Abstract: The driver circuit for driving a switching transistor comprises a driver transformer for driving the switching transistor and an output stage for driving the driver transformer, and an output of the driver circuit is used for providing also said switching voltage. The switching voltage is derived advantageously from the primary winding of the driver transformer. Preferably a terminal of the primary winding of the driver transformer is directly wired to the gate electrode of the MOS transistor.

Abstract: A semi-automatic method of tracking color objects in a video image sequence starts by separating the objects on the basis of color and identifying an object of interest to track. A Kalman predictive algotithm in used to predict the position of the centroid of the object of interest through successive frames. From the predicted position the actual centroid is measured and the position and velocity are smoothed using a Kalman filter. Error recovery is provided in the event the centroid falls outside the field of view or falls into an area of a different color, or in the event the tracking algorithm breaks down.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving and/or transmitting electromagnetic signals comprising three annular slots (20, 21, 22) which are tangent in pairs at two points P1 and P2. These slots are supplied by two supply lines (23, 24) so as to produce a line/slot transition. One of the lines 23 passes through the point P1 while the other line 24 passes through the point P2, the two lines being connected via a T-shaped junction at a common port 1. A diode 25 or 26 is mounted at the free end of each line, making it possible to simulate a short circuit or an open circuit at the end of one of the lines and an open circuit or a short circuit at the end of the other line.

Abstract: Cathode comprising a substrate (2) supporting a cathode emissive coating, comprising what is called an emissive central zone (12) and what is called a nonemissive peripheral zone (11); according to the invention: the average density and the emissive zone (12) is greater than that in said nonemissive zone (11), the average thickness in the emissive zone (12) is less than that in the nonemissive zone (11). In this way it is possible to significantly limit the drift in cut-off voltage, while still maintaining good maximum emission performance in DC mode and in pulse mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiband planar antenna comprising a first slot 1a dimensioned (R1) to operate at a first frequency f1 and fed by a feed line 12 positioned (Im1) in such a way that the slot lies in a short-circuit plane of the feed line, and at least one second slot 11 dimensioned (R2) to operate at a second frequency f2, the second slot being fed by the said feed line (Im2).

Abstract: A process for synchronization in a communications network comprising at least two buses interconnected by a wireless communications network, each bus being linked to the wireless communications network by a portal. The process comprises the steps of: determining a so-called cycle server portal whose own clock will serve as a reference for the other portals; transmitting, via each portal, a synchronization signal at a predetermined instant with respect to the start of a frame and characteristic of each portal, the frame being defined with respect to each portal's own internal clock, the synchronization signal being achieved via the insertion of a control window; and detecting, via each portal, the control windows of other portals and selecting one of the detected windows for the synchronization of the receiver portal's own clock with the clock of the cycle server portal, the selected window corresponding to a portal whose clock is already synchronized with that of the cycle server portal.

Abstract: An improved utilization of the storage space on a helical scan recording and/or reproduction apparatus in particular according to the D6 format. In the case of a data transfer rate in which the apparatus recording rate corresponds to an integer multiple of the data transfer rate of data signals to be recorded, the recording is effected in a manner dependent on the ratio of apparatus recording rate to the data transfer rate by a corresponding first portion of the volume of data being written to first data frames (7) and, after corresponding rewinding, by the corresponding second portion of the volume of data subsequently being written to second data frames (8).

Abstract: Color cathode-ray tube comprising a color selection mask (16) held under tension between a first pair of opposed long sides (30) of an approximately rectangular metal frame (21), a main magnetic screen (22) placed at the rear of the frame in the funnel-shaped part (11) of the tube's envelope, and additional means (50) for forming a screen against the Earth's magnetic field in the part lying along the second pair of opposed short sides of the frame.

Abstract: A data format employing multiple different headers associated with corresponding OSD content facilitates the implementation of an efficient and flexible OSD management and control system. Each header contains a unique display characteristic or set of display characteristics for the interpretation and presentation of an associated OSD pixel map. In using this system, the presentation or modification of an OSD involves the selection of the header, associated with the OSD, having the desired display characteristics to be used in presenting or modifying the OSD.

Abstract: The disadvantages associated with the prior art are overcome by a method and apparatus for reducing multipath distortion in a television signal. Specifically, a plurality of antenna elements receive spatially unique replicas of a desired television signal. The spatially unique replicas are coupled to an adaptive combiner, which generates a spatially combined signal to be coupled to a television receiver. The adaptive combiner forms a weighted summation of the spatially unique replicas, which effectively places spatial nulls in the direction of the multipath interference. The weighting information is provided by an adaptive controller that uses intelligence from a multipath processor located within the apparatus. The intelligence may take the form of a figure of merit derived from the combiner output, or from processing preformed on the input signals themselves.

Abstract: A tutorial system and method is provided to send online media production lessons and other data to one or more students over a computer network, such as the global Internet or an organization's intranet. A tutorial management server communicates with a plurality of student workstations, instructor workstations and integrated, fully automated media production systems. The tutorial management server includes a matriculation manager that registers and maintains system security. A curriculum manager controls the routing of lesson contents to each student. Tutorial management server also includes devices that evaluates each student's proficiency and performance and creates a study guide to assist the student in improving overall performance. A messaging manager is provided to support real time communications among the students and their instructors.

Abstract: A method (30) of reducing contouring in a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display can include receiving a frame-doubled input signal (32) comprising a positive picture and a negative picture. A first dither (36) specified by a gamma table can be applied to the input signal. The first dither can selectively modify a primary-color gamma value of the negative picture or the positive picture. Also, a second dither (34) can be applied to the input signal at an input of the gamma table. The first and second dither can result in an output signal having reduced brightness level repetition for consecutive input levels.

Abstract: A process and device for coding video images using a non object-based coding standard that extracts at least one video object from an image originating from a sequence of images, by the construction of a segmentation key defining the contours of the object in the image. The video object is coded according to the MPEG 2 standard so as to form an elementary stream (ES). The segmentation key relating to the video object is coded according to the MPEG 2 standard, so as to form an elementary stream. A background image into which the object is to be inserted is coded according to the MPEG 2 standard, so as to form an elementary stream. The elementary streams relating to one or more objects and to the background image are multiplexed so as to provide a program stream (PS) or transport stream (TS) according to the MPEG 2 standard.

Abstract: An encoder, decoder, and corresponding method are disclosed for encoding pixel data as a plurality of block transform coefficients and decoding encoded block transform coefficients to provide reconstructed pixel data, the encoder and/or decoder includes a conditional deblocking filter for filtering only block transitions meeting pre-selected pixel brightness level criteria, where the conditional deblocking filter method includes receiving at least one first pixel adjacent to a block transition, providing a signal indicative of the brightness of the at least one first pixel, comparing the brightness signal with at least one of an upper brightness threshold and a lower brightness threshold, and conditionally filtering a plurality of adjacent pixels including the first pixel at the block transition in response to the brightness comparison.

Abstract: A wireless telephone system comprises a base unit and a plurality of wireless handsets. The base unit has a base transceiver and a memory for storing stored information. Each handset has a handset transceiver for establishing a data link and an audio link with the base unit via the base transceiver, wherein the data link is for transmitting signaling information and the audio link is for transmitting voice data for a real-time telephone call. The handset requests from the base unit certain stored information. In response, the base unit retrieves the requested stored information from the memory and transmits the stored information to the handset via the audio link.

Abstract: The power supply according to the invention has a first switched-mode power supply and a second switched-mode power supply, which is connected in parallel with the first, and with both switched-mode power supplies having power factor correction. In this case, the first switched-mode power supply has an active power factor correction circuit, for example with a current pump which contains a coil which is coupled to a primary winding of a transformer, and the second switched-mode power supply has a power factor coil (NS) in its power supply for power factor correction. Both switched-mode power supplies are in this case arranged in one appliance, in particular in parallel and downstream from a common mains switch. The active power factor correction in this case flattens the pulsed current flow, and the power factor coil shifts the phase of the pulsed current flow.

Abstract: Original digital audio signals are represented as PCM sample values wherein the distance between the values corresponds to the sampling frequency. Digital signals can have a length that is an integer multiple only of this time element. In particular coded digital audio signals are processed block-based, leading to a total length that is a multiple only of the block unit. According to the invention, information about the exact length of the original signal is transferred together with the encoded audio information. Additionally, an information value can be transferred that represents the total encoder and/or decoder delay. The decoder extracts these items of information and adjusts the total length of the decoded signal by cutting off samples from the decoded program or track.

Abstract: A scanning device for magazine-type storage media, especially magazine player for optical disks, and a method to drive such player, the player being provided to cooperate with a magazine-type container having extremely dense packaging of storage media, where the storage media are secured against damages even when they are removed from the container. The disks are coupled to trays of the container. For playback the container is inserted into a playback device, a tray of the container is moved into a playback position, a disk is released from the tray and coupled to a mechadeck for playback.

Abstract: Tube for pumping a space between two tiles, comprising a metal end-piece 9 and a glass tube 25 bonded together via a glass-to-metal seal 26; the metal end-piece 9 has shoulder means 3. Such a tube is especially intended to be fitted onto plasma displays or field emission displays. This tube is inexpensive and allows rapid and precise handling and fitting.

Abstract: Color cathode-ray tube comprising a color selection mask (8) placed on a metal frame (19), the said frame comprising, on at least two opposite sides, means of damping vibrations of the mask, of the type comprising two masses (51) connected to the surface of the frame by a connection having a mechanical clearance between the facing surfaces of the mask and of the frame.