Abstract: Conventional routing switchers have employed a fixed architecture, i.e. the input and output connectors of the switching matrix are fixed in function. Prior art routing switchers use fixed matrix sizes. This invention uses a variable input/output architecture to enable multiple matrix sizes to be implemented in a single product. Switches are used to connect a subset of input and output connectors to either an input pin or an output pin. These switches allow users to select the number of input connectors and output connectors available for their particular application. The invention enables a single product to replace a range of routing switchers of different sizes. The user can also reconfigure the routing switcher size should application requirements change. This allows the user to configure the routing switcher matrix size to exactly meet the application requirements.

Abstract: A non-linear video edit system has first, second and third play modes which are selectable at time of playing a video for an edit. In the first play mode (EP TRIM), it plays a first cut scene (scene A) before an edit point and plays a second cut scene (scene B) after the edit point according to a play list. In the second play mode (PREV TRIM), it successively plays the first cut scene (scene A) before and after the edit point. In the third play mode (NEXT TRIM), it successively plays the second cut scene (scene B) before and after the edit point. These play modes allows to change the play speed in an arbitrary direction by a dial, and to switch the play mode with one touch of the corresponding three buttons with aligning current positions.

Abstract: When a played scene of a VCR (sequential access recorder) (90) is overwritten or added to the play list derived from the cut edit of the video scenes already stored in a disk (random access recorder) (140) according to the first instruction of a user, a selector (96) switches the play output of the disk following the play list and said played scene of the VCR to provide it to a monitor (6A) so that the user can confirm the edit result during the recording in real time. If there is the second instruction (VIEW instruction) during the recording, it plays the same edit result of the disk (140) again based on the renewed temporary play list to provide it to the monitor (6A) without interrupting the recording. On this occasion, it approves the user to change the play speed and stops advancing the play if the user try to play beyond the recorded point.

Abstract: A modular frame assembly and modules are provided. The modular frame assembly includes a motherboard, module connectors and an opening in the motherboard for allowing direct connection of first and second modules. The first modules have plugs that extend through the plane of the motherboard, allowing the size of the opening to be minimized. The second modules have a wide external connector portion that allows for high density interconnection on the rear of the frame. Each of the modules may be provided with a plurality of connectors.

Abstract: A digital audio receiver with multi-channel swapping capabilities receives as inputs at least two AES serial digital audio streams. The audio streams are decoded, and each audio channel is stored in a separate buffer. The outputs of the buffers are input to at least two selectors. The selectors under user control select for each output digital audio stream which channels are represented. The recombined digital audio streams are then input to a conventional router cross-point matrix for directing to a desired destination and formatted into new AES serial digital audio streams.

Abstract: Direct synthesis of a digital audio sample clock from a digital video sample clock is achieved by using a numerically controlled oscillator driven by the digital video sample clock. A phase accumulator increments a phase increment at the frequency of the digital video sample clock, the phase increment being a function of a desired frequency for the digital audio sample clock, the frequency of the digital video sample clock and the bit precision of the accumulator. The accumulated phase output from the accumulator is converted into a sine wave signal at the desired audio frequency from which the digital audio sample clock is derived.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter with an offset reduction loop detects the presence/absence of an analog input signal having a zero mean value. The analog input signal is converted to a digital signal by the analog-to-digital converter. The least significant bits of the digital signal are compared with a decision threshold to generate an indicator signal representing the presence/absence of the analog input signal. Arbitrary d.c. offsets in the digital signal are compensated by generating a d.c. offset compensation signal from the most significant bit of the digital signal with respect to a mid-logic reference voltage. The d.c. offset compensation signal is added to the analog input signal prior to conversion to the digital signal.

Abstract: An operator interface for a video editing system provides a visual sense of the content of video sequences, as well as their length, while also providing enhanced interactive control of locations and time alignments of the video. As the video sequence is processed into the system, a small but representative sample of each frame is saved in a local memory, while the video itself is stored in mass storage. These samples are used to provide a video pictorial timeline of the underlying stored video. The location of an operator's view into the video sequence is controlled by a cursor's movement along a detailed video pictorial timeline, a reverse motion area and a forward motion area to provide VTR control for location changes on the video tape. The cursor's movement can be controlled by a mouse or a knob. Icons, either static or dynamic, are produced within the motion areas to indicate the amount of selected velocity.

Abstract: Audio frame synchronization for embedded audio demultiplexers counts the number of audio samples for each video frame of a digital video signal. The pattern of audio samples per video frame for an audio frame is detected to identify an audio frame boundary, the pattern being a function of the respective video and audio standards for the digital video signal. For example in one embodiment the number of audio samples for consecutive video frames are compared, and when there is equality between consecutive video frames the audio frame boundary is detected.

Abstract: A spiral buffer for a non-linear editing system digitizes and stores an input video signal as it is simultaneously being cataloged by an operator. The digitized video signal is stored in a circular buffer of a random access non-linear storage device, such as a disk recorder, with the oldest video being overwritten by the newest video when the buffer is full so long as the oldest video has not been marked by the cataloging process to be kept. The marked video is edited, further pruning the video in the buffer. The pruning of the video in the circular buffer results in a spiral shrinking of the buffer.

Abstract: A digital decoder for a biphase-mark encoded serial digital signal detects edges in the encoded serial digital signal by sampling with a sample clock to produce a blivet signal. The blivet signal is filtered by a one-bit digital lowpass filter to recover a decoded clock signal and to generate a transition window signal. The blivet and window signals are used to detect whether there is a transition within each bit interval defined by the decoded clock signal. A decoded serial digital signal has a logical one for each bit interval in which a transition occurs, and a logical zero otherwise.

Abstract: A programmable video transformation rendering method and apparatus regenerates an arbitrary reverse address map according to a transformation function representing a desired video effect by using a set of parameters that are run length encoded. Each scan line in target space for an output image is divided into one or more continuous line segments in source space for the input image using a continuous function for each line segment. The parameters for each line segment are determined, encoded, and stored for execution of the transformation function. For each line segment the parameters are updated, with only those parameters needing updated being stored together with the prior parameters that do not need to be updated. The continuous function is in the form of a polynomial equation and is a compromise between the amount of data generated and the calculations required.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a video signal representing distribution of optically-perceptible information over a video raster includes a video combiner for receiving an input video signal and a delayed video signal and combining the input video signal and the delayed video signal to provide an output video signal. A memory receives and temporarily stores the output video signal and provides the delayed video signal, and read/write circuits access the memory so that pixels of the output video signal are spatially translated relative to the video raster when the output video signal is written into and read from the memory.

Abstract: A circuit for preserving a predetermined timing relationship between a synchronization signal including periodic sync codes and a digital signal composed of successive frames of which the nominal duration is equal to the period of the sync codes includes a delay device connected to receive the digital signal. The delay device is selectively adjustable to impose a controllable delay on propagation of the digital signal. A FAW detector detects a frame alignment word in the digital signal, and a time measurement circuit measures the time that elapses between occurrence of a sync code and detection of a frame alignment word. A delay adjustment circuit is responsive to the time measurement circuit to adjust the delay imposed by the delay device.

Abstract: Electronic apparatus comprises a main circuit board, a transition board, and a first connector composed of a first part attached to the main circuit board at one edge thereof and a second part attached to the transition board at a first main face thereof, whereby when the first and second parts are engaged the transition board is substantially perpendicular to the main circuit board. The transition board is attached to a connector board so that the second main face of the transition board is in spaced substantially parallel confronting relationship with a first main face of the connect or board. A second connector is composed of a first part attached to the connector board at its first main face and a second part attached to the transition board at its second main face.

Abstract: A method of producing a composited video image based on depth uses a serial combiner to which a plurality of video input signals, representing video images, and priority signals are input. The video input signals each have an associated depth signal. The depth signals are sorted from farthest to nearest and a matrix control signal is generated from the depth signals. The matrix control signal is used to route the video input signals to appropriate inputs of the serial combiner in order from farthest to nearest. The priority signals are derived from the depth signals either serially or in parallel.

Abstract: A chroma keyer with correction for background defects generates a control signal that does not include variations associated with the background defects. The chroma magnitude of a reference signal that represents a chroma key set with a color background scene without a foreground object is used as a divisor for a hue select signal generated by a hue selector from a chrominance component of an input signal that represents the chroma key set with the foreground object to produce a chroma key control signal. The chroma key control signal is combined with the reference signal to produce a control signal for background suppression. The chroma key control signal also is input to a key circuit to produce a key signal for shaping a new background scene.

Abstract: An operator interface for a video editing system provides a visual sense of the content of video sequences, as well as their length, while also providing enhanced interactive control of locations and time alignments of the video. As the video sequence is processed into the system, a small but representative sample of each frame is saved in a local memory, while the video itself is stored in mass storage. These samples are used to provide a video pictorial timeline of the underlying stored video. The location of an operator's view into the video sequence is controlled by a cursor's movement along a detailed video pictorial timeline, a reverse motion area and a forward motion area to provide VTR control for location changes on the video tape. The cursor's movement can be controlled by a mouse or a knob. Icons, either static or dynamic, are produced within the motion areas to indicate the amount of selected velocity.

Abstract: A self keyer with background gap fill adds background video to the gap between the background video and a fill video resulting from self key error. The self keyer performs the general function:Composite=Fill*f(Key)+Background*(1-f(Key)*(Key))where f(Key) is a programmable transfer function used to generate a multiplication factor, f(Key), for shaping or reshaping the fill video and to generate a hole cutting signal, f(Key)*(Key), for shaping the background video. The shaped foreground and background videos are combined to generate a composite video. The transfer function may be generated and stored in a PROM/RAM buffer as a lookup table by a CPU. The transfer function may also be generated interactively by adjusting various points on the transfer function individually, with the CPU storing the resulting transfer function in the PROM/RAM buffer.

Abstract: The central difference along a selected axis through a point (u, v) of a rectangularly-sampled luminance field and at an arbitrary angle .alpha. is computed by interpolation. The octant in which the selected axis lies is identified, and first and second pixels through which the lines that limit the identified octant .Iadd.extend .Iaddend.are identified. The first and second pixels are adjacent each other in the luminance field array and lie on a common ordinate or a common abscissa. .[.The difference between the luminance values of the first and second pixels is calculated..]. Third and fourth pixels, which are symmetrically disposed with respect to the first and second pixels respectively about the point (u, v), are identified.[., and the.]..Iadd.. The .Iaddend.difference in luminance values of the .Iadd.first and .Iaddend.third .[.and fourth.]. pixels is calculated.Iadd., and the difference in luminance values of the second and fourth pixels is calculated.Iaddend..