Abstract: A selection or display feature of a jukebox containing a plurality of storage media, such as CDs, is automatically programmed by determining a content-related profile of information stored on a medium and, utilizing the profile, retrieving content-descriptive information and utilizing the content-descriptive information. A screen display generator performs diskography on, e.g., an audio or video disk, to determine a disk profile, compares the disk profile to those stored in either a local or remote database, receives associated program descriptive data and incorporates the program descriptive data into a menu for display and selection.

Abstract: A process for selecting events, especially television programs and device and graphical interface implementing this process, including a transmission of service information. According to this process, at least two one-dimensional parallel lists of items are displayed, the first list of items (3) containing events, the second one-dimensional list of items (2) containing at least one function for filtering events and/or at least one function capable of acting on said events. The process furthermore includes the step of picking out selected items, a single item being selected from each list, another item being selectable from a list simply by placing a single cursor over said other item, a selected item remaining selected when said cursor is moved off the list containing this selected item.

Abstract: In order to selectively reduce the size of an auxiliary image, such as may be displayed within main image during a so called "picture-in-picture" or "PIP" mode of operation of a television system, a fixed amount of the auxiliary image is caused to be cropped from the auxiliary image without changing the compression ratio of the compressed auxiliary video signal from which the auxiliary image is derived.

Abstract: An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) system is disclosed which accommodates a mix of high definition television (HDTV) and standard definition television (SDTV) EPG display formats. Viewers can toggle from cell to cell of an EPG display using a navigation system such as a remote control highlighting programs of interest. Channels which show a mix of HDTV and SDTV programming have the cells of the grid remain separate for the time period of SDTV programming but join those cells into a single cell when an HDTV program is to be aired.

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 for specific television programs which satisfy certain criteria concerning a user's viewing preferences, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus generates a list of such television programs in order to predict for the viewer certain programs which may be of interest. In a first embodiment of the invention the apparatus stores information about the particular television shows which the user watches, as search criteria. In a second embodiment of the invention the search criteria is editable by the viewer to further refine the searches.

Abstract: A microcomputer in a radio frequency (RF) signal receiver, such as a cordless telephone set, periodically samples a received baseband audio signal to determine its frequency content. The microcomputer uses at least one predetermined frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is present if the output signal contains signals no higher in frequency the frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is absent if the output signal contains signals higher in frequency than the frequency threshold value. The circuit is useful in either a base unit or a handunit of a cordless telephone set.

Abstract: First and second amplifiers are coupled together to provide complementary output signals at respective output terminals in response to application of operating potentials to first and second supply terminals of each amplifier and application of an input signal to at least the first amplifier. A switching circuit, responsive to a first level of a tri-state control signal supplied thereto, applies the operating potentials individually to the first and second supply terminals of each amplifier and concurrently couples the input signal to the input of the first amplifier and, responsive to a second level of the tri-state control signal, isolates all of the amplifier supply terminals and decouples the input signal. Transient disturbances are minimized by AC coupling the input signal and applying a common mode signal from a common mode source to the AC coupling, to a reference input of each amplifier and to the output terminal of each amplifier.