Abstract: In a video disc mastering system, player control data is conveyed by a block code having framing and field number bits and data for use by a computer external to the player is conveyed by a convolutional code having no framing bits, having error check bits related to a subset of the field number bits conveyed by the player control data and having vertical parity selected to spread data required for predictive and reconstructive error correction over a number of video fields greater than that recorded on one convolution of the disc information track.

Abstract: A video input signal is stored in a memory and read twice during a line-interval to provide a processed video output signal having a doubled line rate for display on a display device having a doubled horizontal sweep rate thereby providing a progressively scanned image having reduced visibility of line structure. The last address written in memory is used to control the starting time of the second memory read operation. This reduces the tendency of visible artifacts to occur in cases where the video input signal is "non-standard" in the sense that the ratio of the color subcarrier frequency with respect to the line rate is such that the number of color subcarrier cycles per line may be subject to variation.

Abstract: In a video signal processor for a progressive scanning system, an interlaced composite video signal, repeating at an f.sub.H line rate of approximately 16 KHz, is coupled to a comb filter. Separated luminance and chrominance signals are developed at respective output terminals of the comb filter. The chrominance signal is demodulated to develop color mixture signals. The luminance and color mixture signals are applied to a color matrix for generating a first set of R, G, B color signals, with each signal repeating at the f.sub.H line rate. A time compression circuit is coupled to the output of the color matrix for time compressing the R, G, B color signals to generate a comparable set of three time compressed and processed color signals, with each time compressed signal repeating at a double line rate of 2f.sub.H. The video signal processor is also capable of converting f.sub.H line rate, interlaced R, G, B signals, obtained from an external video source, into double line rate, non-interlaced signals.

Abstract: DAXI information, recorded in the vertical interval of a video disc signal, is augmented by program data encoded in the DAXI format but inverted prior to recording and interleaved between a blank video line and a line containing a masking signal to form a triad of lines. In a video disc player the data is recovered by comb filtering the video signal. A decoder processes the DAXI signal normally for controlling operation of the player but decodes the triad of lines as a data error when the DAXI signal is anticipated or most likely to occur. Program data in each triad is recovered when the DAXI data is not anticipated or least likely to occur by inverting the program data applied to the decoder thereby eliminating the need for a separate decoder in the player for decoding the program data and providing output data for use by an external computer in an interactive application of the video disc player.

Abstract: Video disc track numbers are conveyed during each video line by means of a tri-phase modulation of a data carrier recorded along with the picture and sound carriers on a video disc. Upon playback, the data sequence is processed to identify tracking errors occurring within each video field to thereby enable immediate correction of disc tracking errors on a line-by-line basis thus minimizing picture and sound interruptions caused by intra-field tracking errors.

Abstract: A flat-field television image having reduced visibility of horizontal scan lines is generated by receiving first and second fields of interlaced video and progressively generating a scanned image within a time for one incoming field. The progressive scanned image is formed from "real" and interpolated lines of luminance. In this arrangement the interpolated line is formed by weighting samples from time-successive lines. To improve the vertical detail of a progressively scanned image vertical detail information which may be obtained from the chrominance channel is combined with both "real" and interpolated lines, or one to the exclusion of the other, to enhance the image displayed.

Abstract: A wide-angle television system, such as one having 2:1 or 5:3 aspect ratios, provides N portions that exceed the limits of a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio picture in regions that are normally hidden from view in a conventional receiver. Further, a receiver is provided wherein the picture is changed from the wide-angle display to the standard display by collapsing the horizontal scanning only. In another arrangement standard definition kinescopes having aspect ratios of 4:3 are masked in a special manner to provide a 5:3 aspect ratio display which may be collapsed to provide a 4:3 standard aspect ratio pictures.

Abstract: Synchronization of a source of computer controlled video to a video disc player for interactive application is obtained by sensing when the computer vertical sync leads that of the player and gating out a number of computer clock pulses equaling one video line during a period of one or more video lines. Horizontal synchronization is disabled during the vertical acquisition mode and then is established by modulating the computer clock frequency with a line rate phase error signal obtained from both video sources thereby providing rapid synchronization within approximately two seconds under worst case conditions.

Abstract: Video disc track numbers are conveyed during each video line by means of data subcarriers present in the recorded stereo audio channels. Upon playback, the data sequence is processed to identify tracking errors occurring within each video field to thereby enable immediate correction of disc tracking errors on a line-by-line basis thus minimizing picture and sound interruption caused by intra-field tracking errors.

Abstract: A wide-angle television system, such as one having 2:1 or 5:3 aspect ratios, transmits end portions that exceed the limits of a conventional 4:3 aspect ratio picture in regions that are normally hidden from view in a conventional receiver. Thus the system is compatible with such a receiver. These regions can comprise the overscan region, blanking intervals, high frequency portions of a chroma signal, etc. Time compression of the end portions can also be used. At a wide-angle receiver, inverse processing is used to reassemble a wide-angle picture.

Abstract: A video signal is serially enclosed for transmission in PCM form during synchronizing level intervals and encoded in a run length limited NRZ form during non-synchronizing level intervals, each PCM word being selected from minimum and maximum disallowed states of the NRZ code. In a decoder, a first detector responds only to the presence of the PCM code for synchronizing a second detector with response to both the NRZ and PCM coded portions of the encoded video signal to provide a decoded video output signal whereby the PCM portion of the signal conveys both decoder timing information and information as to a specific level of the video signal.

Abstract: A flat-field television image having reduced visibility of horizontal scan lines is generated by receiving first and second fields of interlaced video and progressively generating a scanned image within a time period for one incoming field. The progressively scanned image is formed from "real" and interpolated lines of luminance. In this arrangement a speed-up processor is provided for generating the high speed output. The speed-up processor incorporates an input sequence device, a storage device and an output sequence device. In the implementation the input sequence device rearranges the original data stream such that samples from the input data stream are stored in the rearranged sequence. The output sequence means selects the samples from the storage device such that the output samples are restored to their original sequence and provided at the faster rate.

Abstract: A video disc tracking information encoding system includes a primary encoder for tracking information on a field-by-field basis and a secondary encoder for conveying a subset of the tracking information every N lines within a field. A video disc player for discs recorded with doubly conveyed complete and partial tracking information includes means for recovering the partial tracking information every N lines, comparing it with the complete tracking information recovered during the start of each field and effecting tracking error correction if the partial tracking information differs from a predetermined subset of the complete tracking information thereby facilitating intra-field track error correction so as to enable rapid correction of tracking errors.

Abstract: Video disc track numbers are conveyed during each video line by means of a quadrature phase shift keyed data carrier recorded along with the picture and sound carriers on a video disc. Upon playback, the data sequence is processed to identify tracking errors occurring within each video field to thereby enable immediate correction of disc tracking errors on a line-by-line basis thus minimizing picture and sound interruption caused by intra-field tracking errors.

Abstract: Hue and saturation are modified in a composite video signal processor by detecting the phase of the chrominance signal component to determine if it possesses phase components at or near a predetermined phase angle. If such components exist, quadrature related saturation and hue modifying signals are added to the composite video signal in controlled proportions and polarities to provide a resultant composite video signal in which a specified color or range of colors is modified. The modifying signals are inhibited by a masking unit to confine the color modification to predetermined areas of the displayed color image. Specific picture locations where color changes occur are identified by substituting an AC signal within the luminance frequency band for the color modifying signals. A desaturation signal derived from the hue modifying signals is added to the composite video signal to minimize changes in saturation level of the composite video signal as hue is changed.

Abstract: A high-definition camera uses sinuous or line scanning to produce wide bandwidth signals having high-definition in the horizontal and vertical directions. A wobble signal having a wobble chosen at an even integer multiple of one-half the line rate is used to create the sinuous scanning. The phase of the wobble signal is inverted on alternate frames to provide a full raster scan on a high-definition television receiver. A low pass filter produces a limited bandwidth signal from the wide bandwidth signal. The limited bandwidth signal is compatible with standard definition broadcast systems and receivers. At the receiver the high-definition image may be recreated by using a delta signal representative of the difference between the high-definition signal and the standard definition signal in conjunction with the limited bandwidth signal. The delta signal and its addresses may be transmitted during the vertical blanking interval.

Abstract: A video disc record of the constant angular velocity type (CAV) includes a spiral groove of constant pitch formed in a band on a surface thereof. The groove has a substantially constant nominal vertical dimension and vertical displacements which taper monotonically from an outer radius of the band to an inner radius. One component of the vertical displacement of the groove conveys an FM carrier wave of constant amplitude and relatively high frequency representative of picture information. A second component of the vertical displacement conveys one or more lower frequency FM carrier waves representative of sound information. The amplitude of the second component varies monotonically as a function of the groove radius within the record band to provide a disc having an improved audio FM carrier-to-noise ratio with no substantial perceptible increase in undesirable sound beat effects in images displayed when the disc is played.

Abstract: A compatible high-definition television system may be achieved by dividing a standard picture element into four arranged sub-picture elements arranged in a parallelo-grammatic fashion. In the system a sum signal which is the sum of the four sub-picture elements is transmitted as a standard luminance signal. Further, the system includes means for computing three difference signals and transmitting these in separate channels. The first difference signal is the horizontal difference signal, the second is a vertical difference signal and the third is the diagonal difference signal. These four signals are an orthogonal set of 2.times.2 Hadamard basis functions. To reconstruct the high-definition television sub-picture element values, the three difference signals and the sum signal are summed to determine the orthogonal sub-pixel values. The system uses simple hardware and does not require a frame buffer.

Abstract: An amplifier, including a pair of emitter coupled non-complementary transistors operated at constant emitter, base and collector potentials, provides a bidirectional output current proportional to an AC signal to be rectified. The output current is applied to a common base connection of a pair of complementary emitter-coupled base-coupled transistors having a common emitter connection coupled via a linearizing feedback resistor to the base electrode of one of the amplifier transistors and via a load to a source of reference potential.

Abstract: A video FM transmission system includes a transmitter coupled to a receiver by means of an FM transmission path subject to triangular noise effects. The receiver includes a coring circuit for reducing the noise and the transmitter includes a coring compensation circuit having a transfer function different from and not complementary to the transfer function of the coring circuit. The transfer functions are selected so as to effect greater coring of the triangular noise characteristic of the FM transmission system and lesser coring of the desired small-signal high-frequency components of the video signal thereby providing a desired signal-to-noise ratio enhancement of the video. In preferred embodiments of the invention the transfer functions of both the coring circuit and the coring compensation circuit are provided by programmed read only memories having different and non-complementary programs.