William C Laumeister

46986642, Oct 6, 1987

Mar 4, 1985

6/707836

William E. Nichols - San Jose CA
William F. Herzog - San Martin CA
Neil Feldman - Dallas TX
William Laumeister - San Jose CA

Apert-Herzog Corporation - San Jose CA

H04N 576

358 10

An analog data stream is monitored as a series of blocks. A ring memory array digitally stores the blocks and repetitively loads and unloads the blocks. A freeze switch disables loading of the latest blocks. A block identifier puts out a unique block identification value for each block put out by the memory and is responsive to the freeze switch, so that when loading stops, each block put out bears the same identification value. The invention is particularly well suited to handling of television frames.

50652583, Nov 12, 1991

Sep 23, 1988

7/248401

Eugene D. Warren - Long Beach CA
Robert B. Pfannkuch - Manhattan Beach CA
William C. Laumeister - San Jose CA
Louis L. Pourciau - Portola Valley CA

Rank Video Services America - Northbrook IL

G11B 586

360 15

In a method and apparatus for transmitting information from producer to end viewers, the information is provided on a first recording medium recorded at a standard speed and in a standard format in a series of tracks slanted relative to a direction of movement of that medium. The information is reproduced from the series of tracks on the first recording medium in the form of electric signals seriatim at increased speed on the order of a multiple of the standard speed. The reproduced information is simultaneously rerecorded from the electric signals seriatim in a standard format with series of tracks on several second recording media at the increased speed, for replay of that recorded information by several end users at different times from the several recording media at standard speed. Additionally or alternatively, second synchronization signals having frequencies increased by the above mentioned multiple relative to a standard synchronization frequencies may be provided, and the electric signals may be processed with those second synchronization signals. From these second synchronization signals, third synchronization signals having the standard frequencies may be derived for synchronizing the above mentioned reproduction and rerecording processes.

48070319, Feb 21, 1989

Oct 20, 1987

7/112713

Robert S. Broughton - Beaverton OR
William C. Laumeister - San Jose CA

Interactive Systems, Incorporated - Beaverton OR

H04N 708
A63F 922

358142

Method and apparatus for in-band, video broadcasting of commands to interactive devices are described. Control data are encoded by subliminally modulating, prior to the remote, composite video broadcast of video program material, a selected sequence of video image fields. The resulting modulated video fields within the viewing area of a television, each having alternately, proportionately raised and lowered luminance horizontal scan lines, are monitored by a light sensitive device positioned adjacent the user's television screen. A semirigid, twisted pair cable connects the device to nearby receiver/transmitter electronics that discriminate the binary data from the program material and amplitude modulate a high frequency infrared (IR) carrier with the data. Interactive devices, e. g. educational aids or action toys, within range of the wireless IR transmission detect energy in this frequency range, decode the commands embedded in the control data, and selectively execute predetermined actions in response to the data-encoded broadcast.