Abstract: The disclosure is a procedure for generation of textured images and special video effects. The procedure including a stage for generation of a microscopic texture determined by user-defined parameters and based on a fractal interpolation function generating a fractional Brownian motion-type signal. It also includes a stage for generation of motifs and for re-sampling. The invention is applicable to the generation of textured television images and special effects in standard television or HDTV.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a synchronization device that includes two parallel memory areas, a unit for determination of write states that depends on the phase deviation between the input video signal and the synchronization signal, a write management unit that determines, when it receives a write image pulse, the memory (or memories) to be used for the next write depending on the write state and the memory that is currently being read. The two memories are read sequentially and alternately, whereas the memory(ies) used for each write is variable and determined automatically. The invention enables video signals to be synchronized with respect to a synchronization signal with a frequency deviation tolerance of up to 33%.

Abstract: A device for locking any apparatus on any support, notably a device enabling simple locking of a camera on a support such as a tripod. The device includes two attachment fittings that engage two hooking parts attached to the apparatus, wherein the attachment fittings are locked in their engaged position when two push-buttons fitted in the top plate of the support are both depressed under the weight of the apparatus. The two attachment fittings, linked together and spring-loaded, slide simultaneously to engage the two hooking parts.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for extracting from a single shot, two pictures of an illuminated scene having a foreground zone and a background zone respectively. The first picture has a depth of field which is greater than the second picture. Subsequently the high frequency components are extracted from each of the pictures in order to reflect characteristics of each of the pictures which have the greatest amount of contrast or sharpness. The two high frequency signals are compared in order to obtain a depth of field signal based upon the differences between the two signals.

Abstract: A correction system for transmission lines includes a structure adapted to automatically correct the attenuation of the DC component of any signal traveling on the line and a device adapted to correct the attenuation of the various frequency components of said signal, wherein the structure for correcting the attenuation of frequency components includes an automatic correction circuit.

Abstract: A device for assistance in the optical focusing of the objective of a camera comprises a contour extraction circuit coupled to a marker generator, the output of which is connected to a combination circuit furthermore receiving the video signal from the camera. The resultant composite signal is applied to the viewfinder. Thus a marker, the position of which in the image is a function of the focusing, appears in the viewfinder, the focusing being obtained when the marker is in an extreme position on its axis of shift. The device can be applied notably to the focusing of high-definition television cameras.

Abstract: The optical connection system comprises at least one optical connection element composed of three separate portions A, B, C; the portion A comprises an optical contact of the pump-action optical contact type whose calibrated end-piece is intended for the cabling of an optical fibre, the portion B comprises at one end a calibrated end-piece identical to the end-piece of the portion A and comprises at the other end an optical contact, of the lensed optical contact type, which contact is intended for the optical connection with a complementary optical connection element, the portion C comprises a calibrated guiding system in order to receive the calibrated end-pieces of the portions A and B, to place their respective ends in contact and to ensure a very accurate coaxial alignment of the two end-pieces.