Abstract: A method for operating a data reproduction device enables users to resume reproduction of audio and/or video content across different devices of the same or different type. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of receiving first index data from a different data reproduction device wherein the first index data indicates a first position in content in a first format and the content includes at least one of audio and video data, determining a second position in the content in a second format using the first index data, and enabling reproduction of the content in the second format beginning from the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to power converter systems and methods that regulate an output voltage by gating a fixed energy pulse. For example, a comparator may be used to gate a programmable timer that is optimized to provide a fixed “on-time” and “off-time” for a given load. For line variations, the on-time is adjusted via a control loop. That is, the on-time is compensated via the control loop to provide a fixed amount of energy at the output of the power converter. The off-time is configured to deliver the fixed duration of energy to the output storage capacitor. The comparator monitors the output voltage to allow a single fixed energy pulse to pass to the output storage capacitor when the output voltage is below a desired level. When the output voltage is above the desired level, energy transfer is temporarily ceased (i.e., energy pulses temporarily stop).

Abstract: A ballast with self-oscillating inverter and a high-voltage multiplier circuit is disclosed for providing a DC start mechanism for starting an HID lamp. The high voltage multiplier ignites the lamp using direct current (DC) voltage. This results in low component stresses and lower output voltages than can be realized either by pulse starting or resonant starting techniques. DC starting reduces an output voltage required to start the HID lamp, and can be applied continuously without damaging the inverter. Moreover, the inverter, in self-oscillating mode, is compact while able to operate the HID lamp at frequencies well in excess of 1 MHz. The self-oscillating inverter can also be employed to regulate lamp power.

Abstract: An apparatus including a second stage correlator for receiving input data from a first stage correlator, wherein said second stage correlator includes a memory is described. A method for performing a second stage correlation on data including resetting a read pointer and a write pointer, alternatively multiplexing input data into one of a pair of storage registers, concatenating contents of the pair of storage registers, writing the concatenated contents into a memory in accordance with the write pointer, outputting the concatenated contents from the memory into a read register in accordance with the read pointer, updating the read address pointer and updating the write address pointer is also described.

Abstract: A lamp ballast includes an inverter circuit, a resonant circuit, a control circuit, and a startup circuit. When the DC bus reaches its final value, a capacitor in the startup circuit charges to a predetermined voltage, at which point a pulse is sent to start a gate drive circuit in the inverter. Additionally, a gate in the control circuit is initially OFF, allowing full power to the lamp, and a capacitor in the control circuit charges to a predetermined voltage, at which point a gate is turned ON. When the gate is ON, power to the lamp is reduced. The control circuit capacitor is selected so that it charges for a sufficient period to allow the lamp to complete a glow phase of startup before turning on the gate and reducing power as the lamp transitions into an arc phase.

Abstract: A technique for providing media content such as advertisements enables, among other things, advertisers to schedule their advertisements more effectively and accurately determine the number of consumers that receive their advertisements. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for providing media content via a system includes steps of detecting a number of user devices logged onto the system, and providing the media content to the user devices responsive to the detected number.

Abstract: A risk of shock (ROS) protection circuit is disclosed, which comprises a capacitor that charges whenever there is a voltage between a ground on a lamp ballast and earth ground. If the capacitor exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, the capacitor causes a gate to shunt current away from a tertiary winding in a control circuit, which in turn reduces impedance reflected by the tertiary winding back on to primary and secondary windings in the ballast circuit. The reduced reflected impedance causes the operating frequency of the ballast to increase, reducing the voltage between the ballast ground and earth ground until it is safe for human contact. In this manner, a human replacing a lamp connected to the ballast can be protected from shock despite a failure to disconnect the power to the lamp ballast prior to lamp replacement.

Abstract: A ballast circuit that facilitates providing thermal protection for a fluorescent lamp includes a coupling transformer that couples an inverter circuit to a control circuit. First and second transformer windings in the inverter circuit, and a third transformer winding in the control circuit, are wound around a common ferrite core. The ferrite core has a Curie temperature that approximates a maximum allowable threshold temperature for the lamp. When the temperature of the ballast approaches the Curie temperature of the ferrite core, its permeability, and thus inductance, drops dramatically, causing an increase in operating frequency in the inverter circuit. This increased operating frequency causes a capacitor in the control circuit to charge to a threshold voltage, at which power to the inverter circuit is reduced. The lamp then dims without turning off until the temperature is reduced to an acceptable level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a primary cell search operation including generating a profile of correlation peaks, determining if magnitudes of the correlation peaks vary, synchronizing a signal acquisition process to one of the identified correlation peak having a greatest magnitude if the magnitudes of the correlation peaks remain relatively constant and synchronizing the signal acquisition process to a peak whose magnitude is increasing if the magnitudes of the correlation peaks are changing, is described. The method and apparatus further includes identifying an index and a magnitude of a largest correlation peak of the correlation peaks, determining if other correlation peaks exist in the profile, synchronizing the signal acquisition process to the largest correlation peak originally identified if other correlation peaks do not exist, storing indices and magnitudes for all other correlation peaks located and comparing changes in correlation peak magnitudes for all previously identified peaks.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a technique for selecting one of several antennas or channels in a receiver based on the quality of the channel response at each of the antennas in a multicarrier system employing convolutional forward error-correction coding. Channel estimates are computed for each subcarrier and monotonic weights are assigned to each subcarrier based on the relative strength of the channel response for that subcarrier. The monotonic weights are mapped to each bit in a symbol for each subcarrier and bits are de-interleaved, if needed. A sliding window evaluation is performed to determine an overall channel quality metric for each channel. The antenna or channel having the highest overall CQM is selected to receive data.

Abstract: A Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) receiver performs slot synchronization using a received primary synchronization channel (PSCH). Subsequent to completion of slot synchronization, the UMTS receiver performs frame synchronization using a received secondary synchronization channel (SSCH) in such a way that the UMTS receiver uses the received primary synchronization channel (PSCH) to detect a change in channel conditions.

Abstract: A Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) receiver performs slot synchronization using a received primary synchronization channel (PSCH) (305). Subsequent to completion of slot synchronization, the UMTS receiver performs frame synchronization using a received secondary synchronization channel (SSCH) (320) in such a way that the UMTS receiver uses the received primary synchronization channel (PSCH) to adjust for the presence of frequency offset (325, 330, 335).

Abstract: A Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) receiver performs slot synchronization using a received primary synchronization channel (PSCH). Subsequent to completion of slot synchronization, the UMTS receiver adaptively controls the duration of processing of the secondary synchronization channel (SSCH) for determining frame synchronization.

Abstract: A method for hierarchically block coding a packet stream includes the steps of appending a packet error correction code to each packet in the packet stream and appending a block error correction code to successive blocks of packets in the packet stream to form a hierarchically error correction coded packet stream. This packet stream is then transmitted through a communications channel. Errors are corrected in each block of packets in response to each block error correction code and errors are corrected in each packet in each block in response to each packet error correction code.

Abstract: A receiver comprises a memory for storing a scrambling code value and a plurality of fingers, wherein each of the fingers processes a received multipath signal in accordance with at least a portion of the stored scrambling code value for providing symbols associated with a path of the received multipath signal.

Abstract: A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) receiver comprises an adjustable delay line, a secondary synchronization processor and a controller. The secondary synchronization processor performs frame synchronization on a received wireless signal that is provided via the adjustable delay line. The controller varies the sub-chip timing delays provided by the adjustable delay line until a measure of accuracy of the frame synchronization process exceeds a predetermined threshold, upon which frame synchronization occurs.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a receiver for receiving a multipath signal and a searcher that stores delayed samples of the received multipath signal, wherein the searcher is operative on the delayed samples of the received multipath signal for identifying one or more paths of the received multipath signal.

Abstract: A ballast circuit including a charge pump interface circuit is disclosed to provide a method of isolating a switch from a power line used to power a ballast for supplying electrical power to a lamp. In addition, the charge pump interface circuit provides a method to control a discrete dimming ballast circuit which includes one or more inverters. The charge pump interface circuit offers cost advantages because no relays are necessary for isolation of the switch from the lamp electrical power and the dimming ballast circuit can be installed where existing lamps are currently mounted, without the need to add additional wiring.