Abstract: A video composition method and apparatus select segments from image source material stored on at least one storage medium and denote serially connected sequences of the segments to thereby form a program sequence. The apparatus and method employ pictorial labels associated with each segment for ease of manipulating the segments to form the program sequence. The labels are displayed in an ordered spatial array of display monitors to simulate the temporal relationship between the segments in what is typically a snapshot-style non-temporal display. The apparatus and method enable the images displayed on the monitors to be scrolled, in a visually pleasing fashion, across the monitors. The scrolling of labels across the monitors is implemented by an operator control circuitry.

Abstract: A video composition apparatus and method select segments from image source material stored on at least one storage medium and denote serially connected sequences of the segments to thereby form a program sequence. The source material, as it is being stored on the storage medium, has associated with each frame an internal time code. For each storage medium, which in the illustrated embodiment is a video tape recorder, the internal time codes are written in sequential order so that the difference in time codes between two frames corresponds to the difference in time or distance between the two frames on the video tape. When a plurality of different tape recorders record the same frame, the same internal time code is associated with the frame on each video tape recorder.

Abstract: Apparatus for decoding digitally-coded address signals embedded in video signals recorded on magnetic tape is disclosed. The apparatus can properly decode the address signals at both slow and fast tape speeds and utilizes a variable-frequency oscillator to generate timing signals for decoding the digitally-coded address. The address signals encoded on the magnetic tape normally include an error code which can be detected by conventional error checking circuitry and used to check whether the address signals have been correctly received. The oscillator frequency is adjusted in accordance with an error signal generated by the error checking circuitry until error-free detection of the address signals is achieved.

Abstract: Apparatus for decoding digitally-coded address signals embedded in video signals recorded on magnetic tape is disclosed. The apparatus can properly decode the address signals at both slow and fast tape speeds and utilizes a variable-frequency oscillator to generate timing signals for decoding the digitally-coded address. The address signals encoded on the magnetic tape normally include an error code which can be detected by conventional error checking circuitry and used to check whether the address signals have been correctly received. The oscillator frequency is adjusted in accordance with an error signal generated by the error checking circuitry until error-free detection of the address signals is achieved.

Abstract: A chassis for electronic circuit modules is disclosed in which a support frame is fabricated from two flat side panels spaced apart by four rods. The rods may be of variable length to accomodate various chassis widths. Each electronic circuit module is comprised of the printed circuit board or boards on which the circuit components, including switches, indicator lights and connectors are mounted, a front panel with cutouts for the lights or switches and a back panel with cutouts for the connectors. The front panel and the back panel are mounted perpendicularly on the ends of the printed circuit boards with the lights and connectors protruding through at appropriate locations. Each of the printed circuit boards has four slots which engage the four rods so that, when the modules are placed in the frame and the rods are in place, the modules are rigidly locked together to form a unit. The package is completed by removable top and bottom panels which are held by clips onto the rods.

Abstract: Natural diamonds can be distinguished from simulated diamonds in seconds by merely touching a hand held probe to the gems. The tip of the probe includes a rounded gem contacting head of high thermal conductivity and low thermal mass. The head is preferably of gold-coated copper. It is supported on a high thermal resistivity neck extending from a large spring biased thermal mass. The head supports a thermistor heater element and a thermistor temperature sensing element within an annular space. Pulses of power are cyclically applied to the heater element to produce a predetermined amount of heat flow from the probe through the sample gem. The resulting change in temperature of the contacting head is determined by sensing the change in resistance of the sensing thermistor and weighting that change by the sensed thermistor resistance. The weighting function is carried out by a gain-controlled amplifier.