Abstract: A spatial audio processor for providing spatial parameters based on an acoustic input signal has a signal characteristics determiner and a controllable parameter estimator. The signal characteristics determiner is configured to determine a signal characteristic of the acoustic input signal. The controllable parameter estimator for calculating the spatial parameters for the acoustic input signal in accordance with a variable spatial parameter calculation rule is configured to modify the variable spatial parameter calculation rule in accordance with the determined signal characteristic.

Abstract: An audio signal processor receives a plurality of encoded multi-channel audio signals. A multi-channel decoder (105) decodes a first encoded multi-channel signal to generate a first decoded multi-channel signal. A generator (109) generates an encoded further audio signal by selecting audio encoding data from at least a second encoded multi-channel audio signal such that a number of channels of the encoded further audio signal comprising audio encoding data from the second encoded multi-channel audio signal is less than a number of channels in the second encoded multi-channel signal. Thus, a channel reduction is performed in the encoded data domain. A further decoder (111) generates a further decoded signal by decoding the further encoded audio signal. A combiner (107) combines the first decoded multi-channel signal and the further decoded signal to generate a multi-channel output signal. An exciting user experience can be provided while maintaining low complexity and resource usage.

Abstract: An encoding method and apparatus and a decoding method and apparatus are provided. The decoding method includes skipping extension information included in an input bitstream, extracting a three-dimensional (3D) down-mix signal and spatial information from the input bitstream, removing 3D effects from the 3D down-mix signal by performing a 3D rendering operation on the 3D down-mix signal, and generating a multi-channel signal using a down-mix signal obtained by the removal and the spatial information. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently encode multi-channel signals with 3D effects and to adaptively restore and reproduce audio signals with optimum sound quality according to the characteristics of an audio reproduction environment.

Abstract: A method for a machine or group of machines to watermark an audio signal includes receiving an audio signal and a watermark signal including multiple symbols, and inserting at least some of the multiple symbols in multiple spectral channels of the audio signal, each spectral channel corresponding to a different frequency range. Optimization of the design incorporates minimizing the human auditory system perceiving the watermark channels by taking into account perceptual time-frequency masking, pattern detection of watermarking messages, the statistics of worst case program content such as speech, and speech-like programs.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements in a codec for supporting bandwidth extension, BWE, of an harmonic audio signal. The method in the decoder part of the codec comprises receiving a plurality of gain values associated with a frequency band b and a number of adjacent frequency bands of band b. The method further comprises determining whether a reconstructed corresponding frequency band b? comprises a spectral peak. When the band b? comprises a spectral peak, a gain value associated with the band b? is set to a first value based on the received plurality of gain values; and otherwise the gain value is set to a second value based on the received plurality of gain values. The suggested technology enables bringing gain values into agreement with peak positions in a bandwidth extended frequency region.

Abstract: A quantizing apparatus is provided that includes a quantization path determiner that determines a path from a first path not using inter-frame prediction and a second path using the inter-frame prediction, as a quantization path of an input signal, based on a criterion before quantization of the input signal; a first quantizer that quantizes the input signal, if the first path is determined as the quantization path of the input signal; and a second quantizer that quantizes the input signal, if the second path is determined as the quantization path of the input signal.

Abstract: A quantizing method is provided that includes quantizing an input signal by selecting one of a first quantization scheme not using an inter-frame prediction and a second quantization scheme using the inter-frame prediction, in consideration of one or more of a prediction mode, a predictive error and a transmission channel state.

Abstract: A system may include a delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter and a digital compression circuit. The delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter may include a loop filter having a loop filter input configured to receive an input signal and generate an intermediate signal responsive to the input signal, a multi-bit quantizer configured to quantize the intermediate signal into an uncompressed digital output signal, and a feedback digital-to-analog converter having a feedback output configured to generate a feedback output signal responsive to the uncompressed digital output signal in order to combine the input signal and the feedback output signal at the loop filter input. The digital compression circuit may be configured to receive the uncompressed digital output signal and compress the uncompressed digital output signal into a compressed digital output signal having fewer quantization levels than that of the uncompressed digital output signal.

Abstract: A device is for retrieving a quantized gain of a fixed contribution of an excitation in a sub-frame of a frame. The device includes a receiver of a gain codebook index; an estimator of the gain of the fixed contribution of the excitation in the sub-frame, wherein the estimator is supplied with a parameter representative of a classification of the frame; a gain codebook for supplying a correction factor in response to the gain codebook index; and a multiplier of the estimated gain by the correction factor to provide a quantized gain of the fixed contribution of the excitation in said sub-frame.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for adjusting a temporal gain parameter and for adjusting linear prediction coefficients. A value of the temporal gain parameter may be based on a comparison of a synthesized high-band portion of an audio signal to a high-band portion of the audio signal. If a signal characteristic of an upper frequency range of the high-band portion satisfies a first threshold, the temporal gain parameter may be adjusted. A linear prediction (LP) gain may be determined based on an LP gain operation that uses a first value for an LP order. The LP gain may be associated with an energy level of an LP synthesis filter. The LP order may be reduced if the LP gain satisfies a second threshold.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an instant messaging method and system, a communication information processing method, a terminal, and a storage medium. The instant messaging method includes: receiving, by a first terminal, a sound recorded by a user, and performing sound change processing on the sound recorded by the user to provide a changed sound; sending, by the first terminal, the changed sound after the sound change processing to a second terminal for the second terminal to synthesize the received, changed sound that has gone through the sound change processing with a pre-stored animation, so as to form analog image data and to play the analog image data. The present disclosure has advantages including rich communication forms, convenient operation, and high network transmission efficiency.

Abstract: Audio processing methods and apparatus are provided. An audio processing method may include: receiving audio data packets; buffering the audio data packets to a buffer; reading the audio data packets from the buffer and playing the audio data packets; accumulating an actual total playing time length and a total sampling time length of the audio data packets that currently have been read from the buffer and have been played; and suspending reading and playing, when a sum of sampling time lengths of audio data packets that are buffered and unread in the buffer is less than or equal to a first threshold, until a sum of sampling time lengths of the audio data packets in the buffer that are unread is greater than or equal to a current network jitter estimated value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a background noise estimator and a method therein, for supporting sound activity detection in an audio signal segment. The method comprises reducing a current background noise estimate when the audio signal segment is determined to comprise music and the current background noise estimate exceeds a minimum value. This is to be performed when an energy level of an audio signal segment is more than a threshold higher than a long term minimum energy level, lt_min, which is determined over a plurality of preceding audio signal segments, or, when the energy level of the audio signal segment is less than a threshold higher than lt_min, but no pause is detected in the audio signal segment.

Abstract: A speech enhancement apparatus includes: a noise estimating unit which estimates a noise component contained in a speech signal for each frequency band; a signal-to-noise ratio computing unit which computes, for each frequency band, a signal-to-noise ratio; a gain computing unit which selects a frequency band whose computed signal-to-noise ratio indicates that the signal component contained in the speech signal for the frequency band is recognizable, and which determines a gain indicating the degree of enhancement to be applied to the speech signal in accordance with the signal-to-noise ratio of the selected frequency band; and an enhancing unit which amplifies an amplitude component of a frequency domain signal in each frequency band in accordance with the gain, and which corrects the amplitude component of the frequency domain signal by subtracting the noise component from the amplitude component in each frequency band.

Abstract: A speech masking apparatus includes a microphone and a speaker. The microphone can detect a human voice. The speaker can output a masking language which can include phonemes resembling human speech. At least one component of the masking language can have a pitch, a volume, a theme, and/or a phonetic content substantially matching a pitch, a volume, a theme, and/or a phonetic content of the voice.

Abstract: A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) device includes transducer head comprising a heat source and a writer. The HAMR device further includes a power controller configured to selectively power on and off the heat source independent of current flowing through a write coil of the writer based on a position of the transducer head relative to an adjacent rotating media.

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording writer with an all wrap around (AWA) shield design wherein one or more of the leading shield, trailing shield, and side shields comprises a magnetic hot seed layer made of a >19 kG to 24 kG material that adjoins a gap layer, and a side of the hot seed layer opposite the gap layer adjoins a high damping magnetic layer made of a 10-16 kG material (or a 16-19 kG material in the trailing shield) having a Gilbert damping parameter a >0.04. In one embodiment, the high damping magnetic layer is FeNiRe with a Re content of 3 to 15 atomic %. The main pole leading and trailing sides may be tapered. Side shields may have a single taper or dual taper structure. Higher writer speed with greater areal density capability is achieved.

Abstract: A near-field transducer includes an enlarged region having a top side adjacent to a magnetic pole, a base side opposite the top side, and a circumference that extends from proximal to a media-facing surface to distal to a media-facing surface. The near-field transducer includes a peg region in contact with a region of the bas side of the enlarged region, the peg region extending from the enlarged region towards the media-facing surface. The near-field transducer also includes a heat sink region having a contact side, a base side, and a circumference that extends from proximal to the media-facing surface to distal from the media-facing surface. The contact side of the heat sink region is in thermal contact with both the peg region and at least a region of the base side of the enlarged region.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a read assembly for reading a dual-layered medium may be provided. The dual-layered medium may include a servo layer and a data layer over the servo layer. The read assembly may include a data read head configured to read the data layer. The read assembly may also include a servo read head configured to read the servo layer.

Abstract: A computer program product according to one embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a controller of a data storage device to cause the controller to perform a method including, determining, by the controller, a test skew gain of a coil using skew information from a servo subsystem of the controller; comparing, by the controller, the test skew gain to a stored reference gain; and taking an action, by the controller, in response to the comparing of the test skew gain to the reference gain.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes generating track following controller state information based on a positional signal of a head relative to a medium. One or more portions of the state information corresponding to particular frequencies are used to determine at least one of: lateral tape movement, tape skew, vibration operation conditions, and roller performance.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a disk apparatus including a disk medium and a controller. The disk medium has a data area and a servo area. The controller obtains offset amount of a head from a target position along an cross-track direction based on a signal read from the data area by the head and performs first control to cause the head to approach the target position based on the offset amount.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method, including a) transferring an initial pattern of an initial template to a substrate; b) performing block copolymer self-assembly over the substrate with a density multiplication factor k; c) creating a subsequent pattern in a subsequent template with the density multiplication factor k; and d) repeating steps a)-c) with the subsequent template as the initial template until a design specification for the subsequent pattern with respect to pattern density and pattern resolution is met.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for varying the spindle speed of a hard disk drive are disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems and techniques involve a hard disk drive (HDD) that is accessible to a storage controller. A spin speed of the HDD is set to a full spinning speed, and an amount of time that the HDD is unassigned is compared to a threshold. After detecting that the threshold is exceeded, the spin speed of the HDD is decreased to a reduced spinning speed. Likewise, upon determining that the HDD is assigned, the spin speed of the HDD is increased to the full spinning speed. In various such embodiments, assigning the HDD may include assigning the HDD to a volume group or assigning the HDD operate as an in-use hot spare.

Abstract: A hard disk drive device and a method and apparatus for control of the hard disk drive is provided. The hard disk drive includes disk media, a slider head, a head gimbal assembly and a control means. The disk media includes at least two layers for data storage. The slider head flies above the disk media and includes a writer and a reader, and a head gimbal assembly supports the slider head above the disk media. The control means is physically coupled to the head gimbal assembly and electrically coupled to the writer and the reader for reducing write interference from the writer when the writer is writing to the disk media while the reader is reading from the disk media, wherein write interference is reduced in one or more of a time domain and a frequency domain.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating generally to data storage, and more particularly to systems and methods for accessing and storing information using multiple sensors.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for analyzing data storage devices. The present disclosure employs a “canary” test that selects multiple storage devices and tests the same for a predetermined period of time. By analyzing the statuses of the storage devices monitored and recorded during the applicable tests, the present disclosure can generate an analytical result regarding the characteristics of the storage devices. The analytical result can be presented to an operator in a meaningful way so as to enable him or her to make an informed decision when utilizing a storage device with characteristics similar to the tested storage devices.

Abstract: Assistance information related to a tier framework may describe signaling for extractable and decodable sub-sequences based on pictures interdependencies. This may allow a video application to efficiently select pictures when performing a given trick mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for editing digital picture computer files and digital audio computer files is disclosed herein. The apparatus and method for editing involves recording digital picture files and digital audio files. The digital picture files are copied onto a storage area network, and loaded onto a data storage system. Metadata from the digital picture files is uploaded onto a metadata database. The digital picture files on the storage area network are compressed. The compressed digital picture files are combined and synchronized with their corresponding digital audio files. These resultant digital files are then organized with their corresponding metadata. Once the metadata is incorporated into the resultant digital files, the files are edited and an editing decision list document as well as editing instructions are generated. Digital picture files are downloaded from the data storage system and conformed with digital audio files to produce the final media product.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for an explosion proof recording system for recording an underground mining environment and other hazardous, low or restricted visibility environments.

Abstract: A system and methodology provide for annotating videos with entities and associated probabilities of existence of the entities within video frames. A computer-implemented method selects an entity from a plurality of entities identifying characteristics of a video item, where the video item has associated metadata. The computer-implemented method receives probabilities of existence of the entity in video frames of the video item, and selects a video frame determined to comprise the entity responsive to determining the video frame having a probability of existence of the entity greater than zero. The computer-implemented method determines a scaling factor for the probability of existence of the entity using the metadata of the video item, and determines an adjusted probability of existence of the entity by using the scaling factor to adjust the probability of existence of the entity. The computer-implemented method labels the video frame with the adjusted probability of existence.

Abstract: In a video processing apparatus, an input processing unit inputs a video frame, a first video processing unit performs image processing on the input video frame, and an output processing unit outputs the image processed video frame to display it. Further, a control unit in the video processing apparatus controls the image processing so that a video frame subjected to freeze display in response to an input of a pause instruction to the video processing apparatus is displayed in the high image quality.

Abstract: Provided are a content information display method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving a content file list; receiving additional information having a same property from among additional information on each of content files included in the content file list; generating a graph representing a degree of the property by comparing the received additional information on each content file with additional information on another content file; and displaying the graph and the content file list.

Abstract: A method of storing information at data and displaying the stored information and an electronic device thereof are provided. The method includes detecting occurrence of a bookmark event while recording or reproducing media data; determining a bookmark segment in the media data to correspond to the occurrence of the bookmark event; and acquiring text information corresponding to voice information of the bookmark segment.

Abstract: In a recording medium on which is recorded a multiplexed stream including a plurality of first packets (V_main) constituting a first I-picture in a first video stream and a plurality of second packets (V_sub) constituting a second I-picture in a second video stream, information for identifying the first I-picture and information for identifying the second I-picture are recorded on the medium. A recording medium can thereby be obtained that enables the rapid detection, from a small amount of information, of a particular picture included in a stream such as a TS in which multiple content streams are multiplexed.

Abstract: A three dimensional non-volatile storage system includes a substrate and a plurality of memory cells arranged in a monolithic three dimensional memory array (or other 3D structure) positioned above and not in the substrate. The system includes a plurality of vertical bit lines and a plurality of word lines. Each group of three neighboring word lines on a common level of the three dimensional memory array are electrically isolated from each other and at least a subset of the three neighboring word lines of each group are connected to other word lines.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor device having a memory cell array, which is capable of existing in three power-gating states depending on a non-access period to the memory cell array. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells which each have an SRAM and a nonvolatile memory portion having a transistor with an oxide semiconductor in a channel region. The three power-gating states includes: a first state in which a power-gating to the memory cell array is performed; a second state in which the power-gating is performed on the memory cell array and peripheral circuits which control the memory cell array; and a third state in which, in addition to the memory cell array and the peripheral circuits, a power supply voltage supplying circuit is subjected to the power gating.

Abstract: A method for operating a non-volatile memory device uses a sense amplifier that includes a first branch and a second branch. During a pre-charging step, a bit line of a memory array of the non-volatile memory device is biased in order to pre-charge the bit line. During the pre-charging step, an offset between the first branch and the second branch is detected and stored. During a reading step subsequent to the pre-charging step, a cell current is received from the bit line at the first branch and a reference current is received from a current-reference structure at the second branch. During the reading step, and amplified voltage is generated as a function of the cell current and the reference current. During the reading step, an output voltage is generated based on the amplified voltage compensated by the offset stored during the pre-charging step.

Abstract: Aspects include a computer-implemented method for scanning data into a shift register. The method includes receiving, by a circuit, a data signal, wherein the data signal propagates in a first direction; and receiving, by the circuit, a clock signal, wherein the clock signal propagates in a second direction, wherein the second direction is in a reverse direction of the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first terminal configured to communicate data with an outside of the apparatus, a second terminal configured to receive a first power source potential, a third terminal configured to receive a second power source potential lower than the first power source potential, a fourth terminal configured to be coupled to a calibration resistor, an output buffer including first to third nodes coupled to the first to third terminals respectively, and a replica circuit including fourth and fifth nodes coupled to the second and third terminals respectively, and sixth node coupled to the fourth terminal.

Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system comprising: a shared memory unit and an arbiter that is configured to generate a clock signal, receive information regarding bandwidths of each of a plurality of agents, and determine a clock frequency or a sequence for selecting single agents among the plurality of agents to allow the single agents to transfer data in parallel from/to the shared memory unit in a single clock cycle of the clock signal, wherein the sequence is based, at least in part, on the bandwidths for each of a plurality of agents. The arbiter is also configured to cycle through the determined sequence for selecting the single agents among the plurality of agents to allow the single agents to transfer data from/to the shared memory unit in the single clock cycles.

Abstract: A memory device, system, and/or method are provided for performing a page state informing function. The memory device may compare one or more row addresses received along with a command, determine the page open/close state according to a page hit or miss generated as a result of comparison, count read or write commands with respect to pages corresponding to a same row address, and determine the page open/close state according to a read or write command number generated as a result of counting. The memory device may determine a page open/close state with respect to a corresponding page based on a page hit/miss and a read or write command number and output a flag signal. The memory device may provide the page open/close state for each channel. A memory controller may establish different page open/close policies for each channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices for parallel read and write operations. Devices may include a first transmission device coupled to a local bit line and a global bit line associated with a memory unit of a memory array. The first transmission device may be configured to selectively couple the global bit line to the local bit line. The devices may further include a first device coupled to the local bit line and a sense amplifier. The first device may be configured to selectively couple the local bit line to the sense amplifier. The devices may also include a second device coupled to the local bit line and an electrical ground. The second device may be configured to selectively couple the local bit line to the electrical ground.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for a RAM at speed flexible timing and setup control. The memory module includes: a module connected to a functional logic circuitry; first timing control latches of a first scan-in chain; a timing configuration circuitry controllable by timing and control configuration signals; selection circuits connected to each output line of the first timing control latches; and an output signal of the timing configuration circuitry is connected to input lines of the selection circuits, such that two sets of control data are operatively connected to the control input lines of the memory cells under test, without a reloading of the respective timing control latches.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may be provided. The semiconductor device may include a stop signal generation circuit configured to compare an operation offset signal with an operation temperature code signal to generate a stop signal. The semiconductor device may include a temperature signal output circuit configured to generate an output temperature signal from a sensed temperature signal in synchronization with an operation clock signal which is generated based on the stop signal. The semiconductor4 device may include a temperature code processing circuit configured to receive a temperature difference code signal corresponding to the output temperature signal to generate the operation temperature code signal in synchronization with the operation clock signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for implementing a programmable integrated circuit device that enables high-speed FPGA boot-up through a significant reduction of configuration time. By enabling high-speed FPGA boot-up, the programmable integrated circuit device will be able to accommodate applications that require faster boot-up time than conventional programmable integrated circuit devices are able to accommodate. In order to enable high-speed boot-up, dedicated address registers are implemented for each data line segment of a data line, which in turn significantly reduces configuration random access memory (CRAM) write time (e.g., by a factor of at least two).

Abstract: A semiconductor device may be provided. The semiconductor device may include a reference mat including a reference bit line and a reference word line, the reference mat, located adjacent to a normal mat, and the reference mat configured such that a capacitance of the reference bit line is adjusted based on a signal of the reference word line. The semiconductor device may include a drive controller configured to drive the signal of the reference word line with a drive voltage based on a boosting voltage, the drive voltage having a lower voltage level than the boosting voltage.

Abstract: An 8-transistor SRAM (static random access memory) storage cell provides differential read bit lines that are precharged to a low voltage level for read operations. The 8-transistor storage cell provides separate ports for read and write operations, including differential read bit lines. Prior to each read operation, the differential read bit lines are precharged to the low voltage level. During read operations, one of the two differential read bit lines is pulled high towards a high voltage level while the complementary bit line remains at the low voltage level resulting from the precharge. The difference in voltage between the differential read bit lines is sensed to determine the value stored in each 8-transistor SRAM storage cell and complete the read operation.

Abstract: A memory device and method of operating a memory device are provided. The memory device comprises global control circuitry configured to receive a clock signal for the memory device and the memory device is configured to perform a double memory access in response to a single edge of the clock signal. A first internal clock pulse for a first access of the double memory access and a second internal clock pulse for a second access of the double memory access are generated in response to the single edge of the clock signal. The global control circuitry generates a comparison signal in dependence on a comparison between a first bank indicated by the first access and a second bank indicated by the second access, and local bank control circuitry of the second bank is configured to generate the second internal clock pulse in dependence on the comparison signal.

Abstract: A magneto-optical device comprising a magnetic unit and an optical unit, an electronic device comprising the magneto-optical device, a method of energy saving using the magneto-optical device, an array comprising the magneto-optical devices, and a method of changing magnetic orientation.