Abstract: A device for positioning a transducing head (14) over a selected track of a rotatable information disc. The device includes a slider (12) supporting the transducing head, a carrier supporting the slider, a drive for moving the carrier to effect coarse radial positioning of the transducing head with respect to said selected track and a microactuator (18) to effect fine radial positioning (F) of the transducing head with respect to said selected track. The slider is provided with a swinging element carrying the transducing head and the microactuator is arranged to move the swinging element. In order to obtain a compact device with a swinging element of small mass, the swinging element is an internal tongue-shaped portion (12b) of the slider, the transducing head being secured to a free end part (12ba) of said tongue-shaped portion. The tongue-shaped portion extends in a recess (16) of the slider in which recess the tongue-shaped portion is swingable and in which recess the microactuator is provided.

Abstract: A method for converting an analogue signal representing a runlength limited binary signal with runs of length of at least N into a binary output signal. The analogue signal is sampled and an intermediary binary signal is generated based on the sample analogue signal. Those binary sequences within the intermediary binary signal having a length greater than 2N−1 are identified. The sequences having a set of successive samples having the same binary value, and which borders on samples having an opposite binary value. For each such binary sequence, an analogue sequence is selected in the sampled analogue input signal which corresponds to the identified binary sequence. Then it is determined if there are a plurality of significant local extrema within the selected analogue sequence, and if they are found, the identified binary sequence is partitioned into a corresponding plurality of smaller runs, comprising at least one run of length N.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a scanning device comprising a support (9) for an information carrier (1), a motor (13) for rotating the support about an axis of rotation (11), a scanning unit (15) for scanning the information carrier, and a displacement device (19) for displacing the scanning unit relatively to the information carrier. According to this method, the motor and the displacement unit are each provided on a separate frame (29, 31), and the scanning device is provided with a pretensioning means (39) and an adjusting device (33, 35, 37). In at least one adjustment position, the frames are held at a mutual distance under the influence of a pretensioning force exerted by said pretensioning means, said distance being adjusted by means of said adjusting device.

Abstract: An iterative decoder and decoding method for decoding a binary block code defined by a parity check matrix. The parity matrix is processed several times row-by-row so that each iteration of the decoding corresponds to the decoding of the code defined by a row of the matrix for received data. For decoding an extended code, each row defines two separate codes which are decoded with each iteration.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for calculating estimated time stamps ìt in video distribution apparatus, MPEG-2 program encoders, multiplexers, splicers. True times Yt of a data packet number t having the linear form: Yt=Yt−1+&bgr;t, &bgr;t=&bgr;t−1+&eegr;t, with &eegr;t being a small perturbation relative to the linear relation between time and packet number. The true times of data packet number t are observed as: ot=Yt+&egr;t, where &egr;t is an observational error. The estimated time stamps are produced according to: ìt=ìt−1+&bgr;t and such that the value of &bgr;t is made dependent on the exceeding by #ot−ìt−1−&bgr;t−1 # of max[&egr;t]. The results are accurate and smooth estimated time stamps.

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 device for receiving, storing and displaying television images. The device comprises a buffer (2) for storing television images. Television images having a first frame frequency are received at an input (4). Television images having a second frame frequency are supplied at an output (6). The buffer is adapted to store and read television images. A number of X consecutive television images stored in the buffer lie between a television image read at a given instant from the buffer and a television image stored at substantially the same instant. In a first state, X increases with time. In a second state, X decreases with time. The device further comprises a control device (12) for generating a first control signal (14) for bringing the device from the first to the second state, and a second control signal (16) for bringing the device from the second to the first state.

Abstract: A local area ring network operating in the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) has a plurality of stations and network interfaces (transceivers), each network interface having a send and a receive ring connection. Setting up a call, exchange of information during the call and call clear-down are effected digitally via the exchange of ATM cells in whose header logic trunk identifiers (virtual path identifier VPI and virtual channel identifier VCI) are stored. At least one network interface includes a converter for at least partly and reversibly converting available data bytes in the header of the ATM cell into an identifier specific to the network. A header translation table in the converter is updated during the call set-up or call clear-down phase.

Abstract: Method and arrangements for transmitting and receiving an electronic database, e.g. an electronic television programme guide. The database includes a plurality of programme items. In order to assist the user in retrieving the items of interest, a menu structure is transmitted as well. The menu structure renders it possible to access the database in various ways. Rather than including programme items (such as known form teletext systems), the transmitted menus refer to programme items. Where necessary, references can be made to programme information transmitted by different TV stations.

Abstract: The image sensor comprises a semiconductor body (1) having gate electrodes (3, 4) at a surface (2), each gate electrode being combined with the semiconductor body (1) and an intermediate dielectric (14) so as to form a MOS capacitor (5), which gate electrodes (3, 4) include a portion (6) which is thinner than a surrounding zone (7), a photosensitive region (8) in the semiconductor body (1) being situated below each gate electrode (3, 4), said photosensitive region (8) being capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation and converting said radiation to electric charge. The MOS capacitors (5) are arranged next to each other so as to form an array (9), with the gate electrodes (3, 4) in a row (10) electrically contacting each other, and the gate electrodes (3, 4) in a column (11) being mutually separated only by electrically insulating material (12). The image sensor has an improved photosensitivity, particularly for electromagnetic radiation with a short wavelength.

Abstract: A video indexing system analyzes contents of source video and develops a visual table of contents using selected images. A system for detecting significant scenes detects video cuts from one scene to another, and static scenes based on DCT coefficients and macroblocks. A keyframe filtering process filters out less desired frames including, for example, unicolor frames, or those frames having a same object as a primary focus or one primary focuses. Commercials may also be detected and frames of commercials eliminated. The significant scenes and static scenes are detected based on a threshold which is set based on the category of the video.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling a cooling fan within an electronic device based on the temperature within the electronic device and the audio output level of the electronic device and/or the ambient noise level.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving a multitude of programs which may be classified by a first and a second attribute. For example, a program may be classified by a channel name and a program category. The apparatus is capable of defining one or more user profiles which comprise ratings for some or all combinations of values of the first and the second attribute. Thus, a user can supply preferences in a very precise way. The user profile influences the behavior of various components, such as the zap function and the electronic program guide.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to a television receiver that is capable of displaying two video programs and an electronic program guide (“EPG”) simultaneously. The EPG is displayed in a first portion of a split screen containing a picture-in-picture (PIP) display. Scanning of the electronic program guide causes different video programs to be displayed in the PIP display while the user is still able to watch the original video program on a second split screen.

Abstract: In a memory arrangement including a frame buffer unit (FB) having memory equipment (SDRAM) clocked by a memory clock (fm), and a scaler unit (S), the scaler unit (S) has at least one line memory (inplinmem, outplinmem) for converting a continuous input data stream into a frame buffer data stream in which samples of two successive data bursts of N samples are situated N+&Dgr;N samples apart from each other, and/or for converting such a frame buffer data stream into a continuous output data stream, to allow the frame buffer unit (FB) to operate with less than three different clocks.

Abstract: A method and arrangements for transmitting, receiving and displaying graphic images. The graphic images include dynamic icons (dynacons), i.e. graphic subpictures comprising two or more motion phases. By alternately displaying said motion phases, an attractive motion is created. They enhance the appearance of graphic images considerably. This is especially useful in the transmission of an electronic television program guide, e.g. to indicate the type of television programs to come.

Abstract: Method and arrangements for transmitting and receiving menus, e.g. for accessing an electronic television programme guide. Each menu comprises a plurality of menu items which can be selected by a user. With each menu item, a subpicture can be associated. A subpicture is displayed when the cursor touches an associated menu item on screen. Thus, by moving the cursor over the screen, the subpicture dynamically changes so as to display a brief explanation of the menu items.

Abstract: A radio or television receiver for receiving a plurality of signals, includes a selector for selecting a selected signal and a identifier for assigning an identity to each signal, e.g. a preset number. The receiver includes a history device for maintaining a list of identities of previously selected signals, a navigation device for traversing the list, and for selecting the signal corresponding to the identity at a current position.

Abstract: A device for reading magnetic information, having at least one read head including at least one magnetoresistive bar MR for generating data pulses representative of information read by the head. To enable the bar to be biased accurately without requiring a measurement of the quiescent resistance of the bar, the device includes a control loop for controlling the power dissipated in the magnetoresistive bar, the control loop having a time constant which is large with respect to the duration of the data pulses.

Abstract: A television signal distribution device comprises a plurality of downgoing cables (1-4) corresponding to signals received from various satellites (10-40). Signals received by terrestrial transmission (50, T) are added to each of these cables. Digital data signals received from different satellites are converted to a lower frequency in down-converters (DC1-DC5) and together brought to within the range of the terrestrial signals (T). For each group of users there is provided a converter (94) for putting the digital data signals into a customary frequency band which can be used by a standard satellite modem (95).