Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of columns bound together, configured to display a single row of pixels scanned out from top to bottom. It also comprises a timing control unit to synchronize between the columns to allow all pixels of a single row to be lit at the same time.

Abstract: A retransmission method for use in handshakeless communication consistent with certain embodiments involves transmitting a sequence of packets from a packet source to a packet receiving device, each packet in the sequence of packets having a sequence number associated therewith, said transmitting including retrieving a next packet from a transmission buffer and transmitting said next packet; at the packet receiving device, determining that a packet has not been received by determining that a gap exists in the sequence numbers of received packets; sending a retransmission request from the receiving device to the transmitting device, such retransmission request requesting retransmission of a specified packet whose sequence number is in the gap in sequence numbers; at the packet source, receiving the retransmission request for the specified packet; at the packet source, determining if the specified packet remains available in the transmission buffer; if the specified packet is available in the transmission buffe

Abstract: A videoconferencing method consistent with certain embodiments involves receiving a video stream via a broadband network connection at a television display to display a remote party's inbound video information. A video stream is transmitted via a wireless cellular telephone's camera to the remote party to provide outbound video information. Inbound audio is received from the remote party via the broadband network connection at the television display and playing the audio using the television display's audio circuits. Outbound audio is transmitted to the remote party via the wireless cellular telephone's audio circuits. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method for controlling audio/visual signal distribution includes receiving an input signal and prefiltering the input signal. Plural quantized coefficients are generated from the input signal and have a variable coarseness. The plural quantized coefficients are encoded and transmitted to a transmission buffer. During operation, the occupancy level within the transmission buffer is monitored. Based on the occupancy level, the coarseness of the plural quantized coefficients is varied accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of columns bound together, configured to display a single row of pixels scanned out from top to bottom. It also comprises a timing control unit to synchronize between the columns to allow all pixels of a single row to be lit at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of columns bound together, configured to display a single row of pixels scanned out from top to bottom. It also comprises a timing control unit to synchronize between the columns to allow all pixels of a single row to be lit at the same time.

Abstract: In a non-isochronous network, jitter in received multimedia streams is accounted for by adjusting the decoder clock according to how full the receive buffer is. When the buffer appears to be filling up, the decoder clock is sped up, and when the buffer is perceived to be emptying, the decoder clock is slowed down, avoiding the respective artifacts of frame dropping and freeze framing.

Abstract: A video encoder having multiple channels each capable of producing an independently controlled encoded output. In one embodiment, the video encoder has circuitry common to all of the channels and separate circuitry for each channel. The common circuitry can include a motion compensator, a transformer, and a local decoder. One or more of the separate circuitry can include a quantizer, a scanner, an encoder, and a buffer. Each channel includes quantization feedback, and one channel output is fed back to the local decoder for use in generating reference pictures. The channels are separately controllable for the characteristics of at least one of quantization, scanning, and encoding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for changing channels in a digital television transport stream, which comprises accessing the digital television transport stream, itself comprising a plurality of multiplexed channels, by using a first tuner, displaying a first program channel from the digital television transport stream, detecting and storing in a buffer memory recent video data from a second channel while displaying the first channel by using a second tuner, immediately recalling and presenting a complete video frame from the stored video data of the second channel for display when the second channel is selected by the user, and displaying real-time video from the second channel when decodable real-time video data is available from the transport stream.

Abstract: Methods for providing fast channel change in a digital display system. Spare tuners can be provided for predicting a next channel that may be viewed. These spare tuners may be used to capture information that is used to provide a fast channel change to an accurately predicted next channel. A spare tuner may be a PIP tuner. A three tuner system can be used where multiple tuners are applied to multiple predicted channels. Also, a spare tuner can be used to scan available channels and cache information on a set of channels to provide a fast channel change to a cached channel. The information cached can include program information, e.g., table information. Spare decoders (e.g., virtual decoder) can also be used to predict a next channel and provide fast channel change thereto.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system is provided which includes a server and one or more clients that are connected to the server via one or more power lines. The server stores audio data recorded on multiple recording units (e.g., CDs) and corresponding information associated with the respective audio data (e.g., title, author, content list, etc.). The one or more clients access the server via the one or more power lines to download selected audio data and the corresponding information from the server.

Abstract: A colored resin water distribution pipe formed of a colored resin composition which comprises a polyolefin resin as a main component and a blue fine powder pigment of a composite oxide which comprises two or more metal oxides and has a spinel crystal structure and a BET specific surface area of about 30 m2/g or more. The blue fine powder pigment is covered with an inorganic compound. The blue fine powder pigment is preferably treated mechanochemically by grinding. The colored resin water distribution pipe exhibits excellent resistance to water containing chlorine as a bactericide so that discoloration of the coloring component and formation of blisters on the inner face of the pipe by water containing chlorine are prevented.

Abstract: An adaptive clocking mechanism is provided for a digital display system. The digital display system includes a clock recovery system, for recovering a system time clock from a video bit-stream generated at an encoder, and a decoding system for decoding and decompressing the video bit-stream at a frame rate. The adaptive clocking mechanism operates to determine, from video format information transmitted from the encoder, the occurrence of a frame rate at which a transmitted signal is encoded that differs from a frame rate expected by the decoder. Upon such a determination, the adaptive clocking mechanism further operates to select a modifier from a group of modifiers based on format information derived from the video bit stream, including the encoded frame rate. The selected modifier is then applied to a synchronization function of the decoder in a manner to bring the decoder operation into synchronization with the non-expected encoder frame rate.

Abstract: An adaptive clocking mechanism is provided for a digital display system. The digital display system includes a clock recovery system, for recovering a system time clock from a video bit-stream generated at an encoder, and a decoding system for decoding and decompressing the video bit-stream at a frame rate. The adaptive clocking mechanism operates to determine, from video format information transmitted from the encoder, the occurrence of a frame rate at which a transmitted signal is encoded that differs from a frame rate expected by the decoder. Upon such a determination, the adaptive clocking mechanism further operates to select a modifier from a group of modifiers based on format information derived from the video bit-stream, including the encoded frame rate. The selected modifier is then applied to a synchronization function of the decoder in a manner to bring the decoder operation into synchronization with the non-expected encoder frame rate.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of columns bound together, configured to display a single row of pixels scanned out from top to bottom. It also comprises a timing control unit to synchronize between the columns to allow all pixels of a single row to be lit at the same time.

Abstract: A flexible electronic color display includes a light-emitting diode (LED) matrix formed from an interweaved weft of conductive strands and warp of light-emitting diode (LED) fiber of a conductive core coated with a p-doped semiconductor and then an n-doped semiconductor of light-emitting polymer. Each conductive strand physically and electrically couples to each LED fiber at one location to form an LED that may activated as a pixel. Alternating LED fibers of different hues may provide a color display, especially for a relatively fine weave or for displays viewed from a distance. Alternatively, conductive strands and LED fibers may be selected having sufficient transparency that layers of multiple LED matrices, each having a selected hue, may form a color flexible display. In addition, methods for fabricating the LED matrix and for detecting and eliminating flaws from the LED matrix allow for economical manufacture.

Abstract: A colored resin composition for water distribution pipes comprising a resin which comprises a polyolefin resin as a main component and a blue fine powder pigment of a composite oxide which is a fine powder, contains elements other than the main metals introduced into the crystal structure, or has been treated mechanochemically and a colored resin water distribution pipe comprising this colored resin composition.

Abstract: Motion vectors from one video frame to another are detected by segmenting a present frame of video data into plural blocks and then comparing a block in the present frame to a corresponding block in a preceding frame to detect rotational and zoom movement of the present block relative to the preceding block, in addition to rectilinear movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying programming information by translating the display of a broadcast of a program are provided. Programming information is displayed along with the program broadcast on the screen such that no portion of the broadcast is covered by the programming information. A multiple channel broadcasting system is tuned to a channel to provide a display of a broadcast of a program on a screen. Programming information is displayed that identifies channels in the broadcasting system. When displaying the programming information, the display of the program broadcast is translated to a smaller broadcast window on the screen by superimposing at least one of a series of successively smaller broadcast window outlines over the display of the broadcast on the screen.

Abstract: A satellite dish antenna for receiving a broadcast signal from a satellite includes a low noise block which receives the signal reflected from the dish and provides a human-perceptible guidance signal, such as a sequence of beep tones, to aid an individual in properly orienting the satellite dish with respect to the satellite. A time interval between the beep tones is varied in dependence on the strength of the broadcast signal received at the low noise block. A circuit for providing the guidance signal is activated by a non-contact switch, such as a magnetic lead switch. A magnet is movably mounted on the surface of the low noise block for selectively activating and deactivating the guidance signal circuit.