Abstract: A system and method of transcoding video data for distribution over a variety of media. A digital data stream is decoded and optionals down sampled to reduce the bit rate of the original stream. The decoded stream is further encoded to further reduce the bit rate of the data stream to be consistent with the reliable delivery capabilities of the media over which the data stream is to be transmitted and/or the display on which display is to occur.

Abstract: A method and system of encoding and decoding digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures which can each be intra, predicted, or bi-predicted pictures. Each of the pictures comprises macroblocks that can be further divided into smaller blocks. The method entails encoding and decoding each of the smaller blocks in each picture in said stream of pictures in either frame mode or in field mode.

Abstract: A multiplexing video decoding apparatus for decoding video signals of a plurality of channels and a method therefore are provided. The multiplexing video decoding method receives bit streams, each of which has a plurality of slices, in a plurality of channels and decodes bit streams of the plurality of channels in a multiplexed mode. The multiplexing video decoding method includes sequentially decoding video signals of the bit stream on a slice interval basis in one channel in the plurality of channels, and when the slice has been decoded, switching to decode a slice for each of the other channels; and decoding in a multiplexed mode bit streams of a plurality of channels by repeating the above steps to the following slice of each of the channels. The apparatus includes a plurality of FIFO memories for receiving and processing the multiple bit streams in parallel, a processor for sequentially decoding the bit streams from the FIFO memories, and a video processor to reproduce a video signal.

Abstract: When a CCU is supplied with a 60i format compliant video signal generated by applying a frame conversion based on the 2-3 pull down technique to a 24 PsF format compliant video signal, the CCU performs a reverse frame conversion corresponding to this frame conversion. When the CCU is supplied with a 60i format pure video signal with no frame conversion applied, the CCU performs a frame conversion by skipping fields in units of frames in accordance with a conversion ratio. The CCU selectively changes the two conversions in accordance with 60i format compliant video signals supplied.

Abstract: A system for providing voltage isolation includes the first and second chips, each containing functional circuitry. The chips are interconnected via at least one RF isolation link that provides voltage isolation between the first chip and the second chip.

Abstract: A method for receiving at a receiver having a variable filter a transmitted signal that includes a periodic training signal. The method includes (a) receiving and sampling the transmitted signal at the receiver to produce a digital complex baseband signal; (b) filtering the digital complex baseband signal with the variable filter; (c) detecting the periodic training signal in the filtered digital complex baseband signal; (d) determining a desired channel impulse response based on the detected periodic training signal; (e) calculating filter coefficients required by the variable filter to achieve the desired channel impulse response; and (f) adjusting the variable filter according to the calculated filter coefficients. A receiver for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transmitter-receiver pair for improved data transmission in a multi-carrier system and to a corresponding method, according to which a chain coding is used. To this end, a transmitter has a first coding stage, a transmission-demultiplexer stage, a second coding stage, a modulator stage, a transmission-multiplexer stage and a multi-carrier modulator, whereby said transmission-demultiplexer stage and the transmission-multiplexer stage are controlled by a bit loading device. Similarly, the receiver has a multi-carrier demodulator, a receiver demultiplexer stage, a first decoding stage, a receiver multiplexer stage and a second decoding stage, whereby the receiver-multiplexer stage and demultiplexer stage are in turn controlled by the bit loading device.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for initializing the computation of a quasi-periodic steady state of a multi-tone system, and to a computer program product for carrying out such a method. The method for initializing the computation of a quasi-periodic steady state of a multi-tone system comprises the following steps: (a) selecting a first one of the plurality of tones, and (b) performing a transient analysis over several periods with respect to the first selected tone, while keeping all periodic input sources of the multi-tone system with frequencies that are not multiples of the first selected tone constant. Afterwards, a single-tone Fourier transform of the results of the transient analysis is performed.

Abstract: A serial concatenated coder includes an outer coder and an inner coder. The outer coder irregularly repeats bits in a data block according to a degree profile and scrambles the repeated bits. The scrambled and repeated bits are input to an inner coder, which has a rate substantially close to one.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the performance of data transmissions over a communications channel, wherein data is coded and modulated for transmission, wherein coding the data results in differently coded bits. In order to allow for a simple way of a more flexible coding, it is proposed that the differently coded bits are mapped for modulation to different modulation symbols of a symbol alphabet, to which modulation symbols different relative reliabilities are assigned, and wherein by mapping the coded bits to the modulated symbols, different reliabilities are associated to differently coded bits depending on the conditions on the communications channel. The invention equally relates to a corresponding communications system and to elements of such a communications system.

Abstract: A method for parallel concatenated (Turbo) encoding and decoding. Turbo encoders receive a sequence of input data tuples and encode them. The input sequence may correspond to a sequence of an original data source, or to an already coded data sequence such as provided by a Reed-Soloman encoder. A turbo encoder generally comprises two or more encoders separated by one or more interleavers. The input data tuples may be interleaved using a modulo scheme in which the interleaving is according to some method (such as block or random interleaving) with the added stipulation that the input tuples may be interleaved only to interleaved positions having the same modulo-N (where N is an integer) as they have in the input data sequence. If all the input tuples are encoded by all encoders then output tuples can be chosen sequentially from the encoders and no tuples will be missed.

Abstract: Soft symbol decoder algorithms for multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) receivers reduce the search complexity by searching over fewer than all possible combinations of transmitted symbols to compute log metrics for each transmitted bit from each transmit antenna. In one algorithm, a sub-optimal set of transmitted symbols is computed and the transmitted symbols are restricted to neighboring constellation points of the sub-optimal set. In another algorithm, all constellation points are searched for every antenna except one. In yet another algorithm, constellation points are searched excluding more than one antenna. The non-searched antenna(s) can be handled by either a bit stuffing or a soft slicing technique.

Abstract: Methods and systems for vector combining power amplification are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a plurality of signals are individually amplified, then summed to form a desired time-varying complex envelope signal. Phase and/or frequency characteristics of one or more of the signals are controlled to provide the desired phase, frequency, and/or amplitude characteristics of the desired time-varying complex envelope signal. In another embodiment, a time-varying complex envelope signal is decomposed into a plurality of constant envelope constituent signals. The constituent signals are amplified equally or substantially equally, and then summed to construct an amplified version of the original time-varying envelope signal. Embodiments also perform frequency up-conversion.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) transmitter uses two digital-to-RF conversion modules to convert digital baseband signals into RF signals. In cartesian mode, baseband signals are conveyed to the conversion modules for RF conversion. In polar mode, baseband signals are converted into amplitude and phase data parts. Phase data part is converted into I (inphase) and Q (quadrature) data parts to be converted into RF signals which are modulated in a power amplifier by amplitude data part through the power supply of the power amplifier. Each digital-to-RF module uses parallel unit cells to perform digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion and upconversion functions by an IF signal. Each unit cell, adapted to receive a control voltage indicative of a data signal value, is a mixer cell type converter having a differential data switch section connected in series to a differential LO (local oscillator)-switch pair. LO-switch is further connected in series to a current source.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of transmitting data from a transmitter in a wireless local area network (WLAN), where the transmitter has a timer and a modem. The transmitter periodically transmits a transmission signal that includes a timestamp field that includes a timestamp for synchronizing a receiver timer in a receiver of the WLAN. The timestamp, which represents a value within the count sequence of the transmitter timer, accounts for delays in the modem.

Abstract: In the method and system, a transmitter demultiplexes an input data stream into M substreams, where each of the M substreams have a data rate lower than a data rate of the input data stream. The substreams are transmitted as signals from a transmit array of M antennas to be received by a receiver array at a receiver in the system, based on a set of transmission parameters. The transmitter adjusts at least one of the transmission parameters based on a condition experienced by the receiver so as to increase data throughput in the system. The adjustable parameters include the number of antennas to employ, the on/off patterns for the antennas, and eigenmode values for the antennas used in order to determine transmit power. Accordingly, system data throughput may be improved while maintaining transmit power and system bandwidth constant.

Abstract: A tuner includes a mixer which receive first and second inputs via a multiplexer in different frequency ranges from different sources such as cable and satellite. A local oscillator supplies signals via a bandswitch which switches the local oscillator frequency range in synchronism with the selection of inputs by the multiplexer. The mixer converts the selected incoming data stream to zero or near-zero intermediate frequency and this signal is filtered exclusively by a variable bandwidth low-pass filter before being converted to the digital domain and demodulated.

Abstract: For an iterative channel and interference estimation and decoding scheme, prior information for channel gain and interference is initially obtained based on received pilot symbols. Forward information for code bits corresponding to received data symbols is derived based on the received data symbols and the prior information and then decoded to obtain feedback information for the code bits corresponding to the received data symbols. A posteriori information for channel gain and interference for each received data symbol is derived based on the feedback information for that received data symbol. The a posteriori information for the received data symbols and the prior information are combined to obtain updated information for channel gain and interference for each received data symbol. The process can be repeated for any number of iterations. The prior, a posteriori, and updated information may be represented by joint probability distributions on channel gain and interference.

Abstract: An ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) VSB (Vestigial Sideband) receiver includes a carrier tracking loop (CTL) for processing a received ATSC VSB signal and a CTL lock detector. The CTL lock detector includes an averaging filter for averaging the down-converted received ATSC VSB signal to provide a DC offset, an estimator for providing an estimate of the DC offset, and a comparator for providing a lock signal as a function of a comparison between the estimate of the DC offset and the DC offset, wherein the lock signal is representative of either a locked condition or an unlocked condition of the CTL.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit, a second circuit, a third circuit and a fourth circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a demodulated signal in response to (i) a modulated signal and (ii) a seed value. The second circuit may be configured to generate a first control signal in response to the demodulated signal. The third circuit may be configured to generate a second control signal in response to (i) the first control signal and (ii) a compensation signal. The fourth circuit may be configured to generate the seed value in response to the second control signal.

Abstract: Quasi error free method and system are presented for encoding and decoding information using turbo codes as an inner code in conjunction with an algebraic outer code linked by an interleaver. This combination of outer algebraic code and turbo inner code linked by an interleaver, which has a guaranteed minimum Depth between symbols output from the interleaver, can produce a quasi error free performance in systems utilizing Turbo-Codes without an increase in bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting symbols of a common pilot channel (CPICH) to generate an accurate signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) estimate in a wireless communication system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a non-stationary mean of a group of the CPICH symbols is estimated, the CPICH symbols are delayed, and the CPICH symbols are corrected by dividing the delayed CPICH symbols by the estimated non-stationary mean of the group of CPICH symbols. In another embodiment, a signal power estimate is generated based on the magnitude of CPICH symbols, a noise power estimate is generated by subtracting the signal power estimate from a total power estimate based on the magnitude of the CPICH symbols, and a SIR estimate is generated for symbols that have undergone a time varying gain by dividing the signal power estimate by the noise power estimate.

Abstract: A method signal for decoding in a diversity reception system can include converting the received RF signal into a plurality of digital baseband signals; phase aligning the plurality of digital baseband signals to produce a plurality of phase aligned digital baseband signals; determining a plurality of error terms from the plurality of phase aligned digital baseband signals; one of which corresponding to one of the plurality of phase aligned digital baseband signals; determining a plurality of weighting factors for the plurality of error terms based on characteristics of the plurality of digital baseband signals, one of which corresponding to one of the plurality of error terms; applying the plurality of weighting factors to the plurality of error terms to produce a plurality of weighted error terms; summing the plurality of weighted error terms to produce an error term for decoding.

Abstract: A wireless receiver receives signals at a plurality of antennas and the combined signal is compensated for channel distortion. In other aspects, a wireless receiver includes a minimum distance receiver applied to the output of a whitened-matched filter, which combines channel matched filtering and whitening, using one or more antennas.

Abstract: A multimedia processing system and method thereof are provided. The system and method provide for synchronizing a first clock of a multimedia decoder of a first multimedia processing device to a second clock of a multimedia encoder of a second multimedia processing device, synchronizing a first timing reference of the multimedia decoder to a second timing reference of the multimedia encoder, receiving, at a network interface of the first multimedia processing device, an encoded multimedia data stream from a network interface of the second multimedia processing device, wherein the encoded multimedia data stream is encoded by the multimedia encoder based on the second clock and the second timing reference, and decoding the encoded multimedia data stream at the multimedia decoder based on the first clock and the first timing reference.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus provide extraction of data from an analog signal. The method includes deriving a data-location signal having amplitude transitions that identify a phase of amplitude transitions of the analog signal, and, in response to the data-location signal, selecting a sampling clock signal having a phase different from the phase of the amplitude transitions of the analog signal. The apparatus includes a signal generator that derives from the analog signal a data-location signal, and a selector that selects a sampling clock signal having a phase different from the phase of the amplitude transitions of the analog signal.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a parallel sampled multi stage decimated digital loop filter for clock and data recovery function. In particular, the present invention provides multiple sampling clocks, with these clocks having sampling clock phases separated in time. These clocks are used in conjunction with multiple data detectors and phase detectors to efficiently process received analog signals in a decimated loop filter system.

Abstract: Radio communication devices receive timing reference pulses from a timing generation device and can acquire synchronism based on the received pulses, so that even on the ultra wide band (UWB) radio communication system, where there is no carrier as exists in the conventional radio communication systems, there is no need to add a redundant preamble signal ahead of transmitted information in order to acquire initial synchronism. In order to receive an asynchronous signal, there is no need to perform detection for a very long time to find whether the signal is present or absent. The application of an access control system according to the present invention to UWB radio communication implements high-speed asynchronous radio communication.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a frequency adjuster adjusts a frequency of an oscillator. For example, the frequency adjuster might include a plurality of capacitors that are selectable using a digital control signal, and selection logic may adjust the digital control signal based on a received indication associated with the oscillator's frequency.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aligning the phase of a PLL with an incoming data signal. In one embodiment, when a data signal is received in a PLL, a phase perturbation signal is generated and injected into the PLL. The PLL then performs a phase alignment procedure to lock on to the received data signal. The phase perturbation signal is a damped sinusoidal oscillation that is injected into the PLL when each of a plurality of data packets is received. The perturbation signal has an amplitude sufficient to bump the PLL out of a quasi-stable state around 180 degrees out of phase with the incoming data signal, but is damped to less than a degree of phase shift within 30 ns of being injected.

Abstract: A sampling clock generator circuit comprises a ring oscillator including series-connected m first inverters connected to a first power supply line, where m is an odd number equal to or larger than 3, a delay line including series-connected 2m or 2m?1 second inverters connected to a second power supply line, for delaying an externally supplied clock, and a PLL circuit for controlling an oscillation frequency of the ring oscillator by controlling a voltage of the first power supply line by using the ring oscillator as a voltage controlled oscillation circuit. A voltage of the second power supply line is set substantially equal to the voltage of the first power supply line and the delayed clock obtained by the second inverters is used as a sampling clock.

Abstract: In order to output an analog signal from which unnecessary out-of-band noise components are appropriately removed in accordance with digital data to be reproduced, a reproduction frequency determination circuit and cutoff frequency selection circuit detect the frequency level of a reproduced signal associated with input digital data and switch an analog LPF to a filter of an appropriate cutoff frequency selected and determined based on the detection result, thereby appropriately removing unnecessary out-of-band noise components from an analog audio signal obtained from the digital data using the filter having the cutoff frequency according to the frequency level of a reproduced signal obtained by reproducing the digital data.

Abstract: A spacer for a fuel element of a boiling water reactor contains cells that are formed by inner partitions, which are disposed in a crisscross manner, and by outer partitions, which surround the inner partitions in a frame-like manner. A guiding device is placed on the spacer and contains a flow-through opening, which is located in an outer partition. The guiding device also contains a guiding element which, when viewed in the direction of flow of the coolant, is located in front of the flow-through opening, and is situated at a distance from the inner side of the outer partition, and interacts with the flow-through opening like a venturi nozzle.

Abstract: This invention provides an X-ray CT apparatus capable of addressing a change in heart beats during a scan and a method of controlling the same. The X-ray CT apparatus includes: a data acquisition device for acquiring projection data of a subject by a helical scan synchronized with a heart beat; an image reconstructing apparatus for reconstructing an image on the basis of the collected projection data; and a controller for controlling the data acquisition device and the image reconstructing apparatus. The controller includes: first control means for changing helical pitch in accordance with a change in the heart beat during the helical scan; and second control means for reconstructing images in a plurality of slice positions at equal intervals on the basis of projection data also including projection data collected during the change in the helical pitch.

Abstract: A device for non-contacting transmission of electrical signals between one part moving relative to another part has at least one strip conductor pair for symmetrical signal transmission attached on a first of the two parts, in which strip conductor pair the electrical signals are supplied from a transmission module for differential signal transmission. At least one reception element is attached on the other of the two parts, at a slight separation along at least one segment of the strip conductor pair, and is connected with a reception module. The strip conductor pair is provided with one or more components for reduction of a common mode signal component that arises therein due to the differential signals therein. Additionally or alternatively, compensation elements for adaptation of a time offset between signals on the output conductors are arranged in the output conductors of the transmission module that minimizes the common mode signal component.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus which executes a first X-ray tomography on a sectional plane having a desirable thickness in an object to be examined (0) with the object interposed between an X-ray generator (1) and a two-dimensional X-ray image sensor (2) provided so as to hold their mutual facing positional relation, and also executes a second X-ray tomography for obtaining a CT image of the interested area of the object (0). The first X-ray tomography is executed on the object (0) while the object (0) is held and fixed by an object holder (4) with the center of the orbit of the X-ray circulating radiation fixed, and while the object holder (4) is moved by an object mover (5) along the X-ray sectional image forming path according to the rotary angle of the X-ray circulating radiation.

Abstract: According to an illustrative embodiment disclosed herein, a semiconductor structure comprising a first crystalline substrate and a second crystalline substrate is provided. The semiconductor structure is irradiated with a radiation. Both the first crystalline substrate and the second crystalline substrate are exposed to the radiation. At least one diffraction pattern of a crystal lattice of the first crystalline substrate and a crystal lattice of the second crystalline substrate is measured. A relative orientation of the crystal lattice of the first crystalline substrate and the crystal lattice of the second crystalline substrate is determined from the at least one diffraction pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and also an imaging system to compensate for patient motion when recording a series of images in medical imaging, in which a number of images of an area under examination of a patient (17) are recorded at intervals with an imaging system (1) and are related to one another.

Abstract: An X-ray CT apparatus comprises three X-ray generating units, three groups of detecting elements and a reconstructing unit. The three X-ray generating units are arranged so as to make an angle formed by a first X-ray exposure direction and a second X-ray exposure direction on a rotational plane thereof be a same angle as that formed by the second X-ray exposure direction and a third X-ray exposure direction on the rotational plane, the same angle being smaller than 120 degree. The three groups of detecting elements are arranged opposite to the three X-ray generating units respectively so as to make a field of view formed in a center wider than two side fields of view. The reconstructing unit is configured to reconstruct an image using detection data detected by at least desired one of the three groups of the detecting elements.

Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus is capable of taking a moving picture by acquisition by a reading circuit of a plurality of radiation image signals on the basis of a plurality of successive times of irradiation of a radiation detector with radiation rays. The radiation detector has a two-dimensional array of pixels. In a period between a start of an n-th time of irradiation with radiation rays and a start of an (n+1)-th time of irradiation with radiation rays, where n is a natural number, a controller switches an operation status of an analog-to-digital converter that converts electric signals read by the reading circuit into digital signals so that power consumption of the analog-to-digital converter is reduced.

Abstract: The invention describes an X-ray source in which a cooling plate (36) for water-cooling the anode (28) of an X-ray tube (26) is firmly mounted on a radiation protection casing (20) and the X-ray tube (26) is rotatably borne relative to the cooling plate (36) in the radiation protection casing (20). The cooling plate (36) and X-ray tube (26) have small axial play with respect to each other, which allows for rotation. Radial seals (R1, R2) ensure adequate sealing of the cooling water throughout the entire axial play. Advantageously, a sealing plate (27) for adaptation to the cooling plate (36) is attached to the X-ray tube (25). With the X-ray source in accordance with the invention, it is easy to switch between various focus types in one casing structure.

Abstract: An internet terminal is capable of transmitting and receiving voice signals to and from a telephone terminal having a handset. If the internet terminal receives an incoming call when disconnected from the telephone terminal, then the internet terminal stores a voice message from a calling party and issues a notification to the telephone terminal regarding the stored voice message when the telephone terminal is subsequently connected to the internet terminal.

Abstract: A telephone and voice mail (voice processing) system is implemented using only a single processing means for controlling operations of both the telephone system and the voice mail system. The single processing means communicates with a hard disk, which stores programs for running the various operations of the system, voice prompts and all voice mail messages. The single processing means is coupled to signal processing circuitry, which emulates analog electronics that would be used for filters, tone decoder, generators, etc. The single processing means and signal processing circuitry are coupled to central office lines and station lines by a digital cross-point matrix, which can connect any voice path to another voice path. The system integrates call processing and voice processing into one system controlled by one set of software and a single processing means.

Abstract: A system, method and corresponding software application installed on communication devices of the system for communicating a media-based call alert from a calling-party device to a called-party device prior to establishing the voice call therebetween. The media-based call alert is played on the called-party device prior to (or concurrent with) the establishment of the voice call. Preferably, the communication of the media-based call alert is realized as part of a service that is available to subscribers of the service.

Abstract: An electronic record is stored of an agreement between first and second parties for provision of voice mailboxes. An electronic voice mailbox configuration message for configuration of a voice mailbox for a third party is then received. The voice mailbox is automatically configured responsive to the received voice mailbox configuration message based on the stored electronic record of the agreement. For example, the voice mailbox may be configured to control access to the voice mailbox by the third party and/or configure a voice mailbox feature, such as a mailbox type, a pager notification feature, an operator zero out feature, a child mailbox feature, or a line sharing feature. The voice mailbox configuration message may be a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message that is received over a data communications network.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that facilitates more efficient, free-flowing collaboration sessions. The role of the presenter can be exchanged among participants in a collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system is configured so that control of a collaboration session can be exchanged freely between participants in the collaboration session. The multimedia collaboration system enables participants in the collaboration session to determine the pace and course of the session.

Abstract: A method for location-based communications routing includes determining a location of a requesting party in accordance with an address of the requesting party. Whether the location of the requesting party is in a first subscriber service area is determined and, when the location of the requesting party is not in the first subscriber service area, whether the location of the requesting party is in a second expanded subscriber service area larger than and including the first subscriber service area is determined. When the location of the requesting party is determined to be in the first subscriber service area, data corresponding to the first subscriber area is forwarded. When the location of the requesting party is determined to be in the second expanded subscriber service area, data corresponding to the second expanded subscriber service area is forwarded.

Abstract: A method of operating a wireless calling device comprises connecting to a call tone provider configured to provide call tones, transferring a plurality of call tone requests to the call tone provider, receiving a plurality of call tones from the call tone provider in response to the plurality of call tone requests, transferring a call setup message to a telecommunication switch to initiate a call, receiving a call message from the telecommunication switch in response to the call setup message wherein the call setup message indicates a status of the call, processing the call message to select a one call tone from the plurality of call tones based on the status of the call, and audibly playing the one call tone.

Abstract: A call center apparatus for automatically bridging a mobile user (e.g., a supervisor, etc.) into an existing conversation between a telephone operator and a caller is disclosed. The illustrative embodiments bridge the mobile user into the conversation of the closest telephone operator for which the mobile user has bridging authority.

Abstract: The clip-mount operates with a button sub-mount system and includes a body defining a locking cavity for the button and a resilient locking tongue therein. The tongue biases the button into a locking position with a cam surface. A movable cam actuator on the body includes another cam surface which coacts with the first cam permitting the tongue to flex or unlock. An enhancement includes both an unlocking cam and a second locking cam structure. The method includes biasing the button to a locking position and moving one cam over another thereby flexing the tongue from a locked to a button release position. The actuator maybe biased outboard or upward via a plastic spring on the actuator-plunger. A plastic leaf spring may be provided between a clip arm and the button clip mount body. A lock or latch may lock on the actuator-plunger.