Abstract: A proximity detection module determines, using an infrared (IR) sensor of a user device, a distance between an object and the user device. The proximity detection module compares the distance to a distance threshold. If the distance is below the predefined distance threshold, the proximity detection module determines, using a capacitance sensor of the user device, a capacitance value associated with the object. The proximity detection module compares the capacitance value to a predefined presence threshold, and if the capacitance value meets or exceeds the predefined presence threshold, determines that the object comprises a body part of a user.

Abstract: Portable user devices, such as electronic book reader devices, may have a limited power supply. Power management techniques, such as current sensing, dynamic voltage measurement, and/or power state control may be used to manage power usage of such user devices.

Abstract: A home theater comprises a video processing sub-system and a PC capable of controlling the sub-system. The sub-system has a de-interlacer/line doubler and the PC has a graphics controller with scaling capability. The combination of the line doubler and the scaler is made to function as a line quadrupler.

Abstract: A home theater comprises a video processing sub-system and a PC capable of controlling the sub-system. The sub-system has a de-interlacer/line doubler and the PC has a graphics controller with scaling capability. The combination of the line doubler and the scaler is made to function as a line quadrupler.

Abstract: A home theater comprises a video processing sub-system and a PC capable of controlling the sub-system. The sub-system has a de-interlacer/line doubler and the PC has a graphics controller with scaling capability. The combination of the line doubler and the scaler is made to function as a line quadrupler.

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting a personal computer unit having an internal power supply and a sidewall adapted for supplying associated external peripherals with DC power from the power supply. For each peripheral, the sidewall is provided with a removable power panel secured in the sidewall. The sidewall includes a metal strip provided with an electrical terminal. An electrical conductor is coupled between the terminal and the power supply for powering the peripheral connected to the terminal. Each peripheral has a peripheral terminal connected to the power supply by an EMI filter and an associated fuse.

Abstract: A method for adapting a computer unit array having an internal power supply for supplying an associated external peripheral unit with DC power from this power supply; wherein the computer unit is provided with a removable "power panel" secured in a sidewall and is made to comprise a metal strip provided with electrical terminals therein adapted for coupling to the power supply, and for so powering such a peripheral unit.

Abstract: A two's complement multiplier is combined with additional circuit elements and implemented in an integrated circuit to provide a multiplier of selectively operating in two's complement or unsigned magnitude format. To achieve an unsigned magnitude product, the additional circuitry modifies or leaves unchanged the high-order half of the two's complement product as needed. Modification occurs when the most-significant bit of either or both multiplicand signals is a "1". When a multiplicand signal has a most-significant bit of "1", the non-most significant bits of the other multiplicand signal are added to the two's complement product to derive the unsigned magnitude product. Such an implementation results in insignificant speed loss and comparatively minor increase in the required silicon area.

Abstract: A system for editing videotape includes a subsystem to scan particular information lines within vertical blanking intervals and to identify particular lines that contain time code information, and a subsystem to generate time code information and to write the generated time code information at selected lines in vertical blanking intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the extraction of vertical interval time code (VITC) included in the vertical blanking interval of a television signal reproduced from video tape transported past a rotating transducer over a wide range of speeds. VITC information is extracted at a rate derived from the rate of a control signal having a rate proportional to the velocity at which the tape is transported past the transducer.

Abstract: A capstan servo for moving video tape with variable speed during playback controls the tape speed according to time period inputs. The input specifies the number of seconds per hour of program length, for example, that a segment of recorded video information is to be expanded or compressed compared relative to its normal real time playback length. The speed of tape transport during playback is varied by locking the reproduced control track vertical sync signal to a synthesized time adjustable reference signal.

Abstract: A signal comparison circuit is described which is implementable by a logic gate array structure without introducing the possibility of the large, incorrect error signals possible with phase comparators implemented by logic gate array structures. The circuit has particular applicability to phase-locked-loop circuits because it compares the frequency and phase of a first input signal with the frequency and phase of a second input signal in an error-free manner. A first master flip-flop triggered by the first input signal produces negative pulses, under the control of a NAND latch. A second master flip-flop is triggered by the second input signal to produce negative pulses, under control of the same NAND latch. The NAND latch is responsive to the outputs of the first and second master flip-flops. The first and second input signals are each delayed, and the delayed input signals are respectively used to trigger first and second slave flip-flops (which are slaves to the two master flip-flops).

Abstract: A general device for the input of information in a binary format through rotational motion is disclosed, having independent means for the simultaneous output of information in a form perceivable to the human tactile sense. In particular, a knob is coupled to a shaft, a tachometer and a particle brake. An associated control means receives information from the tachometer, controls the operation of the particle brake, and interfaces the corresponding operations with the apparatus which is desired to be controlled thereby.

Abstract: The tension arm position of a tape recorder is sensed and any change in position is added as a correction factor to the capstan tach or tape timer tach count generated during a reel tach period. To this end, the tension arm position signal is clamped to ground at the start of the capstan count. At the end of the capstan count, the tension arm position is sensed to provides a value that is proportional to the change in the position that has occurred during the capstan count. The value is then added to the capstan count to provide a corrected capstan count that no longer contains a tension arm error and constitutes a precise tape remaining output signal.

Abstract: A magnetic tape timer and method wherein the measured tape time as well as stored cue markers are not affected upon receiving a preset or reset signal. An offset signal is generated and stored as a difference between the preset or reset signal and a tape time which is coincident with receiving the preset or reset signal. The tape time, cue markers and other tape time related values are then modified by the offset signal for further use such as for display.

Abstract: The clock signal to a fine delay shift register is divided by the number of fine delay bits for application to a coarse delay shift register such that two serially connected shift registers can provide a range of delays equivalent to a shift register having a number of bits equal to the product of the bits of the two shift registers.

Abstract: A change in direction of a moving member is detected on the first edge of a quadrature tach pulse which is out of a given sequence, and a clock pulse is supplied whose rising edge always occurs after the direction change.

Abstract: A field effect liquid crystal display is disclosed wherein an composite alternating voltage is successively produced across a matrix of pixels formed by crossed arrays of row and column electrodes of the display. The composite alternating voltage consists of a row driving alternating voltage component and a column driving alternating component voltage. The phases of the row and column alternating voltage components are relatively phased so as to produce the composite alternating voltage across the individual pixels. The column alternating voltage component includes a gray scale component having an (root mean square) RMS value variable in accordance with the gray scale of the image to be displayed on the liquid crystal display. Two systems are disclosed for deriving the composite RMS voltage having the gray scale component.