Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system 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 and selectively inserting at least one dummy predictive picture in the trick mode video signal using at least one prediction scheme among field-based prediction and frame-based prediction. In one arrangement, the selectively inserting step can include the step of selectively inserting at least a first dummy predictive picture in the video signal using field-based prediction and subsequent dummy predictive pictures in the trick mode video signal using frame-based prediction.

Abstract: A method of optimizing the display of an up-converted interlaced video frame signal from a received progressive video frame signal (11) comprises the steps of receiving a progressive video frame signal, decoding (12) the progressive video frame signal using an interpolation function (18) to provide an interpolated interlaced video signal, deinterlacing (14) the interpolated interlaced video signal, and de-interpolating (16) the deinterlaced interpolated interlaced video signal to provide an optimized progressive video frame signal (17).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method (200) and system (100) for encoding a video signal. 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 can also include the step of, in response to a forward trick mode command, modifying (217, 218) at least the number of non-prediction source pictures in the group of pictures to convert the non-progressive video signal to a trick mode video signal.

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: 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: 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 can also include the step of, in response to a forward trick mode command, modifying (217, 218) at least the number of non-prediction source pictures in the group of pictures to convert the progressive video signal to a trick mode video signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and system for generating a dummy bidirectional predictive (dummy B) field picture. The method includes the steps of setting at least a portion of a first indicator of the dummy B field picture to indicate that no encoding of a residual signal will occur and setting at least a portion of a second indicator of the dummy B field picture to indicate that the dummy B field picture will be predicted from at least one field among a first field and a last field of a reference picture to control a vibration artifact. The dummy B field picture can be a forward or a backward predicted field picture, and the at least one field from which the dummy B field picture is predicted can be a first or last field of the reference picture.

Abstract: A method (200) of performing a trick mode on a video signal includes the steps of receiving (202) a trick mode command and repeating (204) a picture in the video signal to form a trick mode video signal in response to the trick mode command. If the picture being repeated is a bi-directional predictive picture, then the method can limit (210) the repeating step to a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for reducing the effect of column memory. The method includes the steps of activating (212) one of a plurality of row electrodes, selectively applying (214) a video input signal to a plurality of column electrodes, and setting (216) at least one of the plurality of column electrodes to a substantially constant voltage prior to activating a subsequent row electrode. Ine one arrangement, the substantially constant voltage can correlate to a flat field. The method can also include repeating the steps of activating one of the plurality of row electrodes step, selectively applying the video input signal step, and setting at least one of the plurality of column electrodes to the substantially constant voltage step in which the steps can be performed in a liquid crystal on silicon imager.

Abstract: A display system (10) comprises a digital micromirror device (DMD) (24) controlled by a driver circuit (30) responsive to sequences of pulse width segments formed by a processor (31). The processor (31) increases the pixel brightness by actuating selected pulses such that within a first range of brightness levels between first and second pixel brightness boundaries, a first large-duration pulse element becomes actuated to reach the second pixel brightness boundary, and within a second range of pixel brightness levels between second and third pixel brightness boundaries, the first large duration pulse element remains actuated. Upon reaching the third pixel brightness boundary, a second large duration pulse element now becomes actuated with the first large duration pulse element remaining actuated. Forming the pulse width segments in this manner serves to reduce motion contouring.

Abstract: A sparkle reduction system (20) includes a first lookup table (22) and at least a second lookup table (26) and a sparkle reduction circuit (24) having an output of the first lookup table serving as an input to the sparkle reduction circuit and an output of the sparkle reduction circuit serving as an input to the second lookup table.

Abstract: A method (300) of converting interlaced video (FIG. 2A) to progressive video can include a series of steps. The method can include receiving a video signal (310) representative of at least one picture and determining (320) whether the picture is progressive. If the picture is progressive, a vertical synchronization signal is modified to create an association with a first field of the picture (340). Accordingly, a progressive video signal can be converted to an interlaced video signal associated with the vertical synchronization signal and the interlaced video signal can then be converted to a progressive video signal in correspondence with modification made to the vertical synchronization signal (350).

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting an electric motor, which is adapted to drive an endless belt at a predetermined tension, to a stationary frame, includes a housing that is adapted to receive the motor. A drive shaft extends from the front end of the housing and is adapted to drive the belt. An elongated base mount is integrally formed on the outside surface of the housing and extends from the front of the housing for pivotally coupling the housing to the stationary frame. The base mount has a first end and a second end, and a bore which extends longitudinally at least partially through the base mount from the first end and the second end of the base mount. A substantially rigid tab is fixedly attached to the cylindrical housing at a substantially opposite side from the base mount. The tension on the belt is set by applying a biasing force on the tab to pivot the motor about the axis of the base mount.

Abstract: A field sequential pulse width modulated display system (10) comprises a digital micromirror device (DMD) (24) having a plurality of micromirrors that each selectively pivot to reflect light onto a screen (28) to illuminate a corresponding pixel. A driver circuit (30) controls the DMD (24) responsive to sequences of pulse width segments formed by a processor (31). The processor (31) forms the pulse width segment sequences to alter the pixel brightness for a given one of a set of primary colors within a range of brightness values between adjacent pixel brightness boundaries, with each segment for each color interleaved with the segments for the other colors.

Abstract: A field sequential pulse width modulated display system (10) comprises a digital micromirror device (DMD) (24) having a plurality of micromirrors that each selectively reflect light to illuminate a corresponding pixel. A driver circuit (30) controls the DMD (24) responsive to sequences of pulse width segments formed by a processor (31). The processor (31) increases the pixel brightness by actuating selected pulses such that within a first range of brightness levels between first and second pixel brightness boundaries, a first large-duration pulse (or combination of pulses) becomes actuated to reach the second pixel brightness boundary, and within a second range of pixel brightness levels between second and third pixel brightness boundaries, the first large duration pulse (or combination of pulses) remains actuated.

Abstract: A method for managing buffers in an apparatus adapted for writing program portions onto and reading the program portions from a digital program disk comprises the steps of: filling a first buffer with encoded program portions at a first bit rate; filling a second buffer with the encoded program portions; supplying the encoded program portions from the second buffer for decoding; and, establishing an initial complementary fullness of the first and second buffers using an excess bit rate capability of the apparatus related to the first bit rate. The first bit rate is a constant bit rate slower than one-half of a maximum bit rate of the apparatus. An apparatus for implementing the method comprises a controller for recording the program portions onto alternate segments of the track, for initiating complementary operation of record and track buffers and for maintaining the complementary operation.

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 rewriting onto a disk medium capable of being rewritten a limited number of times, comprises the steps of: encoding as data blocks all programs to be recorded; writing any encoded program onto a track on the disk medium as a given sequence of encoded data blocks; and, precessing along the track when overwriting the given sequence of encoded data blocks with a subsequent sequence of encoded data blocks. An apparatus comprises a controller for enabling any encoded program to be written onto a track on a disk medium as a given sequence of encoded data blocks. When overwriting the given sequence with a subsequent sequence of encoded data blocks, the controller precesses the rewriting along the track.

Abstract: A method (500) of converting interlaced video to progressive video can include receiving a video signal (505) representative of at least one picture and determining whether the at least one picture is progressive (510). Responsive to the progressive picture determination, a vertical synchronization signal can be selectively modified to identify whether a field previously sent and a field to immediately follow are from a same progressive picture (615, 640).

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards detecting contouring artifacts in a received video signal and reducing the detected artifacts by dithering and/or by adding least significant bits to selected pixels in the video signal. The contouring artifacts are detected by applying a magnitude difference test and/or an averaging test to a predetermined pixel span. The artifacts are reduced by substituting a replacement pixel for a selected pixel in the pixel span. A replacement pixel is generated by calculating an average pixel value for the predetermined pixel span, by reducing (e.g., rounding or truncated) the average pixel value to a bit resolution that is greater than the bit resolution of the pixels in the predetermined pixel span, or by adding a dither signal to the average pixel value.