Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously monitoring a melt surface is provided. The camera includes a CCD detector array, electronic shutter, and associated optical train mounted within a water cooled enclosure, all mounted within close proximity to the melt. Radiation shields surround the enclosure in order to attenuate the heat radiated from the melt to manageable levels. To minimize damage to the electro-optical components of the camera due to melt vapors and other contaminants, the camera enclosure includes a small viewing pinhole through which an inert gas is directed. The pinhole is small enough to minimize the gas flow rate while avoiding noticeable image diffraction. The small pinhole also provides a large depth of field, rendering high quality images of the melt. A compound lens system focuses the image into the CCD array to produce a near diffraction limited image over the angles of interest.

Abstract: A method of applying optical stabilization to the problem of laser designation is provided which simulates the action of a viscous damping mechanism while reducing the weight and cost of the tripod and angulation head used in laser designation applications on a tracking mount. A closed loop electro-optical system is utilized by a predictive filter and a slew filter which require only video output (28) representing a target (20) of interest for feedback. In addition, automatic tracking of a particular target (20) and automatic boresighting of a separable laser designator (14) to a sensor module (12) are provided. In an alternative embodiment, optical stabilization is used with a GPS module (82) in a sensor module (20), which transmits information representing the location of the target (20) to a projectile (84). The projectile (84) uses the information in maintaining its trajectory towards the target (20).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus divides an image signal corresponding to one frame into a plurality of blocks, and performs compression encoding for each block. The apparatus includes a display unit for displaying the image signal, a designation unit for designating a position desired by a user on the display unit, and a compression encoding therefor in accordance with the desired position designated by the designation unit. An image processing apparatus divides an image signal corresponding to one frame into a plurality of blocks, the image signal being output from a camera unit having focus adjustment unit for performing focus adjustment, and performs compression encoding for each block.

Abstract: In a data transmission apparatus for transmitting digital video and audio data, a block forming circuit forms a plurality of data blocks of transmission data composed of at least one of digital video data, digital audio data, and digital auxiliary data related to the digital video data and the digital audio data. Thereafter, a grouping circuit groups a plurality of data blocks outputted from the block forming circuit so as to form transmission group data of one transmission unit block having a time length of approximately one three-hundredth second, and then transmits the transmission group data. Further, a classifying circuit preferably classifies the transmission group data into a plurality of sections, by adding section identification data to each transmission group data.

Abstract: An implementation efficient video decoder suitable for use as a picture in picture decoder is described. In one embodiment, the video decoder receives primary and secondary bitstreams with the secondary bitstream including the video data intended to be displayed as inset pictures. The decoder uses many of the same circuit components on a time shared basis to decode both the main and inset pictures reducing the amount of circuitry required to implement the decoder. In one embodiment a preparser discards the majority of DCT coefficients in the secondary bitstream and the remaining data is variable length decoded and then variable length encoded using a non-MPEG compliant coding scheme prior to storing the inset picture data in a coded data buffer. Re-encoding of the selected inset picture data in this manner greatly reduces data storage requirements and simplifies the circuitry required to subsequently decode the inset picture data.

Abstract: A fast forward/reverse travelling controlling method in a VOD system using a MPEG 1 which can perform a fast forward/reverse travelling control in real-time processing with respect to video data of a moving picture by preparing a simple I table (I.sub.-- TABLE) and can control the fast forward/reverse travelling speed using a step value. transmitted to a settop box.

Abstract: A system and method for coding a digitized picture is described. The picture is divided into a plurality of regions and then each region is further divided into a plurality of subregions. Linear combinations of pixels in each subregion are then computed. A subregional adaptive quantisation parameter for each of the subregions is then determined based on the courseness tolerance of that subregion as established by processing the linear combinations. A regional quantisation parameter for each region is then determined as a function of the subregional adaptive quantisation parameters and then a quantisation level for each of the regions is determined based on the regional quantisation parameter. Once the regional quantisation level for a region has been determined, it is transform encoded. The transform encoded representations of the regions are concatenated to obtain an encoded representation of the entire picture which can then be decoded for display or storage.

Abstract: A system performing capture and display of both still and real-time motion picture panoramic images comprised of 360 degrees in azimuth and .+-.180 degrees in declination for a virtual spherical field of view wherein image capture is achieved via a horizontally scanned vertical slit image passing through a fish-eye lens, mirrors, and prisms rotated under servo motion control onto a stationary line-scan sensor to build up a continuous two dimensional image. A host computer system monitors a position encoder on the optical head, sends motion commands to the servo controller, controls sampling rate and integration time for the line-scan sensor, and does image data processing, encoding, and storage. Additional mechanisms in the optical head permit optical and solid-state image magnification, selective field of view and sub-sampling of pixel data, optical horizon shifting, and streak and slit-scan camera effects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allocating bits to pictures in accordance with the bit allocation constraints for operation at both constant and variable bit rates. The encoding complexity of each picture is modeled based on its spatial and temporal properties. Based on the modeling, a number of bits is allocated in advance to each picture. Each picture is then compressed according to the bits allocated. Based on the difference between the achieved and desired bit rates and on the availability of computational resources, a second pass or multiple passes may be performed to improve the coding.

Abstract: A picture type identifier, indicating one of intra-picture coding (an I-picture), forward or backward predictive coding (a P-picture) and bi-directionally predictive coding (a B-picture), is included with a picture signal when the signal is encoded and when the signal is decoded. Each of initial and subsequent encoding and decoding is a function of the included picture type.

Abstract: An index processor and processing method for digital VCR including the steps of: normally recording a user-selected program on video tape in a general recording mode; recording an index input after the program is recorded in an index recording mode, succeeding the end of a final program; normally reproducing a program recorded on video tape in a general playback mode; and reproducing the user-selected program according to the index recorded on video tape in the index reproducing mode, and recording a modified index.

Abstract: A security and surveillance system (10) uses a processor (40) to generate an infrared coded signal for performing a specific function. A detector (12) monitors a zone of surveillance (A) and generates an activation signal in response to the detection of an intruder in the zone. The activation signal triggers the processor (40) to generate an infrared coded signal to perform a specific function corresponding to the triggered zone of surveillance (A). In a specific application, a camera switcher (38) transmits an appropriate camera signal to a television monitor (36) and infrared coded signals generated by the processor (40) control and command the television monitor (36) to display the images from the video camera (20) in response to an intruder detection.