Abstract: In order to provide a heat pipe for transporting heat from an evaporation area to a condensation area, comprising a housing with housing walls, a capillary structure arranged in the housing and thermally coupled to the respective, corresponding housing wall in the evaporation area as well as in the condensation area, a vapor channel arranged in the housing and leading from the evaporation area to the condensation area as well as a heat transport medium, as well to make available a process for the production of such a heat pipe it is suggested that the capillary structure be an open-pored capillary layer produced by way of thermal plasma spraying of powder particles.

Abstract: A system for providing synchronization and information exchange in a network such as a digital television broadcast network using a network management operations and control paradigm. A management entity component, such as a computer workstation operated at a control center, coordinates the actions of different agent components, such as hardware used at the headend or uplink site of a television network. The agent components are used to provide conditional access to a television signal by inserting conditional access data into the transmitted programming. Management information bases (MIBs) are provided for the agent components and the management component. The agent components update their MIBs with information of the communication network, such as changes in a television event schedule. The management component periodically reads the agents' MIBs to obtain the updated information and store it in its own MIB.

Abstract: Interactive Program Guide (IPG) data for television is delivered to integrated receiver-decoders (IRDs) in a decoder population via, for example, a satellite network. The IPG data provides scheduling information for global and local programming services which are carried via the satellite network as well as another network such as a CATV network or a terrestrial broadcast network. Each IRD is assigned to an IPG region using unit addressing. At the IRD, IPG data is filtered so that only the global data and the region-specific data for the IRD's IPG region is retained and processed by the IRD. Channel map data is also delivered to the IRDs so that bundles of IRD data can be filtered out using firmware filtering to discard program sources that are not present in the channel map. The IRD data which is retained after filtering is used to provide scheduling information via an on-screen display. A preferred source may be designated when there are duplicative channels on the different networks.

Abstract: Auxiliary data is transported in subbands of a primary data signal by hiding the data in the form of colored noise. The colored noise has a spectrum that simulates the spectrum of the primary data signal in each subband. The data to be transported is first converted to a spread spectrum signal. The primary data signal is analyzed to determine its spectral shape. The same spectral shape is imparted to the spread spectrum signal in each subband, which is then combined with the primary data signal for transmission. The spectral shaping can be performed using time domain modeling and synthesis such as linear predictive coding. A plurality of different auxiliary information streams can be transported on the primary data signal. By adjusting the gain of individual spread spectrum signal carrier(s) and the power of the colored noise, the auxiliary information stream(s) can be rendered at any desired level below or above an interference threshold in the primary data signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling and balancing a quality ratio between left and right channels of a stereoscopic video sequence. A complexity measure for each of the channels is first determined. Thereafter, a number of bits representing the video sequence is allocated between the channels according to each channel's complexity. The resultant joint rate control allows the bit rates for the two channels to vary according to the complexity measures of their pictures, while the aggregate bit rate is maintained at the channel capacity, which is a constant value.

Abstract: A television converter uses digital signal processing (DSP) to provide compatibility with different television standards including NTSC and PAL video standards and FM, BTSC, DIN, Home Theatre, NICAM and independent digital audio standards. Audio processing is accomplished without passing the audio through a Nyquist filter used for video. This eliminates AM to PM conversion improving luminance linearity and differential gain and phase. It also prevents video information from phase modulating the audio intercarrier, thereby eliminating video "buzz" components in the audio. The audio processing includes a synchronous FM demodulator and a separate synchronous FM/QPSK demodulator for handling the different audio standards. Handling historical analog TV standards with DSP also enables the advantageous combination of analog and digital television reception within a single digital VLSI ASIC.

Abstract: In order to create a process for using solar energy in a gas and steam power station, which incorporates a gas turbine circuit and a steam turbine circuit for converting thermal energy into mechanical work, whereby a compressed gaseous heat carrier which has been heated is fed to a gas turbine in the gas turbine circuit and waste gases from the gas turbine are used to generate steam, which is fed to a steam turbine in the steam turbine circuit, and whereby this process has a high efficiency rate for converting thermal energy into mechanical work and makes optimum use of the solar energy, it is proposed that thermal energy be supplied to the heat carrier in the gas turbine circuit by means of solar radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficient motion estimation of a digital video image wherein memory capacity and processing requirements are reduced by 50% or more, and image quality is maintained. Only a portion of the pixel data of a search window is used to perform motion estimation. Specifically, a portion of the pixel data of a previous image is retrieved and stored in a memory according to a search window pattern such as a fixed checkerboard pattern. Pixel data from the current image is alternated between first and second inverse checkerboard patterns for successive comparison regions of the search window. The scheme is compatible with frame or field mode video sequences.

Abstract: An efficient chroma key-based coding technique for digital video with an optimized switching threshold. An optimized binary keying threshold is provided for switching between a first image region (such as a background region) and second image region (such as a foreground object) video picture. The threshold optimizes a PSNR of a quantization error Q of a key color K. A chroma key technique is also provided for representing the shape of a video object, where the shape information (alpha plane) of a foreground object is embedded in the keyed output, so there is no need to carry an explicit alpha plane, or use alpha plane coding. The chroma key shape representation technique provides a smooth transition at the boundary between objects without the need for special switching patterns, such as a general gray scale shape coding tool, or post-processing, e.g., using feathering filters.

Abstract: Noise is suppressed in an input signal that carries a combination of noise and speech. The input signal is divided into signal blocks, which are processed to provide an estimate of a short-time perceptual band spectrum of the input signal. A determination is made at various points in time as to whether the input signal is carrying noise only or a combination of noise and speech. When the input signal is carrying noise only, the corresponding estimated short-time perceptual band spectrum of the input signal is used to update an estimate of an long term perceptual band spectrum of the noise. A noise suppression frequency response is then determined based on the estimate of the long term perceptual band spectrum of the noise and the short-time perceptual band spectrum of the input signal, and used to shape a current block of the input signal in accordance with the noise suppression frequency response.

Abstract: In order to improve upon a take-up device for a line comprising a frame on which a take-up drum for the line is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis, and a rotary coupling between a line terminal fixed to the frame and a line terminal fixed to the take-up drum, in such manner that as reliable as possible a rotary coupling is provided, it is proposed that the rotary coupling comprises a first auxiliary drum which co-rotates with the take-up drum and a second auxiliary drum which is fixed relative to the frame, that the rotary coupling comprises a rotating element which is rotatable about the rotation axis at a lower speed than the first auxiliary drum, and that the rotary coupling comprises a connection line which can be wound onto or unwound from the first auxiliary drum, passes from the first auxiliary drum to the rotating element in a first strand and passes from the rotating element to the second auxiliary drum in a second strand, and can be unwound from or wound onto said second auxiliary drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a digital video image to a higher aspect ratio format at a decoder by line dropping. For example, conversion from a 4:3 to a 16:9 letterbox format may be achieved. Line dropping for non-anchor pictures (e.g., B-pictures) occurs on a decoding-side of the decoder, prior to storage in memory. Line dropping for anchor pictures (e.g., I- and P-pictures) occurs on a display-side of the decoder, after being retrieved from the memory, and prior to display. Additional memory space is freed to allow storage of additional decoded data, thus compensating for the decrease in display processing time caused by a reduced number of active video lines that are processed with the letter box format.

Abstract: A chip-battery micro-module and fabrication method thereof wherein an integrated circuit "chip" is secured to a battery coin cell using various conductive and insulative layers that provide power to the chip while also forming a protective structure for protecting the chip. The chip-battery micro-module may be used to power an electronic accessory which is directly attached thereto, such as an LCD display or speaker, or to power a circuit in a smart card or electronic device such as a portable telephone. The chip may be secured to the battery using epoxy layers, epoxy bodies, dielectric layers, and plasma- or vapor-deposited layers. The above elements may be conductive or insulative as required. The chip-battery micro-module can be integrated into a plastic smart card. The use of the rigid battery coin cell provides the chip-battery micro-module with improved strength characteristics for withstanding loads and impacts during assembly and handling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically detecting the format of a high-definition television (HDTV) signal at a video encoder to allow proper encoding of the signal, including progressive and interlaced scan, and specific pixel and vertical line resolutions. The system is compatible with video standards such as the SMPTE and MPEG-2 standards. A video sample clock is determined by phase-locking clock pulses in a video signal to one of two or more available reference clocks. An SAV/EAV counter and pixel sample counter determine the horizontal resolution of the video, e.g., pixels per line. The system discriminates between 24 frames per second video and 30 frames per second video, and between a 720 line progressive scan signal and a 1080 line interlaced scan signal, for example. The system uses PLLs for each reference clock, where a lock range of the PLLs is narrow such that two PLLs will not lock at the same time for one input frequency.

Abstract: In order to provide an insulation system for internal thermal insulation of a pressure chamber which can be subjected to pressure by a gas flow, the system being constructed for arrangement at an inner surface of an outer jacket of the pressure chamber and comprising at least one layer of insulating material, whereby good thermal insulation can be obtained with little maintenance work, it is proposed that the insulation system should comprise means for equalizing pressure between the insulating material and an internal chamber, which means are arranged over a large area relative to a surface of a layer of insulating material.

Abstract: In order to achieve as uniform a distribution of pressure as possible during the application to the brain of a brain spatula with a band-like strip consisting of a pliable and inherently stable material it is suggested that the strip be enveloped by a soft, elastically deformable material which projects laterally beyond the strip at the side edges of the strip and the deformability of which increases from the side edges of the strip towards the edge of the soft material.

Abstract: Static fade in a digital video image is detected. A difference in luminance intensity is determined for correspondingly positioned pixels in successive images. A variance in the difference is determined, and then normalized according to a mean squared value of the difference to provide a fade index J.sub.n. The fade index is compared to a fade threshold, e.g., 0.9, to determine if a fade is indicated. Optionally, a check may be made to verify that a static fade is indicated by comparing the mean squared value of the difference to a motion threshold. The technique is suitable for both frame mode and field mode video sequences. When the digital images include field mode video, where each image has first and second fields, a fade index is determined separately for each field, and an overall fade index is obtained by averaging the fade indexes from each field. A scheme for detecting static fade on a macroblock by macroblock basis is also presented.

Abstract: A micromechanical tool includes at least one functional module. The functional module has a housing which is constructed as a layer package consisting of structured, flat material elements forming several layers of the layer package. In one embodiment the functional embodiment positions a first end of a light conductor with respect to an object. It is also conceivable for the function module to be a machining module by irradiating for the purpose of altering the material by laser radiation.

Abstract: A signal such as an analog scrambled television signal in a cable television network has first scrambling mode data which is compatible with a first decoder population, but not a second decoder population. The scrambled television signal is processed to determine the scrambling mode without recovering the first scrambling mode data. Second scrambling mode data which is compatible with the second decoder population is then provided in the scrambled television signal, for example, in the vertical blanking interval or on an audio subcarrier. During processing to determine the scrambling mode, the television signal is delayed, e.g., by digitizing it and temporarily storing it in memory. The delay compensates for the time required to determine the scrambling mode. The television signal is recovered in the analog domain prior to inserting the second scrambling mode data.

Abstract: Rate control in a stereoscopic digital video communication system is accomplished by modifying the quantization level of P or B-frame data in the enhancement layer depending on whether the frame is temporally predicted (from the same layer) or disparity predicted (from the opposite layer). The invention can maintain a consistent image quality by providing additional quantization bits for disparity-predicted P-pictures, for example, where a P-frame may be encoded from a B-frame in the enhancement layer. The selected quantization level corresponds to an overall bit rate requirement of the enhancement layer. For disparity predicted P-frames, the quantization step size is modified according to the activity level of the frame being encoded in the enhancement layer, or of the reference frame, whichever is greater. Also, image quality is improved and frame freeze up is prevented during editing modes such as fast forward and fast rewind which require random access to the picture data.