Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit for decoding a read signal from an optical storage medium, the electronic circuit comprising a limit equalizer for amplification of high frequency read signal components without substantially increasing inter-symbol interference, a Viterbi detector being coupled to an output of the limit equalizer for providing the decoded read signal, a coefficient adaptation circuit for tuning the limit equalizer to a partial response target.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic circuit for decoding a read signal from an optical storage medium, the electronic circuit comprising a limit equalizer for amplification of high frequency read signal components without substantially increasing inter-symbol interference, a Viterbi detector being coupled to an output of the limit equalizer for providing the decoded read signal, a coefficient adaptation circuit for tuning the limit equalizer to a partial response target.

Abstract: A method for bit recovery in a data channel includes the steps of: inputting a read channel signal, providing a main signal processor for adaptive bit recovery from the read channel signal, providing an auxiliary signal processor for bit recovery from the read channel signal, using an output of the auxiliary signal processor for adaptation of the main signal processor, and outputting a recovered binary bit stream.

Abstract: A method for serving user requests is proposed wherein for each device at least one abstract function model (33-1, . . . , 33-4) is generated. Further, a given user request is modeled and represented in an abstract way by generating an abstract task model thereof. Additionally, a plurality of abstract function models (33-1, . . . , 33-4) of distinct devices is combined and/or formally merged and/or modeled via a set of ordered external models, thereby yielding an abstract and virtual device model which models the functionalities of the combined single devices.

Abstract: A demodulator performs bit recovery in an asymmetric data channel, such as an optical recording media, by detecting runlength violations prior to demodulation, and correcting the detected runlength violations prior to the demodulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for compensating asymmetry in a reproduction signal DRSO from an optical recording medium, and to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media using such method. It is an object of the invention to propose a method for compensating an offset in an asymmetric reproduction signal DRSO capable of compensating the offset even if the amplitude of the shortest run-length components is smaller than the asymmetry of the reproduction signal DRSO. This object is achieved by a method for compensating an offset in an asymmetric reproduction signal, whereby an offset compensation signal OFS is subtracted from the reproduction signal DRSO, the offset compensation signal OFS being generated by an offset compensator 11, comprising the steps of: detecting a binary data signal NRZ from the asymmetric reproduction signal DRSO; and using the binary data signal NRZ for obtaining the offset compensation signal OFS.

Abstract: A method for operating a display device (DD) is proposed. In the proposed method a convenient and reliable perception of displayed display information (DI) is enabled by displaying (S3) display information (DI) using a selected or changed display mode for a display unit (DU) or changed display information (DI), which are selected (S2) in accordance to user position information (UPI) of a possible user (U) with respect to a display unit (DU) of the display device (DD).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for compensating asymmetry in a reproduction signal DRSO from an optical recording medium, and to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to optical recording media using such method. It is an object of the invention to propose a method for compensating an offset in an asymmetric reproduction signal DRSO capable of compensating the offset even if the amplitude of the shortest run-length components is smaller than the asymmetry of the reproduction signal DRSO.

Abstract: According to the present invention network devices that can be controlled via a speech unit included in the network can send a device-document describing its functionality and its speech interface to said speech unit. The speech unit combines those documents to a general document that forms the basis to translate recognized user-commands into user-network-commands to control the connected network-devices. A device-document comprises at least the vocabulary and the commands associated therewith for the corresponding device. Furtheron, pronunciation, grammar for word sequences, rules for speech understanding and dialog can be contained in such documents as well as the same information for multiple languages or information for dynamic dialogs in speech understanding. It is possible that one device contains several documents and dynamically sends them to the speech unit in case they are needed.

Abstract: To realize complex user wishes or tasks it is suggested in a method for serving user requests with respect to a network of devices to at least search for appropriate and necessary devices for fulfilling the request. Additionally, a necessary sequence of action is generated and derived to bring each of the necessary devices from the current state to a necessary initial state and then from said initial state to a final state. After the generation of said plan, the plan is executed.

Abstract: Home networks low-cost digital interfaces are introduced that integrate entertainment, communication and computing electronics into consumer multimedia. Normally, these are low-cost, easy to use systems, since they allow the user to remove or add any kind of network devices with the bus being active. To improve the user interface a speech unit (2) is proposed that enables all devices (11) connected to the bus system (31) to be controlled by a single speech recognition device. The properties of this device, e.g. the vocabulary can be dynamically and actively extended by the consumer devices (11) connected to the bus system (31). The proposed technology is independent from a specific bus standard, e.g. the IEEE 1394 standard, and is well-suited for all kinds of wired wireless home networks. The speech unit (2) receives data and messages from the device. The speech unit (2) recognizes speaker-dependent commands. A Speech synthesizer synthesizes messages.

Abstract: A method for recognizing speech is suggested wherein a lexicon (SL, CL) or a pronuniciation dictionary used for the recognition process is modified during the process of recognition starting with a starting lexicon (SL) and including after given numbers of steps of recognition (12) recognition related information (RRI) with respect to at least one recognition result (13) already obtained and wherein the process of recognition is then continued based on a modified lexicon (ML) as said current lexicon (CL).

Abstract: Home networks low-cost digital interfaces are introduced that integrate entertainment, communication and computing electronics into consumer multimedia. Normally, these are low-cost, easy to use systems, since they allow the user to remove or add any kind of network devices with the bus being active. To improve the user interface a speech unit (2) is proposed that enables all devices (11) connected to the bus system (31) to be controlled by a single speech recognition device. The properties of this device, e.g. the vocabulary can be dynamically and actively extended by the consumer devices (11) connected to the bus system (31). The proposed technology is independent from a specific bus standard, e.g. the IEEE 1394 standard, and is well-suited for all kinds of wired or wireless home networks.

Abstract: A stand alone CD player for reading data from a recording medium having data formatted in accordance with CD-like recording formats, for example, CD-ROM, CD-I and CD-V, stored thereon. According to the present invention, the playback of data from a recording medium having data in such a recording format is made possible by a virtual table of contents generated by the stand alone CD player. The virtual table of contents also enables sequential access to data stored on the recording medium that has a table of contents that cannot be read by the present CD player.

Abstract: Method for the correction of a tracking error signal during optical scanning of a recording medium in the form of a disc. In the case of MO discs, the Kerr rotation angle is in general very small, so that so-called enhancement is used for processing. This leads to birefringence effects which are thermally induced on the WO disc during the writing process producing a noise level on the track error signal. According to the invention, an optical scanner arrangement is used to determine light intensities from two mutually perpendicular polarization planes. A noise element, which is produced by interfering polarization rotation of the light, in the tracking error signal is compensated by linking the electrical output signals of the scanner arrangement. Applicable both to MO and WO as well as CD audio, CD video and CD-ROM.