Abstract: A system and method for forming composite single video images utilizing a video peak storing memory to enable new information to be added on a preselected basis to a then stored image so that the image thereafter displayed is a composite of the stored image and any added information. A single field or frame of television information can be captured and digitally stored in memory with new information being added thereto based on the brightness level of the new information relative to the stored image information so that the resulting display is a composite of the information in memory. In a peak-white mode of operation, preselected information added to the memory includes only few information that is "whiter" that the stored information (alternately, in a peak-black mode of operation adding of new information to memory is dependent upon whether the new information is "blacker" than the stored information), with such information being selected through use of video peak storing memory.

Abstract: Spectrum conservation in encoded color TV signals is disclosed. An encoded color video signal is orthogonally re-encoded to eliminate the high frequency color subcarrier component to enable transmission or recording of the resulting video signal without distortions in the amplitude or phase characteristics of the encoded color chrominance component as might be introduced without re-encoding of the signal. Re-encoding is achieved by orthogonally converting the incoming color video signal at a predetermined rate, and specific embodiments are disclosed for achieving an optimum orthogonal pattern of the color subcarrier information. After transmission or recording, the original high frequency color subcarrier information and picture luminance component is reconstructed in a video memory device. Orthogonal re-encoding is shown to be generally useful for re-encoding color TV signals including providing an orthogonally encoded color slow-scan TV signal without use of intermediate memory devices.

Abstract: A color slow-scan TV system and method are disclosed for selecting U.S. standard NTSC TV color pictures (or alternately other standards such as PAL or non-standard color TV) to be transmitted, transmitting the selected pictures utilizing slow-scan techniques, and reconstructing the pictures after transmission for display. The system includes a video compressor (transmitter) for receiving a composite video signal indicative of a color TV picture and providing therefrom a color slow-scan output signal indicative thereof, and a video expander (receiver) for receiving color slow-scan signals after transmission and providing therefrom a fast-scan output signal suitable for display of the color TV picture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for converting a wide-bandwidth signal to a narrow-bandwidth signal, the disclosed method and apparatus being particularly well suited for converting a wide-bandwidth real-time television signal to a narrow-bandwidth signal. A sampled video signal is coupled to an analog-to-digital converter which converts the amplitude of each sampled element to a binary code word having a predetermined number of bits. The binary code words are then written into a buffer storage element controlled by a clock switching device and later clocked out of the buffer storage device at a clock rate less than the input rate with the output from the buffer storage device being coupled to a digital-to-analog converter whose output is an analog signal with the same amplitude variations as the sampled video signal but with a time base stretched out by a predetermined factor.