Abstract: The invention provides active-matrix display devices with non-linear two-pole switching elements such as MIMs or three-pole switching elements such as TFTs having a smaller difference in charge current at a different image content by using a suitable. ##EQU1## This leads to less burn-in of the image to be displayed. Moreover, a satisfactory transmission characteristic is obtained at a higher value of .epsilon..sub..perp.. For TFTs it is then possible to use smaller auxiliary capacitances due to the higher values of (.epsilon..sub..perp.). The latter aspect may in turn be utilized to realise a larger aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating and distributing program code written initially in terms of a virtual processor (at authoring suite 10-18) and then translated (24) to the native code of a target processor (26) system. In order to improve efficiency, the virtual machine code includes pseudo-instruction generated and inserted in the code stream by the compiler stage (18) of the authoring suite. These pseudo-instruction are not translated to the native code of the target processor but instead provide guidance other than selection of registers for the operation of the translation process (24) to improve its efficiency.

Abstract: An optical information storage system has a multi-recording-layer record carrier and a scanner device for the carrier. The scanner produces a radiation beam which is compensated for spherical aberration for a single height of the scanning spot with the stack of layers. The height of the stack is determined by the maximum spherical aberration permissible for the system. The number of layers in the stack is determined by the minimum distance between layers, which depends on the crosstalk in the error signals due to currently unscanned layers.

Abstract: Current is sensed by a circuit which provides a high frequency reversing voltage to a sensing winding on a current transformer, for driving the transformer into its linear region at least once per high frequency cycle. Current through the sensing winding is sampled while the transformer is in that linear region. Preferably, the current is sampled approximately at the instants of reversal of the voltage being applied to the sensing winding, and the sample having the lower absolute value is selected as a sample proportional to the line current.

Abstract: A digital transmission system including synchronizing circuits for estimating and compensating for errors between a local oscillator signal and an input signal. The synchronizing circuits include a phase/frequency detector and correction circuit for correcting errors in an unlocked mode, and a phase detection and correction circuit for correcting errors in a locked mode. Requests for changing the synchronization circuits from the locked mode to the unlocked mode are implemented by state control circuits only after application of at least one decision condition. The state control circuits may also save and restore specific adjustments responsive to the decision condition.

Abstract: To compensate for the variation of the transmission-voltage characteristic curve due to temperature changes in a ferro-electric display device, the display device is provided with one or more measuring elements (5) for measuring the polarization current. The drive voltages are corrected by means of the polarization current which is used as a feedback parameter.

Abstract: An active matrix liquid crystal display device having a row and column array of picture elements which each include a switching device and which are driven by a drive circuit via sets of row and column address conductors to which selection and data signals are applied respectively, includes a data signal adjustment circuit which adjusts a data signal intended for a picture element prior to its application to the column conductor and according to a compensation value derived from the values of data signals intended for other picture elements using the same column conductor in the period until the picture element is next addressed so as to compensate for the subsequent effects of vertical cross-talk due to capacitive coupling effects at the picture element. In determining the compensating adjustment, blanking intervals in an applied video signal and current leakage effects can also be taken into account.

Abstract: An encoded digital signal having frames of different lengths is decoded to obtain a wideband digital signal. The decoder converts frames having information packets, where the number of packets in a frame is related to the sampling frequency of the wideband digital signal, the bitrate of the encoded digital signal, the number of bits in the information packets, and the number of samples of the wideband digital signal whose corresponding information is the encoded digital signal in the frame. A receiver for such a signal includes a decoder for converting the frames.

Abstract: An optically readable disc like a compact disc contains a sequence of full-motion video scene digital video blocks, having differing lengths. Each video block contains the entire encoded picture information for at least one picture of the sequence. A header in each video block contains reference information referring to the location of a predetermined video block in the series of blocks, so that this information permits a playback device to recover from a slow-motion or freeze mode by reading from a desired location in the predetermined video block.

Abstract: A compact disc-like display device is adapted to display a sequence of pictures which jointly represent a full-motion video scene, which picture sequence is digitized by means of some suitably chosen encoding algorithm. The digitized picture sequence comprises a series of video blocks. Since the disc continues to rotate at the normal speed when the picture sequence is displayed in slow motion, or in the case of a freeze, discontinuities in the display of the picture sequence are produced. To inhibit this, a header referring to a predetermined video block, preferably the next block, is associated with each video block so that the display device has information about that picture which is to be displayed next. The display device searches, reads and processes the associated video block on the disc.

Abstract: Building lights are master controlled to reduce power consumption under building master control, or in response to electric utility commands to the building computer. Each lighting wall control unit includes a transceiver which can communicate to at least one neighbor transceiver, thereby forming a distributed communication network extending back to the building computer. The transceivers operate asynchronously with low data rate FSK signals, using carrier frequencies between 900 and 950 MHz. Different communications protocols control packet forwarding and acknowledgement so that messages reach their destination but are not forwarded in endless circles, and so that collisions are minimized.

Abstract: An adaptive routing protocol for a data communication system that operates in the connection mode. Therefore, the nodes have a function of detecting their neighboring nodes, which permits establishing sessions with their neighbors without previously knowing them, so as to transmit to them recognition messages which indicate their own identifier. Each node additionally has a double identifier of which one identifier is formed by the serial number of the node, so that the serial number can be detected in the system before any configuration and this, more particularly, by a terminal dedicated to managing the system entrusted with the remote configuration of the nodes.

Abstract: A local network for connecting a plurality of stations includes a main ring which is formed by a number of network interfaces coupled via main ring lines, which network interfaces are each coupled to a respective one of the stations, and a first relief ring, which is formed by a number of bridge elements coupled in series via relief ring lines. The relief ring is coupled to the main ring. At least one bridge element is provided for establishing a connection between the first relief ring and the main ring.

Abstract: A display device (1) has a display panel (2) which comprises a first substrate (6) on which a first picture electrode (11-27) is provided as well as a substantially parallel second substrate (7) on which a second picture electrode (20) is provided, both substrates (6, 7) sandwiching an electro-optical medium (8). Said electro-optical medium (8) is capable of switching between an at least substantially transparent state and a scattering state under the influence of an electric field. A transparent insulating layer (10) is provided between the first picture electrode (11-17) and the electro-optical medium (8), said insulating layer reflecting the light (30) which, at least during operation, is emitted by a light source (3) and sidelong captured by the panel (2), so that it does not reach the first picture electrode (11-17).

Abstract: Teletext page signals are transmitted in a format providing basic pages and extension pages, and a table which includes a code for indexing extension pages to the basic pages with which they are to be used. The code includes a multibit value for selecting an extension page from a list, and a single bit for selecting or not selecting a predetermined common extension page. Each extension page includes signals for enhancing the basic page or pages to a higher level display.

Abstract: A carrier recovery circuit includes a correction circuit for correcting phase differences which appear betwen a complex input signal and a local carrier supplied by a local oscillator. The correction circuit defines zones in a plane defined by in-phase components and quadrature components of the complex signal. Each zone includes a respective state of a constellation that is used for encoding the signal during transmission. When a point representing the signal in the I/Q plane is subjected to a decision, the correction circuit produces a correction signal proportional to a measured phase difference. When the point lies outside the zones, the correction circuit produces a correction signal that varies as a function of the measured phase difference to which a weighting factor, dependent on the distance from the point to the nearest zone, is applied. In a first mode the correction circuit corrects either the local oscillator phase or frequency; or in a second mode, corrects the signal phase.

Abstract: A communication system interconnecting n slave processors (P1, P2, . . . , Pn) and a master processor (Pn+1) includes a first data communication bus, a second serial signalling bus, which acts as a conduit for a synchronous signalling frame, which consists of time intervals (IT) assigned to the processors, and circuitry for synchronizing the time intervals in the processors. In addition, n first comparing circuits, each associated with one of the slave processors, are provided for detecting the cyclic appearance of the IT assigned thereto. A second comparing circuit associated with the master processor indicates the cyclic appearance of a respective IT.

Abstract: An ATM network with circuits means for managing the transmission of ATM cells. An allocation circuit comprises a tree circuit which cooperates with a date calculation circuit. This calculation circuit assigns a date to each of the transmit cells as a function of the desired rate. The tree circuit is passed through, on the one hand, in a direction from leaves to root for determining the dates that have the smallest value in a classification according to priority of the calculated dates and, on the other hand, in the direction from root to leaves for selecting the date that has the highest priority and is smaller than a current date produced by a dating element.

Abstract: An optical information storage system has a multi-recording layer record carrier and a scanner device for the carrier. The scanner produces a radiation beam which is compensated for spherical aberration for a single height of the scanning spot with the stack of layers. The height of the stack is determined by the maximum spherical aberration permissible for the system. The number of layers in the stack is determined by the minimum distance between layers, which depends on the crosstalk in the error signals due to currently unscanned layers.

Abstract: A low power, multi-function cellular television system for transmitting signals at super high frequencies. Each cell transmitter radiates signals with one polarization over one sector, and signals with a different polarization over the balance of 360.degree.. Sectors of adjoining cells are aligned to minimize interference from the adjoining cell. Adjoining cells may transmit different pluralities of carrier frequencies which are interleaved to minimize interference further, with each cell having one set of transmitted frequencies radiated for both polarizations, occupying at least 90% of a band used in common for the system.