Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for a multiple light path, which may be used for a wireless optical audio and/or video communication system.Known systems use a direct wireless infrared connection. It has been found that such a connection is not reliable enough. It is the object of this invention to realise a reliable infrared connection between different devices. This is realised by a two path connection. A first path is realised by a wireless connection and a second path is realised by a transmission at least partially through an optical fiber. Furthermore this invention presents a special lens and a special photo light emitting diode for the realisation of the two path infrared connection.The invention can used e.g. for the connection between a television set and a video cassette recorder.

Abstract: A digital detector circuit for recovering the bit timing of a data stream with a PLL includes a digital phase detector and a digital pulse length detector whose output signals are added and integrated, and the result is used for controlling the oscillator frequency. The output signal of the pulse length detector is determined by a corresponding algorithm, one slow and two fast, with direction-dependent output signals of the pulse length detector being generated.

Abstract: In a videocassette recorder including "VCR PLUS+.TM." videocassette recorder programming system capability and TIMER PROGRAMMING capability, it is herein recognized that the respective menu for programming in each of the two available systems should automatically be selected in response to the pressing of the PROGRAM key by a user, and in response to which of the two systems was last used for programming the VCR.

Abstract: For many signal processing arrangements in TV receivers it is necessary to know the type of signal source. A plurality of parameters must be set depending on whether a standard-conforming source and hence a standard signal or a non-standard source (for example VCR) is involved. The circuit according to the invention is capable of making a statement in a TV receiver as to whether or not a source corresponding to the TV standard is present. For this purpose, the locking of the color subcarrier with the horizontal frequency is investigated and two different criteria (FSCFH, CCC) are utilized for the decision. The optimized setting of parameters in the receiver is possible with the aid of the decision made. Furthermore, the circuit provides, in the event of a standard signal, a highly stable sampling clock (fLL1) of the kind necessary, for example, for ColorPlus processing within the PALplus system.

Abstract: A control unit sets a first reading speed and a second reading speed of the information stored on the information medium as a function of a predetermined occupancy of the buffer below its storage capacity. The drive motor, which produces the reading speed, is connected via a switch to the driver which drives it and, during a reduction of the reading speed to a predetermined value or until the occupancy of the buffer falls below a predetermined occupancy, the power supply to the drive motor which produces the reading speed, is reduced by means of the switch for the purpose of reducing the power consumption.

Abstract: A device for regulating the luminance signal and chromanance signals of a video image to be converted into red, green and blue color signals. The device includes a conversion matrix and a device for regulating an amplitude of the luminance signal, the blue color difference chromanance signal and a red color difference chromanance signal to be modified by a user adjustment control. The device further includes a device for preventing the color signal having the highest value at the output of the conversion matrix from being able to exceed a saturation value substantially equal to a percentage, preferably 70%, of the white level of the image signal when the color signal reaches the saturation value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a communications terminal, including a video telephone, for transmitting and receiving video and audio. The terminal includes video recording apparatus and video reproduction apparatus with the video recording apparatus being switchable into an "off" mode by operation of a flap. In order to use the transmission capacity of the communications terminal even when the flap is closed, an image which already exists in a video memory is transmitted. A changeover is automatically made to the video memory by operation of the flap.

Abstract: A method of error-free, simple programming of a data decoder for the purpose of recording desired data programs is achieved when a data guide table, generated at the transmitter end, for programming the recording, and a data status table for signaling the data programs currently running are evaluated. In addition to date, time, broadcasting company, identifying number and length of the files, the data guide table contains information on the hardware and software configurations, which is required for receiving, for decoding and for outputting the desired data program, and further information for automatically reloading software possibly missing at the receiver end. In this way, it is possible as early as during programming of a data program to carry out a check of the system configuration required at the receiver end and to output an error message or warning to the user if his own system is not suitable for receiving, decoding or outputting the desired data program.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) sparkgap utilizing one or more surface mount devices (SMDs) wherein the conductive ends and solder fillets of the SMDs form one or more conductive electrodes of the spark gap and the SMDs help absorb electrical and thermal energy during an arc-over.

Abstract: A videophone system having an electronically controlled shutter to vary the amount of light falling onto the target by a shutter, e.g., for a greater or lesser length of time during a short exposure time rather than b y means of a controlled mechanical aperture. Data reduction is used for the transmitted signal, a control circuit is used for the exposure time, and the mains power supply, which produces ambient light, are coupled by means of a PLL circuit so that the exposure time occurs at the same phase of the mains voltage. In this way, interference occurring when data reduction is used for the signal to be transmitted is avoided and macroblocks are not formed when no difference signal is present.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for displaying text information include a scrolling feature having a modulated scroll rate. Previously undisplayed text information stored in the buffer memory is accessed and scrolled into the display at a rate related to the amount of previously undisplayed text information stored in the buffer memory. Scrolling involves a pause in the movement of the displayed text after each complete row of text information is displayed. The pause duration is related to the amount of previously undisplayed text stored in the buffer memory. The text information may include closed caption information, teletext information, and text information associated with moving message displays.

Abstract: In a television system, including a standby power supply coupled directly to an AC power input and a main power supply coupled via an on/off switch to the AC power input, a source of light is illuminated at a first brightness level in response to the standby power supply being connected to an AC source and illuminated at a lower brightness level in response to the main power supply being connected to the AC power source.

Abstract: A digital receiver includes a mixer stage receiving a carrier signal S(t) and delivering an intermediate frequency signal S.sub.FI (t) to a demodulation stage. The mixer stage is furnished with a PLL circuit for generating a signal at a given frequency. The digital receiver further includes a phase noise digital correction stage for tapping off a noise signal .phi..sub.n (t) generated by the PLL circuit in the mixer stage and for compensating the noise signal .phi..sub.n (t) in the demodulation stage.

Abstract: A television system utilizes a common signal processing unit (e.g., a common chrominance demodulator) for processing a combined video signal suitable for coupling to a display device for producing an image having a portion attributable to a main video signal and a portion attributable to an auxiliary video signal. If the common signal processing unit relies upon the color information (e.g., color burst) contained in the main video signal, and the main signal is either non-existent or lacking such color information, then a substitute color information signal will be generated so that the combined video signal may be processed to roduce a color auxiliary image, and a monochrome (or non-existent) main image.

Abstract: A process for differential coding of a motion vector associated with a macro-block, including the steps: of determining the components of the said motion vector, of determining a prediction vector, each component of which is equal to the median value of the corresponding components of at least three candidate motion vectors, a candidate motion vector being a vector associated with a previously coded macro-block, and of subtracting the components thus obtained from the components of the vector to be coded. Implementation of the process is included.

Abstract: An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) system is disclosed which accommodates a mix of high definition television (HDTV) and standard definition television (SDTV) EPG display formats. Viewers can toggle from cell to cell of an EPG display using a navigation system such as a remote control highlighting programs of interest. Channels which show a mix of HDTV and SDTV programming have the cells of the grid remain separate for the time period of SDTV programming but join those cells into a single cell when an HDTV program is to be aired.

Abstract: A decoder for decoding data from a data signal component of a television signal, such as closed caption data, decodes the data signal in response to a deflection signal during a normal mode of operation of a television receiver and in response to separated sync signal during a standby mode of operation of the television receiver.

Abstract: A tuner of for a digital satellite television receiver comprises a single conversion stage which produces an IF signal at a low enough frequency to permit a SAW filter to be used to perform symbol shaping as well as the normal IF filtering function. The local oscillator is controlled by a phase locked loop tuning control IC normally used to control the local oscillator of a tuner of a conventional broadcast or cable television receiver. In an exemplary embodiment for tuning RF signals provided by a block converter in the 950 to 1450 mHz frequency range, the IF has a center frequency of 140 mHz. A lithium tantalate SAW filter is used in order to minimize shift of the IF center frequency with temperature and to provide the required relative IF bandwidth (i.e., the width of the IF passband divided by the IF center frequency).

Abstract: A filtering method and apparatus in which an input signal is subjected to an analog filtering step, then an analog to digital conversion step and finally a digital filtering step to produce a filtered output signal. The pulse response of the digital filter is the mirror image of the pulse response of the analog filter and the cascaded filtering steps result in a filtered output signal which exhibits little or no group delay or phase distortion. The digital filter may be a FIR filter. Also disclosed is a phase error correction method whereby a pulse is inserted into a circuit or data stream prior to a group delay imparting device or function, a pulse response of the group delay imparting device or function is measured prior to a phase correcting device or function, mirror image filter coefficients are calculated using a window function and then incorporated into a phase correcting filter arrangement.

Abstract: Video signals to be displayed are applied via a video driver amplifier to the cathode electrode of a kinescope. A beam current sensor, also coupled to the cathode electrode, provides a beam current indicating signal. An AKB regulator, responsive to the beam current indicating signal, supplies a black level correction signal to the driver amplifier for regulating the black level of images displayed by the kinescope. A screen grid supply system is provided for controlling the G-2 (screen grid) voltage of the kinescope as a predetermined function of the black level correction signal thereby forming with the AKB regulator a dual feedback loop for providing black level regulation by both the driver amplifier and the screen grid thereby maximizing or extending the overall black level control range.