Abstract: A media control device is provided. The media control device includes a first output port and a second output port. The media control device receives a user input indicative of disability information of a user. Further, the media control device controls the first output port to output a first audio portion of media content. The media control device further retrieves a second audio portion which describes a first image portion of the media content based on the received user input. The first image portion is associated with the first audio portion. The media control device further controls the second output port to output the first audio portion and the second audio portion based on the received user input.

Abstract: A clothes dryer has a degree of dryness control system that is responsive to moisture level of clothing articles tumbling in a drum and a target moisture value to control the drying cycle of the clothes dryer. The clothes dryer has a load size parameter producing module and an air flow detection parameter module. These modules generate one of two parameter conditions used by the processor to modify or select an appropriate moisture target value. The load size producing parameter module generates one of a small load input parameter and a large load input parameter. The air flow detection module produces one of a first and second air flow parameter to be utilized by the degree of dryness processor. As a result, the processor selects one of four target moisture values from these conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal light valve that makes it possible to increase the life of a polarizer at a light-exiting-surface side of the liquid crystal light valve by reducing the burden thereon, and a projection display device that incorporates the liquid crystal light valve. In liquid crystal light valves that modulate incident light in accordance with image information, at least two corresponding polarizers are provided respectively at the light-exiting-surface sides of liquid crystal panels.

Abstract: A supplemental audio content system may include a storage device for storing supplemental audio content, a time tagger cooperating with a clock for generating time tagged identification data based upon identification data from the motion picture film during playing thereof, and a synchronizer for synchronizing playing of the supplemental audio content with playing of a motion picture film and based upon the time tagged identification data. The supplemental audio content may supplement the primary or main movie soundtrack. The supplemental audio content may include spoken words and be devoid of music or sound effects. For example, the supplemental audio content may comprise alternate language audio content, or may comprise descriptive narrative audio content, such as to assist the sight impaired.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program product are provided for selectively separately updating multiple system time clocks or synchronously updating the multiple system time clocks (STCs). Separate or simultaneous updating of the system time clocks is attained by selectively adjusting the addresses to the system time clocks in updatable address register fields. A first address value is provided to a first address register associated with a first STC register and a second address value is provided to a second address register associated with a second STC register. Independent updating of the first STC register and the second STC register is performed when the first address value and the second address value are different, while synchronous updating is performed when the first address value and the second address value comprise a common address value. The technique can be extrapolated to any number of clocks to be updated.

Abstract: A system to create, for screening purposes, an adjustable, pre-selectable synchronous relationship between motion picture film segments and their matching audio files, by transferring the audio to a digital format, storing the audio files on a portable or removable computer storage device, such as a compact disk, and utilizing a computer program to define and maintain the synchronous relationship. The system provides the ability to screen continuously, multiple rolls of film each having a plurality of film segments with the appropriate synchronized digital audio files.

Abstract: A motion-pictures and audio synchronization controller for extending and reproducing compressed motion-pictures and audio multiplexed data and outputting motion-pictures synchronously with audio comprises a selector for adjusting time between a system clock reference added to compressed motion-pictures and audio multiplexed data and picture time stamp, a system time counter for generating a system time clock output from an output of the time adjustment selector and a picture frame synchronization signal, an audio synchronization comparator for comparing a system time clock output from the system time counter with a delayed audio time stamp and outputting an audio output start signal, and a picture synchronization comparator for comparing the system time clock output from the system time counter with a delayed picture time stamp and outputting a picture output start signal.

Abstract: An audiovisual filmstrip image display apparatus and method includes an image displayer, such as a viewer projector, television or computer screen or the like, together with an audio speaker and a converter including a player, capable of playing multiple sound programs or sequences stored on sound storage equipment either internal or separate and a signal detector for reading magnetic signals on a filmstrip to indicate to the player the sound program to be played in conjunction with each individual filmstrip image being viewed. Various forms of equipment which may be included in an apparatus according to the invention are disclosed.

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: A digital audio signal recording device which, in conjunction with a film magazine loaded with a motion picture film and an analog audio recording device recording analog audio signals on the motion picture film, constitutes an audio signal recording system for the motion picture film capable of recording both analog audio signals and digital audio signals on the motion picture film delivered from the film magazine. The digital audio signal recording device transports the motion picture film, delivered from the inside of the film magazine via the film reel-out section, into the digital audio signal recording device via a first film feed-in section, and then transports the film to the analog audio signal recording device via a first feed-out section and a film lead-in section. The motion picture film introduced into the analog audio signal recording device is returned into the digital audio signal recording device via a film lead-out section and a second film feed-in section.

Abstract: Dynamic range and passband problems in cinema sound transmission are solved by using a laser disk (9) read by a laser disk player (10, 11, 12) synchronized (14) with the original sound track of the film. Problems relating to splices in the film are solved by reading the sound in advance, in storing it in a memory (13), in reading it back subsequently from the memory, and, where necessary, in causing the memory read back system to jump (24) in order to avoid reproducing sound that corresponds to images that have been removed from the film.

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: On the marginal part of a perforated cinematographic film, are recorded coded information or "addresses" associated respectively with the various images of the film, in the form of dots disposed in a matrix of longitudinal rows and of transverse columns. Before each matrix of dots corresponding to a group of coded information or "address" of an image, a transverse framing pattern constituted by a single combination of dots, is recorded. Then, during the recording, in the different transverse columns, of the different successive characters constituting the same "address", a longitudinal framing pattern is recorded, along a longitudinal row bordering the matrix, this longitudinal framing pattern being constituted by an alternation, along said row, of dots and absences of dots aligned respectively with the various transverse columns of the matrix.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of distinct devices in a theater displaying a projected motion picture or other visual program and having a multichannel sound signal contained on a moving film or other type strip, which system has a memory unit for storing groups of digital control signals for operating the distinct devices, each forming a channel, in a selected manner during a selected portion of the moving strip. This system has means for selecting one of the groups of the digital control signals for a selected portion of the visual program and means independent of the strip for causing the stored digital control signals of the selected group to be outputted in a time sequence corresponding to the selected portion of the visual program.

Abstract: Audio-visual systems including a motion picture film projector and a tape player, the film having optical cues and program reference notches for stopping film advancement, and the tape having start cues for starting film advancement. The optical stop cues are detected dynamically and with cue length discrimination. A program select control causes the system to search for a program reference notch and to ignore optical stop cue until the notch is detected. Other features include a pause-run control, a variable frame rate control with a single-frame advance option, and remote controls. Optical stop cue detection systems include a light transmissive system, a light reflective system, a polarized light system, and a colored light system.

Abstract: A method and system of blending the effective audio sensation in a theater having a plurality of audio speakers driven by a single program signal recorded on a motion picture film strip as the film strip is being projected in the theater, which method and system includes the driving of each of the speakers in the theater with a common program signal through an amplifier having a gain controlled by an analog electrical signal whereby the level of the analog signal determines the volume of the program signal at each of the speakers and creating a digital gain control signal for each of the speakers in response to a control signal recorded periodically on the film strip at locations on the film strip determined by the desired volume of a given speaker at a given time which digital gain control signal is converted to an analog signal and is used for controlling the driving amplifiers of each of the speakers in the theater in which the film is being projected.

Abstract: A switch adapted to cooperate with the pull-down claw of a silent movie camera for transmitting an electrical signal each time a frame of movie film is advanced past the shutter of the camera includes an insulating base adapted to be positioned within the film receiving compartment of a movie camera so as to fit around the film gate, the base having a grounding contact arm engaging the gate so as to be grounded through the camera and a contact finger insulated from the gate and disposed for intermittent engagement with the reciprocating pull-down claw which serves to close the switch each time a frame of film is advanced past the shutter.