Abstract:
A command and control architecture for a compressed digital television broadcast studio. The architecture includes provisions for session management, real-time control of studio activities, the use of proxy objects to establish communications with objects not providing a high level of control, control of studio filter devices and stream management. The invention includes an object architecture particularly suited to a digital studio.
Abstract:
Digital computer data recorded in a spiral track on the surface of a disk using a laser recording head which moves radially across the disk as it revolves at a constant linear velocity. A system for controlling the disk velocity during the recording process includes a device for counting each convolution of the spiral and means for calculating the number of bits of information which should optimally be recorded in that convolution. A counter keeps track of the number of bits which are actually being recorded in that convolution. The calculated number of bits is compared with the number of bits actually recorded to produce a control signal for regulating the speed at which the disk revolves.
Abstract:
An oscillator produces a signal having a frequency equal to a multiple of the turntable speed of a video disc player. A divider, periodically reset by vertical timing signals produced by the player when in a "play" operating mode, divides the oscillator signal and continuously produces a vertical reference signal equal in phase and frequency to a vertical timing component of the player video output signal. Synchronism is maintained between the player and a TV receiver when the player is in a "pause" operating mode (when the video output signal is squelched) by supplying the reference signal to the receiver, thereby preventing undesirable "roll" of the image produced by the receiver when the player is returned to the "play" operating mode.
Abstract:
In a tuning system for generating a tuning voltage for tuning a television receiver, channel identification apparatus includes a memory for storing binary signals representing boundary voltages having magnitudes corresponding to magnitudes of the tuning voltage between tuning voltage ranges for respective adjacent channels. As the memory locations are addressed, the boundary voltages are compared to the tuning voltages. Control apparatus causes the memory location associated with the next boundary voltage to be addressed and causes channel number apparatus to generate binary signals representing the next channel number when the magnitude of a predetermined one of the boundary voltage associated with an addressed one of the memory locations and the tuning voltage exceeds the magnitude of the other one. Display apparatus displays the channel number represented by the binary signals generated by the channel number apparatus.
Abstract:
User control apparatus for a system such as a television receiver having a plurality of user controllable functions such as channel, volume, brightness, contrast, color saturation and tint, includes a plurality of individual pushbuttons for changing respective functions in a first sense, e.g., "up" and a common pushbutton for changing all of the functions in a second sense, e.g., "down". Operation of one of the individual pushbuttons selects the function to be controlled and causes the function to be increased. Thereafter, operation of the common pushbutton causes the selected function to be decreased.
Abstract:
A television tuning system includes apparatus for swapping or exchanging a presently selected channel for a previously saved channel when a user operates a switch provided for that purpose. The apparatus is arranged so that the saved channel is unaffected by channel selections so that it may be used by a user to quickly return to an originally selected channel after scanning other channels, e.g., during commercial interruptions, as well as to follow the progress of two programs, e.g., two sporting events on different channels.
Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for managing/monitoring production of agricultural raw materials useful for the production of alcoholic beverages, as well as the production, storage, ageing, consumption, quality, authenticity, traceability and/or selling price of alcoholic beverages comprises: (a) collecting two samples of the alcoholic beverage in an inert container sealed with an inert stopper; (b) assigning data on the alcoholic beverage to each sample; (c) storing at least some of the samples collected in step (a), under specified conditions; (d) analysing each sample to determine at least one mineral profile, preferably metallic; (e) forming a database relating to the samples and resulting from step (b) and step (d); (h) processing these data by statistical analysis, preferably using AI; and (i) using the processed data to manage/monitor the entire supply chain of the alcoholic beverage until its consumption. A device for implementing steps (a) and (c) of the method is also provided.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for distributing time and frequency information to a plurality of studios such that the studios can then use the time and frequency information frequency and timelock their studio components to the global reference. The apparatus includes various embodiments for facilitating the distribution of time and frequency depending upon the type of digital network that is used for distributing the television signals.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for splicing a first compressed digital information stream into a second compressed digital information stream. The first information stream includes at least one entrance indicium identifying an appropriate stream entrance point, the second information stream includes at least one exit indicium identifying an appropriate stream exit point. A controller monitors the two streams until the appropriate points are found and, in response to a control signal, splices the first stream into the second stream.
Abstract:
A studio class directory structure, for example, in a computer-readable media. The directory structure has a gateway service interface as a root directory, a devices class directory, coupled to said root directory, a servers class directory, coupled to said root directory, a studios class directory, coupled to said root directory and a software resources class directory, coupled to said root directory.