Abstract: A plurality of reference nodes that are attached to the network are correlated with geographic location. Communication latency between the reference nodes are used to approximate the location of a target node once the communication latency from one of the reference nodes to the target node is determined.

Abstract: Images may be registered using temporal (time-based) and spatial information. In a film implementation, because film is a sequence of frames, using information from neighboring frames may enable a temporally smoother visual experience. In addition, it may be beneficial to take advantage of the fact that consecutive frames are often shifted similarly during the photographic process. Distortion measures may be used that discount candidate transformations that are considered to be too far from one or more preferred transformations, such as, for example, an optimal transformation from another frame or block or a currently-optimal transformation from the same frame/block. Composite color images may be processed to provide registration of underlying components.

Abstract: Separations or images relating to film or other fields may be registered using a variety of features, such as, for example: (1) correcting one or more film distortions; (2) automatically determining a transformation to reduce a film distortion; (3) applying multiple criteria of merit to a set of features to determine a set of features to use in determining a transformation; (4) determining transformations for areas in an image or a separation in a radial order; (5) comparing areas in images or separations by weighting feature pixels differently than non-feature pixels; (6) determining distortion values for transformations by applying a partial distortion measure and/or using a spiral search configuration; (7) determining transformations by using different sets of features to determine corresponding transformation parameters in an iterative manner; and (8) applying a feathering technique to neighboring areas within an image or separation.

Abstract: Post-production processing may be performed by receiving a film-processing order, determining a process useful in fulfilling film-processing order, identifying one or more resources available to perform the process useful in fulfilling the film-processing order, and scheduling with at least one of the identified resources to perform the process.

Abstract: A method for processing an analog video signal that represents a work for which rights information is asserted. The signal includes a rights assertion mark (RAM) in the video portion of the signal within the visible picture such that capture of the picture will include the mark. The signal also includes copy control information (CCI) bits in the vertical blanking interval of the signal for representing copying and redistribution rules. If the RAM is present and the CCI bits are present, then the copying and redistribution rules represented by the CCI bits are applied. If the RAM is present but the CCI bits are not, then the most restrictive copying and redistribution rules that can be represented by the CCI bits are applied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording on DVD-like recording media in which audio content is stored in a high-capacity multi-channel (e.g., six-channel) format are provided. Various channels may use various resolutions. A two-channel audio output may be derived from the multi-channel audio data stream during playback. To facilitate an accurate derivation, the mixing coefficients to be used in generating the derivation can be supplied along with the six-channel audio data.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing data and content includes at least one drive and a player (that may be implemented by software). At least some of the content is protected using a content scrambling scheme such as audio or video watermarking. The drive and player cooperate to operate in a lockable mode wherein if protected content is provided to the drive, the drive and player are interlocked so that the content is presented by the player only in accordance with consistent with protection scheme being used, and cannot be presented by any other player. Moreover, in the locked mode, protected content may not be accepted from any other drive. The drive and player are switched to an unlockded mode by presenting to the drive unprotected content.

Abstract: An optical disc used for storing content includes a theft control area selected to render the disc unreadable. The disc must be exposed to radiation of a specific wavelength before it can be read by a regular device. The theft control area may include an area that contains data that instructs the device not to read the disc. This area includes a coating that changes its optical characteristics when exposed to the radiation. The material could be radiochromic or thermochromic. Alternatively, the theft control area includes an RFID device that includes an element that is radiation sensitive. In this embodiment, when the disc is irradiated, the element changes its electrical characteristics.

Abstract: A plurality of reference nodes that are attached to the network are correlated with geographic location. Communication latency between the reference nodes are used to approximate the location of a target node once the communication latency from one of the reference nodes to the target node is determined.

Abstract: A player is provided that is capable of playing discs of either a first or a second configuration. Both types of discs can be double-sided optical discs formed with data tracks. In one configuration, the tracks on one side follow one spiral while the tracks on the other side follow a second spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, and therefore being mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from both sides of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc. In the other configuration, the tracks follow identical spirals. The disc is then rotated in one direction for one side and the other direction for the other side.

Abstract: A double-sided optical disc, is formed with data tracks. The tracks on one side follow one spiral while the tracks on the other side follow a second spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, and therefore being mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from both sides of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A double-sided optical disc, is formed with data tracks. The tracks on one side follow one spiral while the tracks on the other side follow a second spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, and therefore being mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from both sides of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A double-sided optical disc, is formed with data tracks. The tracks on one side follow one spiral while the tracks on the other side follow a second spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, and therefore being mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from both sides of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A double-sided optical disc, such as a DVD-18 disc, is formed with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side are oriented along one spiral while the tracks on the other side are oriented along a different spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed normally from the respective sides. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from either side of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc while the data is being read. The player determines whether a newly inserted disc is oriented properly and, if necessary, the direction of the disc rotation is reversed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording on DVD-like recording media in which audio content is stored in a high-capacity multi-channel (e.g., six-channel) format are provided. Various channels may use various resolutions. A two-channel audio output may be derived from the multi-channel audio data stream during playback. To facilitate an accurate derivation, the mixing coefficients to be used in generating the derivation can be supplied along with the six-channel audio data.

Abstract: A double-sided optical disc, is formed with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side follow one spiral while the tracks on the other side follow a second spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, and therefore being mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from both sides of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc.

Abstract: A double-sided double-layer optical disc for storing digital programs, such as a DVD-18 disc, is formed with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side are oriented along one spiral while the tracks on the other side are oriented along a different spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, so that they are mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from both sides of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc while normal data reading is proceeding. A disc writer is provided with two heads that are arranged to write data on the respective sides of a disc. The two heads write data streams sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: A double-sided optical disc, such as a DVD-18 disc, is formed with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side are oriented along one spiral while the tracks on the other side are oriented along a second spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, so that they are mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from either side of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc while normal data reading is proceeding. The disc also includes rotational indicia that is detected by the player and used to determine the direction of rotation for the disc that will allow a read head to read program data from the disc.

Abstract: A disc player for playing multi-layer optical discs includes two laser sources for generating two respective laser beams directed at two respective data layers. The reflected beams are directed at respective detectors generating two data streams corresponding to the data from the two data layers. The two data streams can be generated simultaneously.

Abstract: Double-sided optical discs, such as a DVD-18 disc, are mass produced with data tracks on each layer. The tracks on one side of the discs are oriented along one spiral while the tracks on the other side are oriented along a different spiral, the two spirals being oriented in opposite directions as viewed from the respective sides, so that they are mirror images of each other. This allows data to be read by a player seamlessly from either side of the disc without changing the direction of rotation of the disc while normal data reading is proceeding. The process for making the discs includes forming master discs corresponding to the data layers and using these master discs to produce molded optical discs.