Abstract: The distance and external contour of objects are imaged using time domain measurement. An array of pixel cells receives a time-varying waveform (e.g., a ramp voltage) time synchronized to a transmitted light pulse. Each pixel cell senses light from the pulse that is reflected from objects in the field of view of the apparatus, and stores the value of the ramp voltage at the time the reflected light pulse is detected at that pixel cell. The ramp voltage at any time is known and therefore serves as a measure of the combined transmission and reflection times of the light pulse for each pixel cell. The speed of light is also known, therefore the stored voltage level at each pixel cell represents the distance between the apparatus of a portion of the object from which the light pulse is reflected. The stored pixel cell voltages can be delivered sequentially to a monochrome video monitor pursuant per any suitable video standard.

Abstract: A computer system including software manipulates data prior to storage on media disposed within a system storage device. The data is initially stored sequentially within a first array, while a pseudo-random number sequence is generated in accordance with a seed value to identify storage locations for associated data bits within a second array. The second array is stored sequentially on the media to randomly distribute the data across that media. In order to retrieve the data in original form, the entire contents of the media are retrieved and stored in a third array. The sequence is reproduced in accordance with the seed value, while data bits are retrieved in the order of the sequence and stored in temporary storage to recover the data. The seed value may further serve as a password to maintain the data in a secure fashion.

Abstract: In an adaptive digital video system, a decoder at a receiving station for a digitally encoded video signal is able to automatically adapt to varying formats and operating modes. All digital video parameters and system operational commands are encoded inband with the digital video serial data stream. The video data is transmitted in successive blocks (e.g., typically an entire image frame or portions thereof) along with system data bytes and control bytes. The data bytes represent the parameters and commands required by the receiver decoder to adapt to the transmitter encoder settings. The control bytes identify the particular parameters and commands represented by respective data bytes. The method is independent of the particular video format or encoding scheme employed, and functions with any transmission medium and bandwidth.

Abstract: Interactive game apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more photosensitive weapon devices which can interact with a coded video display and with each other to provide two-way interaction, where each weapon may score against an opponent and may be hit by an opponent. Accessory devices in the form of a photosensitive light source and a rotating mirror act to increase the excitement of the game play.

Abstract: A monitor system for use with a plurality of segregated groups of controls, each group having corresponding status control lines indicative of the operational status of an elevator, an escalator, or the like. The monitor system includes a series of monitor devices for responding to the status control lines. Each one of the monitor devices corresponds to an individual one of the group of controls, for diagnosing the operational problems associated therewith. A computing device is located remotely from the groups of controls, for monitoring them remotely and continuously. A plurality of individual single communication links correspond individually to one of the monitor devices, for facilitating connection selectively and individually of the monitor devices to the remote computing device.