Abstract: An improved image processing system involves decoding compressed image data including frequency domain coefficients defining blocks of pixel values representing an image at a first resolution to provide an image at a reduced second resolution for display from a selected sub-set of the frequency domain coefficients. The apparatus includes an enhanced motion-compensation-unit (MCU) operating with blocks of pixel values representing an image at an intermediate third resolution lower than the first resolution but higher than the reduced second resolution.

Abstract: Image display panel of the “top-emitting” OLED type having, on the internal face of the front plate, which plate faces the observer, an array of cavities or grooves that are distributed between the light-emitting cells and contain an absorbent agent intended to absorb, in particular, traces of oxygen and/or water vapor liable to degrade the organic electroluminescent cells. The lifetime of the panels is thereby improved.

Abstract: The DVD Standard specifies how, for example, subtitles can be overlaid on a video picture in a simple way. According to this Standard, in each case one so-called sub-picture data unit must be provided on a DVD disk per overlay. The DVD Standard does not contain any information as to how horizontally moving objects can also be displayed in a display window using such sub-picture data units, for example to provide a running script. The aim of the invention is to make it possible to produce horizontally moving objects such as running scripts, using the rules and instructions specified in the DVD Standard, while optimizing the memory requirement. The invention achieves the object by using a specific type of run-length coding in conjunction with a special way of combining object picture segments. The invention relates to a corresponding method for coding a picture sequence, and a corresponding sub-picture data unit as well as a data storage medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving grey scale fidelity portrayal of pictures displayed on matrix display screens. The method comprises the following steps: a) for a given peak white level, distributing the sustain pulses among the sub-fields, the number of pulses corresponding to the sub-field weighting, b) mapping the sub-field codes to luminance codes, c) re-ordering luminance codes in a definite order, d) mapping the video levels to the available luminance codes, e) processing the video levels to achieve intermediate levels of luminance f) then, mapping luminance codes to the output sub-field codes. The method is used in plasma display panels (PDP).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200 or 300) and system (100) for performing a trick mode operation on a video signal containing a plurality of progressively scanned original pictures. The method (200) includes the step of selectively skipping (214) at least one of the original pictures to convert the video signal to a trick mode video signal in response to a trick mode command and the step of selectively inserting (216) at least one dummy bidirectional predictive picture in the trick mode video signal. In addition, the method (300) can include the step of monitoring (316) the trick mode video signal so that the dummy bidirectional predictive picture is selectively inserted when the bit rate exceeds a predetermined threshold. Display indicators of certain pictures in the trick mode video signal can also be modified (226) (328) to reflect an intended display order.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for generating a dummy bidirectional predictive picture which can be repeated during display with substantially no vibration in which the dummy bidirectional predictive picture contains at least two fields. The method includes the steps of setting (220) a parameter of the dummy bidirectional predictive picture to indicate that no encoding of a residual signal will occur and employing (216, 222, 224) field-based prediction to predict the at least two fields of the dummy bidirectional predictive picture. The setting step can further include setting the parameter of the dummy bidirectional predictive picture to indicate that no discrete cosine transform encoding of the residual signal will occur. The dummy bidirectional predictive picture can include a plurality of macroblocks, and each macroblock can contain at least a portion of the at least two fields and the parameter can be a macroblock parameter.

Abstract: Plasma Display Panels (PDP) are becoming more and more interesting for TV technology. One important criterion for picture quality is the Peak White Enhancement Factor (PWEF). From a previous patent application of the applicant it is known to have a table of power level modes in a control unit for the display device. The average picture power value is measured and a corresponding power level mode will be selected from the table for sub-field coding. The power level modes have been made variable in respect to a number of parameters, namely: the number of sub-fields the sub-field type the sub-field positioning the sub-field weight the sub-field pre-scaling a factor for the sub-field weights which is used to vary the amount of small pulses generated during each sub-field. According to the invention it is now proposed to use one or both of the following parameters in addition for varying the power level modes: the sustain frequency the sustain pulse slope.

Abstract: A color television receiver system processes color difference signals for providing tint control while maintaining uniform color amplitude with respect to changes in hue shift angle. The color difference signals are modified as a function of each other and as a function of a hue shift angle to produce modified color difference signals. A color difference signal [B-Y] is supplied as a first input to multipliers M1 and M3. Another color difference signal [R-Y] is supplied as a first input to another pair of multipliers M2 and M4. A control signal generator produces output signals sin ? and cos ? where ? is the hue shift angle. The sin ? signal is supplied as a second input to multipliers M1 and M4 while the cos ? signal is supplied as a second input to multipliers M2 and M3. The outputs of M1 and M2 are added in an adder A1 to produce a modified output [R-Y]?.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to perform a method for recording and reproducing a digital signal in a track on a recording medium for reproduction at normal and trick play speeds. The method comprises the steps of processing the digital signal to form first and second record signals. The first record signal is recorded in a first part of the track. The second record signal is recorded in a second part of the track smaller than and separate from the first part of the track. The first and second record signals are reproduced from the first and second parts of the track.

Abstract: An HDTV receiver coupled to a terrestrial antenna displays real-time signal strength of terrestrial digital television signals. A graphical user interface preferably displays various data relating to all terrestrial television signals in a scrollable grid format. The grid is displayed within an active video display of a selected television signal from the grid. Audio for the selected channel is also active.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing performance of a read buffer and a write buffer in a disc media having a feature requiring apparently simultaneous reading and writing. The method includes alternately writing data to the disc media from the write buffer during a write time tW and reading data from the disc media to the read buffer during a read time tR. The read time and the write time are generally separated by a jump time tJ. The write time is selectively controlled so that it is optimized in accordance with respect to the front end read speed, the decoding bit rate, the front end write speed of the recordable media device and the encoding bit rate.

Abstract: In a receiver for processing a vestigial sideband modulated signal containing terrestrial broadcast high definition television information and a pilot component, and for which multipath interference can lead to significant attenuation within narrow bands of the received signal spectrum containing the pilot tone of an Advanced Television Systems Committee high definition television broadcast signal, it has been found desirable to amplify the input signal in order to achieve synchronization of the receiver's phase-locked loop to the received pilot tone. Once this initial acquisition has been established, the amplification applied to the received signal can be reduced to a level appropriate for remaining blocks in the demodulation chain without upsetting the pilot tone synchronization. Thus, according to the present invention, the gain applied to the received ATSC VSB signal is set higher during pilot tone acquisition than it is during the remaining stages of demodulation.

Abstract: A digital video decoding system receives packetized video data representing programs conveyed on a plurality of video channels. The system includes a plurality of buffers for storing encoded video data representing images of video programs conveyed on a corresponding plurality of video channels. An individual buffer, corresponding to an individual video channel, stores sufficient encoded video data to prevent an underflow condition following switching to decode a program conveyed on the individual video channel. A processor initiates switching to decode a program conveyed on a selected one of the plurality of video channels in response to a user channel selection input. A decoder decodes encoded video data received from one of the plurality of buffers corresponding to the program conveyed on the selected video channel as determined by switching initiated by the processor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for coding a data stream, in which the digital sum value of the coded data stream should be close to zero and two alternative code words can be used for the coding at least for some of the possible data values. It is the object of the invention to propose a method for coding a data stream which provides for simple coding of the data stream while at the same time ensuring a digital sum value close to zero. According to the invention, the object is achieved by a method in which the digital sum value of the coded data stream is determined, this value is compared with a first or a second boundary value in dependence on the polarity of the coded data stream and a received data value is coded by a first or a second code word belonging to the respective boundary value in dependence on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: In a digital cinema system, a method for creating a playlist is claimed. At least one image program and at least one audio program is displayed. Each image program comprises encoded data representing image information, and each audio program comprising encoded data representing audio information. Responsive to image programs and audio programs being specified, compatibility of selected image programs and selected audio programs is verifying.

Abstract: A television monitor display comprises a first selectable source of a first video display signal and a second selectable source of a second signal for video display. A video processor receives signals from the first and second selectable sources and controllably combines the second signal with said first video display signal. A sync separator is coupled to receive the combined signal and generate therefrom separated synchronizing signals. A controller is responsive to user selection of the first selectable source and generates a disable signal for controlling the video processor to inhibit combining of the second signal for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A projection display uses a matrix of digital correction factors defining deflection correction factors between which linear interpolation is used for intermediate points on the display. A circuit for generating a correction signal to correct image distortion on a display screen, comprises a memory storing displacement values corresponding to spaced points on the screen in a grid of rows and columns. The displacement values of the grid generally define correction curves for correcting the image distortion without introducing significant banded regions on the display screen. An interpolator is coupled to the memory for interpolating intermediate values between adjacent ones of the stored displacement values, and a digital to analog converter is coupled to the interpolator for providing the correction signal.

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.

Abstract: A method for creating a secure sub-network on a public network that includes a set of devices. The secure sub-network is to include a subset of devices from among the set of devices. An access card is provided having a first private key comprised thereon. The access card is scanned to determine the first private key, by the subset of devices. A master device is determined from among the subset of devices. A second private key is selected and a public key is computed based on the second private key, by the master device. The second private key is only known to the master device. The public key is sent to the set of devices, by the master device. A shared encryption key is computed, and an encryption is requested of any subsequent messages between any of the devices comprising the subset of devices using the shared encryption key.

Abstract: Body (1) formed from a porous matrix impregnated with an electron-emitting material, defined by external faces (11, 12, 13) that all have a roughness of less than 0.2 ?m. Because of this surface finish, the operation and the lifetime of the cathodes provided with such cathode emissive bodies are substantially improved.