Abstract: A first inverter is provided with a feedback resistor for biasing the inverter to a linear operating range and an AC feedback path for causing oscillations to occur. A controlled current source, responsive to a control signal Vc supplied thereto and coupled to an input of the inverter supplies a current in a first sense thereto for enabling the oscillations and supplies a current in a second sense thereto for inhibiting the oscillations. The controlled current source comprises a second inverter for amplifying the control signal Vc to a logic level substantially greater than that of the first inverter and a current limiting resistor coupled in series with the second inverter for limiting current flow to and from the input of the first inverter.

Abstract: A tuner is presented wherein each o a plurality of RF AGC gain controllable amplifiers are individually controlled by individual AGC control signals generated by an AGC controller so that the level of the output signal from each of the RF AGC gain controllable amplifiers is individually optimized for tuner performance.

Abstract: The disclosure is a stepped rectification high-voltage transformer including a secondary step-up winding in which at least two output diodes connected to two different stages of this secondary winding are located in a same axial level and perpendicular to the potentiometer block forming part of the insulating casing. The invention is applicable notably to the power supply of television cathode ray tubes.

Abstract: A neural network is provided for equalizing distorted data signals. The data signal to be equalized is coupled via time-delay elements to a group of networks for weighting. The output signals of the networks for weighting are coupled to the input terminals of a plurality of neurons whose outputs are coupled, via a respective amplifier, to input terminals of a further neuron having an output terminals where the equalized data signal can be tapped.

Abstract: In an operational mode in which the tape should come to a stop at predetermined positions, a braking process, which causes the stopping of a tape at an exact predetermined place, is provided. At the beginning of the braking process, a target waveform is determined in dependence on the tape speed, and the values of the speed are controlled or regulated in accordance with the waveform. Control of a slow motion mode of a video tape can also be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method therefor reduces the ratio ft/Za for driving matrix displays where ft represents a signal processing clock frequency and Za represents the number of lines to be displayed on the matrix display. The time interval available for executing signal processing algorithms which drive a matrix display is expanded into time intervals in which a video signal contains no information. The invention is preferably used for driving LCD displays.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for illumination of a screen, notably a liquid-crystal screen. It includes a light integrator that receives a light beam from a source and outputs an illuminating beam for the screen. The light integrator makes use of lenses, but has no lenses in the parts of the beam where the energy flux is weak, which enables more uniform illumination of the screen. To improve the contrast of the illumination of the liquid-crystal screen, the whole illuminating beam is directed onto the screen at an angle to the optical axis of the system. The invention is applicable to liquid-crystal screens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reproduction or recording device for optical recording media with which information, data or control signals are reproduced or recorded without an optical recording medium provided as an exchangeable data medium, such as, for example, a CD or a disk for recording information, being inserted in the device and without a special electronic memory being present. According to the invention, a holding apparatus which is provided in the reproduction or recording device for optical recording media for the purpose of holding the exchangeable data medium is designed as an optical recording medium. The holding apparatus, which is driven by the disk turntable even when there is no optical recording medium inserted, is designed as an optical recording medium. The holdin apparatus has an optical recording medium which is designated as puck CD and, in contrast to the exchangeable data medium, is a component part of the device.

Abstract: A button assembly has at least one button that can selectively actuate one or more microswitches mounted to a printed circuit board in response to a biasing force. The at least one button is coupled to a plate comprising a loading member. The loading member is in contact with a housing. The housing has a plurality of latches which engage the printed circuit board, holding the button assembly together.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a recording and reading apparatus constituting a kind of video reservoir in the home of the consumer. Thanks to a large-capacity storing technique with suitable technical device, broadcasters transmit numerous programs via specific channels and the consumer may control the content of his reservoir (by recording, reading and erasing programs). The invention is applicable to on-demand video in the consumer's home with a video reservoir constituting a video-library that is regularly updated by broadcasters and/or by the consumer himself.

Abstract: The coding or decoding of video data with the associated audio and/or other data can be performed, for example, on the basis of the standards ISO/IEC 11172 (MPEG1) or ISO/IEC 13818 (MPEG2). Such coding and decoding can include the conversion of a primary bit stream coded on the basis of such standards into a secondary bit stream with a different data rate. Since the information content of the motion vectors from the primary bit stream retain their validity in the secondary bit stream, it is not necessary to recalculate motion vectors for transcoding. Instead, encoding of the secondary bit stream is performed with the aid of the motion vectors from the primary bit stream which are reused. In such a case, the encoding of the secondary bit stream is carried out in a restricted prediction mode, i.e. only those prediction modes which are described by respective block type or the motion information of the primary bit stream are allowed in the secondary bit stream.

Abstract: A method of controlling track following in a recorder which uses recording in oblique tracks of a magnetic tape without inactive areas between the tracks and wherein data gaps occur in the useful data sequence due to the change of tracks includes the step of filling the time period containing the data gaps with a predetermined sequence of cyclical modifications of code words representing amplitude and degree increments of a symmetrical train of oscillations. A sequence of code words is used to produce incremental portions of the train of symmetrical oscillations whereby a number of incremental portions forms a complete train of symmetrical oscillations. The code words are modified in synchronism with the clock rate at which the useful data of the recorder are clocked.

Abstract: An optical polarization device includes a source of light emitting a non-polarised light beam. A polarization separator reflects one polarization component of the light beam and transmits the other polarization component. A reflection means receives the component reflected by the polarization separator, rotates its polarization plane through 90.degree., and returns it to the polarization separator. The polarization separator is a plane element. The reflection means is positioned on the source side of the separator and consists of a regular network of prisms, each partially covered with a reflective layer associated with a .lambda./4 plate.

Abstract: A method for digitally transmitting/recording component-coded color television signals includes the step of, upon transition from a first picture aspect ratio to a second picture aspect ratio obtaining at least part of an additionally required transmitting/recording capacity for coding an additionally formed area of pictures with the second picture aspect ratio by vertical sub scanning of one or more chrominance components.

Abstract: In a television receiver, a higher beam current is enabled and a brighter image is provided, without adversely effecting the life of the cathode ray tube or endangering the high-tension transformer. The high-tension transformer includes a temperature sensor which acts with a control circuit for reducing the beam current when the temperature of the transformer rises above a specific temperature.

Abstract: An arrangement which can produce a stereoscopic image simply and cheaply. An optical unit views an object and a stereoscopic image is provided onto a recording device or a display device by differentially polarizing the beams.

Abstract: In recorders, in particular video recorders, the use of various sizes of cassette is intended and is already customary. For this purpose, the size of the cassette must be identified and the hubs of the transport drive changed appropriately. A mechanical coupling between the winding adjustment and the loading drawer during the loading operation, has no influence on the winding adjustment if a large cassette is inserted, whereas the identification and adjustment, formed by a lever, come into mechanical contact with the winding adjustment in the case of a small cassette. The mechanical coupling is formed by a U-shaped lever, the position.

Abstract: The system includes a plurality of decision units, at least one verification unit, and at least one counting unit, the units being functionally and structurally separate from each other. Each decision unit includes means for producing a source information item and an identity information item, and means for enciphering this source information item in such a way as to render it essentially indecipherable by the verification unit but decipherable by the counting unit. The verification unit includes a file which includes the identities of the decision units, means for checking the identity of the decision unit from which an incoming message originates, and means for compiling an anonymous derived message which is essentially devoid of any identity information item decipherable by the counting unit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of synchronization of clocks wherein, in a system including a digital decoder of a receiver equipped with a sampling clock and a digital encoder of an transmitter also equipped with a sampling clock, said method includes the following stages: in the transmitter, coding by packets of samples of a signal by time intervals of predetermined duration and triggering of the transmission of a data frame when a packet of data is ready to be sent; in the receiver, detection of start of said frame, and generation of a reference signal following said detection, said reference signal being used to correct the clock of the receiver.