Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for the functionality of an integrated circuit. An exemplary embodiment according to an aspect of the present invention includes a ball grid array having open spaces therein. Within the open spaces, pairs of opposite polarity vias are clustered to minimize current path inductance by exploiting mutual inductance between vias of opposite current flow. In an illustrative embodiment, capacitors are coupled to the vias to further reduce current path inductance.
Abstract:
A display device that both displays visual information and that serves as a mechanical actuator to generate input signals is disclosed (i.e., display device is not only an output device, but also a mechanically actuated input device). By way of example, the display device, which displays visual information such as text, characters and graphics, may also act like a push or clickable button(s), a sliding toggle button or switch, a rotating dial or knob, a motion controlling device such as a joystick or navigation pad, and/or the like. The display actuator may be incorporated into any electronic device to control various aspects of the electronic device. Alternatively, the display actuator may be a stand alone device that operatively couples to an electronic devices through wired or wireless connections. In either case, the display actuator can be configured to generate commands, make selections and/or control movements in a display.
Abstract:
An apparatus for increasing a digital camera image capture rate comprises an imaging device for capturing raw image data, a frame buffer for receiving the image data, a first RAM spooler for transferring the raw image data to a RAM disk, a first flash spooler for transferring the raw image data from the RAW disk to a flash memory, an image processor for processing and compressing the raw data, a second RAM spooler for storing the compressed image data into the RAM disk, and a second flash spooler for transferring the compressed image data from the RAM disk to the flash memory.
Abstract:
Improved techniques for interaction between a host computer (e.g., personal computer) and a media player are disclosed. According to one embodiment, interaction between a host device (e.g., host computer) and a media player can be performed over a wireless channel. The interaction over the wireless channel can be used to automatically synchronize media contents stored on the media player with media contents stored on the host device. According to another embodiment, interaction between a host device and a media player, such as automatic synchronization of media contents stored on a media player with media contents stored on a host device, can be restricted. In still another embodiment, synchronization can be automatically performed when the media player is placed in a docking station that supports wireless communications.
Abstract:
Improved techniques for automatic (or dynamic) updating (or maintaining) of playlists for a media system that stores and plays media content for a user of the media system. The automatic update to playlists can occur when additional media content is added to or removed from the media system. The automatic update to playlists can also occur when previously stored media content is otherwise altered.
Abstract:
Improved techniques to restrict sharing of media assets over a network are disclosed. A server computer having media assets can permit one or more clients to receive access to such media assets over a computer network. However, the access to such media assets can be restricted based on numerical limits as well as temporal limits. The media assets are digital media assets, such as audio items (e.g., audio files, including music or songs), videos (e.g., movies) or images (e.g., photos).
Abstract:
A power supply circuit for a digital processing system. A first stage of the power supply circuit is used to generate power for a first component of the digital processing system and to drive a second stage of the power supply circuit. The second stage of the power supply circuit supports a second component of the digital processing system. The first and second stages of the power supply circuit are electrically connected to each other.
Abstract:
Automatically normalizing a perceived loudness for a digitally encoded audio track formed of a number of channels during playback on a multimedia asset player is described. A number of auditory selectivity frequency bands are selected and for each channel in the track, a power value for each of the number of selectivity frequency bands is computed. Each of the power values is weighted by a sensitivity weighting factor and a sum value of all the weighted power values is then calculated. For the track, a perceived acoustic power value is calculated based upon the sum value for each of the channels and a normalization gain factor based upon the perceived acoustic power is calculated and associated with the track. During playback, the normalization gain factor is applied to the track.