Abstract: An MPEG video decompression method and apparatus utilizing a plurality of stages interconnected by a two-wire interface arranged as a pipeline processing machine. Control tokens and DATA Tokens pass over the single two-wire interface for carrying both control and data in token format. A token decode circuit is positioned in certain of the stages for recognizing certain of the tokens as control tokens pertinent to that stage and for passing unrecognized control tokens along the pipeline. Reconfiguration processing circuits are positioned in selected stages and are responsive to a recognized control token for reconfiguring such stage to handle an identified DATA Token. A wide variety of unique supporting subsystem circuitry and processing techniques are disclosed for implementing the system, including memory addressing, transforming data using a common processing block, time synchronization, asynchronous swing buffering, storing of video information, a parallel Huffman decoder, and the like.

Abstract: A Huffman Decoder is provided for decoding a data stream of fixed length and variable length codes and is adapted for video decompression applications. In the case of variable length codes, a table index calculation is performed using a ROM whose addresses are controlled by a selector/shifter. This calculation is bypassed in the case of fixed length codes. An index-to-data circuit then yields decoded data.

Abstract: An optical disc system using CMOS logic as part of a power driver assembly is employed to actually switch electrical currents to a system laser so that power is consumed more efficiently, thermal problems are mitigated, and very fast rise and falls times are achieved.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a cell culture system has a cell death accelerator comprising one or more cell death inducing substances, including serum albumin, hemoglobin, glycine and glutamic acid. In a second embodiment a cell death inhibitor comprises one or more kinds of cell death inhibiting substances which include mercapto group containing amino acids, other mercapto group containing compounds and tryptophan. In a third embodiment a cell death inhibitor comprises an inhibitor of RNA or protein synthesis, optionally augmented with a thiol. The system can be applied to selectively induce death of cultured cells, such as neoplastic cell lines, or to inhibit death of other cells, such as neoplastic cell lines or non-neoplastic cells such as brain cells.

Abstract: A CMOS integrated signal processing system for a sampling receiver includes a timing recovery circuit, wherein an on-chip numerically controlled oscillator is operative at periods T that are initially equal to the nominal baud rate of the signals controls a sinc interpolator receiving samples at the sampling rate. A loop filter is coupled to the sinc interpolator and to the numerically controlled oscillator. The arrangement is capable of handling various symbol rates. The system includes a circuit for carrier recovery, having a second on-chip numerically controlled oscillator, a digital derotation circuit responsive to the second numerically controlled oscillator, accepting an in phase component and a quadrature component of the sampled signals. An adaptive phase error estimation circuit is coupled in a feedback loop.

Abstract: A data generator assembly for use in retrieving stored data from an information storage medium. The data generator assembly includes a positive peak detector for receiving a preprocessed signal having a predetermined waveform including positive peaks, negative peaks, and a DC component. The positive peak detector is utilized to measure and track the positive peaks to output a positive peak signal. A negative peak detector measures and tracks the negative peaks to output a negative peak signal. The data generator assembly also includes a voltage divider for averaging the negative peak signal and the positive peak signal and generating a threshold signal representing the approximate peak-to-peak midpoint of the preprocessed signal which varies with the DC component. A comparator is provided for comparing the preprocessed signal with the threshold signal. The comparator generates an output data waveform signal indicative of the stored data on information storage medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for focusing an actuator lens within an optical disc carriage held by a baseplate assembly. The apparatus incudes a frame, a cradle assembly mounted to the frame, a tower assembly mounted to the frame, a lever assembly rotatably mounted to the frame, and a gripper assembly mounted to the lever assembly. The cradle assembly includes a baseplate alignment assembly having a source of radiant energy for projecting a beam of radiant energy, a member for determining the tilt alignment of the beam with respect to the tower assembly, and tilt actuators for aligning the tilt of the beam with respect to the tower assembly. The tower assembly includes a video camera having a camera lens, a tower magnifying lens, and a monitor for displaying a representation of a beam of radiant energy passing through the tower magnifying lens and into the video camera.

Abstract: A multi-standard video decompression apparatus has a plurality of stages interconnected by a two-wire interface arranged as a pipeline processing machine. Control tokens and DATA Tokens pass over the single two-wire interface for carrying both control and data in token format. The apparatus includes a Huffman decoder for decoding data words encoded according to the Huffman coding provisions of either H.261, JPEG or MPEG standards. Data words in the tokens include an identifier that identifies the Huffman code standard under which the data words were coded. The Huffman decoder responds to the identifier and converts the received data words to JPEG Huffman coded data words. An index number into a lookup table is associated with each JPEG Huffman coded data word, and a decoded data word is generated corresponding to the index number.

Abstract: A first write encoder encodes digital data in a first high density format. A second write encoder encodes digital data in a second low density, i.e. ANSI format. A first read decoder decodes digital data from the first format. A second read decoder decodes digital data from the second format. A disk drive receives a replaceable 90 millimeter optical disk. A read/write head reads encoded data from and writes encoded data to a 90 millimeter optical disk received by the drive. In a first mode, the first encoder is connected between a source of digital data and the read/write head, and the first decoder is connected between the read/write head and utilizing apparatus. In a second mode, the second encoder is connected between the source and the read/write head, and the second decoder is connected between the read/write head and the utilizing apparatus. Control electronics switches between the first and second modes, depending upon the format in which data is recorded on the disk received by the disk drive.

Abstract: An optical system for determining aberration in a source beam by comparison of a test beam with a reference beam. The optical system includes a test source for producing a source beam having a spacial intensity distribution including an aberration component, a wavefront analyzer for processing a fringe signal associated with the aberration component, and an interferometer. The interferometer is provided with a beamsplitter for splitting the source beam into a test beam and a reference beam, an imaging device for detecting the test beam and the reference beam, and a mirror disposed in a test beam path for reflecting the test beam toward the imaging device. The interferometer also includes a micromirror disposed in a reference beam path for reflecting a portion of the reference beam toward the imaging device and a piezoelectric translator operatively linked to the mirror and controlled by the wave front analyzer. The mirror is capable of moving relative to the path of the test beam.

Abstract: An optical beamsplitter comprises a right angle prism having a hypotenuse and two legs wherein the hypotenuse includes an optically selective coating deposited thereon. An optical element is positioned adjacent the hypotenuse such that the hypotenuse and the optical element form a beamsplitting interface. Various optical elements are utilized to achieve the desired spatial and angular relationships between incoming and outgoing light beams. Several embodiments are disclosed wherein the optical element can comprise a flat plate for providing spatial offset, a wedged plate for producing spatial and angular offset, a lens for adding optical power, or a faceted thin plate.

Abstract: An MPEG video decompression method and apparatus utilizing a plurality of stages interconnected by a two-wire interface arranged as a pipeline processing machine. Control tokens and DATA Tokens pass over the single two-wire interface for carrying both control and data in token format. A token decode circuit is positioned in certain of the stages for recognizing certain of the tokens as control tokens pertinent to that stage and for passing unrecognized control tokens along the pipeline. Reconfiguration processing circuits are positioned in selected stages and are responsive to a recognized control token for reconfiguring such stage to handle an identified DATA Token. A wide variety of unique supporting subsystem circuitry and processing techniques are disclosed for implementing the system, including memory addressing, transforming data using a common processing block, time synchronization, asynchronous swing buffering, storing of video information, a parallel Huffman decoder, and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for mounting an actuator lens within an optical disc carriage held by a baseplate assembly. The apparatus includes a frame, a cradle assembly mounted to the frame with at least one degree of freedom of motion, a tower assembly mounted to the frame, a lever assembly rotatably mounted to the frame, and a gripper assembly mounted to the lever assembly. The cradle assembly includes a baseplate alignment assembly having a source of radiant energy for projecting a beam of radiant energy, means for determining the tilt alignment of the beam with respect to the tower assembly, and a plurality of tilt actuators for aligning the tilt of the beam with respect to the tower assembly. The tower assembly includes a video camera having a camera lens, a tower magnifying lens, and a monitor for displaying a presentation of a beam of radiant energy passing through the tower magnifying lens and into the video camera.

Abstract: A multi-standard video decompression apparatus has a plurality of stages interconnected by a two-wire interface arranged as a pipeline processing machine. Control tokens and DATA Tokens pass over the single two-wire interface for carrying both control and data in token format. A token decode circuit is positioned in certain of the stages for recognizing certain of the tokens as control tokens pertinent to that stage and for passing unrecognized control tokens along the pipeline. Reconfiguration processing circuits are positioned in selected stages and are responsive to a recognized control token for reconfiguring such stage to handle an identified DATA Token. A wide variety of unique supporting subsystem circuitry and processing techniques are disclosed for implementing the system.

Abstract: A first write encoder encodes digital data in a first, high-density format. A second write encoder encodes digital data in a second, low-density (i.e., ANSI) format. A first read decoder decodes digital data from the first format. A second read decoder decodes digital data from the second format. A disk drive receives a replaceable 90 millimeter optical disk. A read/write head reads encoded data from and writes encoded data to a 90 millimeter optical disk received by the drive. In a first mode, the first write encoder is connected between a source of digital data and the read/write head, and the first read decoder is connected between the read/write head and the utilizing apparatus. In a second mode, the second write encoder is connected between the source and the read/write head, and the second read decoder is connected between the read/write head and the utilizing apparatus.

Abstract: An integrated CMOS circuit is disclosed for deinterleaving transmitted data packets. The circuit operates with a RAM buffer that is no larger than a block of interleaved data. An optimized addressing scheme is provided that minimizes on-chip hardware. The circuit provides an orderly initialization of the buffer, and a suitable emptying process during a channel change or other interruption of data flow.

Abstract: A Colpitts type oscillator circuit for mitigating the effects of undesired oscillator ringing when write pulses are supplied, such as those encountered in compact disc, laser disc, and magneto-optical players or recording devices. Circuit elements are provided for mitigating the effects of oscillator ringing including replacement of an inductor with a suitable resistive load and an oscillator supply voltage maintained above a predetermined minimum voltage which is a function of the specific values of the related circuit elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for aligning an actuator lens of an optical disk drive or the like within a baseplate assembly. The apparatus comprises a frame, a cradle assembly mounted to the frame with at least one degree of freedom of motion, a tower assembly mounted to the frame, a lever assembly rotatably mounted to the frame, and a gripper assembly mounted to the lever assembly. The cradle assembly includes a baseplate alignment assembly comprising a source of radiant energy for projecting a beam of radiant energy, means for determining the tilt alignment of the beam with respect to the tower assembly, and a plurality of tilt actuators for aligning the tilt of the beam with respect to the tower assembly. The baseplate alignment may further comprise means for determining the lateral alignment of the beam with respect to the tower assembly and a plurality of lateral actuators for aligning the beam laterally with respect to the tower assembly.

Abstract: An MPEG video decompression method and apparatus utilizing a plurality of stages interconnected by a two-wire interface arranged as a pipeline processing machine. Control tokens and DATA Tokens pass over the single two-wire interface for carrying both control and data in token format. A token decode circuit is positioned in certain of the stages for recognizing certain of the tokens as control tokens pertinent to that stage and for passing unrecognized control tokens along the pipeline. Reconfiguration processing circuits are positioned in selected stages and are responsive to a recognized control token for reconfiguring such stage to handle an identified DATA Token. A wide variety of unique supporting subsystem circuitry and processing techniques are disclosed for implementing the system, including memory addressing, transforming data using a common processing block, time synchronization, asynchronous swing buffering, storing of video information, a parallel Huffman decoder, and the like.

Abstract: An optical drive system includes an optical assembly, a light source capable of transmitting light through the optical assembly, an objective lens positioned to direct light between the optical assembly and a respective information storage medium, and an actuator suspending the objective lens for relative motion thereof with respect to the actuator. A photodetector is disposed in a path of returning light to measure return light received from the respective medium. A monitoring circuit is provided to monitor a Quad Sum signal associated with the return light. A first servomotor is employed to move the objective lens in a tracking direction relative to the actuator and to move the objective lens during focus capture relative to the respective medium being read while system circuitry searches for a maximum Quad Sum signal. A second servo motor is employed to move the objective lens in a focusing direction relative to the actuator assembly.