Showing papers by "Sony Broadcast & Professional Research Laboratories published in 1986"

XeCl Excimer laser annealing used in the fabrication of poly-Si TFT's

Abstract: Mo-gate n-channel poly-Si thin-film transistors (TFT's) have been fabricated for the first time at a low processing temperature of 260°C. A 500-1000-A-thick a-Si:H was successfully crystallized by XeCl excimer laser (308nm) annealing without heating a glass substrate. TFT's were fabricated in the crystallized Si film. The channel mobility of the TFT was 180cm2/V.s when the a-Si:H was crystallized by annealing with a laser having an energy density of 200 mJ/cm2. This result shows that high-speed silicon devices can be fabricated at a low temperature using XeCl excimer laser annealing.

Video signal processing.

Abstract: In video processing, a motion compensated process and an equivalent linear process are performed on an input signal, the processing errors of which are computed and compared. The comparison is then used to control a mix between the outputs of the two processes to produce an output signal.

Apparatus and method for preventing unauthorized dubbing of a recorded signal

Abstract: In a reproducing and recording or dubbing system there are provided a reproducing apparatus for reproducing from a first tape recorded composite data which includes pulse code modulated information data mixed with control data having first and second states for indicating that re-recording of the associated information data is to be prevented and permitted, respectively, a recording apparatus for recording on a second tape composite data reproduced from the first tape, a detector for detecting the states of the control data in the composite data reproduced from the first tape, a generator for generating a dubbing protect control signal in response to detection of the first state of the control data, a line for transmitting the reproduced composite data from the reproducing apparatus to the recording apparatus, and a switch interposed in the line for transmitting the reproduced composite data and being operated by the dubbing protect control signal to interrupt the transmission of the reproduced composite data to the recording apparatus and thereby prevent recording or copying of the reproduced composite data on the second tape

High efficiency technique for coding a digital video signal

Abstract: The invention relates to a high efficiency apparatus for coding digital video data in which the number of bits per picture element in the video data such as a digital video signal or the like is compressed. The video data of a television picture plane is divided into a number of three-dimensional blocks, i.e., spatial blocks. The picture element data in the block can be coded by the reduced number of bits by the bit compression by performing the coding process adapted to the narrowed dynamic range on the basis of the correlation among the picture elements in each block. The transmission data of the number of bits reduced as compared with the number of bits of the original data can be formed. By coding only the necessary frame by discriminating the movement of the image in the block, the redundancy in the direction of time can be removed.

Computerized system for managing preparation and prosecution of applications in various countries for protection of industrial property rights

Abstract: A computerized system for managing preparation and prosecution of applications for protection of industrial property rights in various contries includes a data memory which stores a rule data for controlling input, output and internal operation of the system. The rule data includes information concerning required actions at each step of prosecution of applications in each country when the applications are filed. Such rule data is so designed as to provide proper guidance to the operator for guiding proper entry of input data in order to avoid error in operation. Preferably, the rule data consists of common rule data components which are commonly applicable for applications in any country and local rule data components which are specifically applicable for a specific country.

Two-dimensional finite impulse response filter arrangements

Abstract: A two-dimensional finite impulse response filter arrangement for filtering a signal which represents an image and which comprises a sequence of digital words comprises a two-dimensional finite impulse response filter (26, 30, 32, 34) operative during each of a plurality of successive clock periods to effect filtration over a predetermined area of the image by multiplying each of a set of the digital words in a spatial array by a respective weighting coefficient in a corresponding set of weighting coefficients, and summing the resulting products to produce therefrom an output filtered digital word The filter (26, 30, 32, 34) includes a store (106) storing weitghting coefficient data defining a profile (P) which when rotated about an axis (A) generates a three-dimensional representation of the values of weighting coefficients corresponding to a required two-dimensional response characteristic of the filter (26, 30, 32, 34), first calculating means (100 to 105) operative in response to each of the digital words to calculate the radius (R) from the axis (A) of the position of the corresponding weighting coefficient in the representation, whereby the value of the respective weighting coefficient corresponding to each of the positions in the array can be derived from the store (106) in dependence on the value of the corresponding radius (R), and second calculating means (30, 34) to multiply each digital word by the respective weighting coefficient of the corresponding set of weighting coefficients, and to sum the resulting products to derive the required output filtered digital word

Signal recording apparatus and method

Abstract: Described is a method and a recording apparatus whereby audio and video signals can be recorded on a plurality of recording tracks on the same recording medium. A series of temporarily consecutive audio signals can be recorded across a plurality of tracks. On at least the audio track, information signals including the leading track number, the next following track number and the number of the video track bearing the corresponding video signals, are recorded. The track number data of the information signals on these audio tracks are written in corresponding positions of a digital, table memory. These control code data are recorded on a predetermined control track on the recording medium such that a series of desired audio signals and the corresponding video signals can be selectively reproduced smoothly and promptly by first reading the control track and then reproducing the audio and video tracks in accordance with the control code data information.

Effect of BaF2 on the Synthesis of the Single‐Phase Cubic Y 3Al5 O 12 : Tb

Abstract: The luminescence efficiency of the YAG:Tb phosphor has been improved by the application of BaF/sub 2/ flux to the firing process. Luminescence efficiency is largely determined by the single-phase crystallinity of cubic YAG:Tb. This phosphor, when used in a projection CRT, show good stability in the temperature and current dependence of brightness as well as good resistance to electron burning. The effect of BaF/sub 2/ on the formation of single-phase cubic YAG and the optical performance of the resulting YAG:Tb phosphor in a CRT are discussed.

Method and system for image transformation

Abstract: A method of transforming an input video image data onto a three-dimensional surface is disclosed which comprises the steps of defining the three-dimensional surface, providing mapping data for transforming the input video image data onto the surface, storing the input video image data in first memory means, transforming the input video image data stored in the first memory means according to the mapping data so as to provide an output video image data, calculating first vectors representing, respectively, orientations taken by, minute areas on the surface, calculating second vectors representing, respectively, directions from the minute areas toward a virtual light source disposed in a position, calculating weighting factors according to the first and sec- ond vectors, the weighting factors quantifying shading to be caused on the minutes areas by the virtual light source, and weighting the input video image data or the output video image data according to the weighting factors

Electronic still camera with indicator for number of tracks available for video and/or audio recording

Abstract: A solid-state still camera includes a detector (304a, 306a) for detecting how much track space is already occupied and producing a detector signal for every occupied track. A counter (521, 522) counts the detector signals and produces a counter signal representative of the number of occupied tracks. The solid-state still camera is also provided with a manually operable mode selector for selecting video recording mode from among a plurality of different modes, such as frame mode and filed mode. An arithmetic circuit (523) receives counter signals and a selected mode indicative signal. The arithmetic circuit (523) derives the number of pictures that can be taken based on the counter signal value and the selected mode indicative signal. The value derived by the arithmetic circuit is displayed on a visual display. Preferably, the solid-state still camera also includes an audio recording feature. The detector (304a, 306a) also detects the tracks occupied by recorded audio signals. The indicator makes it possible to conveniently known the number of blank tracks available for taking pictures or recording audio sounds.

Data transmission system

Abstract: This invention relates to a data transmission system in which information data is shuffled and the data service is received by those who paid the charges According to this data transmission system, a service data and a key code transmitted from a data base station are received by a decoder provided at the side of a subscriber, in which only when these data are decoded and the key code transmitted coincides with a key code at the receiving side, a particular data service transmitted from the data base station can be received by the subscriber In the data transmission system of the invention, a control data portion transmitted is shuffled by changing a shuffling pattern by a synchronizing code inserted into the control data portion as a part and by arranging the code length of the control data portion to be variable so that the content of data can not be decoded easily

Remote-controlling commander with multi-function rotary dial

Abstract: A remote-controlling commander includes a rotary dial rotatably mounted on a commander housing for manual operation of the user. The commander also includes a position detector for monitoring angular position of the rotary dial, in which the angular position and/or angular displacement of the rotary dial represents which operation of the apparatus is to be controlled and an encoder for producing an encoded signal variable depending upon the angular position and/or angular displacement of the rotary dial. The encoded signal is transmitted through a transmitter to a receiver provided in the apparatus to be controlled. The received signal is decoded in the apparatus to trigger the function represented by the received signal. The received signal from the remote-controlling commander may be used to perform functions associated with a VTR, such as timing of video recording, picture searching, channel timing, and the like.

Method and apparatus for transmitting video data

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for transmitting video signals comprising an input device for receiving video data of sequential fields a memory for storing the video data of a plurality of fields, parameter generating devices for generating respective parameters to specify a time spatial relation which is defined by a linear combination from reference pixel data of a plurality of fields to be periodically transmitted every predetermined number of fields and pixel data of a respective field to be skipped between the plurality of fields to be periodically transmitted each being stored in memory. Means are provided for transmitting the video data of the fields to be periodically transmitted every predetermined number of fields and the respective parameters instead of the video data of the respective field to be skipped.

Bacterial cellulose-containing molding material having high dynamic strength

Abstract: A molding material having high dynamic strength which contains bacterial cellulose having ribbon-shaped microfibrils Such material is advantageously used as a reinforcing material for composite plastics having high strength, as high quality paper or as acoustic diaphragms for percussion instruments

Low Temperature Polysilicon Super-Thin-Film Transistor (LSFT)

Abstract: Advanced polysilicon SFT's (Super-thin-Film Transistor) were fabricated on quartz at a low temperature process below 610°C. Using the technique of Si+ ion implanted amorphization and subsequent solid phase growth and making a super-thin-film structure, superior electrical characteristics such as high electron mobility of 60 cm2/(Vs) were obtained. The oscillation of a 19 stage ring oscillator with a channel length of 8.4 µm was observed. Propagation delay time of 8.13 ns/stage was attained. The device is expected to be applied to monolithic liquid-crystal-display on low temperature glass and three dimensional LSI technology.

Picture-in-picture television receiver with separate channel display

Abstract: A picture-in-picture type television receiver in which a sub-picture screen is inset within a main picture screen to allow the same or different pictures to be simultaneously displayed and which includes a circuit for separately displaying the channel numbers of both the main and sub-picture screens momentarily whenever the picture content of the sub-picture screen is changed and whenever the picture content of the main picture is changed if the sub-picture is display.

Two-dimensional finite impulse response filters

Abstract: A two-dimensional finite impulse response (FIR) filter comprises a demultiplexer (30) for demultiplexing an input data signal comprising adjacent digital words into p (e.g. 2) slower data signals each having a slower rate equal to 1 /p (e.g. 1 2) of the data rate of the input signal and each comprising every pth (e.g. every alternate) word of the input signal. The slower data signals are passed to p(e.g 2) filter portions (80, 82) each comprising a horizontal FIR filter (32, 34)and a vertical FIR filter (84, 86). The horizontal filters (32, 34) are each connected to receive all of the slower data signals and all of them are operative simultaneously to effect horizontal filtration by periodically processing sets of adjacent words of the input signal, the sets of adjacent words being processed at any one time by the respective horizontal filters (32, 34) being offset with respect to one another by one word. A multiplexer (36) receives output signals of the filter portions (80, 82) to form a filtered output data signal having a data rate equal to that of the input data signal.

Error correction method

Abstract: In an error correcting method for a block of data having first and second error correction codes based on first and second series of symbols within the data block, error correction is performed repeatedly by alternately using the first and second code series, to achieve the maximum error correcting capability, without reference to the result of a previous error correction using the other series.

Semiconductor laser apparatus for optical heads

Abstract: In a semiconductor laser apparatus for an optical head, a beam splitter having a first surface incline at a predetermined angle with respect to a radiant surface of a semiconductor laser chip is fixed on a photodetector to reduce the cost of the optical head.

Character recognition system

Abstract: A character recognition system extracts character blocks to contain a minimum character unit therein. The character recognition system has the capability of re-combining and/or re-extracting character blocks during the character recognition process. Re-combination and re-extraction of the character blocks is controlled based on the history of the extraction process for each of the character blocks so that re-combination and re-extraction can be performed effectively.

XeCl Excimer Laser Annealing Used to Fabricate Poly-Si Tfts

Abstract: Mo-gate n-channel poly-Si TFTs have been fabricated for the first time at a low processing temperature of 26°C. 500 to 1000A thick a-Si:H was successfully crystallized by pulsed XeCl excimer laser (308nm) annealing without heating the glass substrate. The channel mobility of the TFT was 180 cm2/V.sec when the a-Si:H was annealed at energy density of 200 mJ/cm2.

Determining orientation of transformed image

Abstract: A method of processing video signals to achieve a visual effect involving three-dimensional manipulation of an input image includes the use of a circuit for determining pixel address by pixel address whether in the resulting transformed image the front or the back of the input image should be displayed. The circuit comprises a device defining an incremental surface in the transformed image by at least three adjacent non-collinear pixel addresses from the transformed image, a circuit for determining from the transformed pixel addresses whether or not a vector normal to the incremental surface points towards or away from a viewing point, and a device for selecting for display at one of the transformed pixel addresses the corresponding portion of the front or the back of the input image in dependence on whether the vector points towards or away from the viewing point.

Multiple scanning type television receiver

Abstract: In a multiple scanning type television receiver in which a horizontal frequency of a horizontal deflection circuit (13) and a capacitance value of an S-shaping capacitor (44) are both switched by an output signal from a frequency to voltage converter (31) which detects a horizontal frequency of an input signal and converts the frequency to a voltage changing in response to the frequency, the horizontal deflection circuit (13) comprises a detector (55) for detecting the switching time point, and during a transient period obtained from said detector (55) the power source (39) of the horizontal deflection circuit (13) is cut off.

Method and apparatus for transmitting compression video data and decoding the same for reconstructing an image from the received data

Abstract: For transmitting video data in a block format having predetermined number of pixels in each block arranged in coordinates of a two-dimensional configuration, each block is provided with at least one function of a predetermined degree having respective coefficients corresponding to respective terms thereof and defining a plane or curved surface Parameters are obtained as the coefficients of the selected function to give a value for each of the pixels by performing the function of the respective coordinates, and such parameters are transmitted for each block At the receiving side, the coordinates of the pixels contained in each block are generated, and the values of the pixels are determined for reconstructing a video image therefrom by performing on the coordinates the function which corresponds to the received parameters

Method of displaying image

Abstract: A method of displaying graphic image surface information data of an object lying within a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional display screen when seen from a predetermined observing point is disclosed. A patch of the surface of an object is separated into plural triangular units, and image information data (luminance, visible-nonvisible, and distance) are all represented at the three apexes of each triangular unit area which includes a number of display pixels. The positional data at the three apexes are transformed from three- to two-dimensional space. The other image information data are calculated in accordance with interpolation calculation. Prior to the interpolation calculation a display area is determined and a triangular area including pixels to be processed is determined to reduce the processing time. This process is repeated for the entire surface to be displayed.

Picture-in picture television receiver with step-by-step still picture control

Abstract: A television receiver of the type which simultaneously displays a main, live picture and one or more sub-pictures inset therein and which is provided with a step-by-step switch and associated circuitry which allows the user to operate the step-by-step switch and either display the main, live picture and as sub-pictures, a series of still pictures taken at different points in time from the main picture, or the main, live picture and as sub-pictures a series of still pictures taken at different points in time from a second video signal along with a live sub-picture of the second video signal.

Distributed feedback type semiconductor laser

Abstract: A distributed-feedback type semiconductor laser device having an active layer arranged between a pair of clad layers is provided with a stripe-shaped distributed-feedback mechanism, for example, having the configuration of a diffraction grating, and dummy regions of the same configuration as the distributed feedback mechanism arranged at opposite sides of the latter and being spaced from the distributor-feedback mechanism by relatively narrow plane regions, with the result that the distributed-feedback mechanism can be formed as a narrow stripe with good reproducibility so that it is possible to provide the semiconductor laser device with a long useful life and with the capability of operating in single longitudinal and transverse modes.

Digital apparatus for convergence correction

Abstract: Digital apparatus for convergence correction of a plurality of images on the screen of a television monitor includes a digital registration circuit, or an analog registration circuit using a digital attenuator; and a memory for storing data for operation of the digital registration circuit or the digital attenuator of the analog registration circuit. The memory has a plurality of pages, and the correction data corresponding to different operating conditions is stored in the respective pages of the memory. The paging of this memory is performed in accordance with the operating conditions, and the convergence correction is carried out on the basis of the correction data continuously read out of the designated page. With this apparatus, accurate convergence adjustment can be simply performed to accommodate changes in size and/or shape of the image displayed on the screen or monitor, changes in the distance of a projection screen from its projector, and changes in the screen surface, i.e., flat, concave, cyindrical, etc.