Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a digitally encoded signal from a disk medium, comprises a transducer which transduces the digitally encoded signal. A memory is coupled to the transducer for storing the digitally encoded signal. A decoder is responsive to the digitally encoded signal for decoding a picture therefrom. A controller for the memory, wherein a first operational mode the controller controls the memory to read the stored digitally encoded signal from the memory responsive to a first sequence and in a second operational mode the controller controls the memory to read the stored digitally encoded signal from the memory in a second sequence.

Abstract: Video processing image manipulation and trick play modes provide seamless normal play and trick play functioning. Specifically, a system processes video data including encoded digital packetized data representative of a sequence of individual images and ancillary data identifying characteristics of the individual images. The system involves a pre-processor for parsing the ancillary data to determine characteristics of the individual images prior to storing the encoded digital packetized data. The system also includes a multiplexer for filtering the encoded digital packetized data based on the determined characteristics to identify particular images of the image sequence for storage in a memory and for excluding other images of the sequence from storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a digitally encoded signal from a disk medium, comprises a source of a bitstream representative of the digitally encoded signal. A processor is coupled to the bitstream for processing the bitstream to extract at least a first and a second data type represented therein. A memory is controllably coupled to the processor for storing one of the first and a second data types. A controller is coupled to control allocation of the memory, wherein a first reproducing mode the controller allocates the memory for storing the first data type, and in a second reproducing mode the controller allocates the memory for storing the second data type.

Abstract: A method for recording a program during pausing and playing back the program utilizing a disk medium, comprising the steps of: upon initiating a pause, recording the program onto a disk medium as a first pattern of recorded segments alternating with a second pattern of unrecorded segments; jumping back to the first recorded segment of the first pattern upon termination of the pause; and, alternately playing back the recorded segments of the first pattern and recording the program onto the unrecorded segments of the second pattern. An apparatus for implementing the method can comprise a controller having: a first mode of operation for recording the first pattern initiated responsive to a command to initiate a pause; a second mode of operation initiated responsive to a command to terminate said pause and jump back; and, a third mode of operation for playing back the first pattern and recording the second pattern.

Abstract: A method for picture decoding and display in an apparatus reproducing from a digital disk. The method comprises the steps of transducing a digitally encoded signal from the disk. Storing the digitally encoded signal in a first memory. Decoding the digitally encoded signal to produce a picture. Storing the picture in a second memory. Coupling the picture from the second memory for display. Controling the storing in the second memory and the coupling for display to occur substantially concurrently.

Abstract: Apparatus for combining an auxiliary image and a main image includes a source of a main image video signal and a source of samples representing an auxiliary image video signal having successive fields. A quincunx subsampler is coupled to the auxiliary image sample source and subsamples the auxiliary image samples in either a first sample pattern in which samples are taken at a first set of horizontal locations, or a second sample pattern in which samples are taken at a second set of horizontal locations substantially midway between the first set, all in response to a control signal. A signal combiner is coupled to the quincunx subsampler and the main image signal source, and combines the main image signal and a signal representing the quincunx subsampled auxiliary image samples to generate a signal representing a combined image of the main and auxiliary images.

Abstract: Apparatus for combining an auxiliary image and a main image includes a source of a main image signal and a source of samples representing an auxiliary image signal. A subsampler selectively subsamples the auxiliary image samples in either a quincunx subsampling pattern or a rectangular subsampling pattern. A signal combiner combines the main image signal and a signal representing the subsampled auxiliary image samples to generate a combined image signal. A control circuit generates a freeze control signal for the subsampler which conditions it to take samples in the rectangular subsampling pattern during a freeze frame operation, and in the quincunx sampling pattern otherwise.

Abstract: A tampon is disclosed which is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina, especially during her menstrual period. The tampon includes an absorbent and a liquid-permeable cover. The cover at least partially surrounds the absorbent, and together they form an elongated softwind having a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself at a minimum of two spaced apart locations to form an M-shaped profile. The M-shaped profile is then compressed into a cylindrically shaped pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. The insertion end contains a greater amount of absorbent than the trailing end and has a cleft formed therein as a result of the folding. The cleft causes the pledget to laterally expand immediately upon insertion of the tampon into a woman's vagina. The tampon further includes a withdrawal string which facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina.

Abstract: A system and method for altering the appearance of interference in a video signal caused by spurious interference generated by repeated high speed digital memory write operations affecting video processing in analog circuitry in thereceiver. In one particular embodiment, a picture-in-picture television receiver is provided wherein both the main and sub-pictures are processed on a single IC including analog processing circuitry, as well as a small picture memory array to which small picture video samples are repeatedly being written. The visibility of spurious interference in the picture is reduced by periodically altering the clock timing during the repetitive high speed writing operation to redistribute the interference so as to be less noticeable to the television viewer.

Abstract: A method of reducing injuries to riders and associated riding cinch. Firstly, providing a riding cinch that has a locking mechanism with a electrically controlled release for locking a first coupling and a second coupling. Secondly, providing a remote transmitter adapted to send a signal to signal receiving means to selectively activate a release activating circuit by closing a switch to permit power to flow from a power source to the electrically controlled release for the locking mechanism. Thirdly, securing the riding cinch to an animal to be ridden. Fourthly, activating the release activating circuit with the remote transmitter, as the rider dismounts.

Abstract: A fluid manifold includes a housing having a first inlet and an outlet and a plurality of inlets intermediate the first inlet and the outlet which are provided with check valve action to prevent retrograde flow through the valved inlets, yet allow individual inlets to pass fluid when the fluid pressure in any individual inlet exceeds that of the interior of the chamber by a predetermined cracking pressure, and retrograde flow through the first inlet is controlled by a flapper portion which may be biased to an open position to allow unrestricted flow from the first inlet to the outlet or configured so as to be in sealing contact with a valve seat in order to preferentially inhibit flow.

Abstract: A fluid distributor system for the moistener column of a cotton harvester includes a distributor connected to the top of the column and having a generally cone-shaped surface with a solid apex area and with distributor outlets uniformly spaced around the base area of the cone. A removable clear plastic cover snap-fits on the distributor and has an apex area with an easily detachable bayonet mounting for a spray nozzle that directs spindle cleaning fluid to the cone-shaped surface. A flush line inlet is located in the cover above the apex area and directs fluid around the nozzle and downwardly towards the distributor outlets in a uniform pattern for good flushing of all the lines connected to the outlets. O-rings between the cover and the distributor, and between the spray nozzle mounting and the cover, seal the unit against dirt and debris and facilitate snap fit assembly of the components.

Abstract: A shaft coupling between telescopically overlapped ends of a first shaft and a second shaft including a plurality of inside linear grooves in the first shaft, a plurality of outside linear grooves in the second shaft cooperating with the inside linear grooves in defining a plurality of linear cylindrical passages between the first and the second shafts, and an elastomeric bearing in each of the linear cylindrical passages consisting of a pair of barrel-shaped lugs at opposite ends of an integral beam spring. The barrel-shaped lugs couple together the first and the second shafts for unitary rotation about and for relative linear translation in the direction of a longitudinal centerline of the shaft coupling. The inside and outside grooves bear tangentially against the barrel-shaped lugs. The beam springs maintain substantially zero angular lash between the first and the second shafts by resiliently tipping the barrel-shaped lugs endwise in the linear cylindrical passages.

Abstract: An M-bit digital signal, the most significant bit (MSB) thereof and an integer K are added to produce a sum which is truncated by N least significant bits to provide a symmetrically rounded bit-reduced digital output signal. The MSB may be applied in true or complemented form to the adder for selecting wide or narrow rounding modes having different numbers of output zeros disposed about a point of symmetry for a given input signal change. Advantageously, undesirable direct current (DC) shifts due to least significant bit (LSB) reduction in digital video, audio or similar applications are prevented.

Abstract: A method of forming a tampon is disclosed wherein the tampon is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina, especially during her menstrual period. The method includes the steps of cutting individual absorbent members from an absorbent strip. Each absorbent member is then shaped to form an elongated absorbent having an outer periphery. A liquid-permeable cover is secured to the outer periphery of the elongated absorbent to form a softwind. The softwind has a first end and a second end. The softwind is then folded on itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween. The softwind is then compressed into a pledger and a withdrawal string is secured thereto to form a tampon. Alternatively, the withdrawal string can be attached to the softwind before it is compressed. The withdrawal string facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process in which a linear olefin is converted under isomerizing conditions to its corresponding methyl branched isoolefin by contact at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 650.degree. C. with an isomerizing catalyst comprising (i) at least one zeolite having only in one dimension a pore structure having a pore size small enough to retard by-product dimerization and coke formation and large enough to permit entry of the linear olefin and allow formation of the methyl branched isoolefin, (ii) an alumina binder and (iii) up to about 15% by weight of coke oxidation-promoting metal. After a period of operation, when sufficient coke has deposited on the catalyst in an amount to significantly reduce the activity of the catalyst, the catalyst is stripped of hydrocarbon and then contacted at elevated temperature with an oxygen-containing gas for a sufficient time to burn off the coke, i.e., to regenerate the catalyst at a temperature of less than about 565.degree. C.

Abstract: A synchronous telemetry receiver and receiving method for reception from an implantable medical device of a PPM signal including a plurality of bits each having a sync pulse and at least one data pulse of equal amplitude. Capability is provided for restoring correct phase in the event that a sync pulse is missing or incorrectly received for any reason. A high-frequency clock and counter are provided for counting clock pulses during the time interval between each data pulse and its respective sync pulse in order to obtain a measurement of the time interval.

Abstract: A synchronous telemetry system and method for multiplexed telemetry of analog and digital information from a pacemaker or other implantable medical device. Telemetry sync pulses are generated at a 1 kHz rate, and pulse-position modulation is employed for generating an analog data pulse and a digital data pulse relative to the same sync pulse and displaced therefrom by different intervals respectively corresponding to the instantaneous value of an analog input signal and the instantaneous state of a digital input signal. In addition to multiplexing of analog and digital information in a composite bit, multiplexing is provided for dual-channel analog operation.

Abstract: A low-power A/D converter for an implantable medical device. The converter includes a high-frequency oscillator capable of generating clock pulses at a frequency substantially higher than the main clock frequency of the implantable device, and an oscillator-gating circuit for enabling the oscillator for a voltage-dependent variable time interval. The gating circuit includes a voltage-controlled monostable multivibrator for generating a gate control pulse having a pulse width corresponding to the value of an analog signal representative of a physiological parameter sensed by the implantable device. A timing controller, which operates at a low frequency under control of a crystal-controlled clock, supplies a trigger pulse to the voltage-controlled monostable at a predetermined first point in the variable time interval and generates an enable pulse at a predetermined second point in the variable time interval.

Abstract: A rectifying device, a switching device and a reference voltage device are coupled in parallel relationship between a winding of a transformer associated with the deflection circuitry of a television receiver and a filter capacitor of a power supply circuit for providing operating voltage to other portions of the receiver. The reference voltage device is also coupled to a control terminal of the switching device to control its conduction. Under normal conditions, the rectifying device is conductive in only one direction so that the filter capacitor is charged to a sufficient operating voltage to permit the normal operation of the receiver.