Abstract: A method for high speed playback of digital video data (e.g. D1 or D2 data) in which, at lower speeds, the frames of data to be played back are made of a mixture of consecutive frames of data. The frames of data are mixed by averaging the pixel values over consecutive frames to make up the output frames. For high speed shuttle operation, non-consecutive frames are averaged on a pixel by pixel basis to create shuttle frames. In order to improve the appearance of the output, consecutive shuttle frames contain a common original frame so that a component of the original data spans two output frames.

Abstract: In a method for processing a time code such that time code data composed of a hour minute second frame accompanying picture information of a predetermined system is mapped onto picture information of another system, when converting the picture information of the predetermined system into that of another system, mapping the time code when converting the system of the picture information including the steps of converting time code data accompanying picture information of said predetermined system into a total frame number x, calculating a total frame number y of the converted time code data for said time code data from said total frame number x and generating the converted time code from the total frame number y.

Abstract: A video signal is supplied from a digital VTR 1 and is encoded by an MPEG encoder 8. The encoded video signal is recorded as a compressed video signal in an HDD 9. A plurality of compressed video signals are recorded in the HDD 9 and addresses of the compressed video signals are stored in a controller 6. MPEG decoders 12 and 14 decode the compressed video signals which are read out from the HDD 9. After a video signal processing apparatus 3 executes an editing process on the decoded video signals, a synthesized video signal is supplied to a digital VTR 10 through a switch 7. The synthesized video signal recorded in the digital VTR 10 is supplied to the video signal processing apparatus 3 for further processing through a switch 13 without being decoded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating a memory in a Compact Disc changer. Information identifying discs stored in a CD changer is stored in a memory. The memory is updated when a CD is loaded which does not have identifying features which are recognized by the CD changer. Updating is carried out via a modem connection to a remote database. The database can be stored locally in a local database residing in a personal computer where the database can be queried to locate desired tracks and can be used to facilitate control of the compact disc changer by providing a simplified interface for building a play list and the like.

Abstract: An improved squeegee for a screen printing system. A squeegee with two substantially rectangular shaped elements adjacent each other and each having a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes are not aligned and instead intersect at an angle unequal to zero. Alternatively, the improved squeegee for a screen printing system may include a center section with outward projections, a first substantially rectangular shaped element adjacent the center section and having a first longitudinal axis and a second substantially rectangular shaped element adjacent to the center section and having a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis intersecting at an angle unequal to zero.

Abstract: A target assembly for use in a sputtering system used for forming a thin film on a substrate is disclosed. The target assembly includes a mounting element having an interior wall which defines an aperture. The target assembly further includes a target for providing material for forming the film on the substrate. In particular, the target is affixed within the mounting element by an interference fit between the aperture and the target. Furthermore, the mounting ring includes a groove for holding an O-ring which serves to maintain a vacuum in the sputtering system.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating an article includes a first housing member mountable on a side of the article conveyor, and a second housing member mountable on the opposite side of the article conveyor. A motor having a shaft is mounted on the first housing member. The motor is arranged to drive a frictional drive roller. The frictional drive roller in turn drives a first end portion of an approaching article. A pin is mounted on the second housing member and arranged to contact a second end portion, i.e., a second end portion opposite the first end portion, of the article while the frictional drive roller drives the first end portion. The pin functions to inhibit motion of the second end portion and thereby establishes a pivot position about which the article rotates approximately ninety degrees.

Abstract: A method for high speed playback of digital video data (e.g. D1 or D2 data) in which, at lower speeds, the frames of data to be played back are made of a mixture of consecutive frames of data. The frames of data are mixed by averaging the pixel values over consecutive frames to make up the output frames. For high speed shuttle operation, non-consecutive frames are averaged on a pixel by pixel basis to create shuttle frames. In order to improve the appearance of the output, consecutive shuttle frames contain a common original frame so that a component of the original data spans two output frames.

Abstract: A wireless voice messaging device including a cassette-shaped body adapted to be inserted into a cassette player in lieu of a cassette. A receiver for receiving incoming call signals including at least one incoming voice message, a memory for storing the incoming voice message and recalling the incoming voice message in response to a first control signal, and a transducer for establishing an operative connection with a play head of the cassette player for transferring the incoming voice message recalled from said memory means to said play head are all disposed in the cassette-shaped body. A control signal generator, also disposed in the cassette-shaped body and responsive to operation of said cassette player, is provided for detecting a mode of operation of the cassette player and controlling a mode of operation of the voice pager in response thereto. A transmitter, disposed in the cassette-shaped body, is provided for transmitting outgoing voice messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an optical disk mother or stamper wherein the number of processing steps is greatly reduced from the prior art methods. In particular, the present invention involves directly forming a mother or stamper by direct laser ablation of a conductive metal substrate. More specifically, a stream of coded digital information (for example, representing the content of an encyclopedia in the case of CD ROM or a classical music collection in the case of CD audio) is converted into a corresponding plurality of pits and lands in the conductive metal substrate by electronically switching the beam of a first laser on and off via an electro or acusto-optic modulator (EOM/AOM) in response to the digital information. As a result, selective portions of the conductive substrate are either ablated (in the case where the laser is on) thereby directly creating the pits, or the substrate is left unaltered (in the case where the laser is off) thereby creating lands.

Abstract: A television receiver selects an audio signal corresponding to one of a plurality of video signals and a caption signal respectively accompanying one of the plurality of video signals. At least one picture and the selected caption are displayed on a screen, the selected sound is output from a speaker. The video, audio and caption may be independently selected.

Abstract: A super high resolution rotary optical encoder having as its disk an optical disk, i.e., a disk employing the optical principle of non-contact readout based on diffraction theory. The encoder is adapted to be coupled to a device of which it is desired to measure the rotational motion thereof. The encoder includes an optical disk having, at a fixed radial distance, at least one track of pits and lands; a coupler for coupling the optical disk to the device such that rotary motion of the device results in a corresponding rotary motion of the optical disk; and an optical disk pick-up for generating an output in response to the pits and lands indicative of the rotary motion of the device.

Abstract: A disc skew detecting apparatus having a skew sensor for detecting skew of a disc in which information signals are recorded and reproduced with an optical pickup device, the skew sensor being located on a track on which a beam spot of the optical pickup device is positioned. Preferably, the disc skew detecting apparatus has two skew sensors for detecting skew of a disc in which information signals are recorded and reproduced with an optical pickup device, the skew sensors being located in preceding and succeeding positions of an objective lens of the optical pickup device and along a track which is incident a recording/reproducing light beam. The skew sensor being located with its measuring direction toward the center of the disc.

Abstract: A step h is provided between a recording region 2 including servo patterns Ps1, Ps2 and the recording track pattern Pw and a non-recording region 3 except the servo patterns Ps1, Ps2 and the recording track pattern Pw. A relation between a servo pattern width Ts and a track pitch Tp is set to be Tp(n-0.1).ltoreq.Ts.ltoreq.Tp(n+1), while a relation between a magnetic readout width Wr of the magnetic head and the track pitch Tp is set to be 0.9 Tp.ltoreq.Wr.ltoreq.1.1 Tp. A dead zone in a tracking error signal indicating a position of a magnetic head is to be eliminated, thus rendering it possible to position the magnetic head accurately and speedily.

Abstract: A color video printer having a printer head portion and a cartridge detachable for supplying a solid dye to the printer head portion. The head portion vaporizes the solid dye and transfers the vaporized dye to a substrate. The cartridge is attached to the printer head portion when the supply of the dye is necessary. When the dye is supplied from the cartridge, the solid dye in the cartridge is liquefied and the liquefied dye is supplied to the printer head portion by capillarity.

Abstract: A method for attaching a stretched damper wire to a cathode ray tube including the steps of locating each end of a damper wire at a first position with respect to a pair of damper springs and welding each end of the damper wire to each of the damper springs while holding the damper wire between each of the damper springs and a welding ribbon. Next, the damper springs are moved to a frame of the cathode ray tube and welded at second positions thereof to upstanding portions of said frame so as to stretch the damper wire between the damper springs on an aperture grill.

Abstract: A method for high speed playback of digital video data (e.g. D1 or D2 data) in which, at lower speeds, the frames of data to be played back are made of a mixture of consecutive frames of data. The frames of data are mixed by averaging the pixel values over consecutive frames to make up the output frames. For high speed shuttle operation, non-consecutive frames are averaged on a pixel by pixel basis to create shuttle frames. In order to improve the appearance of the output, consecutive shuttle frames contain a common original frame so that a component of the original data spans two output frames.

Abstract: A matrix switcher apparatus for selectively outputting information signals includes a first matrix switcher unit for selectively outputting an information signal according to control signals in the form of a first communication protocol, and a second matrix switcher unit for selectively outputting an information signal according to control signals in the form of a second communication protocol. The matrix switcher unit apparatus also includes a control unit having a plurality of remote control units each for generating control signals in the form of the first communication protocol in accordance with switching data input from an input unit, and a converting unit for converting control signals generated by the remote control units into control signals in the form of a second communication protocol.

Abstract: An optical disc player adapted to read an optical disc having a plurality of pits and lands representative of information stored on the optical disc; the optical disc being at least in part unmetallized. The player includes a semiconductor laser for generating a variable power laser beam, the power of the beam being controlled by a control signal applied to a control terminal of a semiconductor laser driver. A focusing servo is provided for focusing the beam on the optical disc such that a portion of the beam is reflected back from the optical disc indicative of the pits or lands. The portion of the beam reflected back from the optical disc being substantially less from unmetallized portions of the disc than from metallized portions of the disc. The focusing servo has a focal point constrained to lock on a pit plane of the optical disc.

Abstract: A method for entering channel representative information provided by a broadcasting signal that has been received by a television signal receiving apparatus and setting a plurality of channels in response thereto is disclosed. The method includes a first step for initiating channel setting by a CPU contained in a television signal receiving apparatus in response to an initiating signal; a second step for setting a start channel number in a counter; a third step for selecting a channel from the broadcast signal in accordance with the channel number in the counter; a fourth step for judging whether the selected channel is an active channel; a fifth step for extracting an information signal from the selected channel if the selected channel has been judged active in the prior step; and a sixth step for writing information represented by the information signal and the channel number of the selected channel to a memory.