance signal is asserted.

Abstract: A multimedia client/server system includes a multimedia server module that is coupleable to a plurality of multimedia sources that produce at least one multimedia signal. The multimedia server module includes an encoder module that asserts a protection present signal when the at least one multimedia signal includes a copy protection signal, that generates an output signal with the copy protection signal removed when the protection present signal is asserted, and that encodes the output signal to produce an encoded signal. A server transceiver module produces a radio frequency (RF) signal that includes the encoded signal and the protection present signal, and that wirelessly transmits the RF signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting current presence and/or determining capabilities of subscribers, and enabling users of communication devices to initiate communication sessions with other communication devices of selected ones of the subscribers, in selected manners, based at least in part on current presence and/or capabilities of the other subscribers, are described herein. In various embodiments, the initiating is performed without or substantially without further input from an initiating user on the other communication device.

Abstract: A group-browsing system for a plurality of clients each including a shared web browser when browsing non-secure parts of a web site. A server is linked to the shared web browser of each client and is configured to monitor the transmission of the web site URL request from the shared web browser of one client of the group and to direct the request to the shared web browser of other clients in the group. A gatekeeper module is configured to first mask the identity of each client's computer on the shared browser. This prevents the web site from retrieving any client's actual identifier. Second, the gatekeeper is also configured to create a same temporary identifier for each client when any client logs on to the web site so that the same web page is displayed for all the clients in the group. When browsing secure parts of a web site, a non-shared web browser is executed instead of using the shared web browser to avoid sharing sensitive or personal information.

Abstract: A correlation module includes a plurality of first functional modules, a plurality of second functional modules, a plurality of function adjust modules, a summation module, a correlation value register, and a correlation evaluation module. The plurality of first functional modules is operably coupled to perform a first function upon a first corresponding pipelined data element to produce a first corresponding value. The plurality of second functional modules is operably coupled to perform a second function upon a second corresponding pipelined data element to produce a second corresponding value. The plurality of function adjust modules is operably coupled to selected ones of the plurality of first functional modules and to selected ones of the plurality of second functional modules. The summation module is operably coupled to sum the plurality of first corresponding values, the plurality of second corresponding values, and a previous correlation value to produce a current correlation value.

Abstract: Various methods of preparing dry water-soluble polymers are described. Furthermore, water-soluble polymers in solid form are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for performing dual-sided scanning of an original document in a device having an automatic document feeder uses two application specific circuits (ASICs), each ASIC configured to control an associated scanning element. A first of the two ASICs receives position information about a motor associated with the automatic document feeder, or the document itself, and uses this position information to determine when to read a line of scan data from its associated scanning element. The first ASIC also uses the position information to create a scanning synchronization signal that is sent to the second ASIC. The second ASIC uses the scanning synchronization signal to determine when to read data from its associated scanning element.

Abstract: A figure kicking toy with a crank activated kicking leg with boot of the first figure pivoting to contact the posterior of the second figure. The kicking leg has a return spring for restoring the leg to upright position. The preferred embodiment offers rubberized material, at least in the second figure, to allow air compression from the boot contact to dislodge the head of the second figure. The preferred embodiment has a two headed second figure with heads representing Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein respectively.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing system for establishing virtual endorsement credentials. The data processing system includes a hardware trusted platform module (TPM). Logical partitions are generated in the system. A different virtual TPM is generated for each one of the logical partitions. For each one of the logical partitions, the virtual TPM that was generated for the logical partition then dynamically generates a virtual endorsement credential for use by the logical partition that includes the virtual TPM. The virtual endorsement credential is generated within the data processing system without the data processing system or its devices accessing a trusted third party that is external to the data processing system.

Abstract: A group-browsing system for a plurality of clients each including a shared web browser. A server is linked to the shared web browser of each client and is configured to monitor the transmission of the web site URL request from the shared web browser of one client of the group and to direct the request to the shared web browser of other clients in the group. A gatekeeper module is configured to first mask the identity of each client's computer on the shared browser. This prevents the web site from retrieving any client's actual identifier. Second, the gatekeeper is also configured to create a same temporary identifier for each client when any client logs on to the web site so that the same web page is displayed for all the clients in the group.

Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting data to a plurality of devices. A data source receives data from a video broadcasting source, such as a digital television provides, through a data cable. The data source identifies devices to receive particular sets of data, such as particular programs, from the data cable. The data source identifies particular settings for transmitting to particular devices. The data source adjusts a transmission power to a first device to efficiently provide data reliably to the first device. The data source can assign more or less power for transmitting data to the first device. The data source provides data to the source device using a first data channel. The data source provides data to a second device using a second data channel. The data source receives acknowledgements and control information from the first device and the second device using the second data channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a non-standard data rate in a wireless communication system include processing that begins by establishing a standard specified data rate for a given transmission. The processing then continues by determining whether the data rate of the transmission can be adjusted from the standard specified data rate by a non-standard data rate adjustment. The processing then continues when the data rate can be adjusted, adjusting the data rate to a non-standard data rate for the given data transmission.

Abstract: A method for processing data for use with a video display includes compressing image data of one or more color planes on a line-by-line basis using lossy compression, wherein at least one lossy compression scheme of a plurality of lossy compression schemes is designated for each line of the plurality of lines to form compressed image data on the line-by-line basis.

Abstract: A valid signal may be detected by initializing gain settings of the receiver section. The processing then continues by measuring received signal strength of a signal received by the receiver section to produce a 1st received signal strength indication (RSSI). The processing continues by adjusting the gain setting of the receiver section such that the 1st received signal strength indication is a predetermined offset less than a signal strength threshold. The process then continues by measuring the received signal strength of the gain adjusted representation of the signal to produce a 2nd received signal strength indication. The processing continues by appending a 2nd offset to the 2nd received signal strength value to produce an adjusted received signal strength indication value when the 2nd received signal strength value drifts from the signal strength threshold less the predetermined offset.

Abstract: A group-browsing system for a plurality of clients each including a shared web browser. A server is linked to the shared web browser of each client and is configured to monitor the transmission of the web site URL request from the shared web browser of one client of the group and to direct the request to the shared web browser of other clients in the group. A gatekeeper module is configured to first mask the identity of each client's computer on the shared browser. This prevents the web site from retrieving any client's actual identifier. Second, the gatekeeper is also configured to create a same temporary identifier for each client when any client logs on to the web site so that the same web page is displayed for all the clients in the group.

Abstract: A bus stop illuminating assembly used in public transportation system comprising a solar-powered head assembly for illuminating around said bus stop for security at night and signaling to a bus driver that passengers are waiting; an edge-lit bus schedule assembly to give transportation information to passengers; a post to secure said head assembly and said bus schedule assembly thereon, wherein necessary functions of said head assembly or said schedule assembly are selectively activated by said passengers, by means of a button assembly.

Abstract: A technique for reliably multicasting a message within a router network is provided. At least one special router in the network has associated persistent storage for logging a message being routed to one or more clients. When a message is received at this logger node, the logger places the message in persistent storage and sends a logging acknowledgment back to those routers to which the message was originally routed, as well as back towards the source of the message. The logger acknowledgment includes the message id, the logger id, and a logging number. When the logger acknowledgment is received by a router, it looks up the routing information from the original message, and sends the acknowledgment to those neighboring routers to which the original message was sent, excluding the link from which the logger acknowledgment was received. If the original message corresponding to the logger acknowledgment was buffered at this router waiting to be delivered, the message is then delivered to its client nodes.

Abstract: A computer system contains selectively available boot block codes. A first boot block is of the conventional type and is stored in storage media such as flash ROM on a system planar with the processor of the computer system. A second boot block is located on a feature card and contains an immutable security code in compliance with the Trusted Computing Platform Alliance (TCPA) specification. The boot block on the feature card is enabled if the first boot block detects the presence of the feature card. The computer system can be readily modified as the computer system is reconfigured, while maintaining compliance with the TCPA specification. A switching mechanism controls which of the boot blocks is to be activated. The feature card is disabled in the event of a computer system reset to prevent access to the TCPA compliant code and function.