Abstract: A television receiver for receiving data, such as teletext, multiplexed with the television signal, includes a data acquisition circuit (6) for acquiring at least selected pages of the data signal and a memory (13) for storing a plurality of pages. A non-volatile memory (11) holds a Favorite Pages List for the user for each of a plurality of channels, and a microprocessor (7) causes the receiver to tune to each channel, in turn, to acquire and store in the memory (13) the favorite pages for all of the channels. The microprocessor (7) causes the receiver to tune to each of the channels in turn on switch-on and acquires the favorite pages for that channel. The receiver is tuned to each channel, in turn, for a period long enough to acquire the favorite pages either by allowing a set time or by monitoring the receipt of the favorite pages. Alternatively, a second tuner is used to scan the non-viewed channels.

Abstract: Television transmitters often transmit auxiliary operational signals to provide additional services in addition to the conventional television program. An example hereof is interactive television which allows the public to participate in a program, inter alia, by answering questions in a quiz show or voting for the best performance in a song contest. The operational signals identify actions to be taken by the receiver, such as sending the user's response to the transmitter through a modem. To inform the public that a particular service is being offered, the transmitter (1) transmits a logo (150) to indicate the transmission of the operational signals. The receiver (3) is equipped to receive the transmitted logo, compare (352) it with a locally stored logo (350) and process (36) the operational signals only if the transmitted and locally stored logos are perceptibly identical. The logo may be separately encoded or embedded in the conventional television signal.

Abstract: A system of a computer (PC) and a monitor (DA) enables a user to select a desired white color temperature of display information displayed on a display device (DD) of the monitor (DA). The computer (PC) includes a graphics adapter (GA) for supplying video signals (Ri, Gi, Bi) to monitor (DA). The monitor includes controllable amplifiers for amplifying the video signals (Ri, Gi, Bi) to obtain video drive signals (Ro, Go, Bo) driving the display device (DD). A ratio of values of the video drive signals (Ro, Go, Bo) determines the color displayed. The computer (PC) is programmed to: (i) control the graphics adapter (GA) for generating display information which obtains a graphical representation (L; T) of various colors, and a graphical indication (I; Pl) for graphically indicating white colors in the graphical representation (L; T), and (ii) receive a user command (UC) indicating a selected color (Co) in the graphical representation (L; T).

Abstract: A passive radiator includes a chassis (11) and a radiator body which is connected to the chassis and which is movable with respect to the chassis along a translation axis (T*). The radiator is capable of displacing comparatively large air volumes. The radiator body includes a central mass element (13a) and at least one mass element (13b) which is arranged concentrically with respect to the central mass element. The radiator further comprises connection units for movably interconnecting each pair of adjacent mass elements and for movably connecting one of the mass elements to an element (11a) of the chassis. Each of the connection units includes two resilient annular connecting rings (5a1, 5a2; 5b1, 5b2), which have two adjacent elements which are parts of said elements secured to them. The connecting rings of at least one of the connection units bound a closed chamber (17a) containing a gaseous medium in order to counteract undesired noises.

Abstract: A circuit for converting AC voltage into DC voltage for one or two devices (Rm, Ra), includes a first part of the current being fed to the input side via a large induction coil (L50) and a first rectifier (Gm), and a second part of the current being fed via a second rectifier (Ga) upstream of the large induction coil. On the output side, behind the second rectifier (Ga), a switched-mode power supply is arranged, preferably in the form of an up-converter or a flyback converter (10). The division of the applied current for smoothing the output voltage provides that the induction coil (L50) can be accordingly dimensioned smaller and, despite this, the circuit can also satisfy relevant standard specifications.

Abstract: In the case of a magnetic-tape apparatus (1) and/or in the case of a pressure-roller unit (65), a pressure-roller spindle (55) and a bearing part (60), which surrounds the pressure-roller spindle (55) and can be rotated relative to the pressure-roller spindle (55), for rotatably bearing a pressure roller (29) are provided. The bearing part (60) having a first bearing surface (63) which is formed by a toroidal surface and cooperates with a second bearing surface (64) likewise formed by a toroidal surface. The two bearing surfaces (63, 64) formed in each case by a toroidal surface permitting a wobbling movement of the pressure roller (29), and the two bearing surfaces (63, 64) being held lying against one another without play, and of these two bearing surfaces (63, 64) at least one bearing surface (63) being provided in a compliant fashion in radial directions relative to the other bearing surface (64).

Abstract: Sub-pixel accurate motion estimation from digital video requires interpolation of data. In a symmetrical motion estimator that shifts the neighboring images over complementary fractions (−D/2, D/2) of the vector (D), two such interpolating filters are required. In case of block-matching motion estimation algorithms, the match error of various candidate vectors depends on the quality of the sub-pixel interpolation filter(s). As these filters differ per fractional value of the vector, unintentional preferences for some fractional vector values over other may result. The candidate vectors (D) are split into an integer part (Rnd(D/2)) and a generally non-integer part (D-Rnd(D/2)), as this gives a better accuracy and a lower cost than splitting the candidate vectors (D) exactly conform the temporal position at which the vectors need to be valid.

Abstract: A display device (506) is driven in a number of sub-fields. Each of the sub-fields is 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. A required intensity level of the pixel is realized by selecting an appropriate combination of sub-fields in which the pixel is switched on. A selection is made from the possible intensity levels that can be generated by all possible combinations of sub-fields. The selected intensity levels are uniformly spaced on a perceptual scale, allowing a relatively small number of intensity levels for displaying an image with a relatively high perceived quality. The image display unit (300) has a the combinations of sub-fields for the respective selected intensity levels.

Abstract: A random number generator is disclosed that uses the meta-stable behavior of flip-flops. The output of the flip-flop is compared to an input waveform to determine if the output signal does not match the input signal, indicating a meta-stable state. When a meta-stable event is detected an output bit is provided as a random bit. In one variation, an even random number distribution is obtained by “marking” half of the zeroes as “ones” and the other half of the zeroes as “zeroes” and half of the ones as “ones” and the other half of the ones as “zeroes.” In further variations, the (i) delay between the clock and the input are varied to cause the meta-stable behavior more often and (ii) multiple circuits with n different flip-flops are utilized so that at least one of the n circuits will be meta-stable at a given time.

Abstract: A trick play information stream is generated from a normal play information stream, so that they can be recorded together as a composite information stream on the record carrier, such that upon reproduction in a trick play reproduction mode, an information signal of sufficient quality, e.g., as regards visibility, can be obtained. GOPs are generated, each GOP including an I-frame retrieved from the original normal play information stream, and one or more so-called ‘empty P frames’. Another aspect is the requirement of generating GOPs for the trick play information stream that have a constant bitcost per GOP. Again, another aspect lies in the retrieval of the I-frame for the trick play information stream from the normal play information.

Abstract: In a method of de-interlacing video data (F), at least three different de-interlacing algorithms (VTF, MED1, CM3) are applied on the video data (F) to obtain at least three de-interlaced signals (DIO-1, DIO-2, DIO-3), no majority of de-interlacing algorithms copying a single spatio-temporally neighboring pixel (A, B, C, D) to the interpolated position (E), and the at least three de-interlaced signals (DIO-1, DIO-2, DIO-3) are order statistical filtered (MED2) to obtain an output signal (E).

Abstract: A display unit displays an image on a display screen like a plasma display panel in a number of sub-fields. The display unit is arranged to control the intensity values of one of the color values of a pixel, in particular to control whether the highest weighted sub-field is switched on or off, by changing that color signal. The effect of this change on the luminance of the pixel is compensated by a change to one or both of the other color signals.

Abstract: An image processing device and method for classifying symbols relies on a connected-component technique for isolating symbol regions. The device and method form connected components from an image derived by the application of an edge detection filter. The formation of connected components from this filtered image defines the edges of character shapes. As a result, the number of pixels that must be connected to define each connected component is substantially reduced and the speed of processing thereby increased. The application of the method is discussed primarily with respect to text in a video stream.

Abstract: In a video signal enhancement method, a video signal (Y) is histogram-based processed to obtain a histogram-processed video signal (Y′), and a sharpness of the histogram-processed video signal (Y′) is enhanced to obtain an output video signal (Y″) in dependence upon a sharpness enhancement control signal (CS) derived from at least the histogram-processed video signal (Y′). Advantageously, the sharpness enhancement control signal (CS) represents a derivative of the histogram-processed video signal (Y′).

Abstract: A method of detecting blocking artifacts in digital video pictures, includes a step of filtering (GF) a digital input signal (x) using a gradient filter for providing at least one filtered signal, and a step of calculating (CALC) a block level metric (BM) for processing the filtered signal(s) to identify and count blocking artifacts as a function of their position in a grid. If the block level metric (BM) is lower than a threshold, the picture has either not been encoded using a block-based processing, or has been encoded in a seamless way. In the opposite case, the picture has been encoded using a block-based processing in a non-seamless way and corrective actions, such as a post-processing (PP), can be taken.

Abstract: There is disclosed, for use in video text analysis system, a video processing device for searching video streams for one or more user-selected image text attributes. The video processing device comprises an image processor capable detecting and extracting image text from video frames, determining attributes of the extracted image text, comparing the extracted image text attributes and the user-selected image text attributes, and, if a match occurs, modifying, transferring, and/or labeling at least a portion of the video stream in accordance with user commands.

Abstract: A soft-switching multiple output fly-back converter provides output cyclying sequence control. Each of the multiple output circuits includes a bi-directional switching circuit which provides for flexible reconfiguration of the output cycling sequence. Further, the novel circuit allows each of the individual outputs, or any combination thereof, to be independently turned ‘off’ (i.e., removed from the cycling sequence) and re-introduced (i.e., turned ‘on’ again) at a later time as needed.

Abstract: A balanced transformer-less amplifier includes a system for detecting and correcting DC offset across the output terminals of the amplifier. The output signal is digitized, counted during a predetermined period, and the result of the counting is used to derive a DC correction signal which is fed back to the input of the amplifier.

Abstract: A usage-limit is associated with each copy of copy-protected material. A conforming playback device determines how much usage has been made of the copy, and only plays the copy-protected material if the usage is within the associated usage-limit of the copy. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the providing source of the copy contains a total-usage-measure that is allocated among each of the provided copies of the copy-protected material, thereby allowing for more than one copy of the copy-protected material to be produced, or “checked-out” from the providing source. When a copy of the copy-protected material is subsequently returned, or “checked-in” to the providing source, the usage allocation associated with this copy is returned to the total-usage-value. In this manner, if a particular copy of the copy-protected material is lost, damaged, or misplaced, the loss of value to the purchaser is merely a reduction in the available total-usage.

Abstract: A circuit for converting an AC voltage into a DC voltage for a device (RL), in which the AC voltage supplied is passed through a large induction coil (L50) and a rectifier (G), includes, on the output side the rectifier (G), two capacitors (C1, C2) connected in parallel, which are separated by a diode (D). In addition, the capacitor C1 positioned closer to the rectifier (G) is discharged, at least in part, via an active converter (20) in the second half of each power supply wave. As a result of which, the current consumption is widened and the system harmonics are reduced. Furthermore, the induction coil (L50) can be dimensioned correspondingly smaller, but can nevertheless meet the relevant standards.