Thomson Consumer Electronics Inc.

Sarnoff Corporation

Thomson Multimedia S.a.

Rca Thomson Licensing Corp.

Bhavesh B Bhatt

Glenn A Reitmeier

Nicola J Fedele

Raymond Lowe

Stephen Charles Hsu

Robert G Bassman

Michael Wade Hansen

Gooitzen Siemen Van Der Wal

Lambert Ernest Wixson

Ragnar Hlynur Jonsson

Bill J Call

Adolf Dsouza

A method and apparatus for splicing a first information stream into a second information stream to produce an output information stream containing compressed digital data. The first and second information streams are synchronized using a common timing reference, thereby avoiding temporal discontinuity errors in an information stream decoder.

Method and apparatus for splicing compressed information signals

Apparatus for image processing a sequence of images containing a parallel-pipelined image processor comprised of image memories, a pyramid processing circuit, an arithmetic logic unit, a crossbar switch for video routing through the various components of the processor, signal processors to provide hardware programming through a global bus and also perform image processing operations. Images can be passed directly from the crossbar switch to internal static RAM of the signal processors through a first-in, first-out interface at full video rates.

Parallel-pipelined image processing system

A process and apparatus for converting an MPEG-2 bitstream into an SMPTE-259 compatible bitstream is characterized by a frame rate converter which is selectively enabled to drop every 1001st frame of the incoming MPEG-2 bitstream depending on the input bitstream frame rate. If the input bitstream frame rate is other than 29.97 or 59.94 Hz, a frame dropper is enabled to discard every 1001st frame. The present converter can convert many different types of input bitstreams, such as all I types, IPIP types, or complex GOP types containing I, P, and B frames. The enabled frame dropper will drop either the I or P frame if it occurs as the 1001st frame, but if the 1001st frame is of the B frame type, the pixel information of the B frame is dropped. This produces a minimum in loss of information during the conversion. The format converter allows existing SMPTE-259 routing equipment to route and utilize MPEG-2 bitstreams, such as HDTV applications.

Process and apparatus for converting an MPEG-2 bitstream into SMPTE-259

Higher order digital phase loop filter

An adaptive scan format converter (14 FIG. 1; FIG. 2) at a transmitter/encoder of a video signal processing system such as a high definition television (HDTV) system, as a function of what format is desired for coding and transmission via an output channel. Similarly, at a receiver, a received scan format is automatically converted (36, FIG. 1; FIG. 2) to a desired format for display as needed. For example, a received interlaced signal (I) will be automatically converted to progressive (P) format to be compatible with a progressive scan display device (39). A received progressive signal will be passed to the display device without format conversion. Automatic scan conversion is performed seamlessly so that, for example, the conversion between progressive main television program material and interlaced commercial material is produced without artifacts and is essentially invisible to a viewer.

Automatic image scanning format converter with seamless switching

An adaptive scan format converter (14, FIG. 1; FIG. 2) at a transmitter/encoder of a video signal processing system such as a high definition television (HDTV) system, as a function of what format is desired for coding and transmission via an output channel. Similarly, at a receiver, a received scan format is automatically converted (36, FIG. 1; FIG. 2) to a desired format for display as needed. For example, a received interlaced signal (I) will be automatically converted to progressive (P) format to be compatible with a progressive scan display device (39). A received progressive signal will be passed to the display device without format conversion. Automatic scan conversion is performed seamlessly so that, for example, the conversion between progressive main television program material and interlaced commercial material is produced without artifacts and is essentially invisible to a viewer.

Image scanning format converter suitable for a high definition

A blind equalization process (200) for an adaptive equalizer including a plurality of taps, each having a corresponding coefficient, is disclosed which comprises the following steps. Blind equalization (204) is performed on a subset of the coefficients in the adaptive equalizer. Then, if the coefficients have converged (206), a decision directed adaptive equalization process (220) is initiated.

Process for fast blind equalization of an adaptive equalizer

A television receiver responds to a quadrature amplitude modulated (QAM) signal containing symbols mapped into a four quadrant grid-like constellation defined by I and Q axes. Demodulated I and Q components are processed by a carrier recovery network which adjusts the parameters of a locally generated carrier reference signal so as to maintain a desired orientation of the QAM constellation. The carrier recovery network includes a time multiplexed processor, including a signal multiplier, exhibiting plural operating modes in a digital phase locked loop exhibiting a loop delay of one symbol period.

Growing community of inventors

Franklin Park, NJ, United States of America

Bhavesh B Bhatt