Abstract: A personal radio service radio, such as an MURS or FRS radio, that is of a direct conversion architecture. The radio is formed of a base-band stage and a radio frequency stage. Communication data is direct-converted between the base-band and radio frequency stages, obviating the need for an intermediate frequency stage. The radio, in one implementation, forms a multi-mode radio capable alternately of operation pursuant to MURS communications and pursuant to FRS communications.

Abstract: A power converter, and an associated method, for converting input power into output power. The power converter is capable of converting direct current input power as well as alternating current input power into direct current output power available for use to power an electrical load device, such as a consumer electronic device. The power conversion is performed at improved levels of efficiency, and less input power is dissipated as thermal energy.

Abstract: Connector apparatus, and an associated method, by which to apply electrical power to a set of consumer electronic devices, such as a laptop computer and a mobile phone, or other portable device. The connector includes an input port to which a source of input power is applied, such as the electrical power provided by way of a power cable of the laptop computer, once suitably connected to a source of permanent electric power. The connector apparatus includes a set of output ports, a first port of which is connectable to the laptop computer and a second port of which is connectable to the other portable electronic device. A user of the consumer electronic devices is able thereby to power both of the devices with connection of only a single power cable to a permanent power supply source.

Abstract: In encoding and decoding video signals, a progressive video bitstream is received which has reference frames and non-reference frames, each having an initial temporal reference in accordance with an initial frame sequence structure. The temporal references of the only the reference frames are remapped, by ignoring the non-reference frames. The reference frames are packetized with a base packet-identifier (PID) and the non-reference frames with an enhancement PID, to provide base and enhancement transport bitstreams, respectively.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for repositioning video images in a compressed data stream without requiring bit shifting. A P frame image is to be repositioned from an original position to an alternate position. The P frame image data is analyzed to determine whether the repositioning will result in the image data bit positions being changed with respect to the original image. In response to determining the bit positions will be changed, the original image data is modified by adding stuffing bits in the form of a stuffing macroblock to restore the image data to its original bit positions. The P frame is intra-coded and the stuffing macroblock is non-intra coded. A non-intra quantization matrix is selected such that upon decode the stuffing macroblock data does not adversely affect the final picture. Maintaining the original bits positions of the image data facilitates a straightforward copy of unmodified data from the original P frame to the new P frame.

Abstract: Retractable cord assembly has a power cord for supplying power to an electrical appliance and a plug top with electrical pins connected to one end of the cord for connection with a wall outlet. The power cord is coiled on a spring-loaded spool within the plug top and is extendable from the plug top. The spring-loaded spool provides a retracting force to retract the power cord back within the plug top.

Abstract: A domestic appliance has a heated heat transfer member located in or on its housing and a temperature sensor for measuring the operating temperature of the transfer member. User inputs are provided for selecting an optimized temperature setting for the transfer member. A temperature controller controls the operating temperature of the heat transfer member in response to signals from the temperature sensor to maintain it at or near the selected temperature setting. The power cord of the appliance has a plug top with electrical pins for connection with a wall outlet. The power cord is coiled on a spring-loaded spool within the plug top and is extendable from the plug top. The spring-loaded spool provides a retracting force to retract the power cord back within the plug top.

Abstract: Copy protection is provided at a mass storage device provided in or connected to a decoder for receiving digital transmissions of audio and video program material by virtual scrambling of blocks of data. Non-sequential storage locations for blocks of data are defined in accordance with a key and the file allocation table is encrypted and stored. Thus blocks of data remain intact and need not be decrypted upon playback, reducing processing time, while the program is effectively protected from reassembly without decryption of the file allocation table. The key(s) may be maintained internally within the decoder and need not be shared, thus avoiding a need for user identification and/or authentication. Software for encryption, including keys may be downloaded to the decoder through the same transmission link used for transmission of data files that may be encrypted in response to control signals or flags transmitted with data files to be protected.

Abstract: Provided is a transmitter that includes a channel selector for modifying an operating frequency of a radio-controlled toy. The transmitter has a channel selection switch that enables a user to pick a channel from a set of predefined channels. The selected channel is then transferred to the toy. For example, a microcontroller unit within the transmitter may be used to detect the selected channel. The toy is placed in contact with the transmitter and the transmitter's microcontroller unit communicates the channel to a microcontroller unit inside the toy. The toy's microcontroller stores the channel in a memory in the toy. The toy then tunes to the stored frequency to receive control signals from the transmitter.

Abstract: An elective healthcare insurance model using an individual's own peripheral blood stem cells for the individual's future healthcare uses. An individual can elect to have his or her own stem cells collected, processed and preserved, while he or she is in healthy or “pre-disease” state, for future distribution for his or her healthcare needs. The process includes methods of collection, processing, preservation and distribution of adult (including pediatric) peripheral blood stem cells during non-diseased state. The stem cells collected will contain adequate dosage amounts, for one or more transplantations immediately when needed by the individual for future healthcare treatments. The collected adult or non-neonate child peripheral blood stem cells can be aliquoted into defined dosage fractions before cryopreservation so that cells can be withdrawn from storage without the necessity of thawing all of the collected cells.

Abstract: Two data streams derived from a transmitted data stream are remultiplexed with a coarser granularity for storage in data blocks which assure that corresponding portions of each of the two data streams are made available in the same data block. The data streams are buffered in queues from which sub-blocks are transferred as buffer sections having sizes corresponding to relative bit rates therein in the order the sub-blocks are filled, preferably using bytes to interrupt processing. Thus, the sub-blocks will be grouped into data blocks in accordance with the correspondence of the data streams such as the time correspondence of audio and video data. As applied to digital video data transmissions, a system time clock (STC) value is stored in a sub-block header and/or a data block header and, using a look-up table or other arrangement for estimating a storage location, a data block can be retrieved from storage in accordance with a target STC value.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for repositioning video images in a compressed data stream without requiring bit shifting. A P frame image is to be repositioned from an original position to an alternate position. The P frame image data is analyzed to determine whether the repositioning will result in the image data bit positions being changed with respect to the original image. In response to determining the bit positions will be changed, the original image data is modified by adding stuffing bits in the form of a stuffing macroblock to restore the image data to its original bit positions. The P frame is intra-coded and the stuffing macroblock is non-intra coded. A non-intra quantization matrix is selected such that upon decode the stuffing macroblock data does not adversely affect the final picture. Maintaining the original bits positions of the image data facilitates a straightforward copy of unmodified data from the original P frame to the new P frame.

Abstract: Data corrupted or lost in transmission over a lossy digital transmission link is replaced and/or omitted from data presented in connection with storage to and read out from a mass storage device. Different procedures are used to conceal artifacts corresponding to errored data based upon valid data preceding and following the error in a data stream and a size of the error.

Abstract: An image processor produces a DPCM prediction error to be quantized. If the prediction error value is positive, the value passes unchanged to a quantizer. If the prediction error value is negative, a bias value is added to the prediction error value to produce a positive number within the operating limits of the quantizer. Biased prediction error values are quantized. Because all values received by the quantizer are positive and within the current quantizer limits, the quantization table used by the quantizer need not include quantization values for negative prediction error values. This reduces the scope of prediction error values by a factor of two, doubling quantization resolution.

Abstract: An MPEG coded and compressed video signal is received and decompressed for display. Prior to storing frames required for motion compensation in memory, pixel blocks are recompressed into DPCM prediction error values to reduce bandwidth and frame memory requirements. Fixed length quantization and dequantization tables (FIG. 2) have N levels (e.g., 15 levels), and each level has an associated output symbol of predominantly M bits (e.g., 4 bits), except that at least one of said N levels (e.g., level 7) is defined by a unique short symbol having less than M bits (e.g., 3 bits), and input data for that level is received at a desired rate. Each time a short symbol is used to represent a data value, bandwidth and memory are reduced and/or preserved for other uses, for example, inserting overhead data into a fixed-size data stream. For large sequences of data, such as exists for video data for example, the reduction in memory and bandwidth is significant.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising Pt—Co alloy, or Pt—Co—Sn alloy or Pt—ComOn mixed metal oxides is disclosed to be used as a catalyst for the direct electrochemical oxidation of glucose or other simple sugars and carbohydrates at room temperature. The catalyst can be supported on metal electrodes, graphite electrodes, porous carbon electrodes, or gas diffusion electrodes. An electrode containing this catalyst will be used as the key component in a direct glucose-air fuel cell operating in alkaline media with a good room temperature performance. This catalyst can also be applied as a key electrode material in a glucose sensor to detect glucose concentration in neutral or alkaline medium. The preparation method of the catalyst, optimum composition, and results of glucose sensor and glucose fuel cell applications are disclosed.

Abstract: A memory efficient image processor receives DPCM prediction error values from decompressed MPEG coded digital video signals in the form of pixel blocks containing luminance and chrominance data in a 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 format and recompresses the pixel blocks to a predetermined resolution. Luminance and chrominance data are processed with different compression laws during recompression. Luminance data are recompressed to an average of six bits per pixel, and only a reference pixel and one other pixel are processed separately from all other luminance pixels in a block. Chrominance data are recompressed to an average of four bits per pixel. Each pixel block is stored with overhead information facilitating efficient and accurate reconstruction.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for digitally processing an encrypted data stream scrambled, for example, according to content scrambling system (CSS) technology. This digital processing insures against communication of clear data within the computer system from a central processing unit (CPU) to any accessible structure, such as memory or a system bus. Descrambling of the (CSS) scrambled data stream occurs within a module executing on the CPU, which is followed by reencryption of the data prior to transfer from the CPU. By so processing the data, integrity of copyrighted material is maintained, while allowing for software descrambling of the CSS encrypted data stream. Various techniques for establishing the encryption/decryption algorithm pair employed are described. Decryption of the re-encrypted data can occur at a receiving software module and/or a receiving hardware device, such as a decoder.

Abstract: In an MPEG compatible image signal processor an MPEG data stream is decoded, decompressed and recompressed before blocks of image pixel values are stored in memory. The recompression system evaluates block data to determine the range and minimum pixel values for a given image block of pixels values. These values are encoded, and the encoded representations are stored in a parameter field with the quantized data block to facilitate data reconstruction. Encoding occurs by fitting the actual range and minimum values to a predetermined set of values. Each selected predetermined value is then encoded as a three-bit index in the parameter field. Storing the encoded values with the quantized data facilitates reconstruction with minimal error. Also, encoding the values preserves memory for the quantized data.

Abstract: An apparatus and concomitant method for constructing a valid OSD message bitstream from a plurality of stored character bitstreams. Each character of the OSD font set is initially scaled into a fixed block size, e.g., a block size of 16.times.16 pixels. Each character is then encoded into a "character bitstream" using the intra macroblock coding syntax. The character bitstream is stored within a storage medium. When a frame of OSD messages needs to be encoded, the character bitstreams are read from the storage medium and cascaded to form a valid OSD message bitstream which represents the frame of OSD messages.