Abstract: A digital multimedia newsroom production system allows users of the system to create, browse and catalog multimedia assets. The system includes a journalist workstation for accessing multimedia assets stored in a multimedia archive to create a multimedia storyboard of a news story to be broadcast from the system. The storyboard includes frames of video retrieved from one or more sources, and text retrieved from one or more sources or generated by a user of the journalist workstation. In one embodiment of the invention, multimedia data captured by the newsroom production system undergoes a dual digitization process to create a high resolution version of the media data and a low resolution version of the media data. The low resolution version of the media data can be efficiently stored in the system and may be transmitted over a low-bandwidth network to the journalist workstation for use in the creation of a storyboard.

Abstract: A resolving system for providing an output clock signal having an output clock frequency that is a predetermined rational multiple of a clock frequency of an input signal to the resolving system. In one embodiment, the resolving system includes a first counter that counts clock pulses of the input clock signal to provide a first value, a second counter that counts clock pulses of the output clock signal to provide a second value, a processor that computes a difference between a ratio of the second and first values with the predetermined rational multiple and generates an error signal based on the difference, and a direct digital synthesis unit that receives the error signal, and based on the error signal generates the output clock signal. In another embodiment, the resolving system, in the absence of an input signal, controls the direct digital synthesis unit to generate the output clock signal at a predetermined frequency.

Abstract: Creating a transition between a first sequence of video frames and a second sequence of video frames. The method includes storing a table of values that express a non-linear response to certain levels of light, generating a transition between the sequences, and adjusting the intensity at which material of the first sequence is displayed relative to the intensity at which material of the second sequence is displayed within the transition, based on the values stored in the step of storing.

Abstract: The problems of latency, flow control and data loss, and data movement within a client system memory are solved in a distributed multimedia system so as to enable real-time transmission of broadcast quality media data over the network. Latency is reduced by an estimation by the server of client needs. Data loss is prevented and flow control is provided by permitting the server to send only as much information as the network interface can reliably receive. Data movement is minimized by copying data directly from the network interface to memory in a display processor or audio processor.

Abstract: An image representation using a structured object may be readily manipulated by a computer. This image representation can represent more complex images where the structured object defines a boundary for which image values near the boundary in a region are defined by a function called an edge characteristic function. The edge characteristic function is applied by determining, for each point in the region, a point on the boundary to which the given point is closest, herein called an anchor, and a distance to that point. Different edge characteristic functions may be assigned to different points along the boundary. In one embodiment, edge characteristic functions are assigned to selected characteristic points on the boundary. These edge characteristic functions may be interpolated to provide edge characteristic functions for remaining points along the boundary.

Abstract: A system for editing and representing multimedia compositions in which the representation of a composition enables a composition to be an arbitrarily deep nesting of assemblies of components. In this representation, relationships between synchronous components may be represented, by an array or list. Components which are related sequentially in time are represented by a sequence component, which may be implemented as a tree. For the purpose of improving searching within the tree, a sequence component is implemented as a balanced binary, or 2-3-tree. By using such a representation, searching for a component based on its position in time in the sequence may be performed in logarithmic rather than linear time. Each node in the tree has a corresponding duration, which represents the sum of the durations of any subnodes. Media data for a composition is excluded from the representational structures and is merely referred to by such structures. Thus, compositions may be stored separately from the media data.

Abstract: A system for editing and representing multimedia compositions in which the representation of a composition enables a composition to be an arbitrarily deep nesting of assemblies of components. In this representation, relationships between synchronous components may be represented, by an array or list. Components which are related sequentially in time are represented by a sequence component, which may be implemented as a tree. For the purpose of improving searching within the tree, a sequence component is implemented as a balanced binary, or 2-3-tree. By using such a representation, searching for a component based on its position in time in the sequence may be performed in logarithmic rather than linear time. Each node in the tree has a corresponding duration, which represents the sum of the durations of any subnodes. Media data for a composition is excluded from the representational structures and is merely referred to by such structures. Thus, compositions may be stored separately from the media data.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing digitized audio information and digitized picture information establishes a reference time base based on timecodes included with the audio and picture information. The reference time base may be used to synchronize output between a digitized source and one which may be digitized or undigitized.

Abstract: A cycle has a frame with wheel supports extending on opposite sides of a wheel rim operatively associated with the cycle frame. The cycle frame includes a pair of brake attachment studs on each wheel support for mounting a brake in operative association with the wheel rim. The brake with pad attitude control consists of first and second brake arms, each having a proximal and a distal end. Each brake arm is pivotally mounted about its proximal end to one of the brake attachment studs of a pair of brake attachment studs. A cable extends between the distal ends of the first and second brake arms which, upon application of force to the cable, pivots the distal ends of the first and second brake arms toward one another. A brake pad mounting bracket is pivotally attached to each brake arm. The brake pad mounting bracket includes a structure for maintaining a brake pad with a brake pad assembly in a select position relative to the brake pad mounting bracket.

Abstract: A video editing method that includes displaying a two-dimensional projection of a representation of a projection surface. This projection is derived from a three-dimensional position of the surface. A handle is displayed attached to the projection, and the position of the surface is updated in a manner corresponding to the displacement of a cursor at the handle. The method further includes displaying a second projection derived from the updated position, and redisplaying the handle attached to it.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for editing transitions between sequences of video frames, generally including simultaneously displaying the frames in the first and second sequences that are at the beginning of the transition, and the frames in the first and second sequences that are at the end of the transition. The position of two of the four frames may be altered in their respective sequence to redefine the transition in response to a move command. Move commands may include center positioning commands, beginning commands, and end commands. The rate of change within the transition may also correspond to a predefined film characteristic.

Abstract: Novel cell lines and methods are provided for inducibly expressing the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome within cultured cells. Cells are stably transformed with an HBV genome under control of an operator/promoter target sequence which can activate expression of the HBV genome when bound by a cognate transactivator protein. The cell lines are also stably transformed with a gene that encodes and expresses a suitable transactivator protein. Cells may be maintained under non-inducing conditions whereby the transactivator protein is unable to interact with the operator/promoter target sequence, so the HBV genome is not expressed. Under appropriate inducing conditions, the transactivator protein is enabled to interact with the operator/promoter target sequence, thereby activating expression of the HBV genome. The inducible system provides an effective and rapid cell-based assay to screen compounds for anti-hepadnaviral activity.

Abstract: A system for editing and representing multimedia compositions in which the representation of a composition enables a composition to be an arbitrarily deep nesting of assemblies of components. In this representation, relationships between synchronous components may be represented, by an array or list. Components which are related sequentially in time are represented by a sequence component, which may be implemented as a tree. For the purpose of improving searching within the tree, a sequence component is implemented as a balanced binary, or 2-3-tree. By using such a representation, searching for a component based on its position in time in the sequence may be performed in logarithmic rather than linear time. Each node in the tree has a corresponding duration, which represents the sum of the durations of any subnodes. Media data for a composition is excluded from the representational structures and is merely referred to by such structures. Thus, compositions may be stored separately from the media data.

Abstract: Digital audio/video insertion and broadcast system. The system takes audio/video source information and digitizes, compresses and stores the information. The storage is in a random access medium such as magnetic or optical disks. Playing apparatus decompresses the information and regenerates an analog signal. Patching apparatus inserts the regenerated analog signal into a broadcast or cable channel at preselectable times. Editing apparatus may be provided for editing a stored video file prior to playing.