Abstract:
A combination of new hardware at the subscriber site, hardware and services at the satellite broadcasting center and new installation procedures provide a cost-effective approach for verifying “callback” functionality. The required test and monitoring hardware may be provided as an external test CAM and call progress monitor (CPM) or integrated into the IRD. The satellite broadcast center is provided with a call responder & data test system (CRDTS) that is set up to automatically receive and evaluate test calls over a back channel and a call recording system (CRS) that records the test results and notifies the billing center of a successful installation. The installer installs the dish and IRD, verifies “callback” functionality by placing a test call that is evaluated by the CRDTS, and then calls a customer service representative (CSR) to complete the service authorization process. The CSR checks the CRS to verify that the “callback” function is operational and authorizes payment to the installer.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus relating to dynamic selection of execution stage are described. In some embodiments, logic may determine whether to execute an instruction at one of a plurality of stages in a processor. In some embodiments, the plurality of stages are to at least correspond to an address generation stage or an execution stage of the instruction. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
Abstract:
Digital camera includes an image sensor receiving incident light of a scene, the digital camera captures an image corresponding to the incident light; display displays the plurality of captured images and displays a menu of destinations; at least one user input for selection of at least one image from the plurality of captured images and a destination from the menu of destinations displayed on the display; communications interface transmits the at least one selected image to the selected destination over one of a plurality of networks, the plurality of networks including at least two different types of wireless networks; memory; and processor coupled to the image sensor, the display, the at least one user input, the communications interface, and the memory, the processor controlling the transmission of the at least one selected image to the selected destination using either one of the at least two different types of wireless networks.
Abstract:
A portable device for receiving satellite signals and displaying the signals as video. Preferably, the device includes a portable supporting member such as a hinged enclosure case, a satellite antenna, and a display monitor. The satellite antenna is preferably of a flat configuration and is mounted to the support, and the display monitor is preferably a flat video screen mounted to the same support. The required satellite receiver electronics and video decoder may be mounted to the portable support and powered by one or more batteries to provide an integrated and easily transported system to receive and view video relayed by satellite. A PCMCIA card slot and a microcontroller can be provided with the device to provide additional features such as cellular modem use, PCS wireless access, RS-232 port emulation, or GPS position location.
Abstract:
In a photographic and data transmission system utilizing a wireless communication system, a camera used with the wireless system includes film or electronic sensor for capturing an image, a receiver for receiving a wireless signal from the wireless communication system, a decoder for decoding the wireless signal obtained by the receiver and magnetic layer on film or electronic storage device for storing the decoded wireless signal and the image. A trigger signal from the camera can be used to initiate transmission of the wireless signal from the wireless communication system. Moreover, the wireless signal preferably contains an internet address for accessing further information about an item being photographed. Such a camera is of particular use in a tradeshow for conveying information between a wireless communication system in a display booth and a camera brought to the booth by a tradeshow visitor.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for decompressing and compressing data is described. The present invention provides an encoder for use in a compression system having a decoder for decoding information generated by the encoder. The encoder of the present invention includes a coder for producing codeword information in response to data. The encoder also includes a reorder unit that generates a coded data stream in response to the codeword information from the coder. The reorder unit comprises a run count reorder unit for arranging codewords into a decoding order and a bit pack unit to combine variable length codewords into fixed length interleaved words and to output the fixed length interleaved words in an order required by the decoder.
Abstract:
Transforms such as the DCT are useful for image compression. One close relative of the DCT is preferred for its arithmetic simplicity. A method and apparatus is described whereby the image compression is done with no multiplications while still compatible with a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) Transform. Other enhancements are made to improve image quality.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for reducing the necessary size of a buffer between two cascaded decoding stages is described. The present invention includes a method and apparatus for encoding data into multiple blocks of data. The present invention also includes a method and apparatus for encoding the multiple blocks of data into multiple symbols. This encoding includes a method and apparatus for limiting the multiple symbols to a predetermined number of symbols. By limiting the symbols encoded, the buffer after the decoding stage is limited so that the size of the buffer memory to buffer decompressed data output from the decoding stage is reduced.
Abstract:
A three layer artificial neural network having an N terminal input, a two cell hidden and a single cell output layer generates an output parity signal indicating whether an even or an odd number of binary bits are asserted at the N terminal input. The two hidden layer neural cells have activation functions that cause deviations about a linear response characteristic that allow the classification of a signal representative of the number of asserted input bits into odd and even groups. This network represents a significant reduction in the number of hidden units previously required because of the particular form of activation transfer characteristic used in the two hidden layer neural cells.
Abstract:
Transforms such as the DCT are useful for image compression. One close relative of the DCT is preferred for its arithmetic simplicity. A method and apparatus is described whereby the image compression is done with no multiplications while still compatible with a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) Transform. Other enhancements are made to improve image quality.