Abstract: The invention principally relates to a device and to a method for writing in a storage device of the stack type. The invention relates to the use of stacks (1) of the first-in, first-out (FIFO) type for the unscrambling of television images. In order to be able to write in such a stack (1) starting from a desired address, the procedure begins with writing non-pertinent information in order to increment the stack's internal counter to which there is no access. Then, starting from the desired value of the counter, pertinent information is written. It is possible to rewrite pertinent information over the non-pertinent information placed for example at the start of the stack. The present invention applies in particular to the use of special memories for uses which have not been foreseen by the manufacturer. It applies more particularly to the use of stacks (1) of the first-in, first-out type for the unscrambling of television images.

Abstract: A device which comprises a memory memorizing, in addition to the RGB components of the digitized video signal and one bit per pixel for the usual control of fast blanking activating the display of characters, at least one bit per pixel for the control of the recording, on a video cassette recorder, of sub-titles but not of menus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a processing method for a video signal coded in the form of blocks of K words, this signal being written to or read from two frame memories (FM1, FM2) each including an input port, a high speed output port and a low speed output port. According to this method, the input digital video signal is formed by sets of M' blocks with N' block containing luminance data (Y1, Y2 . . . ) and M'-N' blocks containing chrominance data (C1, C2 . . . ), the blocks containing the chrominance data (C1) are written in the first memory (FM1) and the blocks containing luminance data (Y1) are written in the second memory (FM2). Then the blocks containing the luminance data and the blocks containing the chrominance data are read simultaneously on the high speed output port of each memory, the memories being inverted at each frame, and the data eventually being processed to obtain video data in output that presents a compression ratio M/N with M>N.

Abstract: A device and to a method for generating control signals is set forth. The device according to the present invention allows the generation, from a single time reference, of the write control (WE) and read control (RE) signals for the information relating to a video line in a storage device (7, 8, 17, 18, 20). In this way, possible shifts between the synchronization of two successive lines due in particular to the transmission are overcome. The device according to the present invention is applied in particular to the generation, from a common time reference, of write signals and of read signals for a storage device (7, 8, 17, 18, 20) intended for storing a video image line.The invention applies principally to the production of devices for unscrambling scrambled television transmissions, particularly pay television transmissions.

Abstract: In order to scramble as effectively as possible pay-television transmissions, the transmitter is made to transmit, at one and the same time, access messages and entitlement messages, all of them crypted and corresponding to a control word periodically loaded into a pseudo-random generator. In each receiver, the decoder comprises a control unit processing the various messages and sending them to a security processor which supplies a control word to the pseudo-random generator controlling the unscrambling.

Abstract: The method of the invention consists, during the transmission of composite video signals, in the inclusion therein of series of access messages (ECM1, ECM2) and, during the unscrambling, carried out using a chip card reader whose chip card comprises encoded digital data, in using an interactive method of identification of a digital signature.

Abstract: The method of the invention consists in shifting (a) the start of the scrambled section of a composite video line of a television image with respect to the start of the useful part of that line.

Abstract: Area enlargement of television pictures can be achieved by stretching the picture at the same time in the vertical and horizontal directions. In the simplest case this can be accomplished by increasing the scanning amplitude. As the horizontal deflection consumes the greatest part of the energy converted in a picture reproduction apparatus and as it requires high-powered modular elements, an increased scanning amplitude would undesirably augment the energy consumption and further increase the demand on the performance of the modular elements in use. Image enlargement according to this invention is accomplished by storing the horizontally succeeding picture information of a just transmitted or reproduced scanning line and by subsequently displaying the sequential picture information of an area of the scanning line stretched over the whole horizontal period.

Abstract: Circuitry for recognizing an authorization code included in a video signal for enabling a subscriber's television receiver, includes quantizing apparatus for coarsely quantizing the received signal. A correlator designed to recognize the authorization code is coupled the quantizer and produces an array of correlation values. The correlation values are coupled to a threshold circuit which converts the correlation values to bistate values. Further circuitry evaluates the distribution of bistate values to determine reception of the authorization code.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved cosmetic compositions. It has been found that cosmetic compositions can be improved by adding to the formula a non-saponifiable fraction of an animal or vegetable oil. An animal or vegetable oil may also be present in the cosmetic composition, in which case it is preferably present in an amount below the conventional quantity and the non-saponifiable fraction is present in an amount at least equal to the amount of non-saponifiable material which would be extracted from the omitted portion of the animal or vegetable oil.