摘要:
A system and method for augmenting digital material with MPEG-7 content descriptions to enhance searching and selection of the digital material. Pursuant to the collection of content information about the digital material, either through receipt or content characterization, a set of MPEG-7 descriptor schemes and descriptors are created for constituent elements of the content. The MPEG-7 descriptions are structured as META tags, including predetermined opening and closing delimiters, which are inserted within the header field of the digital material. The MPEG-7 content description data may contain multiple content levels describing levels of associated embedded content. By way of example, use of MPEG-7 content descriptions within a web site (or internet transaction session) can improve the speed and accuracy of content selection.
摘要:
A network architecture for a network of electronic devices includes a device layer having a plurality of electronic devices interconnected using a network backbone, wherein the plurality of electronic devices each operate using a device native communication protocol. The architecture also includes a device abstraction layer (DAL) which communicates with each of the devices using the device native communication protocols and also presents a unified communication interface to a content abstraction program interface. The content abstraction program interface communicates with the device layer through the unified communication interface of the DAL and includes a set of content services for controlling content on the network. In one embodiment the content abstraction program interface includes a content location system (CLS), a content change notification system (CCNS), and a content engagement system (CES).
摘要:
A method and system of associating product codes with product characteristics, and using those product codes to send and receive information about those characteristics to destinations on a network when the values of those characteristics change.
摘要:
A method of creating a downloadable and printable reproduction of the graphical content that accompanies published digital audio recordings. Data from an archive containing digital graphical content corresponding to a digital audio recording is downloaded and converted by software into an accurate printable reproduction of the graphical content that accompanies commercially available digital audio recordings.
摘要:
A method is disclosed for providing an evaluation of a plurality of information sites to a user over a packet-switched network when the user submits a search request through a user interface device in communication with the packet-switched network. The method begins by acquiring a search result, responsive to the search request, which includes network addresses for the plurality of information sites. Next, a plurality of individuals are selected who were previously in communication with at least one of the information sites over the packet-switched network and who meet at least one predefined criterion selected by the user. A plurality of evaluations of at least one of the information sites is retrieved from a database, which are provided by the plurality of individuals. Finally, a rating based on the evaluations is forwarded to the user over the packet-switched network.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for optimizing picture quality of a video signal. The method includes displaying a user menu having a plurality of choices of video labels; receiving a choice of video label from the plurality via an input from a user; translating the video label into a label code; receiving at least a first video processing parameter from a look-up table corresponding to the label code; and configuring a video processor according to the first video processing parameter. The apparatus includes a microprocessor; a memory associated with the microprocessor, the memory for storing video parameters associated with video processing; a video input selector coupled to a plurality of video inputs, the video input selector also coupled to the microprocessor to receive a choice of video inputs therefrom; and a video processor connected to the microprocessor for receiving video parameters therefrom, the video processor also coupled to the video input selector to receive a video signal therefrom and to condition the video signal using the video parameters. The invention may be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, microcode, and other such media.
摘要:
A method for processing audio from varying audio sources includes providing a variable audio response, including audio gain, balance and tonal quality setting on a per channel (or per source or both) basis that a user can adjust when setting up the receiver. For example, a user can establish a relative gain setting from null4 dB to null4 db in 2 dB increments, increment rear volume while increasing base response for the audio so that the audio is compensated in accordance with this setting before sending the audio to the speakers. This enables a user to account for those channels or sources that are out of the normal for the user in terms of loudness and tone, i.e., either the channels are too loud or too soft relative to most of the other channels or sources. Each channel or source would be preset to 0 dB, thereby providing no compensation. According to this method, the user first sets his volume control to a place where the user finds satisfactory. Then, when the user tunes to a given channel or source and notices that this channel typically requires the user to adjust the volume (either up or down), the user can adjust the automatic audio gain setting for this channel to account for this deviation. Other possible gain settings could be from null10 dB to null10 db in 1 dB or 2 dB increments, just to name one possible example. The user can also adjust the balance, tonal quality and other aspect of the audio signal as desired.
摘要:
Methods for enhancing the performance of quantization operations by converting division operations to a combination of multiplication and shift operations, which are preferably performed on a processor supporting single-instruction multiple-data (SIMD) instructions. A table of mantissa and exponent values is created for a sufficient range of values for 1/a. During quantization, the mantissa and exponent values are found in the table 1/a for associated with a given quantization division operation given by b/a which is found according to the formula b/anull(bnullA)>>n. Aspects are described for application to processors that do not support non-uniform shift operations, and for reducing the necessary bit-width of the operations to increase efficiency. The quantization method may be applied to protocols such as MPEG-2 and other similar formats.
摘要:
A radio frequency receiver includes an amplifier and a detector that produces a bias control signal indicating the level of the signal environment in which the receiver is currently operating. A bias generator sets the bias level of the amplifier according to the bias control signal, where the bias level tends to increase as the signal level increases. Other circuits within the early stages or front end of a radio frequency receiver can also have such reactively adjusted bias levels. These include buffers for local intermediate frequency oscillators and radio frequency to intermediate frequency mixers or converters. The invention can be used to increase the range of linearity (and thus the intermodulation immunity) of RF amplification stages. It can also be used to reduce typical power consumption by reducing the bias level under typical conditions and relying on the bias control to increase bias levels under adverse signal conditions. The invention can be particularly advantageous for applications where power is at a premium and the receiver, or at least its front end, must operate while the device is in standby mode. Such applications include mobile, portable and hand held pagers and wireless telephones and Internet connections. If standby mode operation in non-maximum signal environments dominates the usage of the receiver, then the invention can substantially increase battery life.
摘要:
A method for performing a file transfer in a peer-to-peer environment enables transfers with controlled anonymity. According to this method, a file is received from a user via a third party along with a content rating from the user. Along with the file, an alias is received identifying the user. Identity information about the user is stored in the third party in association with the alias. The user can select one or more information elements within the identity information that can be sent along with the alias. Among that which can be included as the information elements are one or more of the following: an email address, a name, a mailing address, a telephone number, a social security number, a bank account number, a credit card number, an age, a birth date, income information, employment information, purchasing preference information, and an education history. Any content rating are aggregated with other content rankings from other users and identified with the alias. The third party can then act as an intermediary between the user and other users to protect the privacy of the user and to enable financial transactions to occur between the user and another user or company. One or more of these elements 51-56 can be performed together to create various useful methods for transferring files and other information between users and others.