Abstract: Index values are periodically incremented at a central or primary video production control system and a video production control system node. Messages that include or otherwise indicate current index values generated by the primary video production control system are transmitted to the video production control system node, and the node reflects the messages back to the primary video production control system. The primary video production control system determines a round-trip message time, associated with the video production control system node, based on the transmitted messages and reflections of the messages received from the node. A further message that includes or otherwise indicates an instruction for execution of a task at a target execution time, is transmitted by the primary video production control system to the node at a time, in advance of the target execution time, that is based on the round-trip message time.

Abstract: Video routing may include integrated audio mixing, audio processing, or both. An audio subsystem that is integrated with a video router, for example, may receive and mix router input audio signals to provide mixed audio signals, and route the mixed audio signals to router outputs as router output audio signals. Regarding audio processing, input audio signals that include router input audio signals that are received by the video router may be routed as output audio signals. The output audio signals include router output audio signals to be output from the video router. Respective ones of the output audio signals are processed to provide respective processed output audio signals. The input audio signals for the routing also include the processed output audio signals.

Abstract: Reduced-bandwidth versions of display signals that are currently being provided as outputs by multiple computer systems are received and processed for output, at another computer system, of a representation of each of the display signals. The received reduced-bandwidth versions may include, for example, versions of display signals that are generated by applying any one or more of the following to each of the display signals: scaling, segmenting, and compression. At a transmit side, respective requests for different reduced-bandwidth versions of a display signal that is currently being provided as an output by a computer system are received from multiple other computer systems. The different reduced-bandwidth versions of the display signal are generated and transmitted to the requesting computer systems responsive to the requests.

Abstract: A control handle extends at least partially around a hub. Multiple arms extend in respective different directions between the hub and the control handle. Sensors sense an effect of an input force applied to the control device and acting on each of the arms relative to multiple directions. A controller interface is coupled to the sensors, to enable communication with a controller of the video equipment. Such a control device could be implemented in conjunction with a video equipment pedestal that also includes a base and an equipment support. The control device could be used to drive motion of the video equipment pedestal based on readings by the sensors. A user input device could be provided to control one or more of virtual mass, virtual friction, enabling and disabling of driving motion, and/or enabling and disabling of motion relative to any one or more of multiple axes.

Abstract: Automated path-finding and integrated bandwidth management for hybrid video routing connections are disclosed. When a video source signal is to be routed to a video router from a remote video router, a control system automatically determines whether the video source signal is routable to the video router from the remote video router over a hybrid connection that includes connection segments of different types. The video source signal is routed to the video router from the remote video router through the hybrid connection if the video source signal is routable to the video router from the remote video router over a hybrid connection. In an embodiment, a single user interface allows a user to request routing of video source signals.

Abstract: Parallel video effects, mix trees, and related methods are disclosed. Video data inputs are mixed in parallel according to a mix parameter signal associated with one of the video data inputs. A resultant parallel mixed video data output is further mixed with a further video data input according to a composite mix parameter signal, which corresponds to a product of mix parameter signals that are based on mix parameter signals respectively associated with multiple video data inputs. The mix parameter signals could be alpha signals, in which case the composite mix parameter signal could correspond to a product of complementary alpha signals that are complements of the alpha signals. Composite mix parameter signals and mix results could be truncated based on a number of levels in a multi-level mix tree and an error or error tolerance. Rounding could be applied to a final mix output or an intermediate mix result.

Abstract: In an FPGA device, an FPGA receiver is configured to receive a serial signal, to deserialize the received serial signal into a parallel signal, and to align parallel words in the parallel signal. Programmable FPGA fabric in the FPGA device is coupled to receive the parallel signal from the FPGA receiver. The programmable FPGA fabric is also configured to descramble data words from the parallel words in the parallel signal, to perform a phase detection operation based on the descrambled data words, to generate an alignment control signal based on the phase detection operation, and to feed back the alignment control signal to the FPGA receiver to control alignment of the parallel words in the parallel signal. The serial signal is a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) signal in an embodiment.

Abstract: Printed circuit board pad layouts and mechanical retainers are disclosed herein. For example, a printed circuit board is disclosed having a row of electrically conductive pads, the row of pads including pairs of signal pads with exactly one reference pad interposed between each pair of the signal pads. As another example, a mechanical retainer is disclosed that may assist in interconnecting two printed circuit boards and that has a longitudinal body with a threaded end, a head at an end opposite the threaded end, and a shank connecting the head to the threaded end.

Abstract: In the broadcast video environment, it may sometimes be necessary to switch between 12G-SDI, which is a 12 Gbps interface on a single link, and quad-link 3G-SDI, which uses four 3 Gbps physical links. A routing switcher is disclosed herein that routes 12G-SDI signals between input ports and output ports. However, the apparatus also has the capability to receive quad-link 3G-SDI signals at its input ports and internally convert from quad-link 3G-SDI to 12G-SDI. The apparatus also has the capability to internally convert a 12G-SDI signal into a quad-link 3G-SDI signal for output on its output ports. Additional processing, such as link healing and/or deskewing of incoming quad-link 3G-SDI signals may be performed.

Abstract: A method of accommodating a payload and determining a working environment in a robotic system is disclosed. The method is directed to using a motor current measurement taken at the axis motors of a robotic system to calculate various parameters including payload balance, mass, moment of inertia, friction force and traction force. This measurement is based on the known relationship between motor current and motor torque.

Abstract: A Graphical User Interface (GUI) that includes visual representations of executable program elements of a programming language is presented on a display. The GUI enables a user to select and graphically manipulate the visual representations of the executable program elements to form a visual representation of a computer program that includes selected ones of the visual representations. The visual representation of the computer program is translated into computer program text that includes the executable program elements represented by the selected ones of the visual representations, and non-executable comments specifying the selected ones of the visual representations. Conversion from computer program text into visual form including visual representations of executable program elements in the received computer program text is also possible.

Abstract: Methods and systems for computing an alpha channel value are provided. In one embodiment, a set of parameters is obtained based on an effect (transformation) to be applied to a source image. A value is also obtained that defines a uniform width of an area that borders at least one boundary of the transformed source image in the target image. For a target image pixel coordinate in the area, a corresponding source pixel coordinate is computed that is within another non-uniform area bordering the source image. An alpha channel value defining semi-transparency of a pixel associated with the target image pixel coordinate is computed as a function of a location of the corresponding source pixel coordinate in the another area bordering the source image.

Abstract: Luminance information and a subset of chrominance information associated with a video signal are encoded into a first encoded video signal. The subset of chrominance information does not include all of the received chrominance information. At least the remaining chrominance information that is associated with the video signal but is not encoded into the first encoded video signal is encoded into a second encoded video signal. The second encoded video signal could include all of the chrominance information, and not only the remaining chrominance information. In either case, a full set of chrominance information for the video signal is encoded.

Abstract: Audio signal verification methods and apparatus for video/audio production equipment are disclosed. An audio signal and a video signal are input into production equipment. The audio signal has one or more known frequencies, and the video signal has a known video frame to which the audio signal is to be synchronized by the equipment. Based on the known frequency or frequencies and a frequency or frequencies of an output audio signal that is output by the equipment with the video frame, a determination can be made as to whether the output audio signal corresponds to the input audio signal. Respective values could be assigned to a number of frequencies, to enable values to be encoded in the input audio signal. The correspondence determination could then be made based on whether the values encoded by frequencies in the output audio signal match the values encoded in the input audio signal.

Abstract: An electronic equipment housing structural panel includes an integrated electronic card guide formed in the structural panel. The panel may also include and an integrated ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI) shielding and thermal cooling structure formed in the structural panel. The EMI shielding and thermal cooling structure is in the form of apertures in one embodiment, and the apertures provide for convective heat transfer from the panel to air flowing through the apertures. In an electronic equipment housing, a pair of such panels are parallel to each other but spaced apart from each other with their card guides facing each other. An electronic card may then be installed in the card guides. In an embodiment, a structural panel is produced by forming the integrated electronic card guide, and the integrated EMI shielding and thermal cooling structure if provided, in a blank of material.

Abstract: In the broadcast video environment, it may sometimes be necessary to switch between 12G-SDI, which is a 12 Gbps interface on a single link, and quad-link 3G-SDI, which uses four 3 Gbps physical links. A routing switcher is disclosed herein that routes 12G-SDI signals between input ports and output ports. However, the apparatus also has the capability to receive quad-link 3G-SDI signals at its input ports and internally convert from quad-link 3G-SDI to 12G-SDI. The apparatus also has the capability to internally convert a 12G-SDI signal into a quad-link 3G-SDI signal for output on its output ports. Additional processing, such as link healing and/or deskewing of incoming quad-link 3G-SDI signals may be performed.

Abstract: In an FPGA device, an FPGA receiver is configured to receive a serial signal, to deserialize the received serial signal into a parallel signal, and to align parallel words in the parallel signal. Programmable FPGA fabric in the FPGA device is coupled to receive the parallel signal from the FPGA receiver. The programmable FPGA fabric is also configured to descramble data words from the parallel words in the parallel signal, to perform a phase detection operation based on the descrambled data words, to generate an alignment control signal based on the phase detection operation, and to feed back the alignment control signal to the FPGA receiver to control alignment of the parallel words in the parallel signal. The serial signal is a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) signal in an embodiment.

Abstract: Printed circuit board pad layouts and mechanical retainers are disclosed herein. For example, a printed circuit board is disclosed having a row of electrically conductive pads, the row of pads including pairs of signal pads with exactly one reference pad interposed between each pair of the signal pads. As another example, a mechanical retainer is disclosed that may assist in interconnecting two printed circuit boards and that has a longitudinal body with a threaded end, a head at an end opposite the threaded end, and a shank connecting the head to the threaded end.

Abstract: A Graphical User Interface (GUI) that includes visual representations of executable program elements of a programming language is presented on a display. The GUI enables a user to select and graphically manipulate the visual representations of the executable program elements to form a visual representation of a computer program that includes selected ones of the visual representations. The visual representation of the computer program is translated into computer program text that includes the executable program elements represented by the selected ones of the visual representations, and non-executable comments specifying the selected ones of the visual representations. Conversion from computer program text into visual form including visual representations of executable program elements in the received computer program text is also possible.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing an intersection effect are disclosed. For example, there is disclosed a method for intersecting a first digital image and a second digital image. In this method the first and second digital images are mixed to produce a first composite image in which the first digital image is layered on top of the second digital image. The first and second digital images are also mixed to produce a second composite image in which the second digital image is layered on top of the first digital image. The first composite image and the second composite image are then mixed using a wipe pattern to produce a target digital image that is the intersection of the first digital image and the second digital image. The wipe pattern is a function of a difference in depth between the first digital image and the second digital image.