Abstract: A recording device writes a multiple video stream and a corresponding trick-mode data signal on a record carrier. The recording device includes a selector for selecting at least two video streams from at least one multiple video stream, a trick-mode data generating unit for generating a trick-mode data signal, and a write unit for writing the selected video streams and the trick-mode data signal in a normal-play area or in a trick-play area on the record carrier. The trick-mode data generating unit is adapted to generate, for all the selected video streams, a corresponding trick-mode signal and to combine the corresponding trick-mode signals to a trick-mode data signal. The trick-mode data signal represents a mosaic image that can be displayed by a reproducing device.

Abstract: In a method of estimating motion, at least two motion parameter sets are generated (PE1-PEn) from input video data (n, n−1), a motion parameter set being a set of parameters describing motion in an image, by means of which motion parameter set motion vectors can be calculated. One motion parameter set indicates a zero velocity for all image parts in an image, and each motion parameter set has corresponding local match errors. Output motion data are determined from the input video data (n, n−1) in dependence on the at least two motion parameter sets, wherein the importance of each motion parameter set in calculating the output motion data depends on the motion parameter sets' local match errors.

Abstract: An encoding circuit transforms a picture signal into blocks of, for example, 8*8 coefficients, in which each block of coefficients is read motion- adaptively. In the case of motion within a sub-picture, the block of coefficients is read in such an order that the obtained series of coefficients includes, as it were, two interleaved sub-series. The first series starts with a do component, In a first embodiment, the second series starts with the most relevant motion coefficient. In a second embodiment, two interlaced sub-fields are separately transformed and the second series also starts with a dc coefficient. As a result, the coefficients are transmitted as much as possible in their order of significance. This particularly produces the largest possible clusters of zero value coefficients. Such clusters are transmitted as one compact run-length code so that an effective bit rate reduction is achieved, also for moving pictures.

Abstract: An arrangement for reading information from a record carrier, such as in a HDD, include a read head (Rmr1), an amplifier (74) for amplifying the signal read by the read head, an equalizer (76) for equalizing the signal read by the read head, and a bit detector (80) for detecting bits in the signal read by the read head. The invention, the arrangement further comprises a DC correction unit (78) for subtracting a correction value from an input signal in response to an error signal so as to obtain a DC corrected output signal. The bit detector (80) detects a sequence of bits based in the DC corrected output signal. Further, an error signal generating unit (82,83,85) is present for generating the error signal in response to the DC corrected output signal and the sequence.

Abstract: A solid-state audio recording unit, capable of checking whether normal audio recording is performed or not on a real-time basis, includes one input buffer for receiving incoming audio data operating at a standard speed, another input buffer for writing audio data into a memory 9 operating at a high speed, one output buffer for receiving audio data from the memory 9 operating at a high speed, and another output buffer for delivering audio data as output operating at a standard speed. As such, it is possible to write/read data into/from the memory at a high speed; and thus operation is ensured enabling, on appearance, parallel processing of input and output, even though, in reality, a single memory is shared by the input and output ports; and thus it becomes possible to deliver audio data stored in a memory as an output on a real-time basis.

Abstract: A processor is programmed for accessing data-items from a matrix of rows and columns, access being constrained to a moving window. A cache memory caches data for the window. The cache memory makes a location used for a first data-item from an earliest row available for reuse when the window moves along the row direction, and retrieves a second data item for a latest row of the window into the cache memory. Data for the latest row may be written into the location just made available for reuse. The position of the first data-item along the row direction of the matrix trails the position of the second data-item along the row direction of the matrix at least by the width of the window.

Abstract: In a method of driving a display (D), field information from a field of an image signal is distributed (DD) over a plurality of sub-fields, and a start time for each sub-field is generated (AU, SOC) in dependence upon motion.

Abstract: A tuner including an oscillator, a divider means for dividing the oscillator signal and a mixer, suitable for global tuner applications, i.e. U.S.A./Europe/Japan without any hardware change, the divider is switchable between at least two values.

Abstract: In a system like a PC, the function of a graphics card is included with the monitor. A processor sends update signals to the monitor to modify image content. The graphics card processes the update signals and applies corrections to the updates to correct for physical imperfections of imaging process of the monitor. The graphic card writes the results into an image memory. The content of the image memory is used to drive the monitor.

Abstract: A method of transferring secure data in a remote control system including a remote controller (12) and an apparatus (10) which is operable in response to commands relayed by way of the remote controller. The apparatus has a receiver (38) for receiving transmissions from the remote controller (12), the information from the transmissions being stored in a storage device (42). The remote controller has a transmitter (26), a memory (22) for storing secure data and commands and a keypad (24). The transmitter (26) is controlled so that in response to a user wishing to transfer secure data to the user apparatus (10), it transmits this data at a power level lower than that which is normally used for sending other commands. The link between the remote controller (12) and the user apparatus (10) may be wireless or infra-red.

Abstract: A format for the recording of trick play signals in which trick play segments including sync blocks of information of a trick play signal are recorded in the tracks. At least first and second trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The first trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n1 times the recording speed with which the trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The second trick play signal is meant for reproduction in the reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed −n1 times the recording speed. Both trick play signals are recorded in the tracks such that, upon reproduction at the speed n1 times the recording speed, m1 sync blocks of information of the first trick play signal and, upon reproduction at the speed −n1 times the recording speed, m1 sync blocks of the second trick play signal are read from the record carrier during one revolution of the head drum in the reproduction apparatus.

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 situation lead to conflicting requirements. A solution is presented that does not have these conflicting requirements, namely by using an adder that adds an increment value to a count value in order to obtain the next count value. 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 method and apparatus wherein video images are recorded on a plurality of tracks of a tape such that, for playback in a search mode at a speed higher than the recording speed the displayed image will consist of a plurality of contiguous parts, some of the parts being read out from tracks each having a different frame recorded thereon.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an MPEG information signal and a trick play signal in tracks on a record carrier (1). The trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a corresponding reproduction apparatus at a record carrier trick play speed which is n1 times the nominal reproduction speed. Time stamps are added to the packets included in the trick play signal, and sync block numbers are added to the sync blocks including a packet, and the sync blocks are recorded at specific positions in the tracks. A specific algorithm is provided to determine those positions, dependent of the time stamps, and the sync block numbers given, such that upon reproduction at the trick play speed, the reproduction apparatus requires a buffer memory of a limited capacity.

Abstract: In a method for recording video images and the associated sound with a reduced resolution, in such a manner that the recorded information can be reproduced by means of standard equipment, video frames are filtered so as to derive browse sets having a reduced number of pixels. A number of 16 browse sets are stored in a frame memory in order to form a mosaic frame of 4×4 browse sets, after which the mosaic frame is recorded. Audio samples are processed to form audio browse samples: the most significant half (MSH) of the bits of a first audio sample is used as the MSH of an audio browse sample and the MSH of a ninth audio sample is used as the least significant half (LSH) of the bits of this audio browse sample, which is subsequently recorded. In this way, the information required to edit a recording is reduced by a factor of 16.

Abstract: A video recorder, includes: a filter for performing a comb-filtering operation and supplying a comb-filtered component of a video signal; controllable influencing apparatus for terminating the output of the comb-filtered component and activating instead, the propagation of the non-filtered component; transition detection apparatus for detecting a vertically extending transition and supplying characteristic information upon detection of such a transition; control information generating apparatus, arranged between the transtion detection apparatus and the influencing apparatus, for generating control information enabling the termination of the output of the comb-filtered component and the activation of the propagation of the non-filtered component for a period of time which is longer than possible by means of the characteristic information.

Abstract: When new software is received by air in the form of successive blocks by a video receiver having a specialized digital video processing module (19), connected by a first bus (28) to a specialized video memory (29), and a microprocessor (15) connected by a second bus (27) to a rewritable program memory (26), the microprocessor verifies the blocks of this new software one by one and stores them in the video memory (29) of the specialized video processing module until the new software is complete. Not until that moment will the new software be transferred to the program memory (26).

Abstract: A television signal receiver (television apparatus, video recorder, CDI player) executes a plurality of processing operations to be executed (sync separation, subcarrier regeneration, color decoding, teletext) with a central processing unit (4). Each processing operation is stored in the form of a control program in a memory (10). The processing operations to be actually executed are selected and time-sequentially executed by the processing unit. The control programs to be executed are selected in dependence upon operating signals (TXT, PIP) or signal recognition (PAL, NTSC). Qualitatively different versions of some control programs are stored and the version which can be executed at the available processing capacity is selected.

Abstract: The input data to a CDMA transmitter is used to introduce a slight frequency offset to the clock that is used to generate the CDMA code. At the receiver, the frequency-offset CDMA signal proportionately affects the magnitude of output signals from one or more CDMA correlators. A composite signal that is based on the magnitudes of the output signals is compared to a set of predefined threshold levels to provide the demodulated output data.

Abstract: A TV receiver includes a cabinet, a cathode ray tube (3) with a substantially rectangular screen (4) and two brackets (6) which are secured to side parts (9) of the cathode ray tube for the purpose of mounting the cathode ray tube in the cabinet. For easy mounting of electronic parts inside the cabinet, the TV receiver includes a lower and an upper cabinet part (1,2), and the brackets (6) and the lower cabinet part (1) includes portions for (12-17) temporarily positioning and holding the cathode ray tube (3) in a tilted position in the lower cabinet part for servicing purposes.