Abstract: A manual control device for selectively actuating one or more switches in a multiswitch system. The device is utilized in cooperation with a video entertainment system, multimedia game device or other type system requiring a hand-actuated control apparatus. The device includes a housing, a plurality of switches disposed in the housing and being actuatable upon engagement, a switch actuator mounted in the housing and a plunger forming with said switch actuator a fulcrum to limit movement of the actuator in a manner to provide selective engagement and actuation of the switches, while permitting simultaneous engagement and actuation of selective pairs of the switches to provide different outputs. The device is operable to actuate switches individually or in adjacent pairs. The device is capable of both direct and tilt methods of operation such that in the tilt method the tilting movement for switch actuation is less than that required in the direct method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating control voltage signals in a surround sound processor is disclosed which utilizes a on-shot monostable multivibrator for minimizing intermodulation distortion while following rapid directional change yet minimizing intermodulation distortion. The apparatus includes means for smoothing the directional information signals derived from audio input signals each with a continuously variable time constant to generate a corresponding control voltage signal, such that each time constant depends inversely upon the magnitude of the difference between the directional information signal applied thereto and the corresponding control voltage signal generated thereby.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating control voltage signals in a surround sound processor is disclosed which utilizes a one-shot monostable multivibrator for minimizing intermodulation distortion while following rapid directional changes, yet minimizing intermodulation distortion. The apparatus includes a circuit for smoothing the directional information signals derived from audio input signals each with a continuously variable time constant to generate a corresponding control voltage signal, such that each time constant depends inversely upon the magnitude of the difference between the directional information signal applied thereto and the corresponding control voltage signal generated thereby.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously reading data from a compact disk drive to a host computer is disclosed in which the data is transferred to the computer's cache memory so that it is available to the computer's central processor for processing without interruption. A communication link is established between a processor in the disk drive and a direct memory access (DMA) controller in the host computer. With this link established, the DMA controller directs the transfer of the incoming data stream from the drive to the cache memory of the host computer. Once the data is in the cache memory, it is moved to the application workspace of the computer's system random access memory (RAM) for processing by the central processor. The transfer of data by the DMA controller, and the temporary storage of the transferred data in the cache memory, allows for continuous transfer of data from the compact disk drive, without interruption, and without the need for reseeks of the data.

Abstract: A palette for converting video data encoded in multiple YUV and RGB formats into a configuration suitable for transmission to a display and a multimedia system incorporating the same.

Abstract: A VGA controller having an overlay mode for displaying images formed from selective components of multiple image planes. A first image and a second image overlaying the first image are interleaved into three of four bit planes of a dynamic random access memory. When displaying the image, the controller will simultaneously read from the first and second images. If the value of the second image is non-zero, then the second image is displayed. Otherwise, the first image is displayed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus within a multimedia system for digitally decoding video pixel data. The pixel data is decoded to 24 bits per pixel from a compressed 8 bits per pixel format. The compressed pixel data is deformatted into its separate luminance and chrominance components. The components are then differentially expanded and assigned to associated pixel elements. Predominant color transitions are designated to determine the pixel location where the chrominance components change. An interpolated chrominance component may be inserted at these color change locations to smooth out the color transitions.

Abstract: A method for merging first and second digital video signals generated by first and second video controllers, respectively, for merged transmission to a digital video decoder. The first video controller transmits the first digital video signal to the decoder while monitoring the signal to detect a luminance component which designates the boundary between a first image constructable from the first video signal and a second image constructable from the second video signal. When the luminance component is detected, a colorkey signal is generated by the first video controller and transmitted to the second video controller to initiate transmission of the second digital video signal to the decoder in place of the first digital video signal. The first video controller continues to monitor the first video signal until the absence of the luminance component is detected.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for providing a single-tasking disk operating system with multitasking capability in a real-time computer system for building access control or the like. A number of reentrant, terminate-and-stay-resident application programs are loaded into a host microcomputer. As each application program loads, it passes its unique code segment and instruction pointer parameters to a look up table. For the last application program to be loaded, the program segment prefix of the application program residing in the disk operating system is copied and stored. When a timer interrupt prompts the program switching logic, the code segment and instruction pointer parameters of the then-executing program are compared with the values in the look-up table. If no match is found, program switching is postponed.

Abstract: An energy storage system for use in a receptacle having terminals connected to conductors for establishing an electric circuit. The energy storage system includes one or more batteries disposed in an abutting relationship and connected together by a metal clip. A tab extends from the clip for engaging an external power source and another tab extends from the clip to a terminal of one of the batteries to supply a charging current to the batteries.

Abstract: A system for the multichannel reproduction of sound in which a plurality of loudspeakers connectable to a surround sound processor is disclosed. Circuits for adapting the processor to provide left and right side output signals are also disclosed. Left and right side dual loudspeakers are disclosed wherein each dual loudspeaker contains two independent drivers, one facing the front and the other the rear of the listening area, the front-facing drivers being connectable to the left and right side output signals and the rear-facing drivers being connectable to the corresponding left and right rear output signals of the processor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding full color video data signals and a protocol for encoding the same in a storage medium. Each pixel of a full color video image is converted into a single 8 bit luminance and multiple 8 bit chrominance components. The 8 bit luminance component is differentially compressed into 5 bits while the chrominance components are subsampled for every four pixels of the video image before being differentially compressed. The differentially compressed subsampled chrominance components and the differentially compressed luminance components are then assembled into a video data signal related to the full color image.

Abstract: A surround processor includes a time constant processing circuit for smoothing directional information signals from a detector with continuously variable time constants in order to generate one or more control voltage signals. The time constants produced by the circuit are continuously variable and responsive to both the rate of change and the amplitude of the directional information signals, such that as the difference between the controlled voltage signals and the directional information signals increases, the value of the time constants decreases to permit the control voltage signals to closely follow the directional information signals, and as the difference between the control voltage signals and the directional information signals decreases, the value of the time constants increases so that variations in the control voltage signals are smooth. Split-band processing of input audio signals to the processor is also accomplished without the necessity of placing filters directly in the audio path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing enhanced call service and call routing functions from a centralized location on a telephone network line through gateway connections to service providers is disclosed. A multiple function interface located between a paystation and an originating central office includes a monitoring circuit for monitoring call signals from the paystation, circuits for obtaining coin or card billing information from the paystation and a control circuit for verifying the payment information and selectively directing the call to a service provider to bypass the originating central office. Calls are able to be routed by a signal generating circuit as direct (1+) calls from the interface to any service provider. Interface circuits permit the interface to interconnect analog and business lines on the paystation side of the interface with analog and business lines and digital links on the service provider side of the interface.

Abstract: An appliance mounting apparatus is provided for securing an appliance such as a radio to a vehicle instrument panel structure. A radio mount replacement bracket is secured to the inner wall of the vehicle instrument panel structure within the opening for receiving the appliance. The replacement bracket includes a first leg engaging the inner wall and a second leg extending from the first leg into the opening, with the second leg having tabs which replace the normally provided plastic mounting tabs of the structure. An upper reinforcement plate overlies the wall of the instrument structure opposite the first leg of the replacement bracket, for securing the plate, the wall and the first leg together with threaded fasteners. A brakcet is attached to the appliance radio having tabs which extend from the appliance and align with the tabs of the replacement bracket. The tabs of the appliance and the tabs of the replacement bracket are intersecured with rivets to support the appliance in place.

Abstract: A steering bearing assembly is provided for connecting the front wheel and handle bars of a bicycle to the frame. The assembly includes a steerer tube, connected to the front wheel and passing through a head tube on the frame. Bearing assemblies on the upper and lower ends of the head tube allow the steerer tube to pivot within the head tube. The upper bearing assembly has a first race connected to the head tube and a second race having a tapered contact surface. Above the second race on the steerer tube is a compression ring having a gap so the ring can be compressed against the steerer tube. The connector of a stem is located on the steerer tube above the compression ring. The handle bars of the bicycle are connected to the stem. An adjuster nut is threaded into the upper end of the steerer tube, exerting a downward force on the connector and the compression ring. The second race compresses the compression ring, locking the upper bearing assembly in place on the steerer tube.

Abstract: An electrophoretic fluid torque transmission apparatus in which cooperable electrodes are connected respectively to drive and driven elements. An electrophoretic fluid capable of separating into particle-rich and particle-deficient phases by electrophoresis operates in surface contact with the electrodes. An electrically non-conductive material having raised surface areas and spaces between the surface areas is associated with one or more of the electrodes. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes in a first direction, the particle-rich phase of the fluid collects on one of the electrodes and also makes contact with the spaces and the raised surface areas of the material associated with the other electrode thereby engaging or locking the electrodes together and transmitting force between the elements.