Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A court for accommodating players in play of a game that employs a ball comprising a floor including a playing surface having ends, goals each supported proximate one of the ends, markings on the playing surface that define fields that govern the play of the game, a spring-loaded bias provided by the floor at each of the fields and padded fields proximate the goals for absorbing player falls.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects (“M&E”) track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a languages-specifics track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A decorative article such as a wristwatch, pin or pendant having a case with a substantial visible surface area is provided with a display mounted on said area and an electrical circuit arranged to provide signals for said display so that a predetermined image appears on, or is displayed by, said display. One or more external members are also provided which can be selectively mounted on the case. Imbedded in each external member is a memory storing digital imaging data. When a particular external member is mounted on the case, its memory is accessed by the electrical circuit and the corresponding data is retrieved and used to generate the image on the display. Changing the external member to a different member results in a different image being displayed on the display.

Abstract: A method and system in which a section of a previously encoded digital bit stream is replaced with another section of encoded video. In order to remove a section of encoded video, it is necessary to determine the beginning and ending points of the encoded video in the digitally encoded bit stream. The addresses of the beginning and ending points of the encoded data cannot be simply looked up but are calculated by summing the bits consumed by each picture, the number of bits of the sequence header of each picture, the number of bits of each Group of Pictures (GOP) header, and all stuff bits. In order to encode the video which is to be inserted in place of the removed video, a process is performed which prevents decoding artifacts from appearing. This is accomplished by determining the last P-picture before the edit point and using it as a reference frame for frames after the edit point.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects ("M&E") track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A system for playing a selected one of multiple audio tracks recorded in synchronized fashion with a motion picture on an optical disk. The optical disk has encoded on it a mixing master music and effects ("M&E") track, or a switching master M&E track. Individual audio tracks are provided for language-specific versions of the same motion picture, but these tracks have data recorded in them only where there is dialog. In this way, for many a motion picture, all tracks but masters will have data recorded for well less than half of the running time of the motion picture. When a mixing master is used, it is mixed with a language-specific track when the latter has dialog; the mixing master contains no dialog. If a switching master is used, it may contain dialog recorded with the M&E; when a language-specific track has dialog recorded in it, it also contains M&E and the track is played to the exclusion of the switching master.

Abstract: A container for a beverage or other foods or household goods includes a wall with a display generating digital images. A controller is also provided associated with a memory, said memory storing digital imaging data. The controller selectively retrieves the data from the memory and generates electrical signals to the display. Switches, sensors and other selector elements may be provided to activate the display and to select the images to be shown. Additionally miniature speakers may also be provided which cooperate with the display to show multimedia presentations.

Abstract: A method for formatting digital data on an optical disk that represents at least two versions of the same program. Data sequences which are unique to each version and data sequences which are common to the two of them are interleaved in a single data stream. In order to achieve seamless play of both versions on a player that is compatible with the disk format but has limited buffer storage, data which would otherwise be common to both versions is placed redundantly in the data sequences which are unique to both versions.

Abstract: A method and system in which a section of a previously encoded digital bit stream is replaced with another section of encoded video. In order to remove a section of encoded video, it is necessary to determine the beginning and ending points of the encoded video in the digitally encoded bit stream. The addresses of the beginning and ending points of the encoded data cannot be simply looked up but are calculated by summing the bits consumed by each picture, the number of bits of the sequence header of each picture, the number of bits of each Group of Pictures (GOP) header, and all stuff bits. In order to encode the video which is to be inserted in place of the removed video, a process is performed which prevents decoding artifacts from appearing. This is accomplished by determining the last P-picture before the edit point and using it as a reference frame for frames after the edit point.

Abstract: A method for formatting digital data on an optical disk that represents at least two versions of the same program. Data sequences which are unique to each version and data sequences which are common to the two of them are interleaved in a single data stream. In order to achieve seamless play of both versions on a player that is compatible with the disk format but has limited buffer storage, data which would otherwise be common to both versions is placed redundantly in the data sequences which are unique to both versions.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing effective copying of digital recordings. A copy-state code accompanies each recording, one state of which represents that no copies at all are to be made of the recording. Compatible players are designed to prevent play of any writable disk which includes a "no-copy" code. It is the inconsistency between the code and the medium containing it that causes play of the medium to be inhibited.

Abstract: An audiovisual encoding system using a multipass video encoder and a plurality of one-pass audio encoders. The number of audio encoders used by the system is equal to the number of audio tracks to be encoded divided by the number of passes required for the video encoding rounded up to the nearest integer, if necessary. The system allows the video encoder and audio encoders to be used at the same time so that the encoding of the video is completed at the same time as the encoding of all audio tracks is completed, using the minimum number of audio encoders.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable, low-power automated bypass device for passing a signal between a first point and a second point on an electrical conductor when an electrical discontinuity exists thereon. The bypass device has two terminals for connection to the electrical conductor, and a continuity detector and a controllable switch. The continuity detector detects a continuous electrical connection between the points along the conductor and supplies a bypass control signal indicating when a discontinuity between the points is detected. The switch is connected to the first and second input terminals and responds to the bypass control signal for providing an electrical connection between the terminals. The bypass device can cycle between an ON time interval and an OFF time interval.

Abstract: For an interactive communication system, a method and apparatus for processing requests for video-on-demand versions of interactive applications. One embodiment initially receives a request to transmit a video on-demand version of a particular interactive application. This embodiment then determines if transmission of this video-on-demand version would constrain resources of the interactive communication system. If the system's resources would not be constrained, the interactive system provides the viewer with the video-on-demand version of the interactive application. On the other hand, if the system's resources would be constrained by the transmission of the VOD version, then the invention (1) denies the request for the video-on-demand version, and (2) directs the requesting viewer to view a near video-on-demand version of the particular application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a serial number into a program event. The encoder embeds the serial number into the program event so that it is imperceptible to the user when the program event is played to the user. The embedded serial number is unique to the user so that any storage medium storing the program event can be traced back to the user. This encoding technique is especially useful in interactive systems where a server at the head end receives subscriber identification numbers along with subscriber requests for program events. Thus, in response to a subscriber request for a program event, the server can generate a serial number unique to the user. The serial number can include a time and date stamp, and a cyclic redundancy check code. In an interactive system, the encoder may be located in a set-top terminal, which receives the serial number from the server in the head end.