Abstract: An automatic phase control apparatus for controlling the frequency of a sine wave produced from a variable frequency oscillator to be equal to that of the carrier wave of the extracted chrominance signal. A phase difference detector 4 detects a phase difference between the sine wave and the carrier wave. The detected phase difference is integrated to obtain an integrated value which is applied to the frequency oscillator for determining the oscillation frequency. A deviation detector is provided for detecting a deviation of the integrated value with respect to an expected frequency control data calculated by a calculator. When the deviation is greater than a predetermined range, the integrated value is replaced with the calculated data.

Abstract: The synchronized transformer-coupled power supply circuit includes a transformer 20; an input power signal coupled to a primary winding 22 of the transformer 20; voltage regulators 48-53 coupled to secondary windings 24 and 26 of the transformer 20; and a start-up circuit 10 for coupling the input power signal directly to one of the voltage regulators 48-51 until the transformer 20 reaches a desired operating level.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a clock signal phase-locked to a sync signal of a video signal. The apparatus comprises an error detector for detecting a phase error between the sync signal of the digitized video signal and a comparison signal produced internally; a clock signal generator whose oscillation frequency is variably controlled in response to the output of the error detector; a counter for counting the output of the clock signal generator; and a circuit for producing the comparison signal in response to the count value of the counter. The phase error is detected by integrating the level data of the digitized video signal, and the output of the error detector is replaced with a fixed value when the comparison signal has a predetermined phase. The apparatus is capable of preventing occurrence of a great phase error even at a head switching time or during the vertical blanking interval, so that mislock is preventable and a pull-in action can be executed fast.

Abstract: An auxiliary video data slicer for extracting auxiliary video information from a video signal includes a peak detector. The peak detector determines a peak amplitude of horizontal sync pulses that are included in the video signal and a peak amplitude of a run-in-clock (RIC) waveform that is included in an auxiliary information component of the video signal. A variable threshold level for the peak detector is varied in a first range to detect the peak amplitude of the sync pulses. A threshold voltage for detecting the leading edge of sync pulses is derived from the peak amplitude of the sync pulses. The location of the RIC waveform within a video line interval is determined in response to detection of a sync pulse edge. The variable threshold level of the peak detector is varied in a second range to detect the peak amplitude of the RIC signal. A data slicing threshold level for extracting auxiliary video information is derived from the peak value of the RIC signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video system for entertainment and game apparatus. The video system includes a data carrier on which the game is stored. Video informations (pictures) stored on the data carrier are displayed on a display unit. By a lens and projection system the picture is imaged on a curved projection screen that at least partially surrounds the player. Preferably, the video informations are stored on the data carrier in pre-equalized form so that the image projected on the projection screen is essentially free of distortion.

Abstract: When the decoding of video data is repeatedly started and interrupted, a data demultiplexer prevents a video synchronizing signal from being discontinued and hence prevents a displayed image from being disturbed immediately after the video data is decoded. When a data demultiplexing start time SCR and a decoding start time DTSV are read from a multiplexed bit stream, an initial STC value: initial.sub.-- STC is calculated according to the equation:initial.sub.-- STC=SCR-(Pp-((DTSV-SCR)+VIDEO.sub.-- DECODE.sub.-- DELAY)% Pp)where VIDEO.sub.-- DECODE.sub.-- DELAY represents a time, which is known, from the start of decoding of video data to the start of display of an image, Pp the frame period of a vertical synchronizing signal, and % an operator indicative of the remainder produced by the division of a previous value by a subsequent value. The time STC whose initial value is initial.sub.-- STC is measured in synchronism with the video synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A method of splicing two compressed video signals which have been encoded according to the standard adopted by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) determines an amount of null information that is to be inserted between the two video signals in order to ensure that an input buffer of an MPEG decoder does not overflow after receiving the spliced video signals. The method allows a splice to occur after any access unit (picture) in the first compressed video signal. The amount of null information is determined from the data rates of the first and second compressed video signals and the amount of new data which is provided to the buffer before the data is retrieved from the buffer for both the first and second video signals. The video signals are spliced by inserting the null information, as sequence stuffing bits into a buffer immediately after the selected picture in the first video signal. The second video signal is transmitted to the buffer immediately after these stuffing bits.

Abstract: A system is provided by which a single active video signal, along with a plurality of audio and data streams can be made to represent a number of different screens of information at a cable TV set. The system uses essentially only the bandwidth of a single video channel to provide a viewer with a plurality of screens, one or more of which include the same active video picture, simultaneously with other screens which display only audio and text/graphics. This multiple-screen capability is provided by a mapping function which creates an effective plurality of channels that are dynamically and seamlessly switched.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus for generating image pickup signals produced by a solid-state image sensor. The image sensor is driven at a data rate of f.sub.s1 with a predetermined phase. Digital luminance signal Y and two digital chrominance signals C.sub.R, C.sub.B are generated by a first digital processing unit, operated at a clock rate related to the data rate of f.sub.s1, from the digitized image pickup signals. These signals are then converted by a second digital processing unit into signals Y, C.sub.R and C.sub.B having a data rate related to f.sub.s2. The second digital processing unit performs bandwidth limitations on these signals by a half band filter having a passband f.sub.s2, f.sub.s2 /2 and f.sub.s2 /2 and performs data rate conversion of from 2f.sub.s1 to f.sub.s2, from f.sub.s1 to f.sub.s2 /2 or f.sub.s2 /4 and from f.sub.s1 to f.sub.s2 /2 or f.sub.

Abstract: A white balance adjustment device adapted to be used in contexts where a photographic subject is illuminated with fluorescent lighting. The white balance adjustment device includes an imaging device for forming an image of a photographic subject and for outputting signals representing the image. An adjustment mode selection device is included for selecting a white balance adjustment mode according to the kind of light source used to illuminate the photographic subject. A measurement unit is used to measure color aspects of the light source used to illuminate the photographic subject. White balance adjustment circuitry is included to adjust the white balance of the output of the imaging device in accordance with the adjustment mode selected by the adjustment mode selection device and in accordance with the measured color aspects of the light source used to illuminate the subject.

Abstract: A clamp signal generation-control circuit includes a clamp signal controller for discriminating the existence of a sync on green signal and a separate sync signal supplied from a video card to a monitor to output a control signal according to the discrimination, and a clamp signal generator for automatically changing a generated point of the clamp signal, and a method for controlling the circuit is also provided. The generated point of the clamp signal supplied to the monitor is controlled to automatically shift the clamping position of a video signal, thereby preventing malfunction caused by a nonprofessional user's manipulation, abnormal picture display or the generation of a segment phenomenon. The circuit is adoptable to monitors supplied with various kinds of sync signals.

Abstract: A central station monitors television broadcasts and issues control and informational broadcasts to receivers located in the homes of users. The information broadcasts include a TV program schedule table and recorder control data. In response to the control broadcasts, processors receiving the broadcast will pause and resume recording of the identified broadcasts. A user can phone into the central station to have the user's recorder programmed to record a particular broadcast.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method for shopping at home. The apparatus comprises a video catalog in which a plurality of product images are established, each product image being coordinated with a corresponding product identification in an order form. The video catalog and the order form are distributed to prospective customers. The customers may view the video catalog and product images, and select the corresponding identification of desired product(s) in the order form. Then, to place an order, the customer transmits the order form with the product identification(s) to the merchandiser, by phone, mail or electronic transmission, for example. Then, the merchandiser may arrange for payment of the order by the customer, and delivery of the corresponding product(s) to the customer.

Abstract: A method for determining which of similar video fields may be excised to enhance video signal compression evaluates parameters of four successive fields denoted 0, 1, 2, and 3. Accumulated differences d(0, 2) and d(1,3) of corresponding pixels in successive frames are generated. In addition a determination is made whether fields 1 and 2 exhibit interlace characteristics. If they do not exhibit interlaced characteristics, a comparison is made of d(0, 2) and d(1, 3). If d(0, 2) is less than d(1, 3) by a predetermined amount, field 2 is excised from the signal stream and a code is generated to condition a receiver to display two of the remaining four fields in a three field interval. Subsequently the latter two fields of the set of 0, 1, 2 and 3 fields, and the next two occurring fields are similarly analyzed.

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: Tint detection circuit for automatically selecting a desired tint in a video signal, including a limit signal generator coupled to receive first (R), second (G) and third (R) color signals in order to generate first and second limit signals (CRITR, CRITB); a color-difference generator coupled to receive the first (R), second (G) and third (B) color signals in order to generate first and second color difference signals (G-R, G-B); and a window comparator coupled to the limit signal generator and to the color-difference generator in order to determine whether the first and second color difference signals (G-R, G-B) are within the windows determined by the first and second limit signals (CRITR, CRITB) so as to supply a tint detection signal.