Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.

Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.

Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.

Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.

Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.

Abstract: A method and circuit for deriving a set of multichannel audio signals from a conventional monaural or stereo audio signal uses an auxiliary multichannel spectral mapping data stream. Audio can be played back in stereo and multichannel formats from a conventional stereo signal on compact discs, FM radio, or other stereo or monaural delivery systems. The invention reduces the data rate needed for the transmission of multichannel digital audio.

Abstract: A digital time code is printed in an area of a motion picture film, between the normal analog optical sound track and the picture frames, that is exposed along with the sound track when a print is made. This area is partially redeveloped, and normally reserved to isolate the analog sound track from the picture frames. Digital audio for the motion picture is stored in a large capacity high integrity archival digital storage system. The time codes corresponding to known locations on the film are read as the film is played, and in an anticipatory pass the digital audio signals for these frames are transferred to a fast access data storage buffer which temporarily stores the data before it is converted to analog format for theater play. The time code is read with light that is absorbed by the film dyes produced when the film is developed.

Abstract: Extra high quality or ultralong digital audio channels with an aggregate data bit rate that exceeds the maximum data bit rate for a digital storage medium, such as a CD, laser disk or digital audio tape, are recorded on the audio medium. The recording is accomplished by compressing the data bit rates of the multi-channel input signals so that their aggregate data bit rate after compression does not exceed the maximum for the storage medium, multiplexing the compressed audio signals, encoding the multiplexed signal into a predetermined format, and recording the encoded signal on the storage medium. With the storage medium configured to store audio samples having a predetermined number of bits per sample, the compressed audio signals are multiplexed into data groups having the same number of bits, thereby emulating a normal input to the storage medium, even when this involves dividing various input samples among different data groups.

Abstract: An air driven amusement ride propels a passenger vehicle upward along a guide cable out of an acceleration tube by a blast of pressurized air within the tube under the vehicle. Passengers experience a feeling of weightlessness and free fall from the time the vehicle exits the tube until it later re-enters, which can exceed ten seconds. The source of pressurized gas for the tube preferably includes a gas reservoir, a pump that raises the gas pressure in the reservoir at a predetermined pump rate, and a release that allows gas to flow from the reservoir into the tube at a rate substantially faster than the pump rate.

Abstract: A digital sound system for motion picture films employs a digital time code on the film to trigger the transfer of sound data from a digital audio store to a FIFO memory. The digital audio data is read out from the FIFO memory and played back in the theater at a constant rate, with any jumps in the digital time code handled by making a corresponding jump within the digital audio store but not in the FIFO memory. Readout from the FIFO memory and clocking of the digital-to-analog converters (DACs) used for theater playback is synchronized to the AC mains that powers the theater projector, and thus allows for an uninterrupted audio playback even if time code entries on the film are obliterated. The FIFO memory need only have enough capacity to accommodate the maximum audio store access time, and can be quite small.

Abstract: A signal conditioner is provided for the output of a digital sound source in a dual digital/analog motion picture theater sound system so that the digitally derived audio signal emulates the analog sound track signal. This allows the digital source to be easily integrated into the overall sound system, without displacing the existing analog sound track system. The theater sound playback mechanism is provided with the conditioned audio signal when the digital sound source is actuated, and receives the analog sound track signal at other times. The conditioning circuit includes an adjustable impedance to match the current from the digital sound source to the current from the analog sound track reader, a high frequency variable signal adjuster that is complimentary to a high frequency emphasis built into the theater playback system, and an optional subwoof output.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method are described for encoding an analog signal to a digital representation thereof and then decoding the same to reconstruct the original analog signal with reduced quantization noise and error. The analog signal is first adaptively pre-emphasized. A series of samples of the pre-emphasized signal are then obtained and encoded to create a series of digital representations which have a lower order resolution than the samples. The difference between each sample and its corresponding lower resolution digital representation is obtained and combined with the next sample. Decoding of the combined signals takes place in a complementary manner to create an approximate analog output signal, which is then de-emphasized in a manner complementary to the pre-emphasis to produce an analog output signal closely approximating the original analog signal.

Abstract: Message storage capacity is provided on memory modules, the number of modules being expandable to increase the capacity of the system. Each module has digital memory which is organized with a plurality of message units, each message unit including a number of successive memory bytes for storing respective messages. A desired message is accessed by stepping through the message units to the desired location having the start of the desired meassage, skipping the intervening bytes. The message is then read out at the system clock rate. The memory of each module is preferably addressed by a corresponding counter which has a lower order control input for counting up at one memory byte per count, and a higher order control input for counting up at an accelerated rate of one message unit per count.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for transferring motion pictures from film to videotape, with an improved video image quality for moving objects. In the preferred embodiment, the motion picture is filmed at twice the video frame rate, and alternating scanning fields from each pair of film frames are transferred to interleaved fields on a single video frame. The method is also applicable to the direct transfer of computer generated artwork and the like directly to video storage, without an intermediate film stage; a pair of time-spaced line fields are generated and interleaved for each video frame. The method substantially eliminates image jitter and smearing of moving objects, and is particularly adapted to a new 3-D television technique. Various alternate transfer systems are described, as well as a generalization of the invention to account for different film speeds or numbers of fields per frame.

Abstract: A method for creating a 3-D television effect is disclosed in which a scene is recorded with a relative lateral movement between the scene and the recording mechanism. The recording is played back and viewed through a pair of viewer glasses in which one of the lenses is darker and has a spectral transmission characterized by a reduced transmissivity at least one, and preferably all three, of the television's peak radiant energy wavebands. The lighter lens, on the other hand, has a spectral transmission characterized by a reduced transmissivity at wavelengths removed from the television energy peaks. The result is a substantially greater effective optical density differential between the two lenses when viewing television than in normal ambient light. This produces a very noticeable 3-D effect for television scenes with the proper movement, while avoiding the prior "dead eye" effect associated with too great a density differential in ordinary light.

Abstract: A method and system for encoding a series of input digital signals in a higher order digital format, such as 16 bit, to a series of lower order digital signals such as 8 bit, and then recovering the original input signals with a greater accuracy than previously attainable is described. A distinct reduction in quantization noise is produced, making the system compatible with very high resolution audio equipment such as compact disks. For each input signal, a particular pair of complementary encoding and decoding transformations are selected from a set of numerous possible transformations. The transformations are nonlinear, with high resolutions near the origin and much lower resolutions further away. The high resolution range increases from table to table, while the absolute resolution within said ranges decreases. The value of each input signal is predicted from previous signals, and a differential quantity representing the prediction error is used in selecting the table for each signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method are described for encoding an analog signal to a digital representation thereof and then decoding the same to reconstruct the original analog signal with reduced quantization noise and error. The analog signal is first adaptively pre-emphasized. A series of samples of the pre-emphasized signal are then obtained and encoded to create a series of digital representations which have a lower order resolution than the samples. The difference between each sample and its corresponding lower resolution digital representation is obtained and combined with the next sample. Decoding of the combined signals takes place in a complementary manner to create an approximate analog output signal, which is then de-emphasized in a manner complementary to the pre-emphasis to produce an analog output signal closely approximating the original analog signal.

Abstract: A method for creating a 3-D television effect is disclosed in which a scene is recorded with a relative lateral movement between the scene and the recording mechanism. The recording is played back and viewed through a pair of viewer glasses in which one of the lenses is darker and has a spectral transmission characterized by a reduced transmissivity at at least one, and preferably all three, of the television's peak radiant energy wavebands. The lighter lens, on the other hand, has a spectral transmission characterized by a reduced transmissivity at wavelengths removed from the television energy peaks. The result is a substantially greater effective optical density differential between the two lenses when viewing television than in normal ambient light. This produces a very noticeable 3-D effect for television scenes with the proper movement, while avoiding the prior "dead eye" effect associated with too great a density differential in ordinary light.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for transferring motion pictures from film to videotape, with an improved video image quality for moving objects. In the preferred embodiment, the motion picture is filmed at twice the video frame rate, and alternating scanning fields from each pair of film frames are transferred to interleaved fields on a single video frame. The method substantially eliminates image jitter of moving objects, and is particularly adapted to a new 3-D television technique. Various alternate transfer systems are described, as well as a generalization of the invention to account for different film speeds or numbers of fields per frame.

Abstract: A method for creating a 3-D effect is disclosed in which a scene is recorded with a relative lateral movemnet between the scene and the recording mechanism. The recording is played back and viewed through a light filter which has a greater optical density for one eye than for the other eye, thereby causing one eye to perceive a darker image which appears to lag in time behind the image perceived by the other eye. The result is a three-dimensional effect which can be controlled by controlling the direction and speed of relative movement, the relative optical densities of the filter used for each eye, and the size of the distance from the viewing screen. The invention also includes viewer glasses with a spectral density gradient in which the optical density of one lens is at least 0.3 optical density darker than the optical density of the other lens, and the differene in optical densities between the two lenses is preferably within the range of approximately 0.8 to approximately 2.0.