Abstract: A system and method for arbitrating bandwidth between nodes on a network. A count, referred to as the idle gap count, stores the number of nodes that require bandwidth on the network. The count is passed between the nodes and bandwidth is allocated accordingly to effectuate optimization and fair allocation of bandwidth on the network.

Abstract: An audio system that automatically corrects for variations in spectral balance in audio source material. The audio system comprises a power spectrum analyzer and a source correction equalizer unit coupled to receive an audio input signal, and an index control unit coupled to a spectral balance correction data memory. A reference spectral balance may initially be established by playing a reference source medium with desired sound attributes. The power spectrum analyzer characterizes the spectral balance of the reference source medium, storing the results in non-volatile memory. When a particular source medium is played for the first time, the index control unit reads an identifying parameter from the particular source medium. Because there is no entry for the identifying parameter in spectral balance correction data memory, the particular source medium has not been previously played on the audio system.