Abstract:
An MPEG processor is provided. According to one aspect of the processor, multiple MPEG data streams for corresponding channels are individually stored in an off-chip memory. Corresponding data for a channel is then retrieved from the off-chip memory for processing. The retrieved data is then decoded. The decoded results and associated information are stored on the off-chip memory. Some or all of the associated information that can be used for decoding subsequent data is stored in an on-chip memory. When video images need to be displayed, the corresponding data that is needed for that purpose is then retrieved from the off-chip memory and provided to an analog encoder for encoding in a format that is compatible with an analog display device.
Abstract:
A method for providing an instant win program during a transaction between a base device and a portable device is provided. The method comprises: establishing a connection between the portable device and the base device to initiate the transaction between the portable device and base device; determining information for the instant win program at the base device; and using the information to determine if the portable device is eligible for a prize in the instant win program during the transaction.
Abstract:
A network centric system that enables participation by any number of entities including sponsors, issuers, merchants, portable devices, and acceptance point devices in one or more loyalty programs is provided. Any combination of entities may be specified for different loyalty programs.
Abstract:
A system is described for remote sensing surveillance by configuring groups of automated mobile robotic vehicles (MRVs). The collection of MRVs have sensors that feed information to a central network node. As the MRVs interact with the environment, the mobile network adapts in real time by reconfiguring its spatial positions. This system, and the methods and apparatus involved therein, are applied to reconnaissance missions in order to collect information in remote hostile environments.
Abstract:
According to the invention, a circuit that is capable of automated scan testing is disclosed. Included in the circuit are a cryptographic engine, a digital circuit, an input pin, and an output pin. The cryptographic engine capable of performing at least one of encryption and decryption of one or more digital signals. The digital circuit includes combinatorial logic and a number of memory cells. The memory cells have scan inputs connected serially in a scan chain. The input pin and output pin are coupled to the scan chain. At least one of the input pin and the output pin carries at least some cipher text data of the scan chain.
Abstract:
A system for efficient sale of devices that comply with licensed standards. A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a generic, or highly adaptable, hardware device. The device can be adapted to adhere to a specific standard, e.g., code-division multiple access, time-division multiple access, etc., after manufacture such as at the point-of-sale to an end user, prior to distribution, or at some other point in a distribution and sales network. This allows manufacturers, retailers and end users to benefit from more competitive selection of standardized communication, data and other formats. Reduction of manufacturing costs and elimination of shipping, or other transfer and storage costs, is also realized.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to managing advertising inventory. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for managing advertising inventory so as to enhance total ad revenue. In a preferred embodiment, one or more restrictions are selectively applied to limit the respective availability levels of one or more selected categories of advertisements within the advertising inventory. Typically, the selected categories of advertisements which are subject to the restrictions are at the lowest end of the pricing levels. By limiting the respective availability levels of selected categories of advertisements, unnecessary displacements of other categories of advertisements which are priced at the higher end of the pricing levels are reduced, thereby enhancing the total ad revenue that can be generated.
Abstract:
A system for providing irrigation control is provided. The system includes a processor configured to calculate an offset to an evapotranspiration (ET) value and an irrigation system configured to receive the offset from the processor and provide appropriate irrigation adjustment based on the offset. The offset is calculated based on the ET value and the ET value has been previously provided to the irrigation system.
Abstract:
An improved multi-channel demodulator (44) is provided. The improved demodulator includes an automatic gain control (28), a data buffer (26, 30) and a demodulation engine (44). Data from various RF channels are processed by AGC in order to keep the data at their respective constant levels. Output from AGC (28) is passed to the data buffer for storage (30). Corresponding data from a selected channel is then processed by the demodulation engine (44). The improved demodulator is able to operate in any one of three operating modes, namely, a data processing mode, a channel switching mode and a waiting mode. In the data processing modes, the demodulation engine processes the channel data that is currently loaded into the demodulation engine. In the channel-switching mode, the demodulation engine stores the current channel data into the data buffer and retrieves and loads channel data from another channel for processing. In addition, status and history information relating to the current channel data is stored into a channel status memory (42) and status and history information relating to the next channel be processed is retrieved from the channel status memory (42). In one exemplary aspect, in order to reduce the channel switching time, status and history information relating to the next channel to be processed is preloaded during the previous data processing mode. In the waiting mode, the demodulation engine awaits further processing instructions to decide whether to enter into either the data processing mode or the channel-switching mode.
Abstract:
A system for implementing a searcher for use with a communication device is provided. According to one aspect of the system, the searcher includes one or more computational units which are used to perform a PN sequence generation function to generate a sequence of PN codes. The searcher further includes a number of computational units which are used to correlate received signal samples with the PN codes. As each signal sample is received by the communication device, the received signal sample is correlated with a first PN sequence in a parallel manner using the computational units. The correlation results are then accumulated. As the next signal sample is received, this newly received signal sample is similarly correlated with the next PN sequence in a parallel manner. Likewise, the correlation results are accumulated with the previous correlation results. The foregoing process is repeated until all the signal samples needed for correlation are received and correlated with sequences of PN codes. According to another aspect of the system, the computational units are implemented using adaptive hardware resources. The number of computational units which are used to implement the correlation function is adjustable depending on, for example, the amount of available adaptive hardware resources.