Abstract: A method for decoding variable length encoded digital video data including pictures, to a size less than the full size of the pictures, each picture including a plurality of macroblocks. The method comprises the steps of receiving digital video data; parsing the digital video data to identify macroblocks included in the digital video data; discarding from the digital video data those macroblocks not associated with a picture region substantially corresponding to one of a safe-title picture region and safe-action picture region; and storing the digital video data in a decoder input buffer.

Abstract: A film/video detector includes circuitry for generating the differences between corresponding pixel values in successive frames of video signal. These differences are accumulated over respective frame intervals. Accumulated values for respective frames are applied to a signal averager and to a correlation circuit. Average values from the averager are subtracted from correlation values from the correlation circuit, and film mode signal is indicated if the latter differences are greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a television signal processing system of the type which encodes an auxiliary carrier modulated with auxiliary image information in line format, which carrier is placed within the spectral band of standard television signal components, and wherein the modulated auxiliary carrier tends to interfere with the standard television signal, the interference is minimized by spatially variably attenuating the auxiliary image information. The attenuation function is selected to apply greater attenuation to the auxiliary image information at the extremities of the lines than toward the center of the lines.

Abstract: In a widescreen television signal processing system, side panel video information is scrambled prior to modulating an auxiliary subcarrier which is ultimately combined with main panel video information. In a preferred embodiment the scrambling process involves rotation of image line information about a pseudorandomly chosen cut-point.

Abstract: Main panel and side panel components of a widescreen television signal are intraframe processed over different frequency ranges, resulting in a noticeable difference between "judder" motion artifacts of main and side panel images displayed by a receiver. A side panel field difference signal encoded in a transmitted widescreen signal is used by a receiver to eliminate the differential judder effect of displayed main and center panel information. The field difference signal contains field difference information over a range of frequencies between a first frequency above which the main panel component is intraframe processed, and a different second frequency above which the side panel component is intraframe processed.

Abstract: An interstitial line generator for an interlaced scan to non-interlaced scan video signal converter includes circuitry for examining a plurality of lines spatially and temporally disposed about an interstitial line location and excludes signals having amplitudes representing the relative extrema of the plurality of lines. The remaining signals are combined in predetermined proportions to generate the interstitial line.

Abstract: In a system for encoding and decoding high frequency video information, an input video signal includes a high frequency band containing information to be encoded, and a lower frequency band. The frequency spectrum of the input video signal is folded around a frequency in the lower frequency band. A resulting folded video signal is combined with the input video signal to produce a combined signal which is low pass filtered by a filter having a cut-off frequency corresponding to the folding frequency. The filtered combined signal is separated into its constituent filtered video signal and filtered folded video signal parts. The separated folded video signal component is unfolded around the folding frequency to produce an unfolded video signal with frequencies in the high frequency band.

Abstract: By employing different independent polarity codes to polarity-modulate respective quads of averaged values in the vertical-temporal plane of luma, chroma, sidepanel and enhanced-luma components in the mid-frequency and/or high-frequency split-bands of a 4.2 MHz baseband television-type signal, the encoded components can be combined into successive composite quads of an encoded single channel, NTSC compatible, enhanced-definition 4.2 Mhz bandwidth television signal. The successive composite quads of the encoded signal can be decoded by a widescreen receiver without crosstalk taking place among the components, while such an encoded signal does not noticeably affect the display of a standard NTSC receiver.

Abstract: A widescreen television signal containing center panel information and time compressed side panel information in an overscan region is intraframe processed above a given frequency only with respect to the center panel information. The intraframe processing apparatus includes a signal delay network with first and second 262H delay elements coupled between an input and an output of the delay network. During a first field interval, signals from the delay input and from an intermediate point between the delay elements are subtractively combined to produce a difference term which is coupled to a signal path. During a second field interval, signals from the delay output and from the intermediate point are subtractively combined to produce a difference term which is coupled to the signal path. An intraframe processed output signal is produced by combining the difference terms from the signal path with a signal from the intermediate delay point.

Abstract: An NTSC compatible, single channel widescreen EDTV system encodes and decodes a television signal comprising (1) a main, standard format NTSC signal with auxiliary low frequency side panel image information compressed into an overscan region thereof; (2) auxiliary high frequency side panel image information; and (3) auxiliary high frequency horizontal luminance information. At an encoder, components 2 and 3 are intraframe averaged before modulating an alternate subcarrier. Component 1 is intraframe averaged above a given frequency before being combined with the modulated alternate subcarrier.

Abstract: An NTSC compatible widescreen EDTV system comprises three components: (1) a main component containing center panel information and low frequency side panel information; (2) an auxiliary component containing side panel high frequency information; and (3) an auxiliary component containing extra high frequency luminance detail information. Components (2) and (3) are transmitted as a suppressed carrier dual single sideband signal wherein component (2) occupies one of the upper and lower sidebands exclusively, and component (3) occupies the other sideband exclusively.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying a plurality of given elements read out of an array of elements arranged in lines and columns is described. The apparatus includes a line-rate counter for developing addressing signals and a memory for providing data signals corresponding to the column location of the given elements in response to the addressing signals. A programmable counter counts columns in response to the data signals read out of the memory for providing a signal which corresponds in time to read out of respective ones of the plurality of given elements.

Abstract: Video disc track numbers are conveyed during each video line by means of a tri-phase modulation of a data carrier recorded along with the picture and sound carriers on a video disc. Upon playback, the data sequence is processed to identify tracking errors occurring within each video field to thereby enable immediate correction of disc tracking errors on a line-by-line basis thus minimizing picture and sound interruptions caused by intra-field tracking errors.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting errors in color signal transitions includes a signal scaling device and a signal mixing device. A wide bandwidth luminance signal is applied to the signal scaling device which develops a limiting signal for a particular narrow bandwidth color difference or primary color signal. This limiting signal is mixed with its associated color difference or primary color signal by the signal mixing device. The output of the signal mixing device is a color difference or primary color signal that has amplitude values less than or equal to the amplitude values of the limit signal.

Abstract: A video disc player includes a phase locked loop (PLL) heterodyne converter for providing frequency translation and time base correction of the chrominance component of a composite video signal recovered when a disc is played. Residual time base errors due to the finite loop gain of the PLL are minimized by means of a phase modulator controlled by the PLL error signal. In one illustrative embodiment, the phase modulator is coupled so as to vary the phase of the translated chrominance output signal. In another embodiment, it is coupled to vary the phase of a demodulation carrier wave supplied to a chroma demodulator whereby, in either case, chroma streaking effects due to finite gain limitations of the PLL are minimized with no increase in loop gain thereby avoiding potential loop instabilities.

Abstract: A circuit providing independent control of selected color areas, such as fleshtone areas, is shown. The circuit comprises a fleshtone detector and a fleshtone contour control circuit. The fleshtone detector comprises a negative absolute value circuit using PNP transistors. A delay line circuit can be used to expand the fleshtone contour level to areas beyond the fleshtone areas. A fleshtone detector can also be used to control other special effects, such as luminance.