Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200, 300) and system (100) for performing a trick mode on a video signal containing a plurality of original pictures. The method includes the steps of receiving a trick mode command (212, 312) and selectively inserting (214, 324) at least one dummy bidirectional predictive picture in the video signal using field-based prediction to form a trick mode video signal. In one arrangement, each dummy bidirectional predictive picture can be a one-directional predicted picture, and the method can further include the step of predicting each dummy bidirectional predictive picture from a reference picture. In another arrangement, the predicting step can further include predicting each dummy bidirectional predictive picture from a single field associated with the reference picture.

Abstract: A video processing system adaptively generates and processes volume/file structure and navigation data of different data format and converts data between different formats for decoding, recording and other applications. The system processes the volume/file structure and navigation data in distinct modes including (a) pre-processing, (b) contemporaneous and (c) post-processing modes. In addition, the system provides navigation information supporting navigation through different images of one or more video programs by parsing encoded packetized data representative of a sequence of individual images to determine parameters to support navigation through the sequence of individual images. The determined parameters are formatted into a predetermined data structure and incorporated into a pre-formed navigation data field.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for producing an optimal slow forward trick mode playback of a portion of video containing a plurality of pictures wherein at least a portion of the plurality of pictures are predictive pictures. The invention includes the steps of: receiving (210) a slow forward trick mode command; and inhibiting (216) the display of an initial set of the plurality of pictures prior to obtaining a properly decoded predictive picture from the initial set of the plurality of pictures. The invention can also include the steps of: selectively decoding (214) the plurality of pictures to obtain the properly decoded predictive picture from the initial set of the plurality of pictures; and decoding (218) subsequent pictures in the portion of video using the properly decoded predictive picture to obtain subsequent properly decoded pictures.

Abstract: A video signal is decomposed into a higher brightness level signal and a lower brightness level signal. The threshold between higher and lower brightness levels is adjustable and related to the transition between lower and higher gain portions of the gamma table for an associated liquid crystal imager. The lower brightness level signal is low pass filtered to reduce the difference in brightness between adjacent pixels. The higher brightness level signal is delayed in time to match the processing delay through the low pass filter. The delay matched signal and the low pass filtered signal are combined to form a modified video signal less likely to result in sparkle artifacts in the imager. Sparkle reduction processing can be applied to luminance signals and to video drive signals in various combinations, based on independently selectable thresholds.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) or (300) and system (100) for performing a trick mode on a video signal containing a plurality of progressively scanned original pictures. The method (200) includes the steps of: selectively repeating (214) at least one of the original pictures to convert the video signal to a trick mode video signal in response to a trick mode command; and the step of selectively inserting (216) at least one dummy bidirectional predictive picture in the trick mode video signal. In addition, the method (300) can include the step of monitoring (316) the trick mode video signal so that the dummy bidirectional predictive picture is selectively inserted when the bit rate exceeds a predetermined threshold. Certain pictures in the trick mode video signal can also be modified (220) (328) to reflect an intended display order.

Abstract: A method for multiplying the frame rate of an input video signal having a line rate fHin and a frame rate fVin, comprising the steps of: propagating the input video signal through just enough memory to delay the input video signal by a fraction of a frame period 1/fVin; speeding up the delayed video signal to a first line rate faster than fHin; speeding up the input video signal to a second line rate faster than fHin; supplying the speeded up video signal and the delayed speeded up video signal sequentially, one line at a time; and, writing the sequentially supplied lines into a liquid crystal display at the faster line rate, thereby writing at least some of the lines multiple times within each the frame period. A corresponding apparatus can comprise: a partial frame memory; two speedup memories; a multiplexer; and, a source of clock and control signals.

Abstract: A bow press for securing an archery bow having limbs. The bow press has a main frame to support other components of the bow press. The main frame includes a main frame cross member, an adjustment mechanism mounted to the main frame, a bow limb flexing assembly mounted to the main frame cross member adapted for receiving the archery bow, and a limb inside contact assembly adapted to secure the archer bow against the bow limb flexing assembly and mounted to the adjustment mechanism, whereby the limb inside contact assembly can be moved to due to actuation of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A video decoder User interface system supports decoding, recording and other applications including the addition of new decoder features and the conversion of data formats between read-only and recordable formats, for example. The system involves generating a menu from stored data representative of a pre-formed menu containing a menu icon permitting User selection of data format conversion of packetized data from a read-only data format to a different recordable data format. The system generates navigation parameters that are compatible with the recordable data format and incorporates them in output data in response to User selection of the menu icon. In another feature, the pre-formed menu also contains an inactive menu icon that is activated by associating and linking an active command with the inactive menu icon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pausing a video presentation in a recordable disc medium device is provided wherein the recordable disc medium device utilizes its capability to read data at a variable rate to increase the overall average bit rate. The disc medium device can record the video presentation on the disc medium at a selected location and can periodically interrupt this recording to read from the disc medium a portion of the recorded video presentation. Additionally, the recordable disc medium device can vary the rotational speed of the disc medium to enable the disc medium device to alternate between reading and recording. While the speed of the disc medium is varying, the recordable disc medium device can read recorded data at a variable bit rate. This process increases the overall average bit rate thus enabling the disc medium device to playback and record the video presentation seamlessly.

Abstract: A method for reducing sparkle artifacts in a liquid crystal imager, comprises the steps of: low pass filtering only a first lower brightness level signal component of a video signal; and, slew rate limiting only a second lower brightness level signal component of the video signal having the low pass filtered signal component, the video signal having the low pass filtered and the slew rate limited signal components being less likely to result in sparkle artifacts in the imager. Brightness thresholds for defining the lower brightness level signal components and slew rate limits can be selected in accordance with transitions between lower and higher level gain portions of a gamma table associated with the imager, for example an LCOS imager.

Abstract: A flicker reduction system (20) for an imager (24) having random row access includes a memory (22) coupled to the imager and a controller (26) coupled to the memory and the imager. Preferably, the controller is programmed to interleave stripes (12, 14, 16, 18) of opposing polarity on the imager for a current frame, wherein each stripe has a plurality of horizontal lines and further programmed to overwrite the plurality of horizontal lines in each stripe for a subsequent frame with another plurality of horizontal lines having an opposing polarity to the plurality of horizontal lines for the current frame.

Abstract: A drainage pipe for use in a basement waterproofing system includes an interior cleaning device that includes a plurality of openings to allow fluid, such as air or water, to be forced out of the pipe and clean debris within the drainage pipe. The drainage pipe also includes an exterior cleaning device that includes a spray nozzle affixed to an exterior surface of the drainage pipe. The exterior spray nozzle allows fluid and debris to be removed from areas outside the pipe.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for encoding a video signal. The method includes the steps of receiving (212) a progressive video signal, and encoding (214) the progressive video signal into at least one group of pictures having at least one prediction source picture and at least one non-prediction source picture. All the non-prediction source pictures are predicted from the prediction source picture such that no non-prediction source picture is predicted from another non-prediction source picture. The method also includes the step of, in response to a reverse trick mode command, altering (218) the display order of the group of pictures to permit the group of pictures to be displayed in a reverse order. Additionally, the method can include the step of modifying (220) at least the number of non-prediction source pictures in the group of pictures in response to the reverse trick mode command.

Abstract: A method (300) of converting interlaced Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) video signals to progressive video signals can include receiving an interlaced video signal representing a luma component specifying luma lines and a chroma component specifying chroma lines (310) wherein the chroma component can specify approximately one-half the number of lines of the luma component. The interlaced video signal can be decoded and the number of the chroma lines can be increased to approximately the same as the number of the luma lines (320). The number of chroma lines of the interlaced video signal then can be decreased (340), to substantially reverse the previous increase. The interlaced video signal then can be deinterlaced to produce a progressive video signal (350), which can be processed further (360) as needed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200 or 300) and system (100) for performing a trick mode operation on a video signal containing a plurality of progressively scanned original pictures. The method (200) includes the step of selectively skipping (214) at least one of the original pictures to convert the video signal to a trick mode video signal in response to a trick mode command and the step of selectively inserting (216) at least one dummy bidirectional predictive picture in the trick mode video signal. In addition, the method (300) can include the step of monitoring (316) the trick mode video signal so that the dummy bidirectional predictive picture is selectively inserted when the bit rate exceeds a predetermined threshold. Display indicators of certain pictures in the trick mode video signal can also be modified (226) (328) to reflect an intended display order.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for generating a dummy bidirectional predictive picture which can be repeated during display with substantially no vibration in which the dummy bidirectional predictive picture contains at least two fields. The method includes the steps of setting (220) a parameter of the dummy bidirectional predictive picture to indicate that no encoding of a residual signal will occur and employing (216, 222, 224) field-based prediction to predict the at least two fields of the dummy bidirectional predictive picture. The setting step can further include setting the parameter of the dummy bidirectional predictive picture to indicate that no discrete cosine transform encoding of the residual signal will occur. The dummy bidirectional predictive picture can include a plurality of macroblocks, and each macroblock can contain at least a portion of the at least two fields and the parameter can be a macroblock parameter.

Abstract: A circuit (10) for reducing errors due to adjacent pixel interdependence in a liquid crystal display includes a decomposer (12) for dividing an input signal into a plurality of signals having at least a high brightness signal and at least one low brightness signal, a delay match circuit (14) for the high brightness signal to provide a delay high brightness signal, one or more transient conditioner circuits (16 and/or 18) for processing the at least one low brightness signal to provide at least one transient conditioned low brightness signal, and a combiner (20) for combining the delay matched high brightness signal with the at least one transient conditioned low brightness signal to provide an output signal having reduced sparkle artifacts.

Abstract: A method (30) of reducing contouring in a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display can include receiving a frame-doubled input signal (32) comprising a positive picture and a negative picture. A first dither (36) specified by a gamma table can be applied to the input signal. The first dither can selectively modify a primary-color gamma value of the negative picture or the positive picture. Also, a second dither (34) can be applied to the input signal at an input of the gamma table. The first and second dither can result in an output signal having reduced brightness level repetition for consecutive input levels.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for performing a reverse trick mode. The method includes the steps of receiving (212) a non-progressive video signal and encoding (214) the non-progressive video signal into at least one group of pictures having at least one prediction source picture and at least one non-prediction source picture. All the non-prediction source pictures are predicted from the at least one prediction source picture such that no non-prediction source picture is predicted from another non-prediction source picture. The method also includes the step of, in response to a reverse trick mode command, altering (220) the display order of the group of pictures to permit the group of pictures to be displayed in a reverse order.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides a coated substrate comprising a substrate, a radiation-cured coating or a thermally-cured on at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises an inherent macroscopic texture. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pre-cured coating mixture comprising a radiation-curable resin and an initiator, or a thermally-curable resin and thermal initiator, wherein the radiation- or thermally-curable resin and the respective initiator form a pre-cured coating mixture capable of forming a macroscopic texture upon application of the mixture on a substrate. In another embodiment the present invention provides a pre-cured coating mixture comprising a radiation- or thermally-curable resin, an initiator, and texture-producing particles having an effective size to provide a macroscopic texture upon application of the mixture on a substrate.