Abstract: A method and apparatus for hardware-base edge handling in video post-processing. In one embodiment, the method includes the identification of at least one unstored input pixel required to compute an output pixel during output pixel computation. Once identified, a pixel value is generated for the at least one unstored input pixel according to a detected edge handling mode. The generation of the pixel value for the unstored input pixel is performed, in one embodiment, if a position of the unstored input pixel is outside a pixel frame boundary. For example, in one embodiment, for output pixel computation of a scaling operation, the frame boundaries include a left (top) edge and a right (bottom) edge for which input pixels required to compute output pixels at or near the frame boundaries do not exist. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include on-chip characterization of transistor degradation. In one embodiment, includes one or more functional blocks to perform one or more functions and an integrated on-chip characterization circuit to perform on-chip characterization of transistor degradation. The integrated on-chip characterization circuit includes a selectively enabled ring oscillator to generate a reference oscillating signal, a free-running ring oscillator to generate a free-running oscillating signal, and a comparison circuit coupled to the selectively enabled ring oscillator and the free-running ring oscillator. From the reference oscillating signal and the free-running oscillating signal, the comparison circuit determine a measure of transistor degradation.

Abstract: The invention is a radio inside a vehicle providing each of the multiple drivers to automatically pre-set her radio adjustment settings for subsequent use. In the case of a “family car” where parents and young adults in the family share a car, the radio adjustment preferences (e.g., volume, bass, treble, etc.) for each driver are likely to be different. The more drivers there are to this “family car”, the more difficult it becomes for each driver to enjoy the comfort this radio affords because of the speaker adjustments required every time one turns on the radio.

Abstract: Intelligence is added to a computer sleep mode indicator system. A method for an intelligent indicator system is provided to turn off the sleep mode status indicator of a computer during sleep mode when a user is known to be unavailable to monitor the indicator, for example, when the user is sleeping or having lunch. This embodiment also handles reasonable variations of user habits. Further, to account for a gradual change of user unavailability habits over time, this invention obtains and applies a user unavailability intelligence by dynamically modifying the beginning and the ending times of a specified user unavailability period based on user experience. One preferred method for dynamically modifying the beginning and ending times is by calculating the moving averages of the actual sleep mode entry and exit times that occurred within a pre-determined period from the specified beginning and ending times.

Abstract: Briefly, this invention allows multiple users to activate their preferred settings for the various customizable features in a vehicle. These preferred settings are stored in memory for subsequent use. One of a multiple drivers to a vehicle, after being identified, will cause his previously stored preferred settings in the memory to be applied to the appropriate subsystems in the vehicle. The preferred settings include driver and companion seat positioning, front and rear temperature control, radio station and speaker adjustment selections, steering wheel positioning and door lock and unlock specification.

Abstract: It is typical for a car radio to have the last-played radio station be played when the radio is turned ON. For this invention, the frequency of the last-played radio station for each driver of a multi-driver car is stored into a radio memory. And the appropriate driver identity is then linked to that last-played radio station frequency. So that under retrieval when the radio is turned ON again, only the last-played radio station frequency that is linked to the matching driver identity will be tuned to and played.

Abstract: A new and useful sleep mode indicator system for laptop computers provides efficient use of battery power. In sleep mode, this indicator system turns OFF the typical blinking LED during the user-specified periods of unavailability. For example, a computer in sleep does not need to use electricity to identify its sleep mode status while its user is also asleep or is otherwise unavailable. This indicator system collects periods of unavailability and turns OFF the blinking LED during those periods. Also, sometimes the user may intend to operate the computer during a previously specified period of unavailability. This is reflected by the computer not in sleep mode at the start of the period and later enters temporarily into the sleep mode inside that specified period. Assuming that being the case, the present invention skips the period of unavailability just for that day. Further, the indicator system is not turned OFF any more for the rest of the specified period for that particular day.

Abstract: The present invention includes a temperature-dependent power window and sunroof system for an automotive vehicle. This system according to the present invention is activated when the vehicle is presumably parked and left unattended by a vehicle operator. One aspect of the invention is directed to the detection of actions by the vehicle operator as input for system activation and deactivation, for example, the operator removes the ignition key, opens the driver door, closes the driver door and locks the door. Advantageously, if the vehicle operator stays in the vehicle after the key is removed from the ignition cylinder, the present invention remains inactivated whereby affording the maximum flexibility to the car driver. One preferred embodiment maintains a “comfortable” temperature range for the interior of the vehicle over the time period the vehicle is parked and left unattended.

Abstract: Our invention has to do with an electrical light fixture for brightening the usually dimmer portion of a drawer storage area. Also, this electrical light fixture is small enough to be attached to an inside surface of a desk. When attached, it is preferably located immediately above the storage area of a desk drawer. This invention does not take away the drawer space available for storage. Also, this electrical light fixture uses battery power for providing automatic lighting turn-on when the drawer is opened and for providing automatic turn-off when the drawer is closed. Alternatively, the automatic turn-off occurs after a pre-determined amount of time. This light fixture is especially convenient for those people who have vision difficulties either because of an illness, a surgical operation or just because of age such as being young children or elderly people.

Abstract: Unless constantly protected by overhead garages, an automotive vehicle, when parked and with its windows and sunroof opened or closed, is often subjected, respectively, to the risk of freezing or overheating its interior. Such extreme temperatures will reduce the life span of the electronic and mechanical components in or near the vehicle interior. Also, excessively high and low temperatures in the interior of the car would clearly cause a rather discomforting experience for the driver and passengers who subsequently seat themselves in it. This experience is keenly amplified for young children, elderly and those who are physically weak because of their reduced tolerance to discomfort.Briefly, a method and apparatus is provided for automatically adjusting a vehicle's window and sunroof positions after a vehicle operator has left a car unattended. The present invention includes a power window and sunroof system for an automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A controller for a single port (typically FIFO) memory for a computer system allocates the flow of data from a single port dynamic RAM to several data requesters such as a graphics engine, a CPU, and a display screen. One parameter is assigned to the display screen and a second parameter is assigned to the other data requester. Then each memory cycle is assigned in duty cycle fashion to the data requesters associated with one or the other of the parameters. Thus, typically the screen display which requires large amounts of data will have a relatively large parameter value associated with it such as six, while the single parameter value associated with the graphic engine and CPU will have a lower value such as two. The screen display will in response access the memory for six memory cycles consecutively, while the graphics engine and CPU will access the memory for only two memory cycles.