David Sarnoff Research Center, Inc.

Sarnoff Corporation

James Timothy Kaba

Danny Chin

Robert Bleidt

Tao Zhao

Herbert H Taylor

Shunguang Wu

Suin-Chuon Mau

A computer implemented method for fusing position and range measurements to determine the position of at least one node of a plurality of distributed nodes is disclosed. The method includes (a) measuring the position of at least one node; (b) computing an estimate of the position of the at least one node based on the measured position using a filter that takes account of past estimates of position; (c) receiving an estimate of position of at least a second node; (d) measuring inter-node range to the at least a second node; (e) combining the measured inter-node range with the estimate of position of at least a second node using a second filter that takes account of past estimates of position to generate a refined estimate of the position of the at least one node; and (f) when a change in the position of the at least one node is above a predetermined threshold value, setting the refined estimate of the position of the at least one node to the estimate of the position of the at least one node and repeating (c), (e), and (f).

Distributed iterative multimodal sensor fusion method for improved collaborative localization and navigation

A multiple user data storage, retrieval and distribution system containing a parallel processing computer system that forms a digital information server. The server contains a plurality of parallel processors each connected to a information storage device. The user data is stored in a distributed manner amongst the information storage devices. The distribution system dynamically allocates the users to the system based upon the user's requested operating mode. As such, during successive user service periods, all the users are supplied their requested data. The system also provides error detection and correction for the data requested by the users. Furthermore, additional data can be added to the information storage devices during each service period and select information storage devices can be recalibrated without affecting system operation. Even though the system allocates users dynamically such that the data is retrieved from the information storage devices in an arbitrary order, the system contains an output timing sequencer that generates output data in a predefined order no matter the order in which the data is retrieved from the information storage devices. The disclosed apparatus and method find applicability in video servers, medical imaging, special effects and animation and location based entertainment systems among other applications.

Method of striping a data stream onto subsets of storage devices in a

A method for allocating multiple users to a multiple user data distribution system. More specifically, a data retrieval method for dynamically allocating multiple users to a plurality of parallel processors each connected to an information storage device in a multiple user distribution system. The method allocates each user to at least one processor. The allocated processor represents a slot within a service period. The service period comprises a plurality of slots such that within a given slot an allocated user accesses a subset of information storage devices to supply data to the user. The users are dynamically allocated to the slots in a service period such that the specific time at which each user is serviced and the subset of information storage devices that services them varies from service period to service period. However, each user is serviced during each service period. The allocation of the user within a service period is defined by the user's present mode of operation and next mode of operation, i.e., the mode the user will use in the next service period. Additionally, the method provides error detection and correction for the data retrieved from the information storage devices. Furthermore, the method enables new data to be added to the information storage devices during each service period and permits a select number of information storage devices, such as disk drives, to be recalibrated without impacting the operation of the system.

Method of allocating multiple users to a multiple user data distribution

In a computer system containing at least one processor subsystems, an apparatus and a method for selective disabling processor subsystems using functional segmentation of the input/output circuitry. Each processor subsystem has a processor unit that is connected to an input/output unit. The input/output unit is partitioned into functional elements which are connected to other input/output units of other processor subsystems in the plurality of processor subsystems or to data sources and data sinks. The I/O unit further contains a functional element controller for selectively disabling and enabling the functional elements.

Input/output unit for a processor of a computer system having

System for supplying streams of data to multiple users by distributing a

In a computer for executing a computer program, apparatus and a method for updating information within a computer program instruction without interrupting execution of the computer program. The apparatus contains a memory for storing the information within the instruction at an address within the memory, circuitry for periodically accessing the information for execution by the computer, and circuitry for altering, between periodic accesses to the memory by the accessing circuitry, the information stored in the memory. In this manner, computer program execution is not interrupted to alter the information within the instruction. Typically, the information is a data field value contained within a computer microcode instruction. Consequently, the data field value is updated, but other information within the instruction such as an operational code (OPcode), is not altered by the update operation. The apparatus and method disclosed herein find applicability in video servers, medical imaging, special effects and animation and location based entertainment systems among other applications.

Apparatus and method for updating information in a microcode instruction

A method and apparatus, within a computer system, for rotating and scaling an image using a three step process. The amount of image rotation and scaling is user defined. The three step process precisely rotates an input image to rapidly produce an output image. Specifically, the three step process shears each pixel location in the input image along a first axis, then shears and scales the sheared pixel locations along a second axis, and lastly, the sheared and scaled pixel locations are scaled along the first axis to produce an output image that is precisely rotated and scaled relative the input image. The apparatus and method disclosed find applicability in video servers, medical imaging, special effects and animation and location based entertainment systems among other applications.

Method and apparatus for rotating and scaling images

In a parallel processing computer containing a plurality of processors, each connected to a memory unit, a method and apparatus for accessing a distributed data buffer. Each of the processors within the computer executes a first routine for processing input data to generate output data. During processing, some or all of the data associated with the processing is temporarily stored within a predefined portion of each of the memory units that form a portion of the distributed data buffer. Upon occurrence of an interrupt signal, execution of the first routine is halted. Also, the status of the computer at the time the interrupt signal occurred is stored in memory. Thereafter, a second routine (an interrupt routine) is executed to access the data stored in the data buffer. Once the data is accessed, the status of the computer is restored in accordance with the previously stored computer status information. Lastly, the first routine is restarted at a position therein at which the first routine was interrupted to execute the second routine.

Growing community of inventors

Jackson, NJ, United States of America

James Timothy Kaba