Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving video signals. High spatial frequency portions of color-representative signals are added to a luminance channel in order to improve the apparent sharpness of images having saturated colors, improve monochrome presentations of color images, and/or reduce the bandwidth necessary to represent color-representative signal components of video signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for encoding and decoding a video signal. The standard resolution chrominance and the detail component of standard resolution luminance are encoded and transmitted in a way which allows them to be separated at the receiver without cross color. A conventional type of NTSC transmission is modified by adding together the color and the luminance signals above 2.5 megahertz, the information being repeated for two successive frames, with the color carrier reversed in phase as it normally does. At the receiver, successive frames are added and subtracted to recover the color and the luminance above 2.5 megahertz.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating video signals using an improved camera system is disclosed. The camera system includes first and second video imaging devices which are scanned at different scan rates. An optical switching system directs light from the scene alternately in time to the first and second video imaging devices, and makes efficient use of available light from a scene being imaged. In an embodiment of the invention, the optical switching system includes a reflective shutter.

Abstract: Phase measurements of deformed grating images are used in performing improved optical profilometry. Individual line profiles are obtained at a series of rotational increments of a body. A full 360 degree surface profile, or a portion thereof, can then be generated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating video signals using an improved camera system is disclosed. Video recording techniques which save bandwidth, and a temporal filter which is tailored to the eye's temporal response are also disclosed. In the camera apparatus, an optical means directs light from a scene to both a first video imaging device operating at a relatively fast frame rate and a second video imaging device operating at a relatively slow frame rate. The outputs of the two video imaging devices can be combined to obtain a high definition video signal.

Abstract: Phase measurements of deformed grating images are used in performing improved optical profilometry. In one embodiment, phase differences between images of an object and a reference plane are used to obtain a measure of the object height.

Abstract: A solid state light modulator apparatus and method for displaying images represented by video signals. The system includes an array of semiconductor devices having electrodes arranged in a diagonal pattern, the devices being used, in conjunction with related circuitry, for applying sampled video signals to the electrodes. The resulting charge pattern deforms a reflective layer, and the deformations are converted to a viewable image by an optical system. In a preferred embodiment, every other line of a frame is grounded for one field, thereby achieving an improvement in the dynamic resolution of the display.

Abstract: A solid state light modulator is disclosed for displaying images represented by video signals. The system includes an array of semiconductor devices having electrodes arranged in a diagonal pattern, the devices being used, in conjunction with related circuitry, for applying sampled video signals to the electrodes. The resulting charge pattern deforms a reflective layer, and the deformations are converted to a viewable image by an optical system. An improved technique of biasing the light modulator structure permits operation with better sensitivity and at lower operating voltage.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to improvements in an apparatus for generating an image from an input video signal. A semiconductor device is provided, the device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes thereon. An elastomer layer is disposed on the semiconductor device, over the array of charge storage electrodes. The elastomer layer has a thickness in the range between one-tenth and one times the average spacing between charge storage electrodes. At least one conductive layer is disposed over the elastomer layer. The semiconductor device is responsive to the input video signal to selectively apply voltages between the charge storage electrodes and the at least one conductive layer to cause deformations of the conductive layer and the elastomer layer. An optical subsystem is provided for converting deformations of the at least one conductive layer into an image, for example using a Schleirin optical system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for forming frames of color video signals. A video color encoder and a multichannel keyer are employed in generating color frames from monochrome frames. Colors from a pseudo-color generator can be automatically inserted in portions of a frame that are not being colorized by an operator with operator-selected colors.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an improved method and apparatus for generating a sequence of video frames representative of three-dimensional animation. A plurality of key frames are stored, each key frame including a common figure having one or more joints, and each joint having associated therewith a set of vectors defining a limb. Each joint is defined in each frame by operator-controllable parameters which determine the three-dimensional position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of a local coordinate system in which the limb vectors are placed. A plurality of in-between frames are generated, the in-between frames including the common figure having one or more joints and limbs corresponding to the joints and limbs of the common figure in the key frames. The parameters of the joints of the in-between frames are obtained by interpolating in three dimensions, the position, rotational orientation, and scale factors of the corresponding joints of the key frames.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection of a solid workpiece, such as a steel workpiece. In accordance with the method of the invention, ultrasound is generated at an annular ring or portion thereof and focused into a hollow substantially cone-shaped beam, or sector thereof. The beam is directed at the surface of the workpiece so as to establish shear mode ultrasound energy in the workpiece. Ultrasound energy is then received from the workpiece (e.g. by reflection or transmission) and characteristics of the internal structure of the workpiece can be determined from the received ultrasound energy. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the beam is configured such that the ultrasound energy impinging on the surface of the workpiece is at a sufficiently large angle with respect to the normal to the surface such that primarily shear mode of ultrasonic energy will be established within the workpiece.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for determining position in a data space. A generally flat tablet is provided, the tablet being formed of a solid acoustically-conductive material. A movable element, such as a stylus, is adapted to be manually movable over the tablet surface, the movable element having a tapered tip which contacts the surface of the tablet. An acoustic transducer is coupled to the tip of the movable element. Fixed transducer means are coupled to the tablet. Means are provided for energizing acoustic energy to propagate in either direction between the transducer of the movable element and the fixed transducer means. The midrange frequency of the energy is selected such that the wavelength of the energy mode propagating parallel to the tablet surface is a function of the tablet thickness. Means are provided for determining the time of propagation of the acoustic energy travelling, in either direction, between the transducer of the movable element and the fixed transducer means.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for obtaining an improved moire fringe pattern image of an object. A beam of incoherent light is projected at the object. A grating is disposed in the path of the beam projected at the object, this grating being referred to as a projection grating. Means are provided for focusing the beam reflected from the object to obtain an image at an image plane. Another movable grating is disposed at the image plane. This movable grating is referred to as a reference grating. Means are provided for recording the image at the image plane, the recording means being, for example, a photographic or video camera. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, means are provided for moving the projection grating and the reference grating in synchronism. In a preferred embodiment, the projection and reference gratings are mounted in spaced relation in a movable member, and the synchronized motion of the gratings is implemented by moving the member.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to improvements in a method of making a solid state light modulator structure for use in an apparatus for generating an image from a video signal. A semiconductor device is provided, the device having an array of spaced charge storage electrodes on a surface thereof. A layer of elastomer material, preferably a silicone gel, is applied over said surface. A plastic pellicle is applied over the elastomer layer. Layers of gold and silver are then successively applied over the pellicle layer.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and method for encoding and/or decoding video signals for use in a compatible high definition television system or in other applications. In a form of the disclosure there is provided an encoder which stores an input frame as an array of digital pixel values. The stored array is interrogated to generate a sum signal and at least one difference signal. The sum signal is representative of the sum of the pixel values in a group of pixels. The difference signal is representative of the difference between the total of the pixel values in some of the pixels in the group and the total of the pixel values of other pixels in the group. The sum signal and the difference signal are generated for a multiplicity of groups which cover the video frame. The sum signal is generated at a relatively high information rate and the difference signal is generated at a relatively low information rate.

Abstract: An acoustic impedance match between an ultrasonic transducer and an adjacent transmission medium is obtained, with performance over a relatively wide bandwidth, by providing a special matching region between the transducer and the transmission medium. The matching region includes a layer having a multiplicity of tapered elements. Each of the elements tapers down in size in the direction away from the transducer.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for determining position in a data space. A generally flat tablet is provided, the tablet being formed of a solid acoustically-conductive material. A movable element, such as a stylus, is adapted to be manually movable over the tablet surface, the movable element having a tapered tip which contacts the surface of the tablet. An acoustic transducer is coupled to the tip of the movable element. Fixed transducer means are coupled to the tablet. Means are provided for energizing acoustic energy to propagate in either direction between the transducer of the movable element and the fixed transducer means. The midrange frequency of the energy is selected such that the wavelength of the energy mode propagating parallel to the tablet surface is a function of the tablet thickness. Means are provided for determining the time of propagation of the acoustic energy travelling, in either direction, between the transducer of the movable element and the fixed transducer means.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an ultrasonic transducer device that includes a plurality of layers of piezoelectric material. A plurality of conductive electrodes are disposed on the layers of piezoelectric material such that each layer of piezoelectric material has electrodes on opposing surfaces thereof. A series string of electronic delay means is provided, and has successive stages that are respectively coupled between pairs of the electrodes. An input/output terminal is coupled to an end of the series string of electronic delay means. The time delay of each electronic delay means is selected as a function of the ultrasonic wave propagation time through the piezoelectric material across which the electronic delay means is coupled. Preferably, the time delay of each electronic delay means is substantially equal to the ultrasonic wave propagation time through the piezoelectric material across which the electronic delay means is coupled.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ultrasonic apparatus for imaging sections of a body, including a reflective scanner. Two transducers are employed, one for transmitting and the other for receiving. The transducer used for transmitting is mounted in conjunction with the reflective scanner, and is closer to the body being examined than is the transducer used for receiving ultrasound reflected from the body being examined.