Abstract: A flyback power converter is described which provides multiple independently regulated outputs. Zero-volt primary side switching is achieved at a resonance minimum which occurs at the end of each energy cycle between a primary side capacitor and an isolation transformer primary winding.

Abstract: A display device (806) is driven by a video processing unit (804) in a number of sub-fields, each for outputting a respective illumination level by the display device. In each sub-field, a pixel of the displayed image may emit an amount of light corresponding to the particular sub-field, depending on whether it is switched on or not. Based on motion estimation, the desired intensity level of a particular pixel at the time point corresponding with the current sub-field is calculated. Subsequently, it is determined how much light has been generated by the pixels along the motion vector of the particular pixel and accumulated in the eye of a human observer. Then a target intensity level is calculated on the basis of the desired level and the already accumulated level. Based on this target level it is decided whether the particular pixel is to be lit in the current sub-field.

Abstract: In a method of chrominance signal interpolation, in which output chrominance signals (OUTUV) are interpolated (MED) from mutually corresponding input chrominance signals (INUV(N−1), INUV(N)) from mutually neighboring input images, a color saturation value of at least one of the output chrominance signals (OUTUV) is smaller than an average of color saturation values of the mutually corresponding input chrominance signals (INUV(N−1), INUV(N)) corresponding to the one output chrominance signal (OUTUV) if the mutually corresponding input chrominance signals (INUV(N−1), INUV(N)) meet a predetermined criterion. The expression “corresponding” relates to the chrominance signals concerned (INUV(N−1), INUV(N)) correspond both as to spatial positions in the mutually neighboring input images (N, N−1) and as to chrominance values, i.e., either U/I or V/Q.

Abstract: In a transmitter digital information signal is lossy encoded to form a lossy encoded signal. The lossy encoded signal is decoded to form a lossy replica signal. The lossy replica signal and the digital information signal are combined to form a first residue signal. The first residue signal is predicted, yielding a first predicted signal. The first predicted signal is losslessly entropy encoded (e.g. adaptive Huffman encoded) to provide a lossless residue signal. Both the lossy signal and the lossless residue signal are transmitted via the transmission medium. In a receiver, the lossy signal and lossless residue are separated. The lossy signal is decoded to form a lossy replica of the digital information signal. The lossless residue signal is entropy decoded (e.g. adaptive Huffman decoder) to form a second residue signal. The second residue signal is predicted, yielding a second predicted signal. The second predicted signal is combined with the lossy representation to reproduce the digital information signal.

Abstract: A video recorder for playing video recordings recorded on magnetic tapes, these recordings being available with different playback qualities, and including a reproduction apparatus for scanning a magnetic tape and for supplying a playback signal; and a playback-signal processing apparatus for processing the playback signal and including at least one controllable signal-influencing stage for controllably influencing at least one component (luminance signal Y) of the playback signal, and an entry device for cooperating with the video recorder and providing entry of characteristic information which characterizes different playback qualities of video recordings; and a control apparatus for generating control information corresponding to the characteristic information. The at least one controllable signal-influencing stage is controlled depending on the control information.

Abstract: A television receiver for receiving data such as teletext associated with the television picture. There are many ways in which pages of this data may be linked, and it is known to arrange, for easy access to the linked pages, by providing differently colored identification symbols (R1, Y1, G1, B1) on a display screen and correspondingly colored buttons on a remote control unit (RCU). A further identification symbol (FIS) which indicates the method by which further pages are linked to the currently displayed page is now provided. Examples of such linking are FASTEXT, TOP, Favorite Pages.

Abstract: In a video signal compression method, compression ratio control signals (K) and a previous sum (Csum) are added (AD1) to generate a new sum, compression control signals (DC, en) are logically generated (CP, CNT) in dependence upon the previous sum (Csum) and the compression ratio control signals (K), and video signals are compressed (D) in dependence upon the compression control signals (DC, en) to generate compressed video signals.

Abstract: Recording/reproducing apparatus for recording/reproducing serial information stream of A/V signals comprising packets of information signals, such as MPEG Transport Packets, on/from a recording medium. The apparatus includes a time stamping unit for time stamping received information packets in accordance with a time stamping clock reference, a writing unit for recording the information packets in accordance with a write clock reference, and a reading unit for reproducing the information packets in accordance with a read clock reference. All clock references are derived from a single crystal clock reference. The read clock reference has a frequency equal to the frequency of the single crystal clock reference, this frequency being an integer multiple of the frequency of the write clock reference. The time stamp clock reference has a frequency derived from the single crystal clock reference by a digital counter.

Abstract: An amplifier for use in, for example, Public Address Systems to send audio signals over long distances, is of the push-pull type and includes a first and a second switch and an output transformer having a primary winding coupled to the switches and a secondary winding coupled to the output of the push-pull amplifier. The output transformer further includes a further secondary winding coupled to a comparator as a feedback loop.

Abstract: During recording of an MPEG information signal on a record carrier, transport packets (Pk) are stored in signal blocks in a track on the record carrier. x transport packets of the MPEG information signal are stored in the second block sections (SB) of y signal blocks, where x and y are integers, x≧1 and y>1, more specifically, y>x. Further, third block sections (TB) are present in one or more of the second block sections in the y signal blocks of a group for storing additional information, this additional information relating to the specific application of recording and reproducing the MPEG information signal on/from the record carrier.

Abstract: A switched mode power supply includes an input for receiving an input signal voltage, a flyback converter circuit arrangement and an output for delivering a regulated output signal voltage. The switched mode power supply further includes a boost converter arranged to be operatively combined with the flyback converter, and functioning such that the combined converter operates in a boost mode when the input voltage is above a threshold value, and in a flyback mode when the input voltage is below the threshold value.

Abstract: A copy protection system for protecting content wherein a ticket and a watermark are created, utilizing a first time reference (TD) and a one-way function, to indicate the copy protection status of the content. A source device produces the ticket and watermark using a first time reference and a hashing function. The source device provides a data stream containing the content, the ticket, the watermark, and the first time reference (TD) to the receiver device. The receiver device determines if the first time reference (TD) is contained within a time window determined by a second time reference. When, the first time reference (TD) is contained within the time window, the receiver compares the ticket to the watermark using the first time reference (TD) and the one-way function, and based on the comparison, produces a signal indicating the copy protection status of the content.

Abstract: A system for minimizing screen burn on a display screen caused by the display of video images that do not occupy the entire area of the display screen includes video image processing circuitry for formatting a received video signal to display an active image of the video signal on a portion of the display screen, and for displaying a screen saver on portions of the display screen that are not occupied by the formatted active image. A screen saver library provides a screen saver from a plurality of screen savers. Each screen saver in the plurality of screen savers occupies portions of the display screen that are not occupied by an active image.

Abstract: In a method of locating problem areas in an image signal (I), a motion vector field (Df) is estimated for the image signal (I), and edges are detected in the motion vector field (Df). In a corresponding method of interpolating images between existing images (I), image parts are interpolated (MCI) in dependence upon a presence of edges; preferably, an order statistical filtering (med) is used at edges.

Abstract: Global Position System (GPS) receiver for receiving and processing GPS signals includes cicuitry for receiving and processing Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) signals. To realize simultaneous processing of both DAB and GPS signals, the receiver is provided with a receiver front-end, a mixer stage, filter, and analog-to-digital converter coupled to digital DAB and GPS signal paths. The receiver further includes a DAB signal eliminating device for selectively eliminating DAB signals from the digital GPS signal path.

Abstract: A user interface for accessing a database, organized into an information landscape, uses an architectural metaphor, namely, a stadium, to organize the information of the database for greater user accessibility. Spotlight and query tools are used to help the user access items within the database. A multi-user version includes a chat space feature.

Abstract: Normally, in an MPEG recorder, during recording, a time stamp counter is locked to the program clock reference of the incoming stream by pulling the clock frequency of a controllable oscillator. During playback, the oscillator is left free running. Playback and recording situations lead to conflicting requirements. By using an adder that adds an increment value to a count value in order to obtain the next count value, these conflicts can be resolved. The time stamp values are derived from the count values. During recording, the value of the increment value is controllable, and during playback, the value of the increment value is fixed.

Abstract: A television signal processing device (12) has a receiver for receiving a television signal (F) and an information signal (I) which contains television program information (FPI), for example, title information about future television programs. The television signal processing device (12) can automatically display a display signal (A) which is reproducible on a display screen (3) and which indicates the title of a currently or shortly starting television program and the receiving channel (E) or the television station from which this television program is or will be receivable, when the receiver (4) of the television signal processing device (12) currently receives the television signal (F) from another television station in another receiving channel (E) and when the title of this television program contains at least one given keyword.

Abstract: A sample rate converter for converting the sampling frequency of an input signal from a first frequency to a second frequency. Such a sample rate converter uses interpolator and a phase-locked loop receiving the first and the second sampling frequency. The interpolator is implemented as a polynomial interpolator.

Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure includes a rectangular cabinet having an acoustical port mounted in one of the vertical walls. A loudspeaker is installed in a bottom wall of the cabinet facing away from an interior volume of the cabinet. A highly resistive acoustic foam is positioned in front of the loudspeaker to restrict the direct radiation of the loudspeaker, so that the usable acoustic radiation emanates from the acoustical port.