Abstract: The invention provides a combination of the technique of subscans common to two rows of display cells and division into two groups of subscans. Such a combination makes it possible to combine the beneficial effects of the two apparently incompatible techniques. The invention provides static and/or dynamic compensation of the subscans FSS specific to each cell by means of the subscans SSS common to two cells.

Abstract: Conventional routing switchers have employed a fixed architecture, i.e. the input and output connectors of the switching matrix are fixed in function. Prior art routing switchers use fixed matrix sizes. This invention uses a variable input/output architecture to enable multiple matrix sizes to be implemented in a single product. Switches are used to connect a subset of input and output connectors to either an input pin or an output pin. These switches allow users to select the number of input connectors and output connectors available for their particular application. The invention enables a single product to replace a range of routing switchers of different sizes. The user can also reconfigure the routing switcher size should application requirements change. This allows the user to configure the routing switcher matrix size to exactly meet the application requirements.

Abstract: Deflection yoke for cathode-ray tubes with a north/south geometry correction comprising a pair of horizontal deflection coils and a pair of vertical deflection coils, the two pairs being isolated one from the other by a separator, a ferrite ring at least partly covering the deflection coils and having a flared front part, the deflection yoke comprising in its front region at least one pair of magnetic means to modify locally the magnetic field in the said front region and to correct the geometry of the image created on the screen of the tube, the magnetic means being placed in the space in such a way that, for a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the deflection yoke and the axis of symmetry of a magnetic means, and for the point M of the plain corresponding to the point of minimum coordinates of the said means, the intersection of the ring with is at least partly in its front part, located outside the region delimited by the half line passing through M and perpendicular to Z, and the half line passing

Abstract: A method (300) of converting interlaced Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video signals to progressive video signals can include receiving an interlaced video signal representing a luma component specifying luma lines and a chroma component specifying chroma lines (310) wherein the chroma component can specify approximately one-half the number of lines of the luma component. The interlaced video signal can be decoded and the number of the chroma lines can be increased to approximately the same as the number of the luma lines (320). The number of chroma lines of the interlaced video signal then can be decreased (340), to substantially reverse the previous increase. The interlaced video signal then can be deinterlaced to produce a progressive video signal (350), which can be processed further (360) as needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a second transport stream included within a first transport stream and reducing timing anomaly imparted to the second transport stream within the context of a front-end device subject to random access via a data bus, illustratively a PCI bus. A first transport stream is received from a transport medium, the first transport stream having disposed therein packets associated with a second transport stream. The first medium tending to impart jitter to the first transport stream. Those packets associated with the second transport stream are extracted from the first transport stream and adapted to reduce jitter, and launched via a second transport medium, the launched adapted packets forming a jitter-reduced second transport stream.

Abstract: A process allows the relative locating of a first electrical appliance and a second electrical appliance by the measurement of a first number of alternations or of electrical periods by the first electrical appliance from the energizing of the said first part and up to transmission of a signal by the first electrical appliance, the measurement of a second number of alternations or of electrical periods by the second electrical appliance from the energizing of the said second part and up to receipt of a signal from the first electrical appliance and the comparison of the first number with the second number.

Abstract: A circuit configuration applicable to systems such as consumer electronics devices enables communication between components such as integrated circuits connected to the bus. According to an embodiment, the RUN power supplies are turned to an OFF state in response to a fault condition. An interface circuit associated with an integrated circuit coupled to the bus controls the loading on the bus caused by the interface circuit and the integrated circuit such that communication between devices on the bus can continue. Therefore, even when a fault condition results in the loss of the RUN power supplies, a command can be transmitted over the bus from a first integrated circuit in a powered state to a second integrated circuit in the powered state while a third integrated circuit connected to the bus is in an unpowered state.

Abstract: A setup process for a video system enables various operational settings of the video system to be selected and input to the video system using a personal computer. According to an exemplary embodiment, a video system, comprises an interface operatively coupled to a remote computing device through a data communications network for transmitting and receiving setup data representing at least one user selected operational setting of the video system, and a memory operative to store the received setup data.

Abstract: A set top box can be connected to a DVD Streamer via an IEEE1394 interface which contains means to timestamp data and to strip off these timestamps again, using them for timing regeneration. The DVD stream also must regenerate the timing of data packets as it was upon recording, when these packets are played back. The streamer could also use its own timestamps and strip them off again when replaying. So, in total, there is an in-series connection between two time stamping and time regeneration mechanism which introduces jitter accumulation.

Abstract: A protective cover for an objective of an optical head is proposed which can be moved between a position covering the objective and a position exposing the objective. In the position exposing the objective, the protective cover is positioned outside the plane between the optical head and an optical recording medium located opposite the optical head.

Abstract: A process for evaluating the quality of coded images (e.g., two video sequences) uses a homogeneous motion vector field and psychovisual filtering to take into account Human Visual System (HVS) characteristics to calculate the error between the two video sequences.

Abstract: In apparatuses (1, 2, 3) controlled or operated via an I2 C bus, it may be necessary to take measures to suppress interference signals at the data signal input/output of the respective apparatus without impairing the data transport at the same time. The data line at the data signal input/output contains an RC element, in the form of a low-pass filter, with a diode connected in parallel with the RC element, the low-pass filter action allowing the arrangement to be used to suppress interference signals acting on the data signal input/output, and, secondly, the transmissive action of the diode meaning that the arrangement does not impair a data signal leaving the data signal input/output.

Abstract: The switched-mode power supply according to the invention has a power factor correction circuit, which operates on the principle of a current pump and has a first coil for damping voltage spikes, as well as a second coil for power factor correction. The two inductances are in this case connected in series and are arranged on a coil former and on a common core. In one preferred exemplary embodiment, an E/E ferrite core is used as the core, and a coil former with chambers is used as the coil former, with the windings of the two inductances being arranged in different chambers. An empty chamber, which is located in the region of the air gap in the core, is advantageously arranged between the two inductances. This partially decouples the two inductances by means of the air gap, so that the damping response of the first inductance is better.

Abstract: A method for updating a defect list in a DVD can include processing sectors on the DVD during a playback operation; adding references to selected ones of the processed sectors to a defect candidate list; identifying defective sectors among the selected ones of the processed sectors; and, adding references to the identified defective sectors to the defect list. Additionally, the method can include removing from the defect candidate references to each sector for which a corresponding reference has been added to the defect list. The step of adding references to selected ones of the processed sectors to a defect candidate list can include detecting an unrecoverable error during the playback operation; identifying a processed sector associated with the unrecoverable error; and, adding a reference to the identified sector to the defect candidate list.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for receiving and/or transmitting signals comprising at least two wave reception and/or transmission means consisting of a slot antenna and means for connecting at least one of said reception and/or transmission means to means using multibeam signals. The connection means consist of a common feeder line, the line being electromagnetically coupled with the slots of the slot antenna and being terminated by an electronic component enabling through a control signal to simulate a short circuit or an open circuit at the end of said line so that, when the component is in on-state the radiation pattern derived from the device is different from the radiation pattern derived from the device when the component is in off-state. The invention is applicable to the field of wireless transmissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting scene cuts in a video bitstream. The number of coded macroblocks for each of a plurality of potential scene cuts is determined. The number of predicted macroblocks for each of the plurality of potential scene cuts is determined. A ratio of the number of coded macroblocks to the number of predicted macroblocks for each of a plurality frames corresponding to the potential scene cuts is then calculated. A frame having the desired ratio is selected. The ratio of the selected frame is compared to a threshold value. A scene cut is reported as detected responsive to a determination that the ratio of the selected frame satisfies the threshold value.

Abstract: A power supply for a satellite receiver system includes a dual input supply voltage arrangement. When a higher output voltage is selected, a source of a lower supply input voltage is coupled to an input main current conducting terminal of a series pass transistor. On the other hand, when a lower output voltage is selected, a source of a lower supply input voltage is coupled to the input main current conducting terminal of the series pass transistor. A comparator senses a magnitude of an output voltage produced by the series pass transistor. When, as a result of an over current condition, the output voltage is lower than a reference threshold level, any selection of the higher output voltage is automatically overridden and the source of the lower supply input voltage, instead, is coupled to the input main current conducting terminal of the series pass transistor.

Abstract: The invention specifies a system having a plurality of devices which are connected to one another via an IEEE 1394 interface and one of which contains a control unit which, when operated appropriately by a user, polls system data for devices in this system via the interface and passes this system data to an output unit of this device. The device having the output unit is, by way of example, a set-top box having a microprocessor which a user uses to poll system data for the devices, which contains, in particular the input and output characteristics of the latter, via the interface and which the user can use to store this system data on a smart card by means of a write/read device. Alternatively or at the same time, the system data can be shown on a display or transmitted to a desired address via a modem connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wideband antenna consisting of a dielectric resonator or DRA mounted on a substrate with an earth plane. The resonator is positioned at a distance x from at least one of the edges of the earth plane, x being chosen such that 0?x??diel/2, with ?diel/2 the wavelength defined an the dielectric of the resonator. This invention applies to wireless networks.

Abstract: A system of defining, creating and decoding composite virtual channels advantageously supports dynamic channel and event substitution. A method, for use in a decoder for acquiring a program conveyed on more than one broadcast channel, involves generating a program guide display. The program guide display lists programs being broadcast on a plurality of broadcast channels during specified broadcast time segments and also lists a particular program on both a first and a second broadcast channel. The particular program is acquired from the first broadcast channel in response to user selection of either of the first and second broadcast channels. A plurality of prioritized channel maps are used in substituting an alternative program for a first program on a broadcast channel.