Abstract: A method and a device for coding and decoding a sequence of images or pictures is disclosed. One exemplary embodiment disclosed codes by dividing each picture into blocks of picture elements. Each element of a block being represented by a digital value. Two types of coding are utilized in order to reduce the amount of data; inter-coding, which takes into account a corresponding block in a previous picture and intra coding, which is independent from a previous picture. Blocks being thus coded so that a further reduction of data is obtained by transmitting high spatial frequencies with less weight than low spatial frequencies. This is accomplished with the use of weighting coefficients. Weighting coefficients are variable as a function of the quantity of information to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying program information for a plurality of information sources on an electronic program guide (EPG) is described. A matched program and its respective program source is first determined. This first matched program from the respective program source is then highlighted in the EPG. Additionally, an icon for a respective program source is displayed indicating a future or a previously matched program from the respective program source.

Abstract: A method and a device for coding and decoding a sequence of images or pictures is disclosed. One exemplary embodiment disclosed codes by dividing each picture into blocks of picture elements. Each element of a block being represented by a digital value. Two types of coding are utilized in order to reduce the amount of data; inter-coding, which takes into account a corresponding block in a previous picture and intra coding, which is independent from a previous picture. Blocks being thus coded so that a further reduction of data is obtained by transmitting high spatial frequencies with less weight than low spatial frequencies. This is accomplished with the use of weighting coefficients. Weighting coefficients are variable as a function of the quantity of information to be transmitted.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a screen saver function is described. A peak value of a characteristic such as beam current magnitude of a video signal being processed is determined. An average value of the same characteristic of the video signal is also determined. Changes in this average value is additionally monitored. Therefore, the characteristic of the video signal is adjusted only if the peak value exceeds a first threshold and a change less than a second threshold is detected in the average value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically establishing a data connection includes a telephone line interface circuit coupled to a subscriber telephone line, and a modulator and demodulator circuit coupled to the telephone line interface circuit. A control circuit is coupled to the modulator and demodulator circuit and conditions the modulator and demodulator circuit to establish a connection to the subscriber telephone line and comprises circuitry to determine whether a central office to which the subscriber telephone line is connected is a tone-dial central office or a pulse-dial-only central office, whether a dialing prefix is necessary to access the subscriber telephone line, and whether the call waiting feature is activated on the subscriber telephone line.

Abstract: A method of navigating in a graphical user interface is presented. This method is characterized in that it comprises the stages: of displaying graphical elements which can be selected using a cursor, of connecting at least two of said graphical elements using linear segments, a first and a second element being connected by a single link composed of one or more segments placed in series, of shifting the cursor from a first element to a second element, when the direction key of a control means (11) corresponding uniquely to the orientation of the segment connected at the point of departure from the first element is pressed, there being at most one segment having an orientation corresponding to a given direction key connected to a given element. The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically detecting that a telephone port is being used and securing the telephone line associating with the telephone port, is presented. In one embodiment, a method and system is described for automatically securing a telephone line in a telephone system having more than one telephone lines. Usage of a device connected to the telephone line is first detected. Telephones in the system are notified via a data packet to secure the telephone line. In response to the data packet, the telephones prevent a user from accessing the telephone line.

Abstract: A system and method allows a television viewer to select a channel without having to pre-select the source of the television signal received. If a conflict occurs in that multiple sources such as a satellite system, high definition television (HDTV), or cable TV all utilize the desired channel, then the system informs the viewer on the television display of the conflict and prompts the viewer for the desired source for the selected channel.

Abstract: A telephone line measurement circuit is disclosed for detecting a variation of a characteristic between a first and a second leads of a telephone line. The circuit comprises a first circuit having a first and a second inputs and an output. The circuit also has a second circuit having a first and a second inputs and an output. The first input of the first circuit and the second input of the second circuit are coupled to the first lead of the telephone line and the second input of the first circuit and the first input of the second circuit are coupled to the second lead of the telephone line. The outputs of the first and the second circuits are then coupled together to provide an output for the measurement circuit.

Abstract: A signal processing method for an analogue picture signal is proposed. In this case, the analogue picture signal originates from a computing unit (10) in which the signal was generated digitally in accordance with a graphics standard such as, for example, EGA or VGA and was subsequently converted into analogue form. The method consists in subjecting the analogue picture signal to analogue/digital conversion at a first chosen sampling frequency, after which the sampled picture is then investigated for picture disturbances, in order to determine a corrected sampling frequency. Further measures relate to the determination of the optimum sampling phase and the determination of the exact position of the active picture relative to the horizontal and/or vertical synchronization pulses.

Abstract: A method and system for message communications in different media. A first message is received via a first communications medium. First address information associated with the first communications medium is extracting from the first communications medium. Second address information associated with a second communications medium is determined automatically in response to the first address information. A reply for the first message is sent via the second communications medium using the second address information.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting characteristics of a television receiver, such as the video and audio settings, based on characteristics of the program being viewed. The system accesses a pre-defined list of program topics and themes stored in a television database. For each topic and theme, settings for picture quality such as contrast, color and brightness and settings for audio such as audio processor type, bass, and treble are stored. When the system is able to match the currently viewed program with one from the database the audio and video settings are automatically adjusted for that program. If the viewer switches to another program or if one program ends and another begins then the acquisition and adjustment process is repeated. The system can be disabled by the viewer if desired.

Abstract: A controller and media-reader are used to identify various physical or logical characteristics of data stored on a pre-recorded medium. These characteristics may include, e.g., the kind of medium, the kind of data, the way the data is segmented or separated, the size of any data segments, the total amount of data or physical size of the medium carrying the data. A controller then compares the identified set of characteristics to stored sets of characteristics which are associated with respective content-identifiers. A successful comparison yields content-identifiers applicable to the data stored on the pre-recorded medium. These content identifiers may be, e.g., information identifying the titles and length of audio or video programs included on the media. The stored sets of characteristic and content identifiers may be located at a remote site.

Abstract: In a video processing system and method, individual program channels are allocated first and second identification numbers. The first identification number is associated with an information provider. The second identification number is used in identifying a broadcast sub-channel from among a group of sub-channels associated with the first identification number. The first and second identification numbers in conjunction, are used in identifying data constituting a program transmitted on the broadcast sub-channel. The group of sub-channels are displayed along with the associated information provider in a hierarchical fashion for channel selection purposes.

Abstract: A media player reads program information from a media. A controller is used for deriving therefrom media characterization information and for receiving media identification information and media classification information from an external data base in response to the media characterization information. The controller couples one of alphanumeric and graphical information signals representing the media identification information and the media characterization information to a display device.

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.

Abstract: An interface and a method for customizing program guide information containing program descriptions is provided. The program guide information is downloaded and stored in a memory, preferably in a generic manner. A menu is generated based on the program guide information. The menu includes program identifiers which can be selected by a user to implement the corresponding programs. The menu then can be customized to include identifier(s) indicative of one or more additional programs or item, including user-specific programs and items which are remotely accessed or locally accessed. After customization, the additional identifiers are selectable by the user to implement the corresponding programs or display the corresponding items. Preferably, the customization is performed locally and interactively using displays generated by an electronic host device or another device connected thereto.

Abstract: A circuit in a smart card reader to detect when a variation in a power supply provided to a smart card has occurred, indicating a possible fault in the smart card. As an example, the circuit detects this variation by determining when the power supply has dropped below a reference voltage. If this happens, the circuit will modify the smart card control signals, for example, by clamping them at or near ground potential, thereby preventing any possible damage to either the smart card or the smart card reader.

Abstract: A television receiver includes telephone network interface circuitry which allows the receiver to receive and process Caller-ID signals for display during the ringing period of the telephone set. The television receiver also includes circuitry which allows a list of priority callers to be entered. In this way, the incoming Caller-ID codes are compared to the telephone numbers of the priority callers. Upon detection, the Caller-ID information of a priority caller is displayed on screen during television viewing. The telephone numbers of those callers not listed as priority callers are not displayed during the ringing period of the telephone. Both displayed and non-displayed telephone numbers which correspond to unanswered telephone calls are stored in a Caller-ID list for display at the user's convenience. In this way, the user is able to enter data to select beforehand which calling telephone numbers are permitted to interrupt his or her television show by displaying Caller-ID information on the screen.

Abstract: A controller and media-reader are used to identify various physical or logical characteristics of data stored on a pre-recorded medium. These characteristics may include, e.g., the kind of medium, the kind of data, the way the data is segmented or separated, the size of any data segments, the total amount of data or physical size of the medium carrying the data. A controller then compares the identified set of characteristics to stored sets of characteristics which are associated with respective content-identifiers. A successful comparison yields content-identifiers applicable to the data stored on the pre-recorded medium. These content identifiers may be, e.g., information identifying the titles and length of audio or video programs included on the media. The stored sets of characteristic and content identifiers may be located at a remote site.