Abstract: A bit-stream converter capable of converting a first synchronous compressed bit-stream of data at a first sampling rate to second synchronous compressed bit-stream frame of data at a second sampling rate is disclosed. The bit-stream converter architecture may include a payload length detector and a zero stuffing unit in signal communication with the payload length detector. The zero stuffing unit is capable of zero stuffing section responsive to the payload length detector detecting the payload length.

Abstract: A vehicle-hosted local network includes a subscriber data source that transmits audio data and compressed video data to respective subscriber data sinks on the network. The subscriber data source includes a demultiplexer that separates compressed audio data and compressed video data contained in one compressed source signal. A pre-processing circuit processes in parallel the separated audio data and the separated video data to provide the audio data and the compressed video data that is transmitted to the respective subscriber data sinks on the network.

Abstract: A reproduction system reproduces interlaced video data in a deinterlaced form. The system selects a deinterlacing algorithm used to process the interlaced video data. The deinterlaced video data is sent to a display device. The reproduction system responds to a manual or automated input that selects a deinterlacing algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reproduction of a television signal on a distant reproduction device. The received television signal is encoded and transmitted in a digital data format over a communication link to the reproduction device. The reproduction device decodes the received video information for display on a display screen. The invention is particularly intended for use in mobile vehicles, coaches and trains, where the signal strength of a received television signal during travel is continuously varying and signal distortions occur frequently. In order to reduce the effect of signal distortions on the perceived image and audio quality, the invention inserts a compressed pre-stored video or audio data into the data stream transmitted from the television receiver to the reproduction device upon detection of a television signal distortion. Thus, the decoding procedure at the display device can be maintained in spite of a received television signal of insufficient signal strength.

Abstract: An optical ring network for use, for example, in a motor vehicle, includes an optical data line that defines a ring network, a playback transducer and at least one data source connected to the optical data line, where the data source provides compressed data onto the optical data line. The network also includes at least one data sink connected to the optical data line, which receives the compressed data from the optical data line. The data sink includes a bit stream decoder that decompresses the received compressed data and provides the decompressed data to the playback transducer. The local network transmits audio and video data in compressed form via the data line, and has a single bit stream decoder, centrally situated at the respective data sink, for decompressing the audio and/or video data. As a result, the individual data sources no longer need their own bit stream decoder for decompressing the data.

Abstract: A system is presented for the multipath reception of video signals, including sound an/or image signals. The system includes at least two receivers and a diversity unit. At least one receiver receives and processes analog video signals, while the one or more remaining receivers receive and process digital video signals. The system may further include an analog selector unit for selecting the highest quality analog signal, and/or a digital selector unit for selecting the highest quality digital signal. The diversity unit receives the processed analog and digital video signals and combines them to produce a resulting video signal having a quality at least as high as the better of the processed analog and digital video signals. The diversity unit may combine the received video signals by performing a weighted addition of the signals.

Abstract: A digital television system includes a network that connects a display, an operating unit that requests a program or program information, and a television reception unit, a demultiplexer that separates the audio, video and miscellaneous data, a matching stage that matches the audio signal with the video signal, a multiplexer that combines the audio and video signal into one data stream, an evaluation device in communication with the demultiplexer, a memory that stores the miscellaneous data and a controller that manages the miscellaneous data. The memory and the controller form a server unit, and the controller is in communication with the operating unit. The miscellaneous data is transmitted to the network by the controller when recalled from the memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reproduction of a television signal on a distant reproduction device. The received television signal is encoded and transmitted in a digital data format over a communication link to the reproduction device. The reproduction device decodes the received video information for display on a display screen. The invention is particularly intended for use in mobile vehicles, coaches and trains, where the signal strength of a received television signal during travel is continuously varying and signal distortions occur frequently. In order to reduce the effect of signal distortions on the perceived image and audio quality, the invention inserts a compressed pre-stored video or audio data into the data stream transmitted from the television receiver to the reproduction device upon detection of a television signal distortion. Thus, the decoding procedure at the display device can be maintained in spite of a received television signal of insufficient signal strength.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment and information processing (VEIP) system may allow a user to listen to quality broadcast signals while moving through regions of varying signal strength. The VEIP system includes a navigation unit, a tuning receiver, and a system controller to analyze broadcast signals based on a broadcast station database. The VEIP system may switch to alternate broadcast stations when the broadcast signal degrades because of terrain, position of the vehicle, or other driving conditions.

Abstract: A reproduction system reproduces interlaced video data in a deinterlaced form. The system selects a deinterlacing algorithm used to process the interlaced video data. The deinterlaced video data is sent to a display device. The reproduction system responds to a manual or automated input that selects a deinterlacing algorithm.

Abstract: A data transmission synchronization system provides a method for transmitting a stream of continuous audio and/or video data from a transmitter to a receiver on a communication link where the system determines if synchronization information is present in a data source. If no synchronization information is present, the system generates new synchronization to insert into a transmitted data stream. If synchronization information is present, the system checks the information accuracy and corrects the information if necessary. The system transmits a data stream with inserted synchronization information.

Abstract: A system is presented for the multipath reception of video signals, including sound an/or image signals. The system includes at least two receivers and a diversity unit. At least one receiver receives and processes analog video signals, while the one or more remaining receivers receive and process digital video signals. The system may further include an analog selector unit for selecting the highest quality analog signal, and/or a digital selector unit for selecting the highest quality digital signal. The diversity unit receives the processed analog and digital video signals and combines them to produce a resulting video signal having a quality at least as high as the better of the processed analog and digital video signals. The diversity unit may combine the received video signals by performing a weighted addition of the signals.

Abstract: A bit-stream converter capable of converting a first synchronous compressed bit-stream of data at a first sampling rate to second synchronous compressed bit-stream frame of data at a second sampling rate is disclosed. The bit-stream converter architecture may include a payload length detector and a zero stuffing unit in signal communication with the payload length detector. The zero stuffing unit is capable of zero stuffing section responsive to the payload length detector detecting the payload length.

Abstract: The sampling rate of the optical and electrical signals provided by a DVD player according to standard IEC 61937 are converted in a first transcoder to the sampling rate of a multimedia network. The signals generated by the first transcoder with the sampling rate of the multimedia network are transmitted through a multimedia network line to a second transcoder, which based on the parameters contained in the signals received generates the signal originally generated by the DVD player and transmits it according to standard IEC 61937 to a DVD decoder. The technique is specifically suited for use in a motor vehicle and is distinguished by low technical complexity since without the transcoding by the two transcoders the encoded data stream at the output of the DVD player would have to be first decoded and then transmitted in multichannel mode as linear PCM data through a multimedia network line, for example, a MOST line. This approach, however, requires three to four times the bandwidth.

Abstract: An apparatus for pre-processing of a digital video data stream including luminance and chrominance pixel data, the apparatus comprising a plurality of pre-processing units including a horizontal filter unit and a vertical filter unit. The horizontal filter unit is located at an input side and the vertical filter unit is located at an output side of the preprocessing apparatus and wherein all read/write memory for storing data outputted from or inputted to the plurality of pre-processing units is contained in a single memory block.

Abstract: A test pattern suitable for testing high definition (HDTV) television signals is described as well as a method and apparatus for providing such a pattern on a television display apparatus. A plurality of color signals are stored in a memory device (look-up table) and each pixel of the display screen is correlated to a point on a spiral curve in order to determine a rotational angle which is used as an address for one or more of said color signals which are displayed at that pixel location. In this manner, a spiral shaped test pattern is generated having spiral color (or monochrome) segments corresponding to a spiral curve.

Abstract: A color television system wherein the transmitter and receiver each include at least one adaptive filter for minimizing crosstalk between the frequency interleaved luminance (Y) and chrominance (C) components of a received video signal due to vertical changes in luminance or chrominance on successive scanning lines of the video picture. Each such adaptive filter includes a line comb filter which comb-filters from the input signal thereto frequencies which belong to one of the video signal components, and a fading circuit for combining the comb-filtered signal with the unfiltered signal in continuously variable relative proportions. Such proportioning is established by an adaptive control signal derived from a vertical detection signal which corresponds to the degree of vertical correlation of luminance and/or chrominance of vertically corresponding pixels on successive scanning lines.