Patents Represented by Law Firm Discovision Associates
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Patent number: 5126990Abstract: Method for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. The method concerns the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playback of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation includes establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1982Date of Patent: June 30, 1992Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Edward Efron, James O. McPherson, Young B. Kim
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Patent number: 5084852Abstract: An improved system for recording and playing back digital information in a special pulse-length modulation format on a disc-shaped record. The digital information is stored in a succession of alternating marks and spaces, both having lengths that are discretely variable in accordance with a succession of multi-bit binary code blocks.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1991Date of Patent: January 28, 1992Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Jack H. Bailey
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Patent number: 5001568Abstract: A series of separate analog electrical signals are received at a real time rate and converted to digital equivalents. The converted signals are stored in a digital memory from which the signals are released serially at a rate slower than the real time rate at which the signals are received. The signals released from storage are directed to a signal analyzer, preferably after being converted from digital to analog format, for processing to determine prescribed parameters of the original analog electrical signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1982Date of Patent: March 19, 1991Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Edward Efron, James O. McPherson, Young B. Kim
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Patent number: 4916686Abstract: An improved system for recording and playing back digital information in a special pulse-length modulation format on a disc-shaped record. The digital information is stored in a succession of alternating marks and spaces, both having lengths that are discretely variable in accordance with a succession of multi-bit binary code blocks.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1985Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Jack H. Bailey
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Patent number: 4893297Abstract: A transparent record disc is provided which may appropriately have video signals optically recorded thereon, the record is composed of a lamination, for example, of pliant transparent plastic on a base of hard transparent plastic. The base provides strength for the record and the pliant plastic permits the video recording to be impressed into the record by simple embossing means, rather than by stamping or molding by which the surface of the record is actually raised above its melting point and caused to flow. An improved process for forming the video recordings on the disc record is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1989Date of Patent: January 9, 1990Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: David P. Gregg
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Patent number: 4845697Abstract: A system for recovering information from a videodisc and performing special functions which enhance the operational character of the system. To increase the reliability of landing at or near a target track, provisions are made to search for a track adjacent a target track whose track identifier has been obliterated. Further, a method and means for stepping forward or reverse one field at a time is disclosed. Another aspect of the invention concerns a capability to respond to a random command instruction resulting in subsequent functioning of the system in a random manner. Yet a further aspect of the invention is related to controlled jumping of one or more tracks during vertical blanking time to produce unique forward or backward motions; multiples of playing speed, both forward and reverse, and visual special effects can be realized using the multiple track jumping feature. Finally, a method and means are described which permit synchronous transmission of video from a videodisc to an external using device.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1987Date of Patent: July 4, 1989Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Gary M. Giddings
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Patent number: 4819223Abstract: A transparent record disc is provided which may appropriately have video signals optically recorded thereon, the record is composed of a lamination, for example, of pliant transparent plastic on a base of hard transparent plastic. The base provides strength for the record and the pliant plastic permits the video recording to be impressed into the record by simple embossing means, rather than by stamping or molding by which the surface of the record is actually raised above its melting point and caused to flow. An improved process for forming the video recordings on the disc record is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1977Date of Patent: April 4, 1989Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: David P. Gregg
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Patent number: 4809247Abstract: A video signal play back device derives video signals from successive tracks formed as a continuous spiral on a video disc using a light source and a lens system, which is carried by a rotatable element at a predetermined spacing from the surface of the disc and which defines a folded optical path. The rotatable element translates the lens system in the radial direction relative to the disc for "coarse" steering of the light beam along the information tracks as the disc is rotated by a turntable. The optical path includes a mirror which is articulated for rotational motion about an axis which shifts the point of impingement of the transmitted light beam upon the disc in the radial direction. The returned beam is directed to a photosensitive pick-up which provides input signals to a circuit which generates a "fine" servo control signal to drive the articulated mirror.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1987Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: James E. Elliott
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Patent number: 4797752Abstract: An information storage member has a surface upon which information is stored in at least first and second series of lineal regions arranged on the surface of the member and defining a program of information having a first subprogram part and a second subprogram part each containing information representative of a block of program information and being accompanied by an associated identifying number unique from every other identifying number present on the recording surface of the information storage member.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1984Date of Patent: January 10, 1989Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Gary M. Giddings
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Patent number: 4796098Abstract: An information carrier having a surface upon which the information is stored. The surface having a first series of lineal regions and at least a second series of lineal regions with the second series being spaced from the first series of lineal regions. The first and second series of lineal regions are used to provide duplication of the stored information at two locations on the carrier so that even if a defect occurs in one region the information can still be read from another region. When stored on a disc, the different series of lineal regions can be arranged in a banded structure, whereby each series is separated from the next by a prescribed radial spacing. Alternatively the separate series of lineal regions can be arranged in interleaved fashion progressing radially on the disc.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1981Date of Patent: January 3, 1989Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Gary M. Giddings
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Patent number: 4774699Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly moving a reading beam of light radially relative to a rotating record disc, to impinge on a selected target track on the disc and recover information recorded on it. The apparatus first radially translates an optical system that directs the beam onto the disc at a relatively high speed until it is within a prescribed radial distance of the target track. Thereafter, an element of the optical system is controllably deflected such that the beam moves incrementally across a prescribed plurality of tracks during each disc revolution, until reaching the target track. The information recorded on each track includes a unique address signal, and movement of the beam relative to the disc is controlled according to the difference between the respective addresses of the track currently being scanned and the target track.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1987Date of Patent: September 27, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Gary M. Giddings
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Patent number: 4764915Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1984Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Edward Efron, James O. McPherson, Young B. Kim
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Patent number: 4759007Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the spacing between adjacent information tracks on a recording medium. A spot of light is projected onto at least a portion of a first track and maintained in a constant spacing from a second track. A photodetector detects the amount of light reflected off of the disc from the spot in a predetermined direction, and provides an electrical signal as an output. The photodetector output provides a measurement of the track-to-track spacing of the recording medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1986Date of Patent: July 19, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Carlyle J. Eberly
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Patent number: 4757393Abstract: Method and apparatus for recording and playing back a plurality of digitally encoded audio messages along with associated video data. The messages are combined along with a plurality of corresponding audio message initial data address signals and recorded on a recording medium with the video data. In playback, the address and audio data signals are retrieved from the recording medium and stored. The address signals are utilized to access selectable messages for decoding and playback with selected video data. Codes can be included to control the decoding rate in accordance with the sample rate of the audio message data.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1985Date of Patent: July 12, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Wayne R. Dakin, Scott M. Golding
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Patent number: 4755884Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the audio characteristics of an audio-video program recorded on a storage member in which the video portion of the program contains picture frame code numbers. A predetermined picture frame number at which video evaluation of the audio portion of the program is to commence in initially established. The audio and video portions of the recorded audio-video program are recovered, and the picture frame code numbers are extracted from the video portion thereof. The extracted picture frame numbers from the recovered video portion are then compared with the predetermined picture frame number, and audio evaluation of the audio portion of the program commences upon coincidence of the detected picture frame number and the predetermined picture number. Evaluation is effected by measuring predetermined picture number.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1986Date of Patent: July 5, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Edward Efron, James O. McPherson, Young B. Kim
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Patent number: 4751692Abstract: A system for recovering information from a videodisc and performing special functions which enhance the operational character of the system. To increase the reliability of landing at or near a target track, provisions are made to search for a track adjacent a target track whose track identifier has been obliterated. Further, a method and means for stepping forward or reverse one field at a time is disclosed. Another aspect of the invention concerns a capability to respond to a random command instruction resulting in subsequent functioning of the system in a random manner. Yet a further aspect of the invention is related to controlled jumping of one or more tracks during vertical blanking time to produce unique forward or backward motions; multiples of playing speed, both forward and reverse, and visual special effects can be realized using the multiple track jumping feature. Finally, a method and means are described which permit synchronous transmission of video from a videodisc to an external using device.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 1985Date of Patent: June 14, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Gary M. Giddings
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Patent number: 4746991Abstract: Method and apparatus for evaluating the quality of audio and/or video transfer characteristics of a device upon which, or through which, audio and/or video information is contained, or passes, respectively. Both method and apparatus concern the evaluation of the quality of information transfer in the recording and playing back of a recording medium or in the transferring of audio and/or video information through an information handling device referred to as a throughput device. Unit evaluation is accomplished by establishing an input signal of known content, measuring selected parameters of selected parts of the input signal, feeding the input signal to the unit under test, measuring the parameters of parts of the output signal from the unit under test corresponding to the same selected parts of the input signal, and comparing the selected parameters of the input signal with the corresponding parameters of the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1982Date of Patent: May 24, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Edward Efron, James O. McPherson, Young B. Kim
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Patent number: 4727532Abstract: A system for recovering information from a videodisc and performing special functions which enhance the operational character of the system. To increase the reliability of landing at or near a target track, provisions are made to search for a track adjacent a target track whose track identifier has been obliterated. Further, a method and means for stepping forward or reverse one field at a time is disclosed. Another aspect of the invention concerns a capability to respond to a random command instruction resulting in subsequent functioning of the system in a random manner. Yet a further aspect of the invention is related to controlled jumping of one or more tracks during vertical blanking time to produce unique forward or backward motions; multiples of playing speed, both forward and reverse, and visual special effects can be realized using the multiple track jumping feature. Finally, a method and means are described which permit synchronous transmission of video from a videodisc to an external using device.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1986Date of Patent: February 23, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Gary M. Giddings
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Patent number: 4727433Abstract: Method and apparatus for playing back a plurality of digitally encoded audio messages along with associated video data. The audio messages are combined along with a plurality of corresponding audio message start address signals when recorded on a recording medium. The digitally encoded information can be recorded in the audio domain, i.e. as digitized audio recorded on an audio channel of the medium, or in the video domain, i.e., as digitized audio recorded on the video channel of the medium. In playback, the address and audio data signals are retrieved from the recording medium and stored. The address signals are utilized to access selectable messages for decoding and playback of the selected audio message.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1985Date of Patent: February 23, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventor: Wayne R. Dakin
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Patent number: RE32709Abstract: A video disc player is described for use with a video disc having frequency modulated video information recorded thereon in the form of a plurality of concentric circles or a single spiral. The information track comprises successively positioned light reflective and light non-reflective regions. A focused light beam is caused to be positioned over the center of an information track and the light reflected from the information track is gathered by an objective lens for application to electronic circuitry for recovering the recorded frequency modulated video signals. Radial tracking means are described for maintaining the focused light spot to impinge upon the center of an information track. Lens focusing means are described for positioning the objective lens at the optimum focused position above the information track for gathering the maximum amount of reflected light from the information track.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1985Date of Patent: July 5, 1988Assignee: Discovision AssociatesInventors: Ludwig Ceshkovsky, Wayne R. Dakin