Abstract: A system is provided for controlling playback time for stored transport stream data content in a multi-channel broadcast multimedia system having a plurality of system components. The system includes a pause packet processor having a memory for storing said stored transport stream data, and at least one receiver is connected to the pause packet processor for receiving the stored data. At least one of the pause packet processor and the receiver includes a command module configured for enabling an oscillator frequency change in the system components for altering the playback time for the stored data at the receiver.

Abstract: A settings controller for a multimedia content receiver is responsive to a control settings command. The settings controller saves a first set of control settings and loads a second set of control settings associated with the control settings command after saving the first set of control settings. It then reloads the first set of control settings when the control settings command is no longer valid. This allows for viewer settings to be automatically restored after an interruption.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provides synchronization between user observable signals including audio and/or video signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an input point for receiving an encoded signal. A circuit time-shifts the encoded signal to generate a time-shifted encoded signal. A first decoder decodes the time-shifted encoded signal to generate a first decoded signal and provides the first decoded signal for a first system. The first system converts the first decoded signal to a first user observable signal. The input point also provides the encoded signal for a second system including a second decoder, an encoder, and a third decoder coupled in series which enables generation of a second user observable signal. The time-shifting performed by the circuit is adjustable and enables the first user observable signal to become substantially synchronized with the second user observable signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio track playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The digital data represents a video presentation and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video presentation. Subsequently, a digital signal processor can convert the audio samples to their corresponding frequency domain equivalents and scale the frequency and amplitude of a playback audio frequency associated with the audio samples in accordance with trick mode video playback.

Abstract: A method for providing improved trick mode performance in a DVD having a plurality of video object units where each of the VOBUs contains a navigation pack. The method involves storing on the DVD within each navigation pack certain supplemental disc search information. The SDSI can include one or more of the following: a picture structure of the VOBU; a number of fields to be displayed from each picture in a normal play mode; and a number of groups of pictures contained in said VOBU.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for producing a substantially seamless video image on a display surface. The method comprises the steps of separately projecting at least a first and a second video image onto a display surface such that a seam is defined by overlapping portions of said first and second video images. Inside the seam, the brightness of the first video image and the brightness of the second video image are adjusted electronically so as to provide a uniform brightness profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling anti-camcording features for individual pixels of a digital content display system, including receiving pixel component values, receiving an indication of whether anti-camcording is enabled, adjusting the pixel component values in response to the anti-camcording indication and based on the pixel component values and loading a bitmap with the adjusted pixel component values.

Abstract: A method for detecting errors in a digital multimedia receiver system is disclosed including the steps of receiving a packetized bitstream representing a video program from at least one of a plurality of transponders in the receiver system, the packetized bitstream periodically including a marker packet having data relating to a continuity counter value, and counting each occurrence of the marker packet in a first counter. The continuity counter value is evaluated at the occurrence of each counting and a second counter is incremented if each continuity counter value is one higher than a previously evaluated continuity counter value. It is determined whether a valid bitstream is being received by comparing values of the first and second counters at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: A network interface apparatus is capable of bypassing an inoperable or failed network device. According to an exemplary embodiment, the network interface apparatus includes first and second transformers. A network input and a network output are respectively coupled to a first side of the first transformer and a first side of the second transformer. A terminal input and a terminal output are respectively coupled to a second side of the first transformer and a second side of the second transformer. A switch assembly is coupled to the second sides of the first and second transformers. When the switch assembly is in a first state, the second side of the first transformer is coupled to the terminal output, and when the switch assembly is in a second state, the second side of the first transformer is coupled to the first side of the second transformer bypassing the terminal output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for embedding information in digital cinema content, including accepting a scene from a digital cinema content file, selecting a scene object in the scene to be modified with the information, determining a characteristic for the selected scene object and generating a scene build based on the characteristic, wherein the characteristic is representative of the information. The method and apparatus further include time-stamping, compressing and storing the scene build. Further, a method and apparatus are described for embedding forensic information in digital cinema content, accepting a digital cinema content file having therein a plurality of scene builds, accepting a forensic code and selecting a scene build from the digital cinema content file based on the forensic code. The scene build, having forensic information, is thereafter displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and processing forensic information for digital cinema content in an efficient and cost-effective manner while maintaining the integrity and quality of the digital cinema images. Customized forensic content, which includes at least one of visible pictorial and text data, is generated for display with corresponding digital cinema content. The digital cinema content is analyzed for determining at least one of a location and time for incorporating the forensic content with the digital cinema content. Real-time information is incorporated into the customized forensic content, the real-time information including data indicating, e.g., at least one of an actual time, date and location pertaining to each actual showing of the digital cinema content. The customized forensic content having real-time information is unobtrusive yet easily and quickly detectable and decipherable during forensic analysis.

Abstract: A 3D image projector having a translucent rotatable hollow cylinder, the hollow cylinder having differently polarized sections, and the projector being capable of passing a light beam generally orthogonally through a wall of the hollow cylinder is disclosed.

Abstract: A segmented display system in which the display devices are arranged in a N×1 array is described. The segmented display system includes a plurality of projection devices that each project a portion of an image on a corresponding one of the display devices in the N×1 array. Distortion from extra light is minimized using a moveable mask around each projection device lens in the N×1 array.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and processing forensic information for digital cinema content in an efficient and cost-effective manner while maintaining the integrity and quality of the digital cinema images. Customized forensic content, which includes hidden anti-camcorder text data, is generated for display with corresponding digital cinema content. Real-time information is incorporated into the customized forensic content. The real-time information includes textual data in hidden form indicating, e.g., at least one of an actual time, date and location pertaining to each actual showing of the digital cinema content. The customized forensic content having real-time information is virtually undetectable in authorized copies yet easily and quickly detectable and decipherable in pirated copies during forensic analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides an imager and imaging method for forming, on a plurality of photo-elements, an optical image of an object lying in a viewing plane defined by horizontal and vertical viewing axes. The imager comprises at least first, second and third video image sensors. Each video image sensor comprises a corresponding array of photoelements. The photoelements are arranged in rows and columns to define a first pixel resolution for each array. A lens is configured to focus at least a portion of light from the object onto the arrays. The arrays are arranged with respect to the lens such that the rows are aligned along avertical axis of the viewing plane. The columns are aligned along a horizontal axis of the viewing plane. An optical image of the object is formed. The image comprises a second pixel resolution higher than the first pixel resolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides method for producing a substantially seamless video image on a display surface. The method comprises the steps of separately projecting at least a first and a second video image onto a display surface such that a seam is defined by overlapping portions of said first and second video images. Inside the seam, the brightness of video image is adjusted by adjusting pixels of said overlapping portions in accordance with a modulus determined by the number of overlapping portions defining the seam.

Abstract: A mirror arrangement consisting of two or more mirrors that are positioned to rotate an image in a projection system is described. The two or more mirrors can be any size to accommodate any size image that may be needed. An image beam produced by the projector or any other light source impinges on a first mirror positioned at an angle with respect thereto. This image beam is reflected towards a second mirror positioned at an angle with respect to the first mirror and reflected to a screen or other display source. The end result is that the projected image is rotated with respect to the source projector image in an efficient and inexpensive way.

Abstract: A video system such as a television signal receiver includes a touch screen that may be suitable for larger image screens. According to an exemplary embodiment, the video system includes a screen having first and second sides, wherein a depression of the screen on the first side produces an image detectable on the second side. At least one projector is disposed on the second side of the screen and projects a first video signal onto the screen. At least one camera is disposed on the second side of the screen and detects the image. A processor determines a location of the depression according to the detected image.

Abstract: A method and an image processing system for blending edges of images for collective display. The method includes the step of evaluating at least a pair of images whose edges border each other when displayed to determine whether the collective display of images will benefit from blending of the edges (113). If so, at least portions of the edges are blended.

Abstract: A structure to adjust optical seaming filters in the z-direction is provided. The adjuster structure uses 5 degrees of freedom to individually adjust a filter on a projector in the z-direction to optimize the projected seam. A set of common identical filters may be used with these adjuster structures and still produce a set of filters that are unique to each projector. The present invention allows the filters to be adjusted in multiple dimensions so the specifications of a particular filter can be relaxed since the adjuster can provide the required unique properties.