Abstract: A teleconferencing system 100 is disclosed having a video camera for generating a video signal representative of a video image of a first station B. A microphone array 150, 160 is also provided in the first station for receiving a sound from one or more fixed non-overlapping volume zones 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, into which the first station is divided. The microphone array is also provided for generating a monochannel audio signal 170 representative of the received sound and a direction signal indicating, based on the sound received from each zone, from which of the volume zones the sound originated. The teleconferencing system also includes a display device 120A at a second station A for displaying a video image of the first station.

Abstract: A system for combining a plurality of video signals and various forms of still imagery such as text or graphics into a single high resolution display is disclosed. The inventive system utilizes a multiport memory and a key based memory access system to flexibly compose a multiplicity of video signals and still images into a full color high definition television display comprising a plurality of overlapping windows.

Abstract: A system for combining a plurality of video signals and various forms of still imagery such as text or graphics into a single high resolution display is disclosed. The invention system utilizes a multiport memory and a key based memory access system to flexibly compose a multiplicity of video signals and still images into a full color high definition television display comprising a plurality of overlapping windows.

Abstract: A method for enabling format independent communication of visual information between diverse computers, work stations, and terminals is disclosed. The inventive method relies on a universal format which can be used to represent the data comprising any raster display. Illustratively, the data comprising a raster display is first translated from the native format of an originating system into the universal format. When in the universal format, it is possible to convert the raster from one type to another (e.g., from color to pseudo-color or grey to pseudo-color) so that the raster can be displayed by a receiving system which comprises equipment different from that of the originating system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an auxiliary support system for a bicycle passenger. A seat mount assembly (12) is affixed to the horizontal tubular frame member (48) of a bicycle between the primary seat (11) and neck (44). A conventional bicycle seat (56) is attachable to the seat mount assembly. A footrest assembly (14) is attached to the neck (44) of the bicycle frame. The footrest assembly supplies support for the passenger's feet while seated on the auxiliary seat. Quick-release harnesses (17) are incorporated into the footrest assembly in order to safely secure the passenger's feet adjacent to the footrest assembly.

Abstract: In a color cathode ray tube having a vertically striped screen and a vertically slotted aperture mask, the top and bottom screen edges are made smooth by varying the vertical pitch between mask apertures while keeping the number of apertures per vertical column constant, so that every other column terminates in a full length slot.

Abstract: The invention relates to internal magnetic shielding means for a cathode ray tube using a spun-funnel envelope portion. The sidewall of the shielding structure is of discretely shaped contour to provide a desired spatial compatibility with at least portions of a projecting glass ridge on the interior surface of the funnel.

Abstract: Information defining elements of a picture is estimated by interpolation using information from related locations in preceding and succeeding versions of the picture. The related locations are determined by forming an estimate of the displacement of objects in the picture. Displacement estimates are advantageously formed recursively, with updates being formed only in moving areas of the picture. If desired, an adaptive technique can be used to permit motion compensated interpolation or fixed position interpolation, depending upon which produces better results.

Abstract: Pictorial information is encoded using an interframe prediction technique which accounts for spatial and/or temporal changes in illumination. In one embodiment (FIG. 3), the intensity value of each element of a picture is predicted using the intensity of the corresponding element in a previous frame and a recursively updated gain factor .rho. which can account for both illumination changes as well as object movement. The prediction error and pel location is encoded only if the error exceeds a predetermined threshold. In a second embodiment (FIG. 3), additional predictions are made using displacement compensated prediction alone and in combination with gain adjustment. The best predictor is selected and the corresponding prediction error transmitted only if it is large.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding a video signal wherein the prediction errors for previously encoded pels are evaluated using motion compensation and frame difference predictions. Each present pel intensity value is then predicted using the technique which produced the smaller prediction error sum. Prediction errors for the present pel are encoded, together with address information, if the error exceeds a threshold value. The motion compensated prediction utilizes a displacement estimate which is recursively updated. A decoder is also described.

Abstract: A motion compensated video encoder includes apparatus (100) for recursively updating an estimate of displacement in the moving area of a picture, and for predicting the intensity values of elements of the picture using the displacement estimate. Address information is encoded for background (non-moving) elements and for moving elements for which the motion compensated prediction errors are satisfactorily small. For uncompensable pels, where the error exceeds a threshold, both address information and error values are encoded. The displacement estimate can also be encoded, if desired.

Abstract: A technique for estimation of displacement and/or velocity of objects in television scenes is recursive, in that each displacement calculation is made using the results of the previous calculation. In a first embodiment, a displaced frame difference DFD (i.e., the intensity difference between a spatial location in the present video frame and a location in the previous frame displaced from that location by an initial displacement estimate) is updated using the initial value of DFD normalized by a measure of local picture activity. In a second embodiment, the update is a multiplicative function of DFD and the intensity gradient at the displaced location in the previous frame.