Abstract: Tracking error signal in an optical read/write device, such as a CD ROM, are fine tuned for deviations in the positions of the lens structure normal to the recorded medium to provide more precise tracking control. Track error signal is developed by means of DPD-TE circuitry, using for example, signals from a four quadrant photodetector. Selected pairs of the signals from the photodetector are summed and the sums are differenced to develop an intermediate signal. The intermediate signal is amplified with a gain proportional the reciprocal of the intensity of light received by the photodetector, and thereafter combined with the track error signal to provide a corrected track error signal.

Abstract: The coding or decoding of video data with the associated audio and/or other data can be performed, for example, on the basis of the standards ISO/IEC 11172 (MPEG1) or ISO/IEC 13818 (MPEG2). Such coding and decoding can include the conversion of a primary bit stream coded on the basis of such standards into a secondary bit stream with a different data rate. Since the information content of the motion vectors from the primary bit stream retain their validity in the secondary bit stream, it is not necessary to recalculate motion vectors for transcoding. Instead, encoding of the secondary bit stream is performed with the aid of the motion vectors from the primary bit stream which are reused. In such a case, the encoding of the secondary bit stream is carried out in a restricted prediction mode, i.e. only those prediction modes which are described by respective block type or the motion information of the primary bit stream are allowed in the secondary bit stream.

Abstract: A method of controlling track following in a recorder which uses recording in oblique tracks of a magnetic tape without inactive areas between the tracks and wherein data gaps occur in the useful data sequence due to the change of tracks includes the step of filling the time period containing the data gaps with a predetermined sequence of cyclical modifications of code words representing amplitude and degree increments of a symmetrical train of oscillations. A sequence of code words is used to produce incremental portions of the train of symmetrical oscillations whereby a number of incremental portions forms a complete train of symmetrical oscillations. The code words are modified in synchronism with the clock rate at which the useful data of the recorder are clocked.

Abstract: A method is proposed for obtaining signals in electronic devices by means of interpolation between interpolation point values (W0 to W12), the interpolation point values (W0 to W12) being distributed linearly over a region. A number of interpolation values are calculated in each case at a specific interval between the interpolation point values (W0 to W12). The calculation of the interpolation values is then performed as follows: Firstly, a correction step value (a to 1) is determined in each case for an interval bounded by two interpolation point values (W0 to W12) by linear interpolation between these interpolation point values (W0 to W12) . These correction step values (a to 1) are calculated for all intervals. The calculation of the interpolation value in the current interval is then performed such that apart from the correction step value (a to 1) for the current interval use is also made at least of the correction step value (a to 1) of the preceding and/or of the following interval.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a sequence of control commands for a unit (40) to be controlled is proposed. In this case, the apparatus has first decoding means (22) which are designed to decode a predetermined set of control commands. In this case, this predetermined set of control commands also contains an end command (CMD.sub.-- END), which indicates the end of a control command sequence. In order also to be able to process control command sequences having control commands which are not contained in the predetermined set, the apparatus has further decoding means (23) which are designed in such a way that when an unknown control command (SET.sub.-- BAREA) arrives, they react in the same way as when the end command (CMD.sub.-- END) from the predetermined set of control commands arrives. Undefined states are thereby prevented.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device which comprises a device for displacing to transversely position a multitrack tape in front of a reading and/or writing head. The magnetic tape carries a plurality of elementary tracks which are grouped in several bundles. These bundles are selectively accessed using the device for displacing. The writing and/or reading head can write and/or read information from elementary tracks contained in one bundle at a time. The device for displacing comprise a tape guide acting on longitudinal edges of the tape and transversely translating the tape. Furthermore they comprise either a movable tape reels platform or movable pins to accommodate for the transverse tape displacement.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the picture tube in a television receiver. In order to generate a high peak white on the screen of the picture tube, it is desirable to drive the output amplifiers at full output. Because of tolerances, for example in the cutoff calibration, the transparency of the picture tube glass, fluctuations in the input signal etc., driving the video output stages to full output may drive the output stages into saturation and disturbances in the form of so-called smears can occur in the picture. The present invention permits the output stages to be driven to full output as far as the highest peak white without the output amplifiers going into saturation and causing disturbances in the form of smears in the picture.

Abstract: A method for digitally transmitting/recording component-coded color television signals includes the step of, upon transition from a first picture aspect ratio to a second picture aspect ratio obtaining at least part of an additionally required transmitting/recording capacity for coding an additionally formed area of pictures with the second picture aspect ratio by vertical sub scanning of one or more chrominance components.

Abstract: Recording or playback devices for optical recording carriers have a servo control circuit which controls the tracking and the focus of an optical scanning unit 1 with reference to an error signal. According to the invention, the error signal is non-linearly amplified upstream of the servo controller, in order to process strong external mechanical effects, normally referred to as shocks, in such a way that the tracking and the focus are retained or adjusted. If there is a defect, such as a scratch on the disc etc., a defect detector and a linear amplifier connected in parallel with the non-linear amplifier are additionally used, the linearly amplified or non-linearly amplified error signal being fed to the servo controller as a function of the output signal of the defect detector. The sign of the error signal, which includes direction information, is retained in the case of the non-linearly amplified error signal.

Abstract: Method and circuit arrangement for commutation of a multiple winding electric motor. Particularly when they are operated with square-wave signals, multiple winding electric motors require effective interference voltage suppression for many applications. The invention specifies a method and a circuit arrangement by means of which trapezoidal waveform control signals are produced upstream of the respective output amplifiers, so that the motor is driven with low impedance, as a result of which there is no need for additional suppression means. The trapezoidal waveform control signals are composed of an operating voltage or a corresponding signal, a reference potential and a triangular waveform ramp voltage, using switching means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for positioning a first element relatively to a second element. The device according to the invention uses lifting means comprising a cam element and actuator means to actuate the cam element. The cam element has a plurality of contiguously arranged sectors with machined edges belonging to first and second interleaved groups. The machined edges are shaped such that a response of the lifting means to the actuator means has different values for sectors of said first and second group thereby providing alternately a coarse positioning and a fine positioning. The device may for example be used to position a multitrack magnetic tape and a magnetic writing/reading head relatively to each other.

Abstract: A telecommunications device having a remote controller, which device contains a circuit arrangement for automatic identification of additional information in a program channel by means of which circuit arrangement a transmission of the program channel is classified into a first type for a desired transmission and into a second type for additional information. An additional button on the remote controller gives a user of the remote controller the capability to correct an incorrect classification of the transmission by means of the circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement can be equipped with automatic-learning logic which, when a button is operated, revises previous decisions relating to the classification and redefines its criteria for the correct changeover time.

Abstract: Switched-mode power supplies having a switching transistor and a transformer, with whose primary winding the switching transistor is connected in series, usually require a starting circuit, which is connected to an input voltage. Since a current continually flows through the starting circuit even during normal operation, it is endeavoured to keep the said current as small as possible. The switched-mode power supply comprises a threshold value circuit, for example a Zener diode connected in series with a resistor, which keeps the driver circuit turned off after the switching-on of the switched-mode power supply, until the operating voltage for the driver circuit has exceeded a specific threshold value which is referred to one end of a winding on the primary side. As a result of this, it is possible to charge a charging capacitor via the starting circuit with a low current, without currents flowing away.

Abstract: A system for equalizing an input signal including a datastream modulated on a carrier, with respect to both transmission channel distortions and local receiver distortions, includes a network for frequency downshifting the input signal, a controlled non-recursive filter (20) responsive to the downshifted input signal, and a demodulator (30) for receiving an output signal from the controlled filter. A signal processing network, including a filter network with a transfer function (40, 60, 80, 100) which is the inverse of the transfer function of the controlled filter, responds to an output signal from the demodulator for producing output control signals. The control signals are coupled to a coefficient control input of the non-recursive filter for equalizing the signal with respect to both transmission channel and receiver distortion.

Abstract: In recorders, in particular video recorders, the use of various sizes of cassette is intended and is already customary. For this purpose, the size of the cassette must be identified and the hubs of the transport drive changed appropriately. A mechanical coupling between the winding adjustment and the loading drawer during the loading operation, has no influence on the winding adjustment if a large cassette is inserted, whereas the identification and adjustment, formed by a lever, come into mechanical contact with the winding adjustment in the case of a small cassette. The mechanical coupling is formed by a U-shaped lever, the position.

Abstract: A magnetic tape apparatus for the recording and reproduction of signals, including a magnetic tape having plural data tracks running parallel to an edge of the tape; a multi-track reading device including a multi-track playback head configured to read simultaneously plural of the tracks and output signals corresponding to data recorded on the plural tracks; and a housing in which the tape and the reading device are permanently disposed; wherein the tape is adapted for simultaneous recording of data onto plural data tracks of the tape via external recording heads upon the apparatus being connected to an external recording facility.

Abstract: A method for encoding a digitized audio signal which includes the step of selecting one of two or more psycho acoustic model provided for generating masking thresholds used in a data reduction process. The selecting criterion is the available data rate for the encoded bit stream. Each one of the two or more psycho acoustic models is adapted to a specific data rate of the encoded bit stream. In a second embodiment, the method includes the step of combining two or more masking thresholds resulting from different psycho acoustic models, thereby leading to a more accurate calculation of a masking threshold for the data reduction process. Further, there are appropriate apparatuses for the encoding of digitized audio signals.

Abstract: The reproduction of mono audio signals leads to an unpleasant sound impression because of the lack of any spatial character. It is therefore desirable to produce a two-channel signal electrically from the single-channel input signal. Some of the known single-band methods are very costly and provide only an inadequate impression of a spatial character. In the case of the invention, a plurality of signals of different types are first of all formed from the mono input signal by filtering, and virtual single-band stereo signals are then generated separately for each of these signals of different types. These stereo signals are subsequently combined to form two output signals.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring process and device for controlling the operation of an recording and playback device in such a way that overheating is avoided. A temperature threshold is provided above which an economical operation mode is switched in, reducing power consumption and further heating.

Abstract: A method of breaking a motor includes the step of applying a pulse width modulated signal to the winding of the motor. A switching voltage is used to intermittently reverse the poles of the motor for selected time periods. The time periods are separated by pauses the duration of which is dependent upon the breaking force needed to stop the motor.