Abstract: An audio-visual system includes an AV center which may be connected to a plurality of image source components. An AV bus cable is connected respectively between each of the image source components and the AV center. The configuration of the interconnections between the AV center and all components of the system are identical and of simplified layout. Thus, complex interconnective methods and excessive numbers of cable, connectors, etc., are avoided while user convenience and general appearance of the system are greatly enhanced without compromising overall system functionality and/or operational capabilities.

Abstract: A central station monitors television broadcasts and issues control and informational broadcasts to receivers located in the homes of users. The information broadcasts include a TV program schedule table and recorder control data. In response to the control broadcasts, processors receiving the broadcast will pause and resume recording of the identified broadcasts. A user can phone into the central station to have the user's recorder programmed to record a particular broadcast.

Abstract: A video multiplexing system for superimposition of scalable video data streams upon a background data stream and having a video decoder to extract a first luminance signal, an A/D converter to convert the first luminance signal to digital form, a three-port video memory for storing digitized luminance signal, a D/A converter for receiving the stored digitized luminance signal and converting it to analog form, a mixing or multiplexing means, having one input coupled to the D/A converter output, at least one other luminance signal source as an input and controlling inputs for directing the selection of one of the input luminance signals as an output, and a control means such as a microprocessor for controlling the various components. The write operations to the video memory are synchronized to the incoming luminance signal, and the read operations from the video memory are synchronized to the display device.

Abstract: In a multimedia video production control system, equipment supplied by various manufacturers is integrated to allow a consumer to control the equipment and edit a production at a centralized location. An adapter unit, interfaced to each camera and pan/tilt mount unit to be used with the system, feeds a cable which, in turn, connects to a camera interface module containing cable compensation and amplification circuitry so that the signals generated by the various cameras may be combined in a commercially available video switcher unit at a consistent level. In the preferred embodiment, each camera interface unit feeds a computer interface unit, and the computer interface units communicate with a personal computer over a standard interface.

Abstract: A system and method of digital video editing simultaneously displays a plurality of source video windows on a screen, each window showing a digital source video stream. The user may select among the source video windows at any time while they are being shown. The selected digital source video stream appears in a record video window, and continues to run in real-time in both the selected source video window and the record video window. All windows continuously display real-time video streams. The user may continue to make selections among the source video windows as often as desired, and may also select transformations, or special effects, from an on-screen list. The video stream playing in the record window thus forms a digital user-arranged version of selected portions of the source video streams, plus transformations, as selected by the user. The user's selections are stored to permit subsequent playback of the digital user-arranged video stream in a playback window.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for editing transitions between sequences of video frames, generally including simultaneously displaying the frames in the first and second sequences that are at the beginning of the transition, and the frames in the first and second sequences that are at the end of the transition. The position of two of the four frames may be altered in their respective sequence to redefine the transition in response to a move command. Move commands may include center positioning commands, beginning commands, and end commands. The rate of change within the transition may also correspond to a predefined film characteristic.

Abstract: A system for encoding, storing, and displaying captions includes a modem for transmitting a signal including one or more closed captions generated in real time, a videotape player for playing a videotape of a television program including both a video signal and a time code signal corresponding to a time position of the video tape, an encoder for receiving the video signal and a caption input and integrating the video signal and the caption input into one integrated signal for transmission, and a computer that receives captions from the modem and a time code output from the video tape player. The computer transmits the received captions to an encoder and simultaneously generates data records storing the received captions with a time code stamp corresponding to the time code signal input when the caption was received.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing system has two controllers. One of the controllers compares broadcast schedule list data with the data bases of a plurality of recorder/reproducers to detect which recorder/reproducers have not recorded which material, controls a cart machine to reproduce the video and audio signals of the detected material, and controls the detected recorder/reproducers to record the reproduced video and audio signals. The other controller places the recorder/reproducers in a playback mode based on broadcast control data, and controls them to reproduce and transmit the video and audio signals of materials at corresponding broadcasting times. The recording and reproducing system can automatically carry out a preparatory process to reproduce the same material in a plurality of transmission channels, can easily change the order in which materials are scheduled to be transmitted immediately before they are broadcast, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a light-weight inexpensive portable prompter for video cameras which presents a moving textual script that can be read directly by a person in front of the camera while he is being videotaped. The prompter comprises a script-housing secured to a mounting plate which can be easily attached to the video camera, simultaneously and automatically aligning the script-housing adjacent to and under the lens of the camera with no part of said prompter within the viewing angle of said camera lens.

Abstract: An input/output switching circuit comprising a first terminal provided on a first audio/video unit, a first switch coupled to the first terminal for switching an audio/video signal at the first terminal, a second terminal provided on a second audio/video unit, a connection cable coupled between the first and second terminals for bidirectional communication of the audio/video signal between the first and second audio/video units, a second switch, coupled to the second terminal for switching the audio/video signal at the second terminal, a first microcomputer coupled to the first switch for controlling the first switch, a second microcomputer coupled to the second switch for controlling the second switch, a communication line for communicating control data between the first and second microcomputers wherein the control data includes data indicating the state of the first and second switch, such that the first and second microcomputers control the first and second switches in response to the control data to acco

Abstract: A compact and low-cost multiplexing apparatus for a plurality of high-efficiency encoded image signals is capable of improving an image quality and of shortening a transmission delay time. The multiplexing apparatus for an image signal includes delay compensating circuits provided corresponding to a plurality of image terminals, for storing image encoded signals sent from the respective image terminals; a control circuit for performing a control to form a large frame signal from small frame signals whose number is equal to at the most the number of image signal sources, by detecting frame head codes from input/outputs of the delay compensating circuits, thereby not being duplicated from a plurality of delay compensating circuits, and also adding circuit for adding a frame start code to each of large frames. Even when the frame rates are different between terminals, since all of the image encoded signals are not decoded but multiplexed, deterioration of image qualities and transmission delays can be reduced.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus with simultaneous parallel processing of different image signals includes a storage device for storing a plurality of image signals supplied sequentially, each of the stored image signals representing a different image. A first structure is provided for reading out image signals stored in the storage device and supplying the read out image signals sequentially to an output terminal. A second structure is provided for separately storing outputting one image signal from among the plurality of stored image signals while image signals are being supplied sequentially from the first structure to the output terminal.

Abstract: Media composer for editing source material. The media composer includes apparatus for receiving digitizing, storing and editing video and audio source material. Computing apparatus manipulates the stored source material and output apparatus communicates with the computing apparatus to display the manipulated material and control information. The computing apparatus includes JPEG compression techniques and is programmed to provide enhanced editing features.

Abstract: A video storage and synchronization system has one of more frame memories and an output buffer providing a selectable delay. Incoming video signals are digitized and routed to the memories and/or to the buffer. Stored signals are read out from the memories in synchronism with the incoming signals and can be mixed with the incoming signals before processing in the output buffer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for classifying patterns of television programs and commercials, based on learning and discerning of broadcast audio and video signals, wherein the signals might be incomplete and the number of discerning features is large. The apparatus uses a discerner device containing feature extraction, an artificial neural network and control mechanisms. The discerner device classifies signal patterns into classes and stores, records or displays them accordingly on different storage, recording or display devices using the appropriate control mechanisms. The method is operable for classifying many types of signal patterns, but most importantly, those patterns of programs and commercials of television broadcast audio and video signals.

Abstract: A special effect generating apparatus having a plurality of processing units being connected each other, each of which includes a processing section for processing an input video signal according to a control signal, an identification signal generating section for generating an identification signal which identifies the processing unit or a condition of the processing unit, an adding section for adding the identification signal to a predetermined portion of an output video signal from the processing section, a detecting section for detecting the identification signal in an output video signal from an upstream processing section, and a monitoring section for monitoring a connecting status among the plurality of processing units or a condition of the processing units according to the identification signal detected by the detecting section.

Abstract: In a method of superimposing data of a character (mark) on video data, the superimposed video data being subjected to a data compression processing for extracting video data within each of blocks from one frame of the superimposed video data and for data-compressing the extracted video data, the blocks forming one frame, the each block including a predetermined number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels of the superimposed video data, a position of the character superimposed on the video data with respect to a lump of the blocks, where the character is to be imposed, is determined such that the number of blocks over which the character spreads is minimized when a size and a shape of the character or the mark are unchanged.

Abstract: An enhanced video special effects system architecture is based on deinterlacing (16) incoming fields of interlaced video and processing the deinterlaced video through video special effects operations (18, 30), each of which benefits from operating on a progressive scan video signal rather than an interlaced video signal.

Abstract: A switcher apparatus for selectively supplying video signals comprising a main switching unit, a back-up switching unit, a switching device and a housing. The main and back-up switching units receive a plurality of input video signals, from which desired video signals are selected and supplied therefrom. The switching device receives the selected video signals from the main and back-up switching units and outputs one of the two received signals. The housing secures the main and back-up switching units and enables removal therefrom and installation therein of one of the main and back-up switching units while the other switching unit operates so as to provide continuous selecting of desired video signals and supplying of the same by at least one of the main and back-up switching units to the switching device.

Abstract: A multiple media system having a central site and a remote site for customizing video and audio presentations comprising a communications channel, a studio processor, a scheduling processor, a network processor, a transmitter, a communications processor, a video processor, and optionally a matrix switch, a cue processor, a matrix-switch processor and a system monitor. The studio processor generates one or more content data signals. The content data signals maybe analog or digital, and include text signals, phototext signals and/or audio signals. The scheduling processor generates a schedule data signal, which includes a unique identifier, accounting, administrative and scheduling data. The network processor generates a communication signal which includes the one or more content data signals and the schedule data signals formatted with the video signal. The transmitter transmits the communications signal over the communications channel.

Abstract: A communication system for video information apparatus for carrying out a communication between a video information apparatus and a peripheral apparatus arranged so that a communication is repeatedly carried out at a period synchronized with a signal of a vertical period having a constant phase relation relative to a vertical synchronizing signal.