113 results about "Cassette recorder" patented technology

An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation that may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a video cassette recorder (VCR), medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

The need for a more readily usable interface for programmable devices is widely recognized. The present invention relates to programmable sequencing devices, or, more particularly, the remote controls for consumer electronic devices. The present invention provides an enhanced interface for facilitating human input of a desired control sequence in a programmable device by employing specialized visual feedback. The present invention also relates to a new interface and method of interfacing with a programmable device, which is usable as an interface for a programmable video cassette recorder.

A shelving system for displaying audio visual components that may be configured into multiple positions is disclosed. The system includes a base that supports a center platform disposed between right and left platforms. The center platform and the right and left platforms all may assume multiple positions for displaying and demonstrating different audio visual components of varying sizes. In a first upright position, the right and left platforms provide an open three walled platform for holding a large speaker or other component in an inclined position. In second inverted positions, the right and left platforms are useful for supporting a component, such as a smaller speaker, in an elevated position above the base. In a first upright position, the center platform provides an elevated platform for a larger component, such as a monitor with or without other components such as a DVD player and a video cassette recorder. In the first upright position, the center platform also provides space beneath the top panel thereof for accommodating other components such as a center speaker, subwoofer, amplifier and the like. In a second inverted position, the center platform provides a front wall and an elevated support surface. Ceiling mounted speaker enclosures are also provided which enable a retailer to easily suspend smaller speaker components from the ceiling either in front of or behind the multiple configuration shelving system.

An apparatus and method for applying anti-copy protection to a raster-scanned video signal are described. A square waveform 52 is added to the vertical synchronisation pulses 50 of the video signal. The effect of the waveform is not apparent until it has been recorded by a video cassette recorder. The anti-copy protected video signal can therefore be viewed normally on a display device at or near to the picture quality intended by the originator of the video signal, but once recorded, exhibits a reduction in picture quality which makes the video signal quite unattractive to view.

A video and graphics system has a reduced memory mode in which video images are reduced in half in horizontal direction during decoding. The video and graphics system includes a video decoder for decoding MPEG-2 video data. The video images may not be downscaled in the horizontal direction when no bi-directionally predicted pictures are used. The video and graphics system may output an HDTV video while converting the HDTV video and providing as another output having an SDTV format or another HDTV format. The output having an SDTV format may be recorded using a video cassette recorder (VCR) while the HDTV video is being displayed.