Abstract: In regard to an audio system using a plurality of speakers, various settings, adjustment and compensation of a receiver are enabled. A remote control apparatus which can operate and adjust a multi-channel receiver includes a transmitter for transmitting data to the receiver; a microphone for receiving sound outputted from the receiver; and an arithmetic operating unit which calculates the state of the receiver from the sound received by the microphone and analyzes an adjustment value of the receiver from a calculation result, wherein the transmitter transmits data for initiating adjustment for the receiver and transmits an analysis result obtained by the arithmetic operating unit to the receiver.

Abstract: An improved adaptive line enhancer includes an adaptive Gray-Markel lattice notch filter having an adaptive notch frequency, in which the notch frequency is determined according to a notch frequency variable k. The value of k for the n+1th sample period is determined according to the following equation: k(n+1)=k(n)?sgn[y(n)]sgn[UPDATEFN]×? in which y(n) is the notch filter output, ? is the adaptation constant, and UPDATEFN has a transfer function in the z-transform domain of: ( ? - 1 ) ? ( k ? ( n ) - 1 ) ? z - 1 1 + k ? ( n ) ? ( 1 + ? ) ? z - 1 + ? ? ? ? z - 2 in which ? determines the bandwidth and k(n) is a variable for determining the current notch frequency. The algorithm for adapting the notch frequency enables the notch frequency to be directly calculated from knowledge of internal variables of the wave digital filter.

Abstract: A record carrier has a servo track (4) indicating an information track (9) intended for recording information blocks. The servo track (4) has a periodic variation of a physical parameter at a predetermined frequency and modulated parts for encoding position information at regular intervals. The modulated parts start with a bit sync element and are of a data type having a data bit element, or of a word sync type having a word sync element. The word sync element and the data bit element are modulated according to a same predetermined type of modulation of the periodic variation. The effective strength of a modulated element is the number of periodic variations that are substantially different and available for detection of that element. The effective strength of the word sync element and of the data bit element are equal.

Abstract: A processing circuit for motion compensated de-interlacing of video signals, having a line memory 21, a de-interlacing circuit 22, a frame memory 24, and a cache memory 25, further includes a pixel mixer 29 interposed between the cache memory 25 and the de-interlacing circuit 22.

Abstract: A hybrid method and apparatus for obtaining an optimum video processing system design includes the steps of: (a) using genetic algorithms to find video sample candidates having a best chromosome for performance and associated fitness values; and (b) using a probabilistic method to find local optima based on the fitness values from step (a) in a local search scheme. The results of the probabilistic method are then reinserted into genetic algorithms to increase speed and reduce the processing requirements if only genetic algorithms were used. The results obtained from the genetic algorithms using the local optima found by the probabilistic method may then be output to one of a video processing system and video module. Hardware for an apparatus and system to perform same includes a video source input, a processor, a genetic algorithm module, a probabilistic search module, a memory and at least one video module.

Abstract: A remote control, operating an on-screen set-top box (STB) menu, has a force sensitive resistor (FSR) for coarse or free navigation and a keypad, placed around the FSR, for fine navigation. A user gets feedback by a highlighted item or an on-screen cursor when operating the FSR and by the highlighted item for close-by navigation. Pushing down on the FSR, which also doubles as an OK- or select-key, results in the selection of highlighted option.

Abstract: In a method and device for a sub-field driving a display device, in which sub-fields are weighted and duplicated for achieving a plurality of gray levels by way of a plurality of sub-fields, the sub-fields are weighted as a ternary distribution of sub-field weights.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for detecting a picture repetition mode of film material with a series of consecutive fields, the arrangement having a processor and a memory (M), the processor identifying a plurality of different objects within the consecutive fields using a segmentation method, an object being defined as an image portion of the consecutive fields that can be described with a single motion model; and carrying out the following steps for each one of the plurality of objects, i.e., establishing a motion parameter pattern for each one of the objects within the consecutive fields; comparing the motion parameter pattern with a number of predetermined motion parameter patterns; and determining the picture repetition mode for each one of the objects using the result of the preceding step.

Abstract: An image display unit (100) displays an image on a display device (406), like a plasma display panel, in a number of sub-fields (204-218). The image display unit can perform motion compensation to reduce motion artifacts. This motion compensation is performed by applying a spatial offset to the sub-fields. The image display unit is designed to perform the operations for motion compensation on operands with various granularity, with the granularity of the operands ranging from one sub-field individually to a group of sub-fields together. An embodiment of the image display unit includes an analyzer (110) for estimating the available capacity of a computing unit (108) in a predetermined period of time, in order to determine the granularity of the operands to perform the operations for motion compensation.

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 method and apparatus for determining an image noise estimate value in a digital video processing system using only a single video image. In the method and apparatus, SAD values in the video image are calculated. For each SAD value, a determination is made as to whether the SAD value falls within one or more of a plurality of predetermined SAD value ranges, each of which corresponds to a prospective image noise estimate value. The determination is made concurrently for all of the predetermined SAD value ranges. For each one of the SAD value ranges, the number of SAD values that fall within that predetermined SAD value range is counted. The prospective image noise estimate having a count value that meets predetermined criteria is then selected as the image noise estimate value in the digital video processing system.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting an enhancement vector for a plurality of enhancement functions using a cost function. A sharpness enhancement system is described that receives an input picture and outputs an enhanced picture, the sharpness enhancement system comprising: a plurality of enhancement functions that enhance the input picture; and a picture quality analyzer that selects an enhancement vector for the plurality of enhancement functions, wherein the enhancement vector is selected from a set of vectors based on a cost function that comprises: (1) a gradient analysis, and (2) a dynamic range analysis.

Abstract: A next generation of high-speed CD-RW discs for high-speed recording (4x-10x) needs a new write strategy, which is not suited for recording at lower speeds (1x-4x). Existing CD-RW recorders may accept these discs and make recordings according to existing write strategies. This will result in unreadable discs. To prevent this, a Power Calibration Area (PCA) and a Program Memory Area (PMA), both needed for recording, are hidden for the existing recorders. As a result the disc will be rejected. In a method wherein an absolute time reference (ATIP) is applied on the disc, the start locations of these areas being determined by a fixed time offset relative to a subsequent Lead-in area, the PCA and PMA are made untraceable by introducing and Absolute Time in Pre-Groove (ATIP) time code jump of, for instance, one minute just before the Start time of the Lead-in area.

Abstract: A method, a circuit arrangement and a display device which suppresses motion blur due to motion integration carried out along a motion trajectory on the image data, which occurs in matrix type displays in which a motion trajectory is integrated by the viewer and/or the display, includes an inverse integration filtering of the video signal. To avoid de-blurring in image regions where motion cannot be detected, or image is low and to avoid noise modulation, motion estimation as well as further image characteristic are used.

Abstract: For high-resolution and low bit-error-rate MAMMOS readout, a magnetic head includes a flat magnetic coil (1) having a coil layer structure (3a, 3b) having an electrically conductive winding (5a, 5b), and includes a permanent-magnet layer structure (7) extending parallel to the coil layer structure and having an in-plane magnetic axis (m).

Abstract: In order to improve an arithmetic decoder, the method of arithmetically decoding an arithmetically encoded information signal into an information signal including a serial sequence of n-bit symbols, is adapted to decode two subsequent symbols of the information signal in one decoding cycle if the first symbol to be decoded has the most probable symbol.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video memory manager for use in a video recording device that stores of video programs on a disk drive. The video memory manager comprises a video memory controller for detecting that the disk drive does not contain sufficient storage space to store a next-to-be-recorded program. The video memory controller, in response to the detection, determines a first retention score associated with a first video program and a second retention score associated with a second video program. The first and second retention scores indicate a desirability of retaining the first and second video programs respectively. The video memory controller deletes a least desirable one of the first and second video programs.

Abstract: A system and method for speed the video system optimization using genetic algorithms and memory storage, whereby previously evaluated chromosomes, and their associated image quality, are stored in a memory unit for fast retrieval, such as a hash table, to create a large savings of processing time for previously evaluated chromosomes (variations of video systems) that do not have to be re-tested.

Abstract: In a method of operating a remote control system and in such a system comprising an RF transmission and receiving system and an IR transmission device the sub-carrier information of the IR signal is transmitted in the RF signal in a signal separate from the envelope information of the IR signal which is contained in a envelope signal.

Abstract: A circuit, audio system and method are presented for processing an audio signal, in which a frequency band is selected, harmonics are generated from the selected signal by a harmonics generator, wherein the harmonics are scaled by a level detected in at least a part of the spectrum of the audio signal related to the selected frequency band. Furthermore, a harmonic generator is presented for generating arbitrary harmonics of an input signal.