Abstract: A predetermined synchronization pattern (40), a so-called VFO field, in, for example, the headers 3 of an information carrier. The predetermined synchronization pattern contains a first part with marks having a first length of (d+1) times the channel bit length, and spaces having a second length of (d+1) times the channel bit length, and a second part with marks having a third length of (k+1) times the channel bit length and spaces having a fourth length of (k+1) times the channel bit length and a third part, which third part contains marks having a length of (k?d) times the channel bit length and spaces having a length of (k?d) times the channel bit length. This sequence of patterns is advantageous for setting the dynamic range of an Automatic Gain Controlled (AGC) amplifier located within a device reading the information carrier.

Abstract: The image processor (101) for motion compensated image processing comprises a motion compensation unit (106) for calculating an output image based on a particular motion vector field and based on a first input image and a second input image. The particular motion vector field can be calculated by a motion estimator (104) which is part of the image processor (101) or by an external unit (108). The image processor (101) is designed to select from which source, i.e. the motion estimator (104) or the external unit (108), the particular motion vector field is taken to calculate the output image. The external source is designed to calculate the particular motion vector field based on a motion vector field which was provided by the motion estimator (104) of the image processor (101).

Abstract: An electronic circuit 100 and method for enhancing an image, in particular, for use in TV-applications, includes a N-dimensional image enhancement filter 130 for receiving an image signal and at least one further image signal, all image signals representing different pixels of said image. An intermediate signal output from the N-dimensional image enhancement filter 130 is combined with a high-frequency component of the image signal in order to generate an enhanced image output signal. The electronic circuit also includes at least one adjusting element 140-1, 140-2 for adjusting the intermediate signal and/or said high-frequency component in response to a determined amount of image enhancement applied to the image signal in the image enhancement filter 130 before being combined.

Abstract: An optical scanning device (1) for scanning an information layer (4) of an optical record carrier (2), the device (1) comprising a radiation source (11) for generating a radiation beam (12, 15, 20) and an objective system (18) for converging the radiation beam on the information layer, the information layer being covered by a transparent layer (3) of thickness td and refractive index nd. The objective system comprises a lens formed of a single material. The lens satisfies the condition: Fomula (I), where t is the thickness of the lens, FWD is the free working distance between the lens (18) and the carrier (2), where t, td and FWD are expressed in millimeters, and where FWD+td/nd<0.51.

Abstract: The invention relates to a remote control system comprising an apparatus and a remote control for controlling the apparatus. Both the remote control and the apparatus comprise a receiver and a transmitter for mutually exchanging messages. The remote control can send a request for information to the apparatus, said request comprising a request code for identifying the information. The apparatus is arranged to determine the requested information from the request code and to transmit the requested information to the remote control together with an identifier. The remote control is arranged to process the received information in dependence on correspondence between said identifier and said request code.

Abstract: A method for combining a random set of video features non-linearly to evaluate perceptual quality of video sequences includes (a) receiving a video sequence for image quality evaluation; (b) providing an objective metric image quality controller comprising a random set of metrics ranging from M1 to Mn without dependency information for each one metric; (c) applying each one metric individually to the video sequence to provide an individual objective scoring value of the video sequence ranging from x1 to xn; (d) determining a plurality of sets of weights (w1 to wn) which correlate to predetermined subjective evaluations of image quality for a predetermined plurality of video sequences (n), each one set of weights being assigned a range having an incremental value equal to the range divided by a number of combinations for each one set of weights; (e) weighting each individual objective scoring value x1 to xn provided by each one metric of the random set of metrics in step (c); (f) combining metrics of the weigh

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting motion at a temporal intermediate position between a previous image and a next image has optimizing means (1) for optimizing a criterion function for candidate vectors, whereby the criterion function depends on data from both the previous and the next image. The motion is detected at the temporal intermediate position in non-covering and in non-uncovering areas. The apparatus according to the invention has means for detecting covering and uncovering areas (2) and has its optimizing means being arranged to carry out the optimizing at the temporal position of the next image in covering areas and at the temporal position of the previous image in uncovering areas.

Abstract: A method of displaying a video signal (Vs) with m video lines in a video field period on a plasma display panel (1) which has n display lines (Di), includes selecting (2) the n display lines (Di) in an interlaced way to subsequently select a first and a second field of n/2 display lines (Di) to display an interlaced video signal (Vs). For displaying a progressive video signal (Vs), the m video lines are alternately displayed (3) on the first field of display lines (Di) only, or on the second field of display lines (Di) only, both during respective time periods which are longer than the video field period.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention can be configured to demultiplex an asynchronously multiplexed video signal, which comprises images from a number of different cameras. Image matching techniques are used to assign input images with states. After a period, the number of states will generally equal the number of input cameras. The states may be modeled through any number of techniques, such as histogram analysis, clustering, and hidden Markov model analysis. Input images are assigned to states, and the input images are output as being associated with the states. Zone surveillance may be performed on a series of images from one or more of the states. Any events that occur can be distinguished and reported.

Abstract: A virtual environment browser (64) holds a number of clip-in files (70, 72, 74) defining guide characters—locally generated visual aids to navigation that appear within a generated image of a virtual environment and follow a user's input (80) navigational commands to provide an advance cue as to the effects of an input command. Where the virtual environment data is supplied from a remote source (62) and includes (78) an indication of a preferred mode for navigating that environment, for example, flying or walking, the browser (64) detects this indication and automatically selects the appropriate guide character. Scaling (84) of the guide character to match the scale of the virtual environment, or such as to render the guide character unobtrusive, may also be provided.

Abstract: In a motion vector estimation method, a block-based motion vector estimation process (BME) that involves comparing a plurality of candidate vectors is carried out to determine block-based motion vectors, at least a most frequently occurring block-based motion vector (MFMV) is determined, a global motion vector estimation process (GME) using at least the most frequently occurring block-based motion vector (MFMV) is carried out to obtain a global motion vector (GMV), and the global motion vector (GMV) is applied as a candidate vector to the block-based motion vector estimation process (BME).

Abstract: A method of measuring the video quality on display devices of differing types and/or sizes based on a known display type and size, said method includes the steps of: (a) obtaining a subjective quality score of video sequences viewed on a first display device; (b) obtaining an objective quality score of the video sequences in step (a); (c) obtaining a subjective quality score on a second display device, wherein the second display device having at least one difference in size and type than the first display device; (d) estimating an objective quality score for the second display device based on a correlation between the subjective and objective scores of the first display device, and the subjective score of the second display device. An apparatus and system provide hardware and modules to permit the measurement of video quality and optional fine tuning of the video quality of the second display based on the objective video quality scores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting asymmetry in transient signals and to a method and apparatus for correcting such asymmetry.

Abstract: A control panel for an electrical/electronic device allows a user to use the control panel without looking at the control panel. The control panel is formed by a graphic user interface (GUI) having a display for displaying various control icons for controlling the device. The display is touch sensitive so that a user is able to select the control function by pressing on the appropriate control icon. The display further has touch detectability for enabling a user to distinguish between the icons by touch. The touch detectability may be in the form of the surface of the display having raised portion in the vicinity of the control icons. While the positioning of the raised portions may be fixed, to allow for changing layouts of the control icons, the display may be flexible and an array of actuators may underlie the display whereby the actuators are selectively activated to press against the underside of the display thereby raising the upper surface of the display in the vicinities of the control icons.

Abstract: An input device (302,316) includes a plurality of magnetic sensors (104,108,112) for measuring the components (106,110,114) of a magnetic field (102) at the position of the input device (302). The magnetic field may be the geomagnetic field of the earth or a magnetic field generated by a local magnet (602). The data of at least two (104,108) of the sensors are used for calculating a first signal (208) for controlling the translation movement of a graphical element (204) on a display (202).

Abstract: A method and device for recording information signals on a partly recorded writable record carrier (11), e.g., an optical disc. An information signal represents at least one information unit. The record carrier has a recording track which includes pre-formed track position information indicative of locations for recording the information units. From the information signal, a modulated signal is generated having successive frames, each frame including a synchronizing signal. The modulated signal is recorded at a one of the locations, while maintaining a fixed relationship between the track position information and the synchronizing signals. In the event that the location is after and adjacent to an already recorded location, the recording is started at a link position (31) before the end of a last frame of the earlier recorded information signal, at a predefined distance before a first synchronizing signal (30) of the modulated signal.

Abstract: To improve the aural sensation from an input signal of an audio reproduction system a bandwidth extension device can be used. The bandwidth extension device includes a first and a second signal path and an analyzer for selecting the created signal which fits most for the current input signal.

Abstract: An image processing system is disclosed that provides automatic face or skin blurring for images. All faces or skin can be blurred, or specific faces can be blurred. In one aspect of the invention, a particular face is blurred on an image or on a series of images in a video. Faces are determined in an image, and face matching is performed to match a particular face to faces in the image. If a match is found, the face or a portion of the face is blurred in the image. The blurring is performed on a portion of the image containing the particular face. Blurring may be performed through a variety of techniques. In another aspect of the invention, voice processing is used as an adjunct to or in place of face analysis to determine if a face in an image or series of images should be blurred. In another aspect of the invention, all faces or human skin in an image or series of images is blurred.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus converts an input voltage (2) into a first (3) and a second output voltage (7). The first (3) and the second output voltage (7) are put into and/or out of operation sequentially. The power supply apparatus comprises a first converter unit (1) which converts the input voltage (2) into the first output voltage (3), and a second converter unit (5) for providing the second output voltage (7). The second converter unit input (6) is coupled to the first converter unit output (3). The second converter unit (5) can only start and provide an output voltage after the first converter unit (1) has started. During power-down, a sequence is created in which the second converter unit remains operational until any capacitance coupled to the first converter unit output has been discharged.

Abstract: A distortion detector comprises a clip detector to generate a distortion pulse, processing means to calculate the duty cycle of the distortion pulse and comparator means for supplying a control signal when the calculated duty cycle exceeds a certain threshold value. This control signal can be used, for example, the reduce the volume of audio reproduction.