Abstract: A combined sidetone and hybrid balance apparatus and method of operating same are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide both a hybrid balance mode of operation and a sidetone generation mode of operation within a single integrated circuit device. The functionality provided by an embodiment of the present invention may be used in both Internet protocol (IP)-based telephones and residential gateways, and may be incorporated within the IP telephone chip used in such devices. An embodiment of the present invention may be used to reduce processor demand and the cost of materials, permitting greater IP telephone or residential gateway functionality at lower cost.

Abstract: A two-way visual communication system using multiple imaging devices, and a method for operating such a device is described. An embodiment of the present invention may use an image processor to analyze and modify image data from one or more imaging devices, and from the far-end party, in order to improve the perceived level of eye contact experienced by the users. The output signals from the imaging devices may be individually selected for transmission to the far end party, or may be used in combination in the synthesis of a composite image, using information derived from the imaging devices and/or from the image of the far-end party.

Abstract: One or more methods and systems of analyzing, assessing, and reporting voice quality scores are presented. In one embodiment, voice quality scores are generated by querying one or more computing devices responsible for processing a reference speech sample input into a voice communication system. In one embodiment, voice quality scores are transmitted by a voice analysis platform and subsequently analyzed. In one embodiment, a single voice analysis platform is used to measure voice quality of a voice communication system. In one embodiment, multiple voice analysis platforms are used to measure voice quality at multiple endpoints of one or more voice communication systems. In one embodiment, the method comprises a user determining one or more points along a communication system where transmitted reference speech samples are to be tapped. The tapped reference speech samples are ported to a voice analysis platform where a voice quality score is generated and graphically displayed.

Abstract: Self-calibration of devices such as computer and graphics processors permits adjustment of processor clock rates, and access to normally unused processor capacity. Processor clock rates specified by device manufacturers are normally selected to insure operation across the entire manufacturer-specified range of operating temperatures and supply voltages. By limiting processor clock rates to nominal values, even when operating well within manufacturer-specified temperature and/or supply voltage limits, designers sacrifice processor capacity. By determining the upper limits of processor clock rates at which reliable operation can be realized, and adjusting processor clock rates to match those speeds, a representative embodiment of the present invention permits device users to gain additional, previously inaccessible processing capacity.

Abstract: Self-calibration of devices such as computer and graphics processors permits adjustment of processor clock rates, and access to normally unused processor capacity. Processor clock rates specified by device manufacturers are normally selected to insure operation across the entire manufacturer-specified range of operating temperatures and supply voltages. By limiting processor clock rates to nominal values, even when operating well within manufacturer-specified temperature and/or supply voltage limits, designers sacrifice processor capacity. By determining the upper limits of processor clock rates at which reliable operation can be realized, and adjusting processor clock rates to match those speeds, a representative embodiment of the present invention permits device users to gain additional, previously inaccessible processing capacity.

Abstract: One or more methods and systems of effectively transmitting voice and voice band data from one node to another are presented. In one embodiment, the system comprises an NTP time server generating absolute times to computing devices such as residential voice over internet protocol (VoIP) gateways. The NTP time server generates absolute times in response to NTP time requests made by one or more computing devices such as residential VoIP gateways. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining an adequate rate for requesting absolute times from an NTP server, making periodic requests to the NTP server, obtaining the absolute times from the NTP server, and generating an adjustment parameter for use by a computing device such as a residential VoIP gateway.

Abstract: A decoder for decompressing real-time media data streams and a method for operating such a decoder is disclosed. The decoder may comprise a relatively larger first memory for storing compressed data and parameters, and a processor for executing a decompression algorithm, the processor having a relatively smaller second memory. The decompression algorithm may be executed on a periodic basis, and the parameters used to select the data to be decompressed may be moved from the second memory to the first memory each time the decompression algorithm executes. An embodiment of the present invention may use slower, less expensive memory to enable it to support a greater number of real-time media streams than prior art solutions. Another embodiment of the present invention may include machine-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the foregoing.

Abstract: A two-way visual communication device and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosed invention may comprise a visual display device and one or more pinhole imaging devices positioned within the active display area of the visual display. An image processor may be used to analyze the displayed image, and to select the output signal from one of the pinhole imaging devices. The image processor may also modify the displayed image in order to optimize the degree of eye contact as perceived by the far-end party.

Abstract: Self-calibration of devices such as computer and graphics processors permits adjustment of processor clock rates, and access to normally unused processor capacity. Processor clock rates specified by device manufacturers are normally selected to insure operation across the entire manufacturer-specified range of operating temperatures and supply voltages. By limiting processor clock rates to nominal values, even when operating well within manufacturer-specified temperature and/or supply voltage limits, designers sacrifice processor capacity. By determining the upper limits of processor clock rates at which reliable operation can be realized, and adjusting processor clock rates to match those speeds, a representative embodiment of the present invention permits device users to gain additional, previously inaccessible processing capacity.

Abstract: A combined sidetone and hybrid balance apparatus and method of operating same are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide both a hybrid balance mode of operation and a sidetone generation mode of operation within a single integrated circuit device. The functionality provided by an embodiment of the present invention may be used in both Internet protocol (IP)-based telephones and residential gateways, and may be incorporated within the IP telephone chip used in such devices. An embodiment of the present invention may be used to reduce processor demand and the cost of materials, permitting greater IP telephone or residential gateway functionality at lower cost.

Abstract: A combined sidetone and hybrid balance apparatus and method of operating same are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide both a hybrid balance mode of operation and a sidetone generation mode of operation within a single integrated circuit device. The functionality provided by an embodiment of the present invention may be used in both Internet protocol (IP)-based telephones and residential gateways, and may be incorporated within the IP telephone chip used in such devices. An embodiment of the present invention may be used to reduce processor demand and the cost of materials, permitting greater IP telephone or residential gateway functionality at lower cost.

Abstract: A method and system for performing digital signal processing operations in a computer system are disclosed. In addition to the ability to perform DSP operation on a new hardware platform, this method and system allow the dynamic and global control of saturation and left shifting prior to accumulation.

Abstract: A two-way visual communication device and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosed invention may comprise a visual display device and one or more pinhole imaging devices positioned within the active display area of the visual display. An image processor may be used to analyze the displayed image, and to select the output signal from one of the pinhole imaging devices. The image processor may also modify the displayed image in order to optimize the degree of eye contact as perceived by the far-end party.

Abstract: A two-way visual communication device and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosed invention may comprise a visual display device and one or more pinhole imaging devices positioned within the active display area of the visual display. An image processor may be used to analyze the displayed image, and to select the output signal from one of the pinhole imaging devices. The image processor may also modify the displayed image in order to optimize the degree of eye contact as perceived by the far-end party.

Abstract: One or more methods and systems of effectively transmitting voice and voice band data from one node to another are presented. In one embodiment, the system comprises an NTP time server generating absolute times to computing devices such as residential voice over internet protocol (VoIP) gateways. The NTP time server generates absolute times in response to NTP time requests made by one or more computing devices such as residential VoIP gateways. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining an adequate rate for requesting absolute times from an NTP server, making periodic requests to the NTP server, obtaining the absolute times from the NTP server, and generating an adjustment parameter for use by a computing device such as a residential VoIP gateway.

Abstract: One or more methods and systems of analyzing, assessing, and reporting voice quality scores are presented. In one embodiment, voice quality scores are generated by querying one or more computing devices responsible for processing a reference speech sample input into a voice communication system. In one embodiment, voice quality scores are transmitted by a voice analysis platform and subsequently analyzed. In one embodiment, a single voice analysis platform is used to measure voice quality of a voice communication system. In one embodiment, multiple voice analysis platforms are used to measure voice quality at multiple endpoints of one or more voice communication systems. In one embodiment, the method comprises a user determining one or more points along a communication system where transmitted reference speech samples are to be tapped. The tapped reference speech samples are ported to a voice analysis platform where a voice quality score is generated and graphically displayed.

Abstract: A combined sidetone and hybrid balance apparatus and method of operating same are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide both a hybrid balance mode of operation and a sidetone generation mode of operation within a single integrated circuit device. The functionality provided by an embodiment of the present invention may be used in both Internet protocol (IP)-based telephones and residential gateways, and may be incorporated within the IP telephone chip used in such devices. An embodiment of the present invention may be used to reduce processor demand and the cost of materials, permitting greater IP telephone or residential gateway functionality at lower cost.

Abstract: A two-way visual communication system using multiple imaging devices, and a method for operating such a device is described. An embodiment of the present invention may use an image processor to analyze and modify image data from one or more imaging devices, and from the far-end party, in order to improve the perceived level of eye contact experienced by the users. The output signals from the imaging devices may be individually selected for transmission to the far end party, or may be used in combination in the synthesis of a composite image, using information derived from the imaging devices and/or from the image of the far-end party.

Abstract: A decoder for decompressing real-time media data streams and a method for operating such a decoder is disclosed. The decoder may comprise a relatively larger first memory for storing compressed data and parameters, and a processor for executing a decompression algorithm, the processor having a relatively smaller second memory. The decompression algorithm may be executed on a periodic basis, and the parameters used to select the data to be decompressed may be moved from the second memory to the first memory each time the decompression algorithm executes. An embodiment of the present invention may use slower, less expensive memory to enable it to support a greater number of real-time media streams than prior art solutions. Another embodiment of the present invention may include machine-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the foregoing.

Abstract: A two-way visual communication device and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the disclosed invention may comprise a visual display device and one or more pinhole imaging devices positioned within the active display area of the visual display. An image processor may be used to analyze the displayed image, and to select the output signal from one of the pinhole imaging devices. The image processor may also modify the displayed image in order to optimize the degree of eye contact as perceived by the far-end party.