Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of a video recorder during the recording of a video signal containing picture information, including standard length commercials, to edit the commercials from the recording. The video signal is supplied to an automatically calibrated picture break detector, which detects dark picture breaks in the video signal having a length or duration greater than a predetermined minimum length and less than a predetermined maximum length. An timer circuit, actuated by the picture break detector, measures and identifies a plurality of standard commercial lengths after each detected picture break. A commercial indicator circuit, actuated by the picture break detector and the timer circuit, detects and identifies the length of a standard length commercial whenever the end of a standard commercial length measured by the timer circuit after one detected picture break occurs during a subsequent detected picture break.

Abstract: An emergency control system for traffic signals in which a coded emergency signal transmitted from an emergency vehicle is picked up by a directional receiver associated with the traffic signals and a command emergency signal generated which activates a control unit by means of which the existing state of the traffic signals is sampled and the information stored after which the control unit switches control of the traffic signals from the main controller to the control unit which determines from the stored information the existing state of the traffic signals and the information from the receiver as to the direction of approach of the emergency vehicle, the correct sequence for placing the traffic signals in the proper state, the discontinuation of the emergency signal initiating the return of control of the traffic signals to the main controller by the control unit on the first amber light function output from the main controller.