A video recording and playback device (10) incorporates a processor (114) for processing the video signal to detect the presence of commercial messages. Video and audio event detectors (102, 104) detect the presence of events in the signal as it is recorded. The timing relationship of the detected events is analyzed to classify the video segments between events as program material or as commercial messages. After a program is recorded, control marks are generated (132) to indicate the beginning and end of commercial groups so that they will be skipped during subsequent replay of the recorded program.

Method and apparatus for eliminating television commercial messages

A system for unintrusively determining parameters such as current, voltage and power delivered through a service line to a customer for verifying accuracy of the customer's entrance meter. The system includes a sensor apparatus for monitoring voltage and current on the power line. A voltage clamp mechanism is disposed within a sensor housing such that an insulation piercing voltage sensor can be manually actuated to pierce the electrical insulation of the power line and contact the conductor. The sensor apparatus also includes a split-core current transformer fabricated to minimize the air gap between the split-core sections when the apparatus is closed about the power line. A pole unit is electrically connected to each sensor apparatus for monitoring the voltage and current, calculating the power consumed in kilowatt-hours and storing calculated kilowatt-hours in memory with an appropriate date/time stamp, for subsequent retrieval and comparison with the customer's entrance meter readings. Data retrieval is accomplished via a hand-held ground unit, such as a palm top computer, which communicates via infrared signals with the pole mounted unit.

Secondary electrical power line parameter monitoring apparatus and system

An automatic editing device is coupled between a conventional VCR and a conventional television monitor/receiver. During recording of a television signal, data is accumulated with respect to the time of occurrence and duration of detectable events, such as blank frames, in the television signal, and such data is stored in the device. At a time subsequent to the recording process, the stored data is analyzed to classify the content of the television signal between the detectable events. The recording is made on a tape which has timing reference data permanently encoded thereon. During playback, the stored data for each event is compared to the timing reference data read from the tape and the VCR is automatically commanded into a fast scan mode when the tape reaches the beginning time of a portion of the video signal that has been classified for elimination during playback. The VCR is then automatically commanded to return to the normal "play" mode when the tape reaches the ending time of that portion of the video signal. Since all of the television signal is recorded on the tape, any or all of the signal may be viewed, even if portions of it have been misclassified.

Method and apparatus for controlling a videotape player to automatically scan past recorded commercial messages

A video playback device includes video and audio event detectors which detect the presence of events in the video signal as it is played. When the viewer commands the device to skip past a portion of a recorded program, a processor monitors the detected events to locate an event corresponding to the beginning of a next program segment. The device then returns to that location and begins normal play. Alternatively, the viewer may manually terminate the skipping process, at which time the device automatically returns to the location of the most recently detected event.

Method and apparatus for controlling a video player to automatically locate a segment of a recorded program

A self-powered powerline sensor (10) includes a core layer (18) for wrapping about an a.c. powerline (12); a winding layer, including a plurality of windings (20) to be energized by the a.c. powerline (12), disposed about the core layer (18); means (50-60) for sensing a condition in or about the a.c. powerline (12); and means (44) for sensing, for transmitting a signal representative of the sensed condition over the a.c. powerline.

Self-powered powerline sensor

A current and voltage detector (1) for a distribution system is provided with a lower section (2), an upper section (3) and a fastening means for combining the lower and upper sections into one body. The lower section comprises: a first groove for receiving an electric wire of the distribution system; an optical type current sensor (4); an optical type voltage sensor (5); and a potential divider for supplying a voltage to the voltage sensor. The upper section comprises: a second groove for receiving the electric wire; and a U-shaped magnetic core (6) for applying a magnetic field to the current sensor.

A current and/or voltage detector for a distribution system

A magnetic field measurement apparatus with high sensitivity and high accuracy in which a Bi-substituted rare-earth iron garnet crystal with a high and no temperature dependent sensitivity constant grown by liquid phase epitaxy is used for a magneto-optic element.

Magnetic field measurement apparatus

A method and system of cleaning to remove cutting dust and the like generated and adhering to a board material ( 1 a ) during drilling for electrical connection, and drying the board material, in a process of manufacturing a circuit board for small electronic equipment and the like. A large amount of board materials can be treated without receiving thermal damage by performing the steps of: placing sheets of the board material that have absorbed moisture resulting from cleaning, like a stack in a vacuum chamber ( 11 ); and drying the board material by repeating evacuation and pressurization under predetermined conditions while heating the board material.

Method and system of drying materials and method of manufacturing circuit boards using the same

It is possible to obtain a clean high-quality circuit board by removing affected material and foreign matter produced when a hole is formed. A manufacturing method of the circuit board includes (a) preparing a film-coated board material by bonding a film material as a mask to a board material, (b) forming a hole in the film-coated board material by applying a laser beam thereto, and (c) selectively removing the unnecessary material sticking to the film-coated board material from the film-coated board material by supersonic cleaning without peeling the film material off the board material. Unnecessary material such as foreign matter is produced when the hole is formed, and the unnecessary material sticks to the board material. After removal of such unnecessary material, a conductive material is disposed in the hole, using the film material as a mask, and the film material is later removed from the board material.

Method of manufacturing a circuit board and its manufacturing apparatus

A method and device for producing circuit boards used in small electronic equipment or the like, wherein cutting chips or the like which are produced during drilling a board material (1a) for electric connection and which adheres thereto are washed away and then the board material is dried. Board materials (1a) which have absorbed moisture during washing with water are stacked and loaded into a vacuum drying tank (11), where the board materials (1a) are dried while repeating pressure decrease and pressure increase during heating under given conditions. Performing this process makes mass-treatment possible without causing thermal damage to the board materials (1a). Thus, without losing the speediness of laser processing, high-quality drilling becomes possible, and a circuit board which is highly reliable can be obtained at low costs.

Akihiro Miura

Papers

A current and/or voltage detector for a distribution system

Magnetic field measurement apparatus

Method and system of drying materials and method of manufacturing circuit boards using the same

Method of manufacturing a circuit board and its manufacturing apparatus

Method and device for drying materials and method of producing circuit boards using the same