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 axial thrust bearing for axially supporting a rotating shaft of an exhaust gas turbocharger connected to a lubricating oil circuit includes a profiled annular bearing surface which contacts an essentially flat sliding surface, the bearing surface having a plurality of radially extending grooves which are open on the outside circumference, a plurality of coplanar flat trap surfaces located between respective pairs of adjacent grooves, and a plurality of wedge surfaces located between adjacent pairs of respective grooves. Each wedge surface forms a lubricating oil gap which narrows circumferentially toward an adjacent flat trap surface and which narrows radially toward the outside circumference.

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 diversity receiver system includes a plurality of radio receivers that each provide a uniquely associated receiver output signal and a uniquely associated receiver control signal indicative of the amount of gain applied by the associated radio receiver to create the uniquely associated receiver output signal. A selection mechanism receives the receiver control signals, and determines which of the radio receivers has applied the smallest gain correction to its associated receiver output signal, and provides a diversity receiver output signal indicative of the receiver output signal associated with the receiver that applied the smallest gain correction.

Abstract: A diversity receiver system includes a plurality of radio receivers that each provide a uniquely associated receiver output signal and a uniquely associated receiver control signal indicative of the amount of gain applied by the associated radio receiver to create the uniquely associated receiver output signal. A selection mechanism receives the receiver control signals, and determines which of the radio receivers has applied the smallest gain correction to its associated receiver output signal, and provides a diversity receiver output signal indicative of the receiver output signal associated with the receiver that applied the smallest gain correction.

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 axial thrust bearing for axially supporting a rotating shaft of an exhaust gas turbocharger connected to a lubricating oil circuit includes a profiled annular bearing surface which contacts an essentially flat sliding surface, the bearing surface having a plurality of radially extending grooves which are open on the outside circumference, a plurality of coplanar flat trap surfaces located between respective pairs of adjacent grooves, and a plurality of wedge surfaces located between adjacent pairs of respective grooves. Each wedge surface forms a lubricating oil gap which narrows circumferentially toward an adjacent flat trap surface and which narrows radially toward the outside circumference.

Abstract: The receiving device contains at least two television channel selection devices to convert high-frequency signals into intermediate-frequency signals, at least two video demodulation devices to convert the intermediate-frequency signals into picture signals, at least two audio demodulation devices to convert the intermediate-frequency signals into audio signals, and one intermediate-frequency switching device to switch the audio- and video-demodulation devices to the television channel selection devices.

Abstract: In order to be able to identify television or video images (V1,V2) as identical, predeterminable parameters (H1, H2) of the images (V1, V2) to be tested are compared with each other. Images whose parameters, preferably the average brightness (H1, H2), fall within a predeterminable tolerance range, are identified as identical images. Thus, e.g. in a television reception equipment, particularly a mobile one, the images of all receivable transmitters are tested. Images identified as identical are allocated to the same transmitters or the same programs, the channels of which are stored as alternative channels. When there is bad reception or bad image quality an alternative channel is switched to.

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: In order to be able to identify television or video images (V1,V2) as identical, predeterminable parameters (H1, H2) of the images (V1, V2) to be tested are compared with each other. Images whose parameters, preferably the average brightness (H1, H2), fall within a predeterminable tolerance range, are identified as identical images. Thus, e.g. in a television reception equipment, particularly a mobile one, the images of all receivable transmitters are tested. Images identified as identical are allocated to the same transmitters or the same programs, the channels of which are stored as alternative channels. When there is bad reception or bad image quality an alternative channel is switched to.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for determining the quality of a video and/or television image signal. In diversity reception installations comprising several receivers, it is necessary to establish a criterion for assessing the reception signals, so as to select the receiver with the best reception. In order to determine the quality of a television image, the interfering impulses appearing in a line after a horizontal synchronization impulse are detected then their parameters are evaluated. The invention is applicable to television receivers, video recorders, diversity reception installations, in particular for mobile installations.

Abstract: In one embodiment, data are converted, with the aid of corresponding rules and headers, into data having a fixed block length in such a way that, with the CTL bit definition, no clashes with known data structures of the CTL track such as VISS and VASS occur. The effect achieved by this is that any desired data can be stored on the control track.

Abstract: Known methods for recording information onto the CTL track of a video recorder, for example, are essentially restricted to VISS and VASS information. The recording of any desired data on this control track is not possible using the known methods.

Abstract: A video recorder capstan drive motor is controlled for slow-motion, freeze-frame and similar operations by setting a rate of acceleration or braking. A speed parameter is measured during an initial acceleration phase and is compared to a predetermined desired value. Based on the result of such comparison, current to the drive motor is limited, or an existing current limitation value is increased or reduced, so as to alter the acceleration or braking and bring the tape speed more nearly to the predetermined value. A representative current value can be stored in nonvolatile storage and used for such current limitation control, for so long as conditions remain unchanged. The value can be changed when conditions change, for example due to loading of a different tape cassette or a change in operational temperature.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring process and device for controlling the operation of an recording and playback device in such a way that overheating is avoided. A temperature threshold is provided above which an economical operation mode is switched in, reducing power consumption and further heating.

Abstract: A method of breaking a motor includes the step of applying a pulse width modulated signal to the winding of the motor. A switching voltage is used to intermittently reverse the poles of the motor for selected time periods. The time periods are separated by pauses the duration of which is dependent upon the breaking force needed to stop the motor.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring an alternating signal with respect to its state as mark-to-space ratio or direct-current component, in which the alternating signal is modified so that its mark-to-space ratio or direct-current component can be detected by simple comparison with reference signals. Various information is then transmitted over a line, and the operation of the stage that generates the alternating signal can also be monitored.

Abstract: Machine for recording and playing back information with a tape-storage medium comprising a tape-counting device for determining locations on the storage medium representing a beginning, an end or a section of a recorded information and labeling the locations as data. The labeled locations are stored in memory and marked. Selective winding to a chosen recording section which is associated with one of the marks occurs by means of the tape-counting device and the stored labeled data, together with another one of the marks which is detected and used as a reference, wherein, due to the detection of this reference mark, the tape-counting device is set to the data which was determined with the setting of the reference mark, and wherein the mark associated with the chosen recording section is dependent on the data of this reference mark. A tolerance window arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference mark is included to assist in the detection of the reference mark.

Abstract: In the case of a motor controller for electronically commutated DC motors, an additional current and/or an additional voltage is passed at the commutation instant to that winding of the motor which is active at that time, in order to prevent torque drops. In order to compensate for torque drops at different motor loads, the duration and/or amplitude of the additional current and/or of the additional voltage are/is determined from the actual motor load.