Abstract: A disk drive that is the product of modifying a standard computer disk drive to read and write data in parallel with all of its transducer heads at once, rather than serially with only one head at a time. A method and apparatus are disclosed for protecting the disk drive's platters from damage and contamination while working on the interior of the disk drive case. The apparatus includes a hinged cover that replaces a conventional disk drive cover while work is being performed on circuitry within the disk drive case. The hinged cover seals off the platters and the inside of the disk drive case except for the circuitry being worked on.

Abstract: A video signal combiner includes circuitry for generating a gleam key signal for keying a video image which has been spatially transformed, a plurality of multiplier circuits for simultaneously layering multiple key and video signals in parallel, and circuitry for dynamically maintaining or adjusting Z data priority as the fill video images are spatially transformed. A gleam key is generated in accordance with dynamic planar description data representing the dynamic planar positioning of the gleam within the resultant video image. The gleam key profile or contrast range can be selectively altered prior to its keying of the video image. The multiple key signals can be selectively prioritized relative to one another. The multiplier circuits share common output compensation circuits. Dynamic range for internally generated Z video data is maintained at the maximum range possible using normalized Z data.

Abstract: A digital video effects generator includes: circuit for up-sampling the digital video component signals prior to their spatial transformation and linear interpolation, thereby reducing losses due to the (sin x)/x frequency response of the sampled video signal; circuit for spatially-mapping video motion data representing the degree of video data motion between temporally adjacent video frames and for motion adaptive interpolation to selectively blend interpolated video field data in accordance therewith; circuit for pre-transform keying, thereby allowing two video signal transformations to be keyed simultaneously; circuit for selectively transforming portions of input video signals, thereby allowing selective keying of non-spatially transformed video into selected regions of the video image; circuit for selectively linking keyframes within separate effects and providing smooth parametric transitions therebetween, thereby allowing several separate effects to be combined into a single effect with smooth parametr

Abstract: A digital video effects generator includes: means for up-sampling the digital video component signals prior to their spatial transformation and linear interpolation, thereby reducing losses due to the (sin x)/x frequency response of the sampled video signal; means for spatially-mapping video motion data representing the degree of video data motion between temporally adjacent video frames and for motion adaptive interpolation to selectively blend interpolated video field data in accordance therewith; means for pre-transform keying, thereby allowing two video signal transformations to be keyed simultaneously; means for selectively transforming portions of input video signals, thereby allowing selective keying of non-spatially transformed video into selected regions of the video image; means for selectively linking keyframes within separate effects and providing smooth parametric transitions therebetween, thereby allowing several separate effects to be combined into a single effect with smooth parametric transit

Abstract: An apparatus and method for electronically generating colorized characters for display by an external video display device wherein a user can specify one or more characters to be displayed, one or more curves, and one or more colorization functions which specify the colors of a pixel of the character to be displayed at a distance defined by a distance function. The apparatus reads the character defining data for the character to be displayed and generates and outputs electronic colorization data for each pixel of the character by electronically calculating the colorization function as a function of the distance defined by the distance function for the specified curve or curves.

Abstract: A digital video processing system can generate a linear input signal which is representative of a linear transition between video signals. The system can also generate a non-linear signal representative of a non-linear transition and display the non-linear signal. Finally, the system can receive the linear input signal and convert it into the non-linear signal.

Abstract: A video sample rate converter for converting decoded SMPTE D2 interleaved component video to SMPTE D1 interleaved component video includes a single modified multi-tap finite impulse response ("FIR") digital filter which alternately functions as a data selector and two-point linear interpolator, and as a four-point polyphase interpolator. The FIR filter uses time variant switched filter coefficients and a selectively inhibited output clock signal.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus receives an analog color composite video signal, which has a color burst and generates a D2 digital signal sampled at a certain phase relationship with the color burst by a sampling clock. The analog video signal is phase shifted to produce a "zero" video signal. The analog video signal and the phase shifted video signal are added together to produce a sum video signal. The sum video signal is clocked into a latch by the sampling clock signal. The output of the latch is delayed by two clock pulses to produce a delay clocked video signal. The delay clocked video signal is compared with the output of the latch to produce a comparing signal. The comparing signal is used to adjust the phase of the sampling clock signal to automatically control the phase relationship between the analog video signal and the sampled digital signal.

Abstract: A digital video switching apparatus has a matrix switch which receives a plurality of input video signals and connects certain of the input video signals as outputs thereof. The input video signals can be externally supplied or can be internally generated by video processors within the switching apparatus. The connection of certain of the input video signals as outputs of the matrix switch is determined by a plurality of first switch signals. The first switch signals are generated by a selection circuit. The selection circuit receives a plurality of second switch signals and in response thereto generates the first switch signals. A plurality of user activatable switches generate the plurality of second switch signals. A plurality of displays is associated with the user activatable switches and displays the functions of the associated user switch.