Abstract: Selection of an audio-visual stream from among a plurality of streams occurs by first detecting a navigation packet within at least one stream that provides information concerning the stream, as well as those streams in lie in synchronism therewith. From the navigation packet, a determination is made which other streams lie in synchronism with the one stream, which audio and sub-picture data packets exist in each stream, and as well as which highlight information properties exist for selecting among the synchronized streams. At least one of the audio data packets, sub-picture data packets, or highlight information properties undergoes modification in accordance with information about at least one other synchronized stream to allow display of a viewer selectable button or the like to select among the synchronized streams and/or be presented with differing audio and/or sub-picture contents with each stream.

Abstract: A single control allows selection and display of different video sequences from a DVD. No screen graphics are necessary to assist the user with operation, such as to show which buttons correspond to which sequences. A dedicated control, such as a button on a DVD player or television remote control device, is used to switch between two possible video tracks, or to otherwise select among multiple video tracks. Full-screen video tracks can be displayed without the need for visual indicators, such as thumbnail images, to identify selectable video tracks associated with different controls. Another aspect of the invention allows for modification of control information, such as navigation information, within a playback device.

Abstract: A “hold” feature on a user operated remote control allows a currently displayed track or view to be maintained while a video presentation is being played. As a user is watching a presentation that uses multiple camera views shown one-at-a-time as in a standard edited cut (i.e., “director's cut”) of a movie, the user can press a button when the user sees a camera view or scene of particular interest. Thereafter, the track associated with the camera view or scene that was showing when the hold button was pressed will continue to be played in place of the presentation. To return to the edited cut the user depresses the hold button again. The held track will continue to play until the user decides to resume presentation of the edited program or until the held track ends. Upon ending, the program track is resumed. While holding a track the user is free to select other available tracks in addition to jumping back to the program track at any time.

Abstract: A virtual disc enabled media player is disclosed. The media player includes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon which when executed by a processor in the media player cause certain actions to be performed. The actions include the media player executing a virtual disc software image as if it were a physical medium. This allows the player to access content and information when no physical media is present in the media player. The content and information may be obtained over a network such as the Internet. The media player may be a BLU-RAY DISC player.

Abstract: Updating a file system in a media player is disclosed. The media player or a portable medium in the media player may have instructions which cause the media player to request an update to a portable medium. The update is composed of multiple update components from an update server. In response to the request, the update server queries content servers for information about the update request. Based on available update information from the content servers, the update server creates a composite manifest file, the composite manifest including a plurality of content updates. The update server digitally signs the composite manifest and sends the composite manifest file, the signature file, and location information for the updates included in the manifest file to the media player. The media player downloads the content updates. The media player and the portable medium may conform to the Blu-ray Disc specifications.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect the invention relates to a method and system for managing data. The method and system involves identifying for a first user at least one record of a plurality of records, generating a user interface which displays a data field associated with the at least one record in a grid format, receiving from a second user, subsequent to generating the first user interface, a first desired modification of the data field, receiving from the first user a second desired modification of the data field, triggering a conflict resolution process, wherein the conflict resolution process involves choosing a chosen modification from the first desired modification and the second desired modification, and saving the chosen modification in the data field.

Abstract: Selection of an audio-visual stream from among a plurality of streams occurs by first detecting a navigation packet within at least one stream that provides information concerning the stream, as well as those streams in lie in synchronism therewith. From the navigation packet, a determination is made which other streams lie in synchronism with the one stream, which audio and sub-picture data packets exist in each stream, and as well as which highlight information properties exist for selecting among the synchronized streams. At least one of the audio data packets, sub-picture data packets, or highlight information properties undergoes modification in accordance with information about at least one other synchronized stream to allow display of a viewer selectable button or the like to select among the synchronized streams and/or be presented with differing audio and/or sub-picture contents with each stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (1,2) for monitoring movement of a vehicle in order to permit a determination of the quality of driving of the driver of the vehicle to be made. The method and apparatus (1,2) monitors the movement of a vehicle at monitoring intervals typically of ten seconds duration. The date, time, location and speed of the vehicle at the end of each monitoring interval is recorded and stored. The location and speed of the vehicle is determined from the GPS system. A server (2) in a central monitoring station downloads the stored dates, times, locations and speed of the vehicle as well as the distance travelled by the vehicle, which is then tabulated and the number of speed infringements in the respective different speed limit zones are computed.

Abstract: A single control allows selection and display of different video sequences from a DVD. No screen graphics are necessary to assist the user with operation, such as to show which buttons correspond to which sequences. A dedicated control, such as a button on a DVD player or television remote control device, is used to switch between two possible video tracks, or to otherwise select among multiple video tracks. Full-screen video tracks can be displayed without the need for visual indicators, such as thumbnail images, to identify selectable video tracks associated with different controls. Another aspect of the invention allows for modification of control information, such as navigation information, within a playback device.

Abstract: A cartridge of wound-up photographic film has an elongate housing within which the film is received, the housing having an outlet through which the film leader projects. In order to insert the cartridge of film into a cylindrical container it is necessary to wrap the film leader around the housing of the cartridge. A method of inserting the cartridge into the container involves conveying the cartridge into the open end of the container whilst simultaneously rotating the cartridge about its longitudinal axis so that the film leader is brought into engagement with the rim of the open end of the container whilst it is rotating. This causes the film leader automatically to be wrapped around the housing of the cartridge to permit the ready insertion of the cartridge and the film leader into the container. An apparatus for automatically performing the function of inserting the cartridge into the container using this method is also described.

Abstract: A mechanical user interface includes a supporting plate and a slider adapted to slide on the supporting plate. A position encoder is attached to the supporting plate to monitor movement of the slider. The position encoder provides an electrical output indicative of the position of the slider on the supporting plate. A sensor may also be provided to detect when the slider is at a zero position, thereby allowing absolute rather than relative, position data to be obtained. In a computerized film editing system, when the absolute position is less than a given threshold, the mechanical user interface may be used to advance film by a single frame. Otherwise the position may be translated to a frame per second rate.

Abstract: A method and system for compensating maneuver induced components in the magnetic field sensed by an airborne magnetic detector. The magnetic fields sensed during a series of selected aircraft maneuvers are processed to yield signals representative of the magnetic properties of the aircraft. Subsequently, these signals are combined with signals representative of the aircraft attitude to provide a compensation signal. This compensation signal may be applied directly to the output of the magnetic detector or may be used to drive a set of compensation coils.

Abstract: The arrangement of veins is a unique characteristic of an individual. Identification is performed by means of a detector (9) which scans a region of the skin (6) and detects the position of subcutaneous blood vessels (8) by measurement of a parameter such as the reflection of incident radiation. Comparison of the measured pattern with a predetermined pattern provides identification of the individual.

Abstract: A smart mine includes a pair of He.sup.3 magnetic sensors exteriorly connected to a head compartment of a mine housing. A torpedo compartment for housing a torpedo completes the mine housing. The head compartment contains the sensor support electronics which includes a phase locked loop means having a pair of digital phase locked loops connected between the sensors and a difference circuit whereby a difference signal representative of the difference between the pair of He.sup.3 magnetic sensors is produced for processing in a signal processor for determining the presence of large ferromagnetic bodies and producing a torpedo firing signal.

Abstract: In marine seismic exploration, it is common for a vessel to tow a streamer, which includes a plurality of pressure sensitive detectors or hydrophones, for the purpose of acquiring seismic signals representative of the underlying structure of the earth. To aid in the interpretation of these seismic signals, it is necessary to know the precise location of the streamer at the time the signals are acquired. Disclosed herein is a method and system for providing a model representative of the location of the streamer relative to the location of the vessel. In one aspect, the system includes an apparatus mounted at the stern of the vessel and coupled to the near end of the streamer. This apparatus is adapted to provide measurements of the yaw and pitch of that portion of the streamer adjacent the vessel. These measurements are employed in the generation of the position model.