Abstract: A system including an evaporator, a variable capacity compressor coupled in fluid communication with the evaporator, a condenser coupled in fluid communication between the compressor and the evaporator, an expansion valve disposed intermediate the condenser and the evaporator, and an isolation valve disposed intermediate the condenser and the expansion valve is provided. The isolation valve is in communication with the compressor to respectively synchronize opening and closing thereof with on- and off-cycles of the compressor to prohibit migration of liquid refrigerant. In an alternative embodiment, first and second check valves are respectively associated with the compressor and the condensor for prohibiting reverse migration of refrigerant during off-cycle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for statistical multiplexing in a dual pass encoding scheme are provided. A first pass encoder encodes alternate slices of anchor frames as I-slices and P-slices respectively in order to generate statistics for both I and P frame encoding for the same anchor frame. A second pass encoder determines the encoding complexity estimates for a plurality of frames in a look-ahead pipeline and sums the encoding complexity estimates of selective frames in the look-ahead pipeline to determine the initial need parameter for a current frame to be encoded. The second pass encoder computes a need parameter for encoding the current frame based on the initial need parameter. The need parameter is used by a statmux processor to determine the encoding bit rate for second pass encoding of the current frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for rate control in a dual pass encoding scheme are provided. A first pass encoder encodes alternate slices of anchor frames as I-slices and P-slices respectively in order to generate statistics for both I and P frame encoding for the same anchor frame. An initial complexity estimate for encoding a current frame is determined by the first pass encoder based on statistics from first pass encoding of the current frame and from first pass encoding of a prior encoded frame. A second pass encoder estimates an encoding complexity for the current frame based on the initial complexity and statistics from second pass encoding of the prior encoded frame. The second pass encoder then determines a bit budget for second pass encoding of the current frame based on the encoding complexity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for dynamically adjusting f-codes for a digital picture header of a coded picture. A video encoder having at least one motion estimation stages is provided for encoding the current picture. Motion vectors are determined for one motion estimation stage of the encoder. The motion vectors are analyzed to determine a maximum motion vector range for the picture. A corresponding minimum f-code is determined for the maximum range. The minimum f-code is then inserted into the digital picture header. In this manner, the f-codes carried in the digital picture header can be reduced to the minimum required value, thus reducing the number of bits needed to encode the f-codes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an opportunistic data capability for an existing statistical multiplexing encoder platform, such as a multi-channel video data encoder. An Opportunistic Data Processor (ODP) is provided as a plug-in card or an external device that can be interfaced with an existing multi-channel encoder. The ODP communicates with a Quantization Level Processor (QLP) and Packet Multiplexer (PM) in the multi-channel encoder as if it was just another channel encoder. The ODP implements a special rate control scheme by encoding data and sending it to the PM only when a global Quantization Level (QL) indicates that spare bandwidth is available. Spare bandwidth is assumed to be available when the global QL is less than a threshold value. Moreover, the OPD sends a bandwidth need parameter to the QLP, as do the other channel encoders.

Abstract: A water control module is provided that monitors water temperature in plumbing, such as shower plumbing, and receives certain input commands from a user. The water control module may, in one example, control shower water flow temperature to preferential temperature values. Control of shower water flow temperature is accomplished by receiving user input of desired water temperature on a user interface, sensing current water temperature in the plumbing, and processing the user inputs and sensed water temperature values to control water delivery temperature. In another example, the water control module may provide a display screen with numerical and/or graphical features to inform the user of desired and/or measured temperature values.

Abstract: A system for the generation and retrieval of voice memo reminders at designated time intervals. A user controls the system by selecting one or more buttons at a user interface, to initiate voice recording and chose a specific time delay for message playback. A microphone captures voice data when selected by the user. The system is microprocessor-controlled, for storing messages into digital memory and for processing audible replay of individual stored voice messages according to the time delay of the individually stored voice messages. A speaker is provided for audibly replaying the voice messages.

Abstract: An encoder and encoding method for inserting logos into a digital television signal. The logo insertion is performed at the front end of the encoder (e.g., prior to compression) by sharing the video capture frame buffer of the encoder, so there is no need for a separate logo inserter with a separate buffer, and encoding cost are reduced. An alpha blending function receives logo image and logo alpha map data for blending with input video data. The input video is retrieved from the frame buffer, and written back to the frame buffer after blending with the logo data. Subsequently, the frame buffer contents are provided to a pre-processing function for filtering and film mode detection. For a film mode frame, a drop field decision is provided from the pre-processing function to the frame buffer to drop the redundant field. The pre-processed video data is then provided for conventional compression processing. In an HDTV embodiment, several compressors are provided which each receive a panel of a video frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for allocating bandwidth among members of two statistical multiplexing groups having overlapping members. At least two groups of such services having overlapping members are defined. The members of a first one of the groups consume a first bandwidth and the members of a second one of the groups consume a second bandwidth. A total bandwidth of all the members of the groups together is restricted to be no more than a total available bandwidth. In order to accomplish this, the members of the first and second groups are statistically multiplexed based on bandwidth requirements of members common to both said first and second groups.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved system and method for encoding digital images within frames for digital television transmission. Every anchor frame in a first pass encoder is encoded as a P-frame. Groups of macroblocks, such as slices in the P-frame, are alternately encoded as I-slices and P-slices. This allows both I and P encoding complexity to be computed in a single pass, without having to encode the same frame twice. Accordingly, the I-frame decision can be made at a second pass encoder instead of at the first pass encoder, thus taking advantage of a look-ahead pipeline architecture to more effectively align the I-frames with scene changes.

Abstract: Noise is reduced in a video system by applying motion compensated temporal filtering using previously generated motion vectors and adaptive spatial filtering at scene change frames. Various types of noise can be introduced into video prior to compression and transmission. Artifacts arise from recording and signal manipulation, terrestrial or orbital communications, or during decoding. Noise introduced prior to image compression interferes with performance and subsequently impairs system performance. While filtering generally reduces noise in a video image, it can also reduce edge definition leading to loss of focus. Filtering can also tax system throughput, since increased computational complexity often results from filtering schemes. Furthermore, the movement of objects within frames, as defined by groups of pixels, complicates the noise reduction process by adding additional complexity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to UV detectors comprising undoped Zn1-xMgxS as the UV responsive active material. Where x exceeds 0.3 the thickness of the active material must be below a critical value, for example if 0.30<x<1.00, and the active material is formed as a layer of a thickness t wherein 5000 Å≧t≧100 Å. A particularly preferred combination of x and thickness is x=0.57 and t≦1400 Å because at around these values the UV response of the active material is similar to the UV response of human skin.

Abstract: A multi-mode mobile station independently determines the radio signal quality of a serving mobile system by evaluating the error rate associated with the received forward-link-channel messages. In response to a determination that the calculated error rate is greater than an acceptable threshold level, the mobile station then attempts to access an alternative service system capable of providing better and more reliable telecommunications service.

Abstract: The invention provides a dual thermometer system for the measurement and display of temperature data taken at two separate locations within an oven. In one aspect, the invention provides an elongated probe connected with a flexible electronic cable. The probe houses two temperature sensors—one for sensing internal food temperature, one for sensing inside oven air temperature. The sensors are space apart within the probe such that the one sensor can be positioned substantially within a food item and the other sensor can positioned substantially outside of the food item and within the oven. Signals from the sensors are relayed from the probe and through the cable; external electronics may attach to the cable to acquire the signals and display associated temperatures. In another aspect, signals from temperature sensors are relayed from the probe and through the cable to a first wireless termination.

Abstract: A mechanism for splicing advertisements, local programming and the like into a digital video transport stream is provided. In order to achieve proper splicing, an appropriate number of frames is inserted between bitstreams to properly close a GOP of the first bitstream into which a second bitstream carrying the spliced content is inserted. Program clock references (PCRs) of the bitstreams are adjusted as necessary in order to force continuity between the bitstreams. For inserting advertisements, the PCR of the program stream and ad stream can be tracked, and the PCR of the program stream can be used both before and after splicing. For local program insertion (which are typically substantially longer than advertisements), the PCR of the local program can be used, after adjustment thereof with an offset to maintain continuity at the splice point. The PTS and/or DTS of the inserted bitstream can be modified to keep them continuous at the splice point for both video and audio streams.