Showing papers in "IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics in 1991"
TL;DR: It is concluded that effective energy management for residential applications can be achieved by the appropriate combination of the following: existing products modified for home automation: microcontrollers engineered for continuous residential use: clever software with attention to the user interface: and home automation standards for communications and connectors.
Abstract: The electric utility industry is investigating methods for controlling the customer demand for power. The present techniques involve denying power to selected appliances. The author proposes a novel strategy for appliance control using a home automation communications network. The objective is to allow continued appliance operation during energy shortages. The appliances would operate at reduced modes of power consumption while still providing some services to the customer with minimum inconvenience. It is concluded that effective energy management for residential applications can be achieved by the appropriate combination of the following: existing products modified for home automation: microcontrollers engineered for continuous residential use: clever software with attention to the user interface: and home automation standards for communications and connectors. >
79 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a microprocessor-based automatic sun-tracking system is proposed, where two limit switches are attached to the solar panel to mark its maximum angular positions in the east and west.
Abstract: A microprocessor-based automatic sun-tracking system is proposed. This unit controls the movement of a solar panel that rotates and follows the motion of the sun. There are two limit switches attached to the panel to mark its maximum angular positions in the east and west. The status of the limit switches is read by the microprocessor and indicates that the maximum angular position in either direction has been reached and the panel should not be driven any further. As the plane of the panel is always kept normal to the direction of the sun, maximum thermal energy is obtained from the solar panels. >
78 citations
TL;DR: A novel two-dimensional least mean square (2-D LMS) algorithm is proposed that can converge along both the horizontal and vertical directions of a 2-D plane and it is shown that this algorithm does not cause any degradations due to anisotropic processing.
Abstract: A novel two-dimensional least mean square (2-D LMS) algorithm is proposed. This algorithm can converge along both the horizontal and vertical directions of a 2-D plane. In order to compare this algorithm to another 2-D LMS algorithm, both are realized in the form of a 2-D adaptive line enhancer (2-D ALE), and they are applied for to enhancement of images contaminated with noise. The 2-D ALE based on the proposed algorithm does not cause any degradations due to anisotropic processing. >
65 citations
TL;DR: The author describes an enabling system called SMART HOUSE that provides the common resources needed for home automation in a multiproduct, multivendor environment and provides a concise technical description of the control communications aspects, including system architecture, protocols, messaging, and logic structure.
Abstract: The author describes an enabling system called SMART HOUSE that provides the common resources needed for home automation in a multiproduct, multivendor environment. The system includes the following: a system controller, housewide wiring network, communications protocols, standard interfaces (outlet designs) for connecting other products, and basic user controls such as programmable wall switches and DTMF telephone. Providing complete home automation functionality depends on the addition of other products such as more complex user controls, appliances that include consumer electronics, and application-specific controllers for energy management, security, climate control, etc. These compatible appliances and controllers are equipped with proprietary communications circuits that permit them to communicate with the system controller and with each other. The author provides a concise technical description of the system, concentrating upon the control communications aspects, including system architecture, protocols, messaging, and logic structure. >
54 citations
TL;DR: The DCC system is a digital extension of the well-known compact cassette system, with the main differences being highly efficient source coding of the audio signal, called precision adaptive subband coding (PASC), resulting in excellent sound quality.
Abstract: The design philosophy of the DCC is described. The DCC system is a digital extension of the well-known compact cassette system. The main differences are: highly efficient source coding of the audio signal, called precision adaptive subband coding (PASC), resulting in excellent sound quality; digital multitrack recording, including error correction techniques; thin film techniques for head production; autoreverse feature in all players; and new features (e.g., text display). The system performance, the cassette, the tape format, and the PASC are discussed. >
33 citations
TL;DR: A low-level network architecture for reliable powerline communications is described that uses a robust token passing protocol that supports network access and device response under worst-case powerline impairments.
Abstract: The AC powerline is the ideal communications medium for enabling control and monitoring applications in the home. The authors describe a low-level network architecture for reliable powerline communications. It uses a robust token passing protocol that supports network access and device response under worst-case powerline impairments. The approach is hierarchical, building upon both a spread-spectrum physical layer enabling short-duration powerline transmissions and adaptation to changing powerline conditions and upon a packet structure designed for error correction. >
23 citations
TL;DR: A number of members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are presently planning the introduction of services in accordance with the EBU PDC specification using data transmitted as part of teletext services to allow suitably equipped video recorders to select and record programs automatically and completely.
Abstract: Program delivery control (PDC) provides a means of greatly improving the home recording of television programs, both by simplifying the process of choosing programs for recording and by precisely controlling recording at the actual time of transmission. A number of members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) are presently planning the introduction of services in accordance with the EBU PDC specification using data transmitted as part of teletext services to allow suitably equipped video recorders to select and record programs automatically and completely. Where CCIR system B teletext alone cannot be used and where other types of data broadcasting services are already implemented in some countries, the specification defines the necessary alternative data structures. These services and operations are discussed. >
21 citations
TL;DR: Efficient adaptive discrete cosine transform (DCT) encoding for data compression is described, and by adopting nonlinear quantizers, the Huffman code table was successfully compressed with very little degradation in the images.
Abstract: Efficient adaptive discrete cosine transform (DCT) encoding for data compression is described. This algorithm is simple and is suitable for digital still cameras. At a bit rate of 1.2 b/pixel, a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of about 40 dB was achieved when applied to the Standard Image Database (SIDBA) 'girl Y' images. The data for the DCT coefficients are compressed by adaptive run-length coding, in which either the run-length coding or the non-run-length coding was selected based on the number of zero data in each of the subdivided pictures. By adopting nonlinear quantizers, the Huffman code table was successfully compressed with very little degradation in the images. >
20 citations
TL;DR: A description of a real-time implementation of the vector sum-excited linear predictive speech coder, which has been chosen as the digital cellular standard in North America and Japan, using a 16-bit general-purpose digital signal processor with an onchip codec.
Abstract: A description is given of a real-time implementation of the vector sum-excited linear predictive (VSELP) speech coder, which has been chosen as the digital cellular standard in North America and Japan. This real-time implementation of the VSELP algorithm is realized using a 16-bit general-purpose digital signal processor (GPDSP) with an onchip codec. The principles of the VSELP algorithm and the real-time implementation of the algorithm on the GPDSP chip are addressed. Also discussed are the finite word length effects and possible methods to reduce the effects. >
19 citations
TL;DR: The Electronic Industries Association (EIA) Consumer Electronic Bus (CEBus) twisted pair (TP) network is described, which is one of several 'hard' media supported by the CEBus home automation standard for consumer device communications in the home.
Abstract: The Electronic Industries Association (EIA) Consumer Electronic Bus (CEBus) twisted pair (TP) network is described The TP network is one of several 'hard' media supported by the CEBus home automation standard for consumer device communications in the home The network development is a result of a desire to have a dedicated, high-speed medium, easily installed in the home at low cost, that could support the communication needs of devices which are normally interconnected by low-voltage wiring The author covers the development goals, network topology, media, media frequency use, coexistence with other services, and device interfaces >
17 citations
TL;DR: The authors have developed a computational method for simulating the behaviour of a tape running along a rotating cylinder with a video head fixed to it that will provide good information for optimizing head geometry and tape components.
Abstract: The authors have developed a computational method for simulating the behaviour of a tape running along a rotating cylinder with a video head fixed to it. The flexible tape is modeled as a thin anisotropic shell and the air-film is treated by the modified Reynolds equation. The two sets of equations are coupled in the finite element method. The calculated results were in good agreement with experimental ones, within an error of 7%. It is concluded that this simulation method will provide good information for optimizing head geometry and tape components. >
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TL;DR: It is suggested that there are three ways in which the colorimetry of future television systems can be improved: to define the color characteristics of the system completely, make it possible to define quality transcoding into other systems, and correct for all possible displays.
Abstract: It is pointed out that high-definition television (HDTV) offers an opportunity to improve color rendition. It is suggested that there are three ways in which the colorimetry of future television systems can be improved. The first is to define the color characteristics of the system completely, making it possible to define quality transcoding into other systems, and correct for all possible displays. A second improvement is to extend the color gamut to take advantage of future display improvements and to fully exploit the color capability of feature films. A third improvement is to include constant luminance operation. The advantages of and problems involved in achieving these improvements are discussed. >
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors pointed out that spread spectrum appears to be the most viable option currently available for reliable, low-cost, wireless products for future homes, with attention given to sample implementation and code-division multiple access.
Abstract: It is pointed out that spread spectrum appears to be the most viable option currently available for reliable, low-cost, wireless products for future homes. Spread spectrum in the home is discussed, with attention given to sample implementation and code-division multiple access. It is concluded that the advent of spread-spectrum systems in control applications should reach a new plateau, yielding high-performance products for home automation that consumers will find easy to use with consistent operation. >
TL;DR: The authors examine the protocol stack used by CEBus, the emerging home automation standard being developed in an Electronic Industries Association committee, and the communications protocol as used for the control channel, the command and control portion of the CEBus network is considered.
Abstract: The authors examine the protocol stack used by CEBus, the emerging home automation standard being developed in an Electronic Industries Association committee. Specifically, the communications protocol as used for the control channel, the command and control portion of the CEBus network, is considered. The factors which influenced the design of the protocol stack are then examined. These factors can be categorized into three classes: inherited work from early committee members, design by committee, and interaction with existing (and future) services brought to the home. >
TL;DR: The authors describe the use of action-state diagrams in the software development of small embedded reactive systems and proposes a method that allows specification, design, and coding phases to be combined with a formal notation.
Abstract: The authors describe the use of action-state diagrams in the software development of small embedded reactive systems. The proposed method allows specification, design, and coding phases to be combined with a formal notation. Direct mapping from design to code is also presented. It is also shown that this method covers all the functionality of the classical state transition diagram. The suitability of this method for user interface problems is also discussed. >
TL;DR: A novel stereoscopic video movie camera, 3D-CAM, has been developed, which incorporates two eyelike microcamera heads using 300K pixel color IT-CCD (interline-transfer charge coupled device) sensors.
Abstract: A novel stereoscopic video movie camera, 3D-CAM, has been developed. It incorporates two eyelike microcamera heads using 300K pixel color IT-CCD (interline-transfer charge coupled device) sensors. The 3D-CAM records right and left images alternately through the two camera heads onto a VHS-C video cassette tape. Viewers see these images on a TV monitor through liquid-crystal shutter glasses, whose shutter action is synchronized with the images, so that the right and left images are mixed in the brain to create fine stereoscopic images. To obtain the best 3-D images, many kinds of new technologies have been developed, including: sequential switching of the right and left image signals by field intervals in camera heads; accurate registration according to the CCD geometrical arrangement; relation between the position of the object and right and left camera head distances; and concourse angle between the subject and two camera heads. Fine color stereoscopic images are easily obtained by the 3D-CAM without two video cameras and two VCRs. Many kinds of applications are expected, such as entertainment, robot eyes, manipulators, simulators, and medical use. >
TL;DR: In this paper, a single-chip analog signal processor IC that allows the number of external components in a stereo enhancement system to be reduced has been developed, using the SRS (Sound Retrieval System), developed by the Hughes Aircraft Company.
Abstract: A single-chip analog signal processor IC that allows the number of external components in a stereo enhancement system to be reduced has been developed. The chip uses the SRS (Sound Retrieval System), developed by the Hughes Aircraft Company. Compared with conventional stereo-enhancement systems. SRS has the following advantages: stereo sound with 3-D ambience can be obtained with only two speakers; wide optimum listening area is created; a realistic sound image is maintained regardless of the apparent position of the sound source; specific encoding is not required; and digital/analog delay, artificial phase correction, and harmonics regeneration are not required. The performance and the configuration of the chip are described in detail. >
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a bipolar analog 5-V IC which contains a phase-locked loop (PLL) for vision and sound IF signal processing in TV sets and video tape recorders.
Abstract: The authors describe the design of a bipolar analog 5-V IC which contains a phase-locked loop (PLL) for vision and sound IF signal processing in TV sets and video tape recorders. The IC incorporates one PLL for demodulating the vision IF signal and another PLL for demodulating the FM sound IF signal. All the stages for signal amplification, gain control, and limiting and the two PLLs are on a single chip. This high level of integration, achieved with the advanced 5-V circuit and modern high-frequency IC technology, has considerably reduced the number of IC pins, external components, and alignment. Excellent video and intercarrier sound performance have been observed, and the design consumes only 300 mW of power. >
TL;DR: A technique of increasing the resolution of the counter ramp ADC (analog-to-digital converter) and successive approximation ADC without affecting their speed of operation is proposed.
Abstract: A technique of increasing the resolution of the counter ramp ADC (analog-to-digital converter) and successive approximation ADC without affecting their speed of operation is proposed. An n-bit simultaneous ADC is used with another m-bit successive approximation ADC or counter-type ADC to realize an (m+n)-bit ADC having the same speed of operation as an m-bit ADC. >
TL;DR: The authors present an implementation of CAL (Common Application Language) as an integral part of a practical home automation system designed and implemented according to all present specifications set forth by the EIA.
Abstract: The authors present an implementation of CAL (Common Application Language) as an integral part of a practical home automation system. CAL is the medium through which users submit their requests to the system for translation and transmission onto the CEBus. Such a system is in the process of being designed and implemented according to all present specifications set forth by the EIA (Electronic Industries Association). Attention is given here to CAL's command syntax, supervisor and modules, and hardware and software. >
TL;DR: A router is the device in the CEBus network which connects different media and intelligently forwards packets onto adjacent media and maintains the tree-structure topology.
Abstract: A router is the device in the CEBus network which connects different media. A router intelligently forwards packets onto adjacent media and maintains the tree-structure topology. These functions are provided though the interaction of four elements the communications element, the forwarding element, the directory routing table element, and the network topology protocol element. These elements, combined with the services of the other layers of the router, relieve the nodes of the costly task of network maintenance. >
TL;DR: A closed caption decoder system consisting of three chips, front end, on screen display, and decoder, has been found to ensure reliable reception at low cost.
Abstract: The authors have developed an LSI chip set for the decoder of the closed caption system to be installed in all TV sets with 13-inch or larger screens in the US, beginning in July 1993. The basic policies of the system development were as follows: the system must provide stabilized receiving operations; the system should offer low-cost operation; and, the system must be easily adaptable to different types of TV receivers. A closed caption decoder system consisting of three chips, front end, on screen display, and decoder, has been found to ensure reliable reception at low cost. >
TL;DR: The author describes the IR Physical Layer specification and some of the network implications of using IR as an effective method of achieving single-room remote control and access to the housewide network.
Abstract: The Infrared (IR) Physical Layer definition for the Electronic Industries Association's (EIAs) Consumer Electronic Bus (CEBus) standard was circulated for comment and vote in the early part of 1990 and was approved after alteration to reflect some of the comments. The author describes the IR Physical Layer specification and some of the network implications of using IR. It is noted that the CEBus IR system represents an effective method of achieving single-room remote control and access to the housewide network. No new technology is used; the standard simply extends current product development trends to provide a method of IR communication which is orthogonal to existing systems. The multiple levels of complexity allow the most cost-effective implementation for the application. >
TL;DR: A gateway controller connecting a home automation (HA) system with an automatic meter reading system was developed and improves the information-handling capability of the HA system.
Abstract: A gateway controller connecting a home automation (HA) system with an automatic meter reading system was developed. The gateway controller is composed of lower and upper layer protocol translators, between which the intermediate protocol was defined. Easy exchanges of the lower protocol translator enable the gateway controller to adapt to any external network outside homes. The gateway controller improves the information-handling capability of the HA system. >
TL;DR: A digital clock capable of displaying the time in any one of four different time zones and in any-one-of- four different language numerals is presented.
Abstract: A digital clock capable of displaying the time in any one of four different time zones and in any one of four different language numerals is presented. Two different implementations of the clock are reported. The first implementation, designed for four time zones, makes use of counters, EPROMs, and multinumeric display decoders described by K.B. Balasubramanian and P.K. Rajan (1989). The second one is a microprocessor based implementation providing the display of 32 time zones in 32 display formats. >
TL;DR: The layouts for Korean numerals on 10*7 dot matrix displays are presented and a dot matrix approach was chosen because it can display numerals with curvatures that resemble written ones, while a segmented approach will not give satisfactorily readable numerals.
Abstract: The layouts for Korean numerals on 10*7 dot matrix displays are presented. A dot matrix approach was chosen because it can display numerals with curvatures that resemble written ones, while a segmented approach will not give satisfactorily readable numerals. >
TL;DR: In this paper, an adaptive tracking controller that eliminates steady-state error is presented, which uses a variable-structure system with a nonlinear switching surface, which has the advantages of robustness, accuracy, and fast response without overshoot.
Abstract: An adaptive tracking controller that eliminates steady-state error is presented. The design uses a variable-structure system with a nonlinear switching surface. The proposed scheme was applied to a DC servomotor system whose Coulomb friction value was changed by a dynamometer. The transient performance of this robust and simple system was improved by the nonlinear sliding surface. The experimental results clearly show that the tracking control scheme has the advantages of robustness, accuracy, and fast response without overshoot. However, the nonlinear switching surface requires more calculation time than a linear switching surface. >
TL;DR: The DASP with the external memory interface allows implementation of sound field control, equalization, and filtering applications on a single chip as discussed by the authors, which reduces overall system costs and periods of system development.
Abstract: A new digital audio signal processor (DASP) that is suitable for sound field control applications has been developed. An adaptable external memory configuration method is introduced. The device includes a 32-bit arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) and a 32* 24 bit multiplier/accumulator. The processor is designed to optimize sound field controls such as sound field reproduction of concert halls in a listening room or sound position selection to create natural stereo sounds in an automobile. The programmable external memory interface allows various configurations of DRAM to be selected. The DASP with the external memory interface allows implementation of sound field control, equalization, and filtering applications on a single chip. This reduces overall system costs and periods of system development. >
TL;DR: A novel noise reduction system developed to improve the sensitivity of video cameras is reported, and an S/N improvement as high as 9 dB at a permissible lagged image level is accomplished.
Abstract: A novel noise reduction system developed to improve the sensitivity of video cameras is reported. The frequency resolution characteristics, feedback characteristics, and bit accuracies of the noise reduction circuit in which the field or frame difference signal is separated into frequency components were studied for improving the S/N (signal-to-noise ratio) of the color difference signal, and for optimizing its circuit construction. An S/N improvement as high as 9 dB at a permissible lagged image level is thus accomplished, and this is to be used to improve the sensitivity of home video cameras. >
TL;DR: It is concluded that the microprocessor must now be harnessed to hide product complexity and reduce the operational burden on the user.
Abstract: As home bus standards in the US and abroad near completion, scores of companies are busy developing a new generation of feature-rich products and services for the home. However, until user interface design practice catches up with the demands of increasingly complex products, ease-of-use will remain a major impediment to mass-market penetration. It is pointed out that the inadequacy of the user interface has only recently become an issue. Ever since microprocessors were introduced into the home, product functionality has outpaced design practice. It is concluded that the microprocessor must now be harnessed to hide product complexity and reduce the operational burden on the user. >