Abstract: Often hierarchical bi-directionally predicted frame structures are used for encoding a video picture sequence. The frames may consist of interlacing fields. A method for encoding interlaced video, wherein inter-prediction of fields is used and reference lists are assigned to the fields for indicating reference frames or fields, comprises that, if within such reference list a reference to another frame is included, then references to both fields of the other frame are included separately in direct sequence. Further, a temporal level is assigned to each of the frames according to their display order, and for the frames of all except one temporal level the quantization parameter is higher for one type of fields than for the other type of fields.

Abstract: The invention relates to spatially scalable encoding and decoding processes using a method for deriving coding information. More particularly, it relates to a method for deriving coding information for high resolution pictures from the coding information of low resolution pictures. The method mainly comprises the following steps: Computing geometrical parameters characterizing the position of said high layer macroblock relatively to the corresponding base layer macroblocks and deriving from these parameters a macroblock class; Deriving a partition and possibly sub-partitions for each partition of said high layer macroblock from corresponding base layer macroblocks partition and sub-partitions on the basis of the geometrical parameters and HL MB class; and Deriving motion information for said high layer macroblock from motion information of corresponding base layer macroblocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to spatially scalable encoding and decoding processes using a method for deriving coding information. More particularly, it relates to a method for deriving coding information used to encode high resolution images from coding information used to encode low resolution images when the ratio between high resolution and low resolution images dimensions is a multiple of 3/2. The method mainly comprises the following steps: deriving a block coding mode for each 8×8 blocks of a prediction macroblock MBi_pred from the macroblock coding mode of the associated base layer macroblocks on the basis of the macroblock class of MBi and an the basis of the position of the 8×8 block within MBi_pred; deriving a macroblock coding mode for MBi_pred from the coding modes of the associated base layer macroblocks; and deriving motion information for each macroblock MBi_pred from the motion information of the associated base layer macroblocks.

Abstract: A system for processing data packets comprising a plurality of data processing blocks and a controller, which allows the configuration parameters used in processing the data blocks to be updated in each data processing blocks at the data packet boundary. The present invention involves a system that utilizes a handshaking method for synchronously exchanging data between data processing blocks, wherein the data processing blocks update configuration parameters based on the type of networking standard used. Each data processing block identifies a first data block in the data packet and transmits a first data signal along with a first output data block of the data packet, wherein the block updates the configuration parameters from the controller only when the first data signal is present. In this manner, the first data signal, which is indicative of the data packet boundary, is propagated along the sequence of data processing blocks.

Abstract: The method is applicable to a receiver (1) of signals corresponding to packets of digital data transmitted in bursts, which comprises an analogue pickup subassembly (3) connected to a digital processing subassembly (8) by means for converting analogue signals into digital signals (7). Gain adjustment means (5) act on the amplification means (5) in order to alter the power of signals supplied to the conversion means. The method provides a preadjustment of the gain, in the absence of a burst, for detecting the arrival of signals even if they are weak, and an adjustment of the gain as a function of a power value of the signal determined from burst start symbols, as obtained after conversion. This adjustment is dependent on the recognition of symbols scheduled at the start of a burst, it is carried out during a time scheduled for a symbol otherwise left unexploited by the method.

Abstract: The method implements an update step which is a selection among at least the following coding modes: a default coding mode which doesn't use the motion compensation for the calculation of the pixel if the pixel is not connected or which performs a low pass motion compensated temporal filtering of picture H of same level if the pixel is connected, an update_MV coding mode which performs a low pass motion compensated temporal filtering of picture H of same level according to a default motion vector calculated by taking into account motion vectors belonging to regions or pixels in the vicinity of the pixel to be calculated. Applications relate to video compression for transmission or storage of data.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of communication in respect of transmitting/receiving stations in a wireless communication network, in which method first multi-receiver frames are exchanged between a station and a plurality of other stations and second mono-receiver frames are exchanged between a transmitting station and a receiving station, the first frames being transmitted in an omnidirectional manner. According to the invention, the second frames are transmitted in a directional manner so as to increase the throughput of the network. Furthermore, the transmission in a omnidirectional manner is effected in a more robust fashion than the transmission in a directional manner.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for associating an apparatus to a first communication network, the transmissions in the first network being performed on a first channel. The process comprises: detection by said apparatus of the first transmission channel; determination of collision on said channel between signals originating from the first network and from a second network; in case of collision, transmission of a change of channel request to the first network. The invention applies in particular within the framework of local networks such as HIPERLAN 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for coding N+1 images comprising a step of temporal analysis of these images generating a low-frequency image and N high-frequency images. It furthermore comprises the following steps: dividing each of the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images into N+1 parts; interleaving the N+1 low-frequency and high-frequency images so as to generate N+1 interleaved images and so that the N+1 parts of the low-frequency image are distributed between the N+1 interleaved images, each of the N+1 interleaved images comprising a single part of the low-frequency image; and coding the N+1 interleaved images independently of one another, each of the interleaved images being coded with one and the same number of bits.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for testing a connection either between a central controller of a communication network and a terminal of the network, or between two terminals of the network. In both cases, a terminal sends test pattern data which is to be echoed back by another device over the connection to be tested. In certain circumstances, a terminal may register twice with the central controller, in order to be able to establish the required test connection without disturbing existing connections. The invention also concerns devices for implementing the methods. The invention can be used in a Hiperlan 2 network.

Abstract: A system for processing data packets comprising a plurality of data processing blocks and a controller, which allows the configuration parameters used in processing the data blocks to be updated in each data processing blocks at the data packet boundary. The present invention involves a system that utilizes a handshaking method for synchronously exchanging data between data processing blocks, wherein the data processing blocks update configuration parameters based on the type of networking standard used. Each data processing block identifies a first data block in the data packet and transmits a first data signal along with a first output data block of the data packet, wherein the block updates the configuration parameters from the controller only when the first data signal is present. In this manner, the first data signal, which is indicative of the data packet boundary, is propagated along the sequence of data processing blocks.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a portable entertainment system that includes a housing unit and an audio system supported by the housing unit. A transport structure is coupled to the housing unit such that the housing unit is portable. The audio system includes electronic audio equipment and at least a first pair of speakers coupled to the electronic audio equipment. The housing unit contains a speaker enclosure and a support panel is disposed between and substantially parallel to the front and rear panels and the support panel divides the speaker enclosure to form a front air-filled section and a rear air-filled section. A first audio port extends through the housing unit into a front air-filled section of the speaker enclosure and a second audio port extends through the housing unit at least into a rear air-filled section of the speaker enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of creation of a new communication network by a wireless terminal. The wireless terminal is initially part of an existing centralized network that includes an access point able to control the association of wireless terminals to its network. In the event of disassociation of the terminal from the network, the method makes provision to initiate a procedure for creating a new network including a declaration of the terminal as access point of the new network, where the operating parameters of the new network are such that communications on the new network do not interfere with the existing network.

Abstract: A process for synchronization in a communications network comprising at least two buses interconnected by a wireless communications network, each bus being linked to the wireless communications network by a portal. The process comprises the steps of: determining a so-called cycle server portal whose own clock will serve as a reference for the other portals; transmitting, via each portal, a synchronization signal at a predetermined instant with respect to the start of a frame and characteristic of each portal, the frame being defined with respect to each portal's own internal clock, the synchronization signal being achieved via the insertion of a control window; and detecting, via each portal, the control windows of other portals and selecting one of the detected windows for the synchronization of the receiver portal's own clock with the clock of the cycle server portal, the selected window corresponding to a portal whose clock is already synchronized with that of the cycle server portal.

Abstract: A steer-by-wire steering system 10 for steering road wheels 40A and 40B on a vehicle. The steering system 10 includes a steering wheel 12 rotatable by an operator to command steering of the steered road wheels 40A and 40B, and a steering input shaft 16 mechanically linked to the steering wheel 12. A housing structure 14 is disposed proximate the steering input shaft 16. A male member 46 is provided on the housing structure, and a female receptacle 50 is formed in the steering input shaft 16 for matingly receiving the male member 46. The female receptacle 50 comprises a pair of end walls 52 and 54 for limiting rotational travel of the steering wheel 12. The steering system 10 further has an actuator 26 for rotating the wheels 40A and 40B on the vehicle in response to rotation of the steering wheel 12.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting an operating parameter in a peripheral IC. In this method, the operating parameter is transmitted from a central IC via a bus connection to the peripheral IC. The method is characterized in that the operating parameter is initially buffered in a preregister in the peripheral IC, and in that the buffered operating parameter is transferred into a working register only if a transfer signal is sent from the central IC via the bus connection. This method has the advantage that, for example in the case of rapidly changing receive conditions in a send/receive unit, adjustment of the send or receive gain setting is very flexible, and it is easy to avoid an incorrect setting due to a detected signal fluctuation. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of evaluating a path in a data-receiving system using multi-carrier modulation. A confidence indicator is determined for each data item received so as to provide a stream of confidence indicators parallel to the datastream received. The confidence indicators are ordered identical to the data received. The invention provides a device comprising means for evaluating a confidence indicator for each carrier and means for laying out a stream of confidence indicators identical to a datastream received.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for testing a connection either between a central controller of a communication network and a terminal of the network, or between two terminals of the network. In both cases, a terminal sends test pattern data which is to be echoed back by another device over the connection to be tested. In certain circumstances, a terminal may register twice with the central controller, in order to be able to establish the required test connection without disturbing existing connections. The invention also concerns devices for implementing the methods. The invention can be used in a Hiperlan 2 network.

Abstract: A method of transmission in a transmission network comprising devices connected to the network, at least certain devices being linked by at least one wireless link. According to the present method, the wireless communications are performed according to an isochronous TDMA type protocol, in which a frame is divided into time windows allocated on reservation to devices, the allocation of a window of a frame to a device being such that any device can deduce it from the number of windows reserved per frame by each device and from at least one other parameter which identifies the device which made the request. The invention applies in particular to domestic wireless communication networks.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed to a portable entertainment system that includes a housing unit and an audio system supported by the housing unit. A transport structure is coupled to the housing unit such that the housing unit is portable. The audio system includes electronic audio equipment and at least a first pair of speakers coupled to the electronic audio equipment. The housing unit contains a speaker enclosure and a support panel is disposed between and substantially parallel to the front and rear panels and the support panel divides the speaker enclosure to form a front air-filled section and a rear air-filled section. A first audio port extends through the housing unit into a front air-filled section of the speaker enclosure and a second audio port extends through the housing unit at least into a rear air-filled section of the speaker enclosure.