Abstract: An illumination system is provided for combining two or more light sources. A plurality of light sources radiate random polarization light. A plurality of collecting light pipes corresponds to the plurality of light sources. Each collecting light pipe has an entrance end disposed towards the respective light source. The collecting light pipes are laterally offset and overlapping opposite their respective entrance ends. A combining light pipe is disposed perpendicular to the collecting light pipes. A polarizing beam splitter and a mirror are sequentially arranged in each collecting light pipe essentially opposite the entrance end directing a first polarization light and a second polarization light, respectively upwards towards the combining light pipe. The combining light pipe has an entrance end overlying the polarizing beam splitter and mirror of each collecting light pipe to collect and combine the light from each polarizing beam splitter and mirror.

Abstract: The absence of MPEG processing in a consumer digital recorder player may preclude on-screen message display of recorder status. Various methods are disclosed which facilitate the on-screen display of recorder player status meassages. A first embodiment returns a reproduced decoded, analog video signal (102) to the digital recorder player (200) for insertion of status messages. In a further embodiment recorder message data (221) is coupled to the digital signal decoder (100, 117, 520) for inclusion with the decoded analog video signal (102). In another embodiment a recorder message command (TAG/CMD) is coupled to the decoder (100, 510) to access recorder specific graphical messages. In yet a further embodiment, recorder message data (221) is tagged and coupled to the decoder (100, 510) to select recorder specific graphical messages if available or to display recorder (200) message data. In yet another embodiment, digital or analog operating mode determines recorder message display position and timing.

Abstract: A scalable networking protocol that allows multiple nodes to communicate via a multi-channel network medium is described. The networking protocol allows any node on the network to assign itself as the active network server. The active network server polls client nodes based on a lineup card. The lineup card includes a high priority queue for low-latency devices, and a low priority queue for devices that can tolerate higher latencies. Network information is sent on the channels as fragments. The protocol provides bad-channel detection and retransmission of fragments in a fragment-by-fragment basis. Support for streaming data or asynchronous data is provided by allocating time slots on the network and allowing two intelligent nodes to talk directly to each other during count-limited token sessions, as arbitrated by the active network server.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a high data density holographic data storage method. The holograms are written into the volumetric data storage layer or layers, and during the writing process the accurate places of holograms in the data carrier structure are determined by the intersection domain of the object and reference beam or beams, and during the reading process the selection of holograms simultaneously illuminated by the reference beam or beams, the read-out of the addressed hologram, and the suppressing of un-addressed holograms are carried out by a spatial filter located confocally with the addressed hologram and/or by satisfying the Bragg condition. The optical arrangement for recording and reading out holograms has three dedicated planes in confocal arrangements, where the addressed hologram is in the middle dedicated plane in the storage material, and in the two outer dedicated planes there are spatial filters. The optical arrangement is a 12f optical System consisting of three pairs of objectives.

Abstract: A digital consumer product having a menu system includes an audit trail system having an audit trail management system that removes screens from an audit trail triggered by the addition of a new screen to the audit trail. Menu screens and/or video screens are added to the audit trail as navigated by the user and, accordingly, certain screens are removed from the audit trail.

Abstract: A method of processing video data in a receiver/decoder including at least one port (31) for receiving data and memory means (40) including a data buffer area (45A0, 45A1) for storing incoming data for display, and a graphics buffer area (45Ai) for storing graphics data, said method including passing graphics data stored in the graphics buffer area to the data buffer area for combination with display data stored therein.

Abstract: Cathode ray comprising an internal magnetic screen and a frame designed to support a shadow mask. The screen is attached to the frame by tabs cut from the peripheral lip of the screen, tabs being inserted into openings made in the surface of the flange of the frame coming into contact with the screen. This type of fastening enables the additional parts to be eliminated and the attachment of the screen to the frame to be automated.

Abstract: A data transfer network infrastructure device having a plurality of ingress ports for accepting data from a domain of a data network; and, a user interface for enabling a user to limit a rate at which data is accepted from the data network on at least one of the ingress ports, wherein the data transfer rate between the at least one of the ingress ports and a device coupled to the at least one of the ports is limited, whereby a bandwidth limit is implemented by the limit at which the data is accepted into the ingress port.

Abstract: A subscriber information management system for use with a broadcast system, and a method of managing subscriber information, are described. The system includes storing subscriber internet parameters relating to internet services access and storing subscriber broadcast parameters relating to broadcast services access. The internet and broadcast parameters are linked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting disturbances in an alternating current (AC) supply. A method includes a step of indicating a relationship between supplied AC voltage and a threshold voltage for at least a portion of each cycle of the supplied AC voltage. A circuit for detecting disturbances in supplied alternating current (AC) is provided. The circuit includes a threshold detector coupled to a source of supplied AC. The threshold detector provides a signal indicating a relationship of the supplied AC levels to a threshold level for at least a portion of each cycle of the supplied AC.

Abstract: A method relating to recording transmitted digital data in which transmitted digital information is encrypted by a recording encryption key. The recording encryption key is stored by a recording means on a recording support medium. Further, the recording encryption key is characterized in that an equivalent of the recording encryption key is encrypted by a recording transport key, which is also stored on the support medium with the encrypted information.

Abstract: A method of authentification of data sent in a digital transmission characterized by the organization and authentification of the data prior to transmission into a hierarchy of at least one root directory unit (75), subdirectory unit (76) and file unit (77), data in a file (77) being acted upon by an authentification algorithm and an associated file authentification value (82) stored in the referring subdirectory unit (77), this file authentification value (82) being in turn acted upon by an authentification algorithm and an associated subdirectory authentification value (79) stored in the referring root directory. Other aspects of the invention relate to the authentification of a second root directory (78) by generation of a second authentification value (83) and the authentification of data before encapsulation in tables or sections of a transport stream.

Abstract: The switching DC-DC converter comprises an inductor, a control circuit with an oscillator and an output stage, the output stage being coupled to the inductor, a diode coupled to the inductor, and a feedback loop for generating a stabilized output voltage. An output voltage of the output stage is coupled with an oscillator input of the control circuit, for example via an impedance, for synchronizing an oscillation cycle of the oscillator with a current pulse of the output stage.

Abstract: A method of transmission of digital information in a digital broadcast system including a central transmission station and one or more decoders, the central station transmitting at least one transport stream comprising a stream of packets encapsulating data tables or sections within their payloads, one or more encapsulated sections including a medium access control (MAC) address used to control the reception of that section by one or more decoders wherein the MAC address is dynamically assigned by the central transmission station and communicated to the or each decoder in an address assignment message using a fixed IP address.

Abstract: A method of authentication of data to be sent in a digital transmission system, the data being organized in a series of at least three files, involving generating a first authentication value for at least one first file, storing said first authentication value in a second file, generating a second authentication value for said second file, storing said second authentication value in a third file, and transmitting said first, second, and third files to a receiver.

Abstract: A television apparatus having digital serial bus ports allows a user to select a user-designated digital video content source input such as a digital tuner of the television apparatus and digital serial bus compliant components connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports of the television apparatus, and to cause digital content from the user-designated digital content source device to be recorded onto a digital recording device connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports. The present invention allows a user to continuously record digital content onto a digital recording device (e.g. an AVHDD), whether from the TV's digital tuner or from another digital serial bus compliant device in a peer to peer arrangement. The connection is always recording, but allows the user to select or designate a digital (i.e. MPEG2) source (i.e. the TV tuner or another digital serial bus compliant device), in addition to displaying the selected content.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube (1) has a faceplate panel (3) with a short axis and a long axis. The faceplate panel has a display screen on the inside of the panel and the panel extends back to a funnel (5) which houses an electron gun system within an integral neck (4). The electron gun system produces co-planar beams arranged in a linear array which is parallel to a short axis of the screen (12). A deflection system (14) is positioned over the neck of the funnel for applying electromagnetic control fields to electron beams emanating from the electron gun system directed toward the screen. The deflection system has a first deflection coil system for generating a substantially barrel shaped magnetic field for deflecting the beams in the direction of the long axis and a second deflection coil system for generating a substantially pincushion magnetic field for deflecting the beams in the direction of the short axis.

Abstract: A method of secure communication of digital data between devices, including validating, by a security module, the devices using device identifiers, generating a random key in the security module, and transmitting the random key to the devices.