Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear time code (LTC) generator that is adapted to generate LTC data. The LTC generator comprises a rising edge detector that is adapted to detect a frame sync input corresponding to a beginning of a frame time of video data and to generate a first synchronization signal corresponding to the frame sync input and a frame length measurement block that is adapted to count a number of clock cycles in the frame time. The LTC generator further comprises a bit rate calculator that is adapted to determine a bit rate of the frame time based on the number of clock cycles in the frame time and a bit rate counter block that is adapted to generate a second synchronization signal corresponding to the bit rate.

Abstract: A rotatable disc comprises a first zone in which a plurality of features, e.g. optical filters, are located at uniform angles from each other with respect to an axis of rotation of the disc and a second annular zone comprising sets of adjacent marks of a first type and of a second type. Each set may have a same total circumferential length, but the marks of a given type may have at least two different total circumferential lengths within a set of marks, or may be distinguishable by the relative position of marks of the different type to each other. The adjacent marks of the first and the second type may also form a code pattern that can be used for identifying the features. A method for adjusting the rotational orientation of the disc based on detecting the widths of the sectors is described.

Abstract: In high-end professional video cameras, a triax system transfers various signals back and forth over a single coaxial cable between the camera and a base unit using frequency multiplexing. Current low-cost camera systems transfer several signals as analogue signals over separate wires or cables. However, a standard serial SDI signal from the camera to a base unit replaces the analogue camera CVBS video output signal achieving a maximum data rate of 270 Mbit/s. To improve efficiency, a single SDI or HDSDI connection transmits a digital playback video signal as well as a digital teleprompter video signal from the base unit to the camera. A one-dimensional adaptive dynamic range compression reduces the data word length of the two video signals transmitted via the SDI/HDSDI connection. A smaller data word length is assigned to one of the two video signals than to the data word length of the other one.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for encoding a size of a data section and to an encoder for encoding a size of a data section. The invention is further related to a method for determining a size of a data section and to a decoder for determining a size of a data section. The method for encoding a size of a data section comprises the step of increasing the size and the step of determining the number of information units necessary for encoding the increased size. Furthermore, the method comprises the step of decreasing the determined number and the step of forming a code by encoding the decreased determined number and by encoding the increased size. Due to knowledge of an increased lower bound, instead of the number of information units actually necessary for encoding the size a decreased number can be encoded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear time code (LTC) generator that is adapted to generate LTC data. The LTC generator comprises a rising edge detector that is adapted to detect a frame sync input corresponding to a beginning of a frame time of video data and to generate a first synchronization signal corresponding to the frame sync input and a frame length measurement block that is adapted to count a number of clock cycles in the frame time. The LTC generator further comprises a bit rate calculator that is adapted to determine a bit rate of the frame time based on the number of clock cycles in the frame time and a bit rate counter block that is adapted to generate a second synchronization signal corresponding to the bit rate.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for encoding a size of a data section and to an encoder for encoding a size of a data section. The invention is further related to a method for determining a size of a data section and to a decoder for determining a size of a data section. The method for encoding a size of a data section comprises the step of increasing the size and the step of determining the number of information units necessary for encoding the increased size. Furthermore, the method comprises the step of decreasing the determined number and the step of forming a code by encoding the decreased determined number and by encoding the increased size. Due to knowledge of an increased lower bound, instead of the number of information units actually necessary for encoding the size a decreased number can be encoded.

Abstract: A rotatable disc comprises a first zone in which a plurality of features, e.g. optical filters, are located at uniform angles from each other with respect to an axis of rotation of the disc and a second annular zone comprising sets of adjacent marks of a first type and of a second type. Each set may have a same total circumferential length, but the marks of a given type may have at least two different total circumferential lengths within a set of marks, or may be distinguishable by the relative position of marks of the different type to each other. The adjacent marks of the first and the second type may also form a code pattern that can be used for identifying the features. A method for adjusting the rotational orientation of the disc based on detecting the widths of the sectors is described.

Abstract: In high-end professional video cameras a triax system is used for transferring various signals back and forth over a single coaxial cable between the camera and a base unit using frequency multiplexing. In current low-cost camera systems several signals are transferred as analogue signals over separate wires or cables. However, the analogue camera CVBS video output signal is replaced by a standard serial SDI signal from the camera to a base unit, achieving a maximum data rate of 270 Mbit/s. According to the invention, a single SDI or HDSDI connection is used for transmitting a digital playback video signal as well as a digital teleprompter video signal from the base unit to the camera. A one-dimensional adaptive dynamic range compression is used to reduce the data word length of the two video signals to be transmitted via the SDI/HDSDI connection. To one of the two video signals a smaller data word length is assigned than to the data word length of the other one.