Abstract: An audio signal decoder includes a context-based spectral value decoder configured to decode a codeword describing one or more spectral values or at least a portion of a number representation thereof in dependence on a context state. The audio signal decoder also includes a context state determinator configured to determine a current context state in dependence on one or more previously decoded spectral values and a time warping frequency-domain-to-time-domain converter configured to provide a time-warped time-domain representation of a given audio frame on the basis of a set of decoded spectral values provided by the context-based spectral value decoder and in dependence on the time warp information. The context-state determinator is configured to adapt the determination of the context state to a change of a fundamental frequency between subsequent audio frames. An audio signal encoder applies a comparable concept.

Abstract: In a quantization method for quantizing a received excitation signal in a communication system performing the steps of re-shuffling S301 the elements of the received excitation signal to provide a re-shuffled excitation signal; coding S302 the re-shuffled excitation signal with a variable bit-rate algorithm to provide a coded excitation signal; and reassigning S303 codewords of the coded excitation signal if a number of used bits exceeds a predetermined fixed bit rate requirement to provide a quantized excitation signal.

Abstract: In a system and method for noise estimation with music detection described herein provides for generating a music classification for music content in an audio signal. The music detector may classify the audio signal as music or non-music. The non-music signal may be considered to be signal and noise. An adaption rate may be adjusted responsive to the generated music classification. A noise estimate is calculated applying the adjusted adaption rate. The system and method may mitigate the noise modeling algorithms being misled by the music components.

Abstract: A system receives monaural sound which includes speech and background noises. The received sound is divided by frequency and time into time-frequency units (TFUs). Each TFU is classified as speech or non-speech by a processing unit. The processing unit for each frequency range includes at least one of a deep neural network (DNN) or a linear support vector machine (LSVM). The DNN extracts and classifies the features of the TFU and includes a pre-trained stack of Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBM), and each RBM includes a visible and a hidden layer. The LSVM classifies each TFU based on extracted features from the DNN, including those from the visible layer of the first RBM, and those from the hidden layer of the last RBM in the stack. The LSVM and DNN include training with a plurality of training noises. Each TFU classified as speech is output.

Abstract: There is disclosed active acoustic filter systems and methods. A processor is disposed within a housing configured to interface with a user's ear. A memory stores data defining one or more locations and a respective set of location-based processing parameters associated with each of the one or more locations. A personal computing device external to the housing is coupled to the processor via a first wireless communications link. The personal computing device determines a current location of the active acoustic filter system. The processor generates digitized processed sound by processing digitized ambient sound in accordance with a set of location-based processing parameters retrieved from the memory, the retrieved set of location-based processing parameters associated with the current location of the active acoustic filter system as determined by the personal computing device.

Abstract: The communication support device includes: a storing unit configured to store an utterance of a first speaker transmitted from a first terminal as utterance information; an analyzing unit configured to obtain a holding notice which sets communications with the first terminal to a holding state, the communications being transmitted from a second terminal used by a second speaker who communicates with the first speaker, and to analyze features of utterance information which correspond to a time of a holding state; and an instructing unit configured to output to the second terminal determination information on the first speaker based on the features of the utterance information of the first speaker.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using a model of human speech quality perception to provide an objective measure for predicting subjective quality assessments. A Virtual Speech Quality Objective Listener (ViSQOL) model is a signal-based full-reference metric that uses a spectro-temporal measure of similarity between a reference signal and test speech signal. Specifically, the model provides for the ability to detect and predict the level of clock drift, and determine whether such clock drift will impact a listener's quality of experience.

Abstract: A simulation method and system. A computing system receives a first audio and/or video data stream. The first audio and/or video data stream includes data associated with a first person. The computing system monitors the first audio and/or video data stream. The computing system identifies emotional attributes comprised by the first audio and/or video data stream. The computing system generates a second audio and/or video data stream associated with the first audio and/or video data stream. The second audio and/or video data stream includes the data without the emotional attributes. The computing system stores the second audio and/or video data stream.

Abstract: A method for adapting a threshold used in multi-channel audio voice activity detection. Strengths of primary and secondary sound pick up channels are computed. A separation, being a measure of difference between the strengths of the primary and secondary channels, is also computed. An analysis of the peaks in separation is performed, e.g. using a leaky peak capture function that captures a peak in the separation and then decays over time, or using a sliding window min-max detector. A threshold that is to be used in a voice activity detection (VAD) process is adjusted, in accordance with the analysis of the peaks. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A gramophone record of the present disclosure includes a recording member and a functional member. The recording member has a main body that is made of a polymeric material and that defines a receiving area in a center thereof, and at least a groove formed on the main body. The functional member is disposed in the receiving area and is made of a material having a density greater than a density of the polymeric material of the main body.

Abstract: A magnetic read head including a first read element magnetically coupled to a bottom shield; a second read element magnetically coupled to a top shield; a magnetic shielding structure that magnetically shields the first read element from the second read element; and a first electrical contact electrically coupled to the bottom shield, a second electrical contact electrically coupled to the top shield and a third electrical contact electrically coupled to the magnetic shielding structure.

Abstract: A flexure tail of a head suspension assembly includes a structural layer, a conductive layer, a dielectric layer between the structural and conductive layers, and an insulative cover layer disposed on the conductive layer. The conductive layer includes a plurality of flexure bond pads in a terminal region of the flexure tail. The insulative cover layer includes a plurality of openings that expose each of the plurality of flexure bond pads. The dielectric layer defines a first thickness between the structural layer and the conductive layer at each of the plurality of flexure bond pads. The dielectric layer also defines a second thickness between the structural layer and the conductive layer adjacent to the plurality of flexure bond pads in the terminal region of the flexure tail. The second thickness is less than the first thickness by a thickness difference that is no less than a cover layer thickness.

Abstract: Various embodiments concern a suspension assembly of a disk drive. The suspension assembly includes a load beam comprising a major planar area formed from a substrate. The load beam further comprises a window in the substrate, a dimple formed from the substrate, and a flange. The flange is a region of the major planar area that extends partially around the dimple but does not extend along an edge of the dimple. The edge of the dimple is adjacent to the window. The dimple is in contact with the flexure. A HAMR block or other element can extend through the window. The lack of a full flange can minimize the necessary clearance between the dimple and the HAMR block or other element and thereby allow the window to be enlarged to accommodate the HAMR block or other element.

Abstract: A write head includes a near-field transducer near a media-facing surface of the write head and a waveguide. The waveguide includes a core that overlaps or is co-planer with the near-field transducer at a first region. The core has a second region extending away from the near-field transducer to an energy source. The core has a third region between the first and second regions. The third region has a third crosstrack width that is less than first and second crosstrack widths of the first and second regions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tape drive includes a controller including a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to obtain at least two periodic waveform components of a high density (HD) servo signal read by a servo reader from a HD pattern written on a servo band of a magnetic tape medium. The logic is also configured to filter the HD servo signal using a number of digital filters that are configurable to detect waveform components simultaneously read from the magnetic tape medium, each digital filter being configured to match waveform component parameters and tape velocity. Moreover, the logic is configured to compute a position error signal (PES) based on the filtering of the HD servo signal comprising the waveform components.

Abstract: To provide a CxNyHz film of high density and a deposition method. One aspect of the present invention is a CxNyHz film formed on a substrate to be deposited, wherein x, y and z satisfy formulae (1) to (4) below: 0.4<x<0.7??(1) 0.01<y<0.5??(2) 0?z<0.3??(3) x+y+z=1.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device includes a controller that selects a power for operating a heat source for a data write to a target data track. According to one implementation, the controller selects the power based on an assessment of whether the target data track is bounded by any data-storing tracks. A first power is selected when the data track is not bounded by any data-storing tracks and a second lower power is selected when the data track is bounded by one or more data-storing tracks. In another implementation, the controller writes to different partitioned regions of a storage media with different powers of the heat source. The controller selects a storage location for data based on an expected write error rate and environmental conditions within the HAMR device.

Abstract: A disc drive including a frame, a tray, a movable element and a buffer portion is provided. The tray is slidably disposed in the frame and includes a sliding groove. The movable element includes a protrusion slidably disposed on the sliding groove. The buffer portion is disposed adjacent to an end of the sliding groove. During the disc ejecting process, the protrusion contacts the buffer portion, to reduce the tray ejection speed.

Abstract: A device including a first axial portion, a second axial portion, and a radial portion is disclosed. A portion of the second axial portion is configured to connect to a hub. An upper surface of the second axial portion may be positioned above an upper surface of a sleeve limiter shoulder when the portion of the second axial portion is connected to the hub. The radial portion connects the first axial portion to the second axial portion. The radial portion is configured to increase stiffness by increasing surface contact between the radial portion and the sleeve limiter shoulder.

Abstract: A server device (100a) includes a first generation unit (102a) generating binding information binding a user with content, a second acquisition unit (103a) acquiring a usage rule, a second generation unit (104a) generating a converted title key from a title key by using the binding information and the usage rule, and an output unit (105a) outputting content encrypted using the title key, the converted title key and the usage rule to the storage medium (600a). A playback device (700a) includes a generation unit (704a) performing the reverse of the conversion on the converted title key of the storage medium (600a) to generate a decrypted title key, by using the binding information received from the server device (100a) and the usage rule of the storage medium (600a), and a decryption unit (705a) decrypting the encrypted content of the storage medium (600a) by using the title key.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to controlling persisting of data to disk for use with a messaging system including an application operable for generating and sending a message to a destination. An aspect is an apparatus, which includes a comparator operable to determine whether the message includes common data, and an extractor, responsive to a determination that the message includes common data, configured to extract the common data and non-common data from the message. The apparatus also includes a persistor operable to determine whether the common data have already been persisted to disk. The persistor is operable, in response to a determination that the common data have not already been persisted to disk, to separately persist the common data and the non-common data to disk. The persistor is operable, in response to a determination that the common data have already been persisted to disk, to persist the non-common data to disk.

Abstract: Embodiments are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for multi-dimensional signal equalization. In one case, a data processing system is discussed that includes: a first equalizer governed at least in part by a first coefficient; a second equalizer circuit governed at least in part by a second coefficient; and a constraint circuit operable to force a sum of at least the first coefficient and the second coefficient to equal a defined value.

Abstract: A diagnostic method and system comprising writing to a tape location of a tape medium using a first tape head as the tape medium is transported in a first direction, reading from the tape location using a second tape head as the tape medium is transported in the first direction, detecting an occurrence of a tape system failure, performing a diagnostic tape operation selected from a group consisting of writing to the tape location using the second tape head as the tape medium is transported in the first direction and reading from the tape location using the first tape head as the tape medium is transported in the first direction, differentially diagnosing a tape medium failure or a tape head failure depending on whether the tape operation failure is observed in response to performing the diagnostic tape operation, and posting a corresponding error code.

Abstract: There is provided a fastening aid to be used in the case of incorporating a reel, equipped with a reel hub having recording tape wound around its outer peripheral surface, into a drive device and using screws to fasten the reel hub to a rotating member of the drive device, the fastening aid including: a main body portion; guide tube portions that are disposed projecting from a lower surface of the main body portion in such a way as to be coaxial with plural guide hole portions formed in the main body portion and to guide the screws to screw hole portions formed in the reel hub; and fitting portions that are formed on lower end portions of the guide tube portions and are fitted together with fitting counterpart portions formed around the screw hole portions on an upper surface side of the reel hub.

Abstract: A method for multimedia content generation includes presenting to a user text that will serve as audio narration in a video clip, and a collection of media items to be selectively included in the video clip. Instructions, which associate one or more selected media items with corresponding elements of the text, are received from the user. The video clip is generated automatically, such that the selected media items appear in the video clip in synchronization with the corresponding elements of the text in accordance with the instructions.

Abstract: A method and a system for automatic B-roll editing of video production are provided herein. The method may include: obtaining a plurality of media entities comprising at least one video entity having a visual channel and an audio channel; analyzing the media entities, to produce content-related data indicative of a content of the media entities; automatically selecting at least a first and a second visual portion and an audio portion, wherein the first visual and the audio portions are synchronized and have non-identical durations, and wherein the second visual and the audio portions are non-synchronized; and creating a video production by combining the automatically selected visual portions and audio portions.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for a media editing application that creates a composite presentation from several different media clips. The method provides a set of editing tools for editing the composite presentation. The method provides a voice-over tool for receiving text for a voice-over that includes a transcript for a voice-over audio clip to be recorded by the media editing application as a clip of the composite presentation. The method provides a display area for scrolling the text when recording the voice-over audio clip. The display area in some embodiments is a preview display area that scrolls the text while displaying a preview of the composite presentation when recording the voice-over audio clip.

Abstract: A system is provided for transmitting a video played back from a video recording medium which stores the video and additional information without loss of an association between the video and the additional information even when a remote pickup unit (RPU) is employed for the transmission A video playback device plays back videos while repeatedly converting the content of an additional information file associated with a video file to be played back or ID information of the video file into a two-dimensional code, and inserting the two-dimensional code over a predetermined length before the video. A video recording device which receives a video from the video playback device detects a two-dimensional code inserted in the video, and stores the content of the two-dimensional code as an additional information file into its own recording medium in association with the video.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a semiconductor substrate, a stacked body provided on the semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor pillar and an electrode member provided inside the stacked body, a charge storage film, and a control circuit. The stacked body includes insulating films and electrode films stacked alternately. The semiconductor pillar and the electrode member extend in a stacking direction and lower ends thereof are connected to the semiconductor substrate. The charge storage film is provided between the semiconductor pillar and one of the electrode films. The control circuit sets an upper end of the semiconductor pillar to a floating state, applies a first potential to the semiconductor substrate, applies a second potential to the electrode member, and applies a third potential to the one of the electrode films. The second potential is lower than the first potential. The third potential is lower than the second potential.

Abstract: A system includes memory chips mounted on a memory module each having an alert terminal that notifies that the memory chip has detected a predetermined error. The memory module has a first transmission line connected to alert terminals of memory chips, output terminal being connected to one end of the first transmission line, and a first termination resistor having an end connected to another end of the first transmission line. The system further includes a second transmission line having an end connected to the alert terminal and another end connected to a controller and a third transmission line having an end connected to a first input terminal on the memory module and a second end line and a second end having a voltage different from a voltage of another end of the first termination resistor.

Abstract: A data storage device that includes a nonvolatile memory device, a controller suitable for controlling the nonvolatile memory device and for reading and writing data to the nonvolatile memory device, and a power management unit suitable for supplying power to the nonvolatile memory device. The controller may control the power management unit to adjust the power supplied to the nonvolatile memory device.

Abstract: A memory device may include a cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a bit line coupled to the plurality of memory cells; a sense amplifier suitable for amplifying a voltage difference between a first line and a second line; and a separation unit suitable for electrically coupling the bit line and the first line, and electrically separating the bit line and the first line during an initial period of an operation of the sense amplifier.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for capturing data using a divided clock are described. An example apparatus includes a clock divider configured to receive a DQS signal, and to provide divided clock signals. A divided clock signal of the divided clock signals has a frequency that is less than a frequency of the DQS signal. The example apparatus further includes a command circuit configured to receive a command, and to assert one of a plurality of flag signals based on the divided clock signals and on a defined latency from a time of receipt of the command. The example apparatus further includes a data capture circuit configured serially receive data associated with the command and to provide deserialized data responsive to the divided clock signals. The data capture circuit is further configured to sort the deserialized data based on the asserted one of the plurality of flag signals to provide sorted data.

Abstract: A data output circuit includes a first trigger unit and a signal generation unit. The first trigger unit is inputted with first data in a first mode and a second mode, and outputs the first data in response to a first trigger signal. The signal generation unit, in the first mode, outputs the first trigger signal in response to a first clock signal, and, in the second mode, retains the first trigger signal in a first state regardless of the first clock signal.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device to prevent DC current from flowing between differential input signals. The semiconductor device includes a first input unit configured to buffer a first signal of differential input signals, a second input configured to buffer a second signal of the differential input signals, and a latch coupled between a first repeating node of the first input unit and a second repeating node of the second input unit to prevent duty variation of the first and second signals. The semiconductor device further includes a latch controller configured to selectively switch the operation of the latch based on states of the first and second signals appearing at the first and second repeating nodes during a time interval before preambles of the differential input signals are received.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a boot-up operation circuit configured for executing a boot-up operation during a boot-up operation period after a power supply voltage signal reaches a predetermined level. The boot-up operation circuit may be configured for generating a boot-up period signal. The boot-up period signal may be enabled during the boot-up operation period. The semiconductor device may include a sensing circuit configured for sensing the boot-up period signal and a clock enablement signal to generate a first detection signal and a second detection signal. The semiconductor device may include an initialization circuit configured for executing an initialization operation in response to the first and second detection signals. Related semiconductor systems may also be provided.

Abstract: A source-synchronous system is provided in which a non-uniform interface may exist in a data source endpoint as well as in a data sink endpoint.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a processor chip, and a memory chip stacked on the processor chip with bumps and including a memory cell unit and a memory logic unit. The bumps are arranged on the memory logic unit. An address and data are transferred between the processor chip and the memory chip by use of shared bumps of the bumps.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device of a differential MTJ pair. The apparatus further includes a second MTJ device of the differential MTJ pair. The first MTJ device includes a sense layer having a high coercivity portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for reading a memory cell and in particular, an STT MRAM. In one example, a system for reading a memory cell includes a sense path and an inverse path. A reference current is provided through the sense path and is sampled via a first sampling element in the sense path, and a cell current from the memory cell is provided through the inverse sense path and is sampled via a second sampling element in the inverse sense path. Subsequently, the memory cell is disconnected from the inverse sense path, the cell current is provided through the sense path, the reference source is disconnected from the sense path, and the reference current is provided through the inverse sense path. The output levels are then determined by the cell and reference currents working against the sampled reference and sampled cell currents.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a data bit value at a buffer in a bitcell based on a first state of a write bitline connected to the buffer, and transferring the data bit value from the buffer to a first magnetic switching cell in the bitcell for a later read operation at least by holding the write bitline to a reference value different from the first state, and asserting first and second predetermined voltage levels on respective first and second write wordlines connected to the buffer.

Abstract: A control circuit may include a refresh time control circuit configured for controlling a refresh time on the basis of an area setting signal for setting a usage area of a memory. The control circuit may include an address control circuit configured for fixing at least one bit included in an external address on the basis of the area setting signal and an area mode signal and provide an internal address.

Abstract: A dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) module (105) is disclosed. The DRAM module (105) can includes a plurality of banks (205-1, 205-2, 205-3, 205-4) to store data and a refresh engine (115) that can be used to refresh one of the plurality of banks (205-1, 205-2, 205-3, 205-4). The DRAM module (105) can also include a Smart Refresh Component (305) that can advise the refresh engine (115) which bank to refresh using an out-of-order per-bank refresh. The Smart Refresh Component (305) can use a logic (415) to identify a farthest bank in the pending transactions in the transaction queue (430) at the time of refresh.

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array, a repair control circuit and a refresh control circuit. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of redundancy memory cells. The repair control circuit receives a repair command and performs a repair operation on a first defective memory cell among the plurality of memory cells during a repair mode. The semiconductor memory device may operate in a repair mode in response to the repair command. The refresh control circuit performs a refresh operation on non-defective ones of the plurality of memory cells during the repair mode.

Abstract: A method of refreshing a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) includes detecting an open page of the DRAM at a row of a DRAM bank within an open sub-array of the DRAM bank. The method also includes delaying issuance of a refresh command to a target refresh row of the DRAM bank when the target refresh row of the DRAM bank is within the open sub-array of the DRAM bank.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first memory cell array including memory cells of a single-ended bitline structure, a second memory cell array including memory cells of a single-ended bitline structure, a reference voltage generator configured to output a bitline voltage of a selected one of the first and second memory cell arrays as a sensing voltage according to an array select signal and output a bitline voltage of an unselected memory cell array as a reference voltage, and a differential sense amplifier configured to amplify and output a difference between the sensing voltage and the reference voltage. Logic states of the sensing voltage and the reference voltage are complementary to each other.

Abstract: This invention provides a 2-level BL-hierarchical NAND memory architecture and associated concurrent operations applicable to both 2D and 3D HiNAND2 memory arrays. New Latch designs in Block-decoder and Segment-decoder with one common dedicated metal0 power line per one 2N-bit dynamic page buffer (DPB) formed in corresponding 2N broken-LBL metal1 line capacitors for Program and per one 2N-bit Segment DPB formed in corresponding 2N local LBL metal1 line capacitors for Read are provided for performing concurrent and pipeline operations of multiple-WL Program, Read, Erase-Verify, and Program-Verify in dispersed Blocks in a same or multiple different NAND planes with much enhanced array flexibility and multiple-fold performance improvements.

Abstract: An electronic memory or controller may use a first type of read command, addressed to a first page of memory of an electronic memory that includes information to indicate that a second page of memory of the electronic memory has not been programmed and a second type of read command, addressed to the first page of memory, that includes information to indicate that the second page of memory has been programmed. The first page of memory may include a lower page of a multi-level cell (MLC), and the second page of memory may include an upper page of the same MLC. The second page of memory is enabled during a period of time that the first type of read command is used.

Abstract: A correlation detector comprises an input unit configured to receive a plurality of parallel data streams of discrete events. The correlation detector further comprises a memory array having a plurality of resistive memory elements. At least one resistive memory element is allocated to each of the parallel data streams. Furthermore, a programming array is provided comprising a plurality of programming elements. At least one programming element is allocated to each resistive memory element for applying a programming signal to the respective memory element. The correlation detector comprises further a control unit that is configured to control the programming signals as a function of a co-arrival characteristic of the discrete events. A correlation unit is configured to detect correlations between the received data streams based on resistance changes of the resistive memory elements.

Abstract: A forming method includes: applying a first pulse voltage to a second electrode to a variable-resistance nonvolatile memory element in first state; and executing at least once a sequence that includes determining whether the variable-resistance nonvolatile memory element is in a second state, and continuously applying a second pulse voltage followed by a third pulse voltage to the variable-resistance nonvolatile memory element when the variable-resistance nonvolatile memory element is determined not to be in the second state.