Abstract:
An arrangement for the control of viewing of a television programme in which a classification code is transmitted with the video signal, for example in an extension packet of a teletext signal, includes a decoder (23) which detects the received codes and passes them to a microcontroller (27). An authorised user is able to enter codes of permitted programme classifications by means of a remote control unit (28). Codes representing these permitted classifications are stored in a non-volatile memory (29). The received and permitted codes are compared in the micro controller (27) that inhibits the video (25) and/or audio (32) circuits if the received codes are not permitted codes. A second tuner 40 is provided which is controlled by the processor (27) to cycle through the available channels and for each channel the processor determines the classification codes being transmitted and notes those channels which have non-permitted (or permitted) classification codes. When requests for channel changes are made the processor (27) determines whether the channel has a permitted classification code and if not causes the tuner (21) to select an alternative channel.
Abstract:
A changer apparatus for information discs comprises a stacking unit for stacking at least two holder compartments, adapted to hold one information disc each, in at least two stacking positions, the holder compartments being coupled to at least one spindle having a screwthread and the holder compartments being movable in a vertical direction by rotation of the spindles, an upper stacking zone and a lower stacking zone of the stacking unit being provided for stacking the holder compartments, and the changer apparatus having a play position for reading information stored on the information discs and/or writing information on the information discs. According to the invention a loading position has been provided in such a changer apparatus in a central zone of the stacking unit between the upper and the lower stacking zone, into which loading position one of the holder compartments is each time movable by rotation of the spindles, and transport means being provided, which transport are adapted to move the information disc from the holder compartment, which is in the loading position, into the play position and into the eject position in which the information disc can be removed from the apparatus, the play position being arranged between the eject position and the loading position.
Abstract:
In a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device including a layer having a fixed cholesteric order, the patterned layer is manufactured by providing a layer comprising polymerizable cholesterically ordered material and a compound convertible by means of radiation from a non-converted to converted state. The pitch of the cholesterically ordered material is influenced by the compound in its converted state to a different extent than in its converted state. The polymerizable layer is then irradiated pattern-wise thus creating regions of different pitch. The irradiated layer is then polymerized and/or cross-linked to fix the cholesteric order thus obtained.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cathode ray tube comprising a funnel-shaped part (1) connected to a neck part (5), the funnel-shaped part having an inner surface and a high-voltage connection element (30). The manufacturing method comprises the step of covering the inner surface of the funnel-shaped part (1) with a carrier liquid comprising a conductive material. The covering step comprises: supplying the carrier liquid through a pipe (3) positioned near an edge (4) of the funnel-shaped part and close to the inner surface of the funnel-shaped part (1). The pipe and the funnel-shaped part are moved with respect to each other, while a projection of the pipe on the inner surface thereby describes a trajectory (20) on the inner surface of the funnel-shaped part which is substantially parallel to the edge (4) of the funnel-shaped part. The carrier liquid is allowed to drain downwardly, and thereby leaves a coating (26) formed by a residue of the conductive material on the inner surface. In accordance with the invention, during the covering step, the pipe (3) and the funnel-shaped part (1) are moved with respect to each other to obtain a trajectory (20) which is a non-closed loop, such that the high-voltage connection element (30) is not completely provided with the coating (26).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a signal processing system comprising a signal processing device (8) and a portable information carrier (2). The signal processing device comprises a signal source selection device (11), having a number of preset positions. A preset position can be related to a signal source and a number of parameter values. With the aid of read means (1), write means (14) and the portable information carrier the preselection settings can be exchanged between similar signal-processing devices. In a first memory section (4) the signal source names are related to specific data, such as a frequency or channel number. In a second memory section (5) and in a memory of the portable information carrier preset positions are related to the parameter values and to signal source names, which uniquely identify the signal sources within a given set of signal sources.
Abstract:
A display device has an array of pixels (10) comprising light emitting display elements (20), for example EL elements, carried on a substrate (50) and associated light sensing elements (40) responsive to light emitted by the display elements. The light sensing elements each comprise a gated photosensitive thin film device such as a TFT structure or a lateral gated pin device having a semiconductor layer (52) with contact regions (53, 54) laterally spaced on the substrate and separated by a gate controlled region (55). A part of the associated display element (20) extends over the gate controlled region with an electrode (70) of the display element serving as the gate of the photosensitive device thereby ensuring good optical coupling between the display element and the photosensitive device and enabling the gate to be appropriately biased. Such an arrangement enables, for example, the provision of electro-optic feedback control in the pixel in comparatively simple manner.
Abstract:
A device supplies an output value Y in response to an input value X in accordance with a given function F. The function F can be, for example, a gamma correction function for a video signal. The device operates as follows. An input section (INP) derives a table input value (XT) and an interpolator input value (XI) from the input value (X). A table (TBL) supplies a table value (YT) in response to the table input value (XT). An interpolator (INT) supplies an interpolation value (YI) in response to the interpolator input value (YI). An output section (OUT) combines the table value (YT) and the interpolation value (YI) so as to obtain the output value (Y). The input section (INP) comprises an interval detector (DET) which defines a plurality of input value intervals (I1, I2). This detector (DET) supplies an interval indication (IND) which indicates the interval (I1) in which the input value (X) lies. The input section (INP) further comprises an input value former (IVC) for forming the table input value (XT) and the interpolator input value (XI) in dependence on the interval indication (IND). The table input value (XT) and the interpolator input value (XI) are determined, respectively, by a more significant part (MSP) of the input value and the complementary less significant part (LSP) of variable magnitudes in accordance with the interval indication (IND). By means of such a device a satisfactory accuracy of the output value can be obtained while the table is of a moderate size.
Abstract:
A semiconductor body has first and second opposed major surfaces. A first region meets the first major surface and at least one second region meets the second major surface. The semiconductor body provides a voltage-sustaining zone between the first and second regions. The voltage sustaining zone has third regions of one conductivity type interposed with fourth regions of the opposite conductivity type with the second and third regions providing a rectifying junction such that, in use, when the rectifying junction is forward biased in one mode of operation by a voltage applied between the first and second regions, a main current path is provided between the first and second major surfaces through the first region, the voltage-sustaining zone and the second region.
Abstract:
The invention relates to methods and devices for forming marks and lands by applying a radiation beam (32) to a recording surface (301) of an optical record carrier (30). Recording strategies are proposed for recording information at high recording speeds. An intermediate power level (P1, P2) is introduced in between the bottom power level (P0) and the write power level (Pw) , its value being dependent on the length of the preceding land (151, 152, 153). A raised write power level (PR1, PR2) is also proposed, its value being dependent on the length of the mark to be recorded (241, 242, 243).
Abstract:
A radio communication system comprising a primary station and a plurality of secondary stations has a communication channel for the transmission of information from a secondary station to the primary station. The secondary station can adjust its output transmission power at a plurality of different rates, and the primary station can instruct the secondary station which of the plurality of rates it should use. The primary station determines the optimum rate for the secondary station to use by measurement of characteristics of signals received from the secondary station, for example the average signal to interference ratio, and is instructs the secondary station accordingly. Other indications may be used to determine or verify the optimum rate, for example further properties of the received signals or information on the speed of the secondary station.