Abstract: A TV set includes a tuner circuit that selects a channel and outputs video and audio signals from the channel, a first external output terminal for outputting the video signals a second external output terminal for outputting the audio signals a first external input terminal to which video signals are supplied from external AV devices, a first switch means for taking out video signals from the tuner circuit and video signals from the first external input terminal selectively, a second switch teamed with the first switch and taking out audio signals from the tuner circuit when the first switch selects the video signals from the tuner circuit, a display for displaying video signals output from the first switch as images, a speaker for outputting audio signals output from the second switch as sounds, and a control circuit for holding both first and second switches in the status for selecting video signals from the first external input terminal.

Abstract: A communication system for simultaneously transmitting ancillary codes and audio signals via a conventional audio communications channel using perceptual coding techniques is disclosed. An encoder monitors an audio channel to detect "opportunities" to insert an ancillary code such that the inserted signals are masked by the audio signal, as defined by the "perceptual entropy envelope" of the audio signal. An ancillary code containing, for example, an ID or serial number, is encoded as one or more whitened spread spectrum signals and/or a narrowband FSK ancillary code and transmitted at a time, frequency and/or level such that the data signal is masked by the audio signal. A decoder at a receiving location recovers the encoded ID or serial number.

Abstract: A current source and threshold voltage generation circuit generates a current, through a ratio of devices, and a corresponding threshold voltage signal, to be utilized by a timing circuit for generating a timing ramp and determining when the timing ramp crosses the threshold voltage signal. The current is generated through a current generation circuit, using a ratio of matched devices. Preferably, the matched devices are transistors. The current is then utilized by a timing circuit to charge a charge storage device to a level above the level of the threshold voltage signal. The current is also mirrored, appropriately increased and used to generate the threshold voltage signal which is compared to the charge stored on the charge storage device. Accordingly, any errors in the generation of the current are also reflected in the level of the threshold voltage signal, thereby eliminating the potential for errors in the timing ramp signal generated by the timing circuit.

Abstract: A color image enhancement device for a video display appliance capable of improving the sharpness of the color image using a saturation component. The device includes an RGB (red, green, blue)/saturation conversion section for obtaining a saturation of an image of an RGB color model, a saturation enhancement section for emphasizing a high frequency band of the saturation outputted from the RGB/saturation conversion section to enhance the saturation, and a saturation/RGB conversion section for converting an output of the saturation enhancement section into enhanced color signals.

Abstract: An input high frequency signal passes through a PIN diode having a variable high frequency resistance and is output from an AGC circuit. The PIN diode is connected so as to be biased forward between an AGC signal level and a fixed voltage level (such as ground potential). A bias resistor and a coil are connected in series between a node on the output side of the PIN diode and a node supplied with the ground potential. More specifically, the resistor and the coil are inserted in parallel between the transmission path for high frequency signals and the ground potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of scalable transmission of video objects segmented by content-base, comprising the steps of: constituting a set of video objects to be transferred (TxSet); checking as to whether TxSet is the last portion of a video sequence, and then calculating a current transmission rate and a transmission tolerance data size; constituting a video object evaluation group (egs); comparing the data size of the video object evaluation group with a data size of TxSet elements plus a data amount of the video objects of the transmission priority j and then adding the video objection evaluation group (egs) to the TxSet; and checking as to whether the video object of the transmission priority j is the last element of the video object evaluation group i.

Abstract: In a process for color transformation from the input-side primaries (R, G, B) to image-side primaries (R", G", B") with a greater color stimulus specification region than that given by the input-side primaries (R, G, B), a color transformation is carried out by converting the components of a color vector from the input-side primaries to fictitious primaries (R', G', B') so that the color stimulus specification of the color vector is changed, and transforming of the converted components of the color vector from the fictitious primaries (R', G', B') to the image-side primaries (R", G", B") for generating image-side components of the color vector, wherein the image-side color stimulus specifications produced in this way have the same hue and the same saturation as the transformed color stimulus specification in the fictitious primary system (R', G', B').

Abstract: An output signal of an 1H delaying circuit and a signal received from an input terminal are supplied to a subtracting circuit that forms a comb line filter. Thus, even if a dropout takes place in a luminance signal, not in a chroma signal, the chroma signal can be obtained from an output signal at intervals of 1H. When a dropout takes place, a limit operation of a feedback loop that forms a noise reduction circuit is stopped and the coefficient is increased. This process is performed with a dropout pulse that is delayed by 1H. Thus, the chroma signal can be obtained on the next line of the line having the dropout.

Abstract: The relay apparatus comprises the matrix switch 61 and the CPU 62 to which control data are supplied from input devices. The CPU 62 detects whether it is possible to change the state of the specified electronic device according to the control data and controls transmission of the control data to the specified electronic device according to the result of the detection. The control data comprises change control data and reference control data for requesting the state of the selected electronic device to be changed and to be referred, respectively. In other words, the CPU 62 controls the matrix switch 61 so that both the change control data and the reference control data are transmitted to the selected electronic device when it is detected to be possible to change the state of the specified electronic device with control data and only the reference control data is transmitted to the specified electronic device when it is detected to be impossible to change the state of the selected electronic device.

Abstract: Electromagnetic interference ("EMI") is reduced in a CRT video display system by spreading-out the EMI-producing spectra present in the video pixel data and/or clock signals. A clock dropping circuit coupled between the display generator main oscillator and the timing generator periodically phase-modulates the timing generator clock signal such that it comprises N phases, where N.gtoreq.2. As a result, each horizontal line of video data and the horizontal synchronization signals is phase shifted. This dual-shifting effect eliminates display image distortion that would result if only the video signal were shifted. Video distortion is further minimized by deriving the horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals from a common constant clock. EMI energy associated with each clock harmonic is spread by a frequency amount .DELTA.f proportional to the rate of phase change in the clock signal, the rate of phase change exceeding half the bandwidth f.sub.m of a standard EMI measurement reference window.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving reception signals of a first type, for example, TV signals, and reception signals of a second type, for example FM-radio signals, is described. The receiver may be used in multimedia applications. In the receiver, an input section TVIN,FMIN,SWIN includes at least two inputs TVIN,FMIN to which reception signals can be applied. One input TVIN may, for example, be coupled to a cable network via which reception signals are distributed. The other input FMIN may, for example, be used to plug-in a simple wire antenna. In many cases, such a wire antenna will be sufficient to receive on-air reception signals with acceptable quality. The invention takes into consideration that on-air reception signals may not always be offered by the cable network. With at least two inputs TVIN,FMIN, there is flexibility of reception.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring image qualities of a color display unit has an image quality sensor comprising a color video camera for imaging a display screen of the color display unit and a fixed-focus lens combined as an imaging lens with the color video camera. Image qualities of the color display unit are measured based on an image signal generated by the color video camera, and an image signal required to measure the image qualities is generated and supplied to the color display unit.

Abstract: A TV graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to produce a multi-layered graphical presentation. The TV GUI operates in a channel changer mode to enable a user to tune to a required TV channel, and in a program guide mode to show TV program information. A memory for storing graphics data is capable of storing two graphics planes that represent upper and lower layers of graphics displayable on a TV screen. A graphics accelerator combines the graphics planes to produce various graphical effects on the screen. In the channel changer mode, the right hand side of the upper layer is made transparent to expose graphical buttons produced in the lower layer of graphics. In the program guide mode, the graphical buttons are partially covered by a program guide produced in the upper layer. When the user moves a cursor to the right hand side of the screen, the right hand portion of the program guide is made transparent to fully expose the graphical buttons in the lower layer.

Abstract: A computer convergence device, operable in a computer mode and, for example, a television mode, includes a computer, a display monitor for displaying images in both the computer mode and the television mode, and multiple video inputs for receiving various types of video signals, each being selectable during operation in television mode. A controller device is coupled to the computer for independently controlling and storing user selected video geometry settings for both the computer mode and the television mode, and further for independently controlling and storing user selected video quality settings for the computer mode, and each of the various video inputs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal receiving apparatus and a signal receiving system, including a receive antenna for receiving plural high-frequency signals; first frequency converters each for down-converting a frequency of each of the plural high-frequency signals; second frequency converters each for further frequency-converting the signals converted by means of the first frequency converters; a frequency control information storage section for storing frequency control information used to perform a frequency conversion by the plural second frequency converters; a frequency-conversion control section for automatically controlling the frequency conversion by said plural second frequency converters based on the frequency control information; and a receiver for receiving only a signal of a desired frequency among signals frequency-converted by plural second frequency converters.

Abstract: Digital data comprised of bytes formed of a predetermined number of data bits are encoded for representation in a video frame. Each byte of digital data, or a portion thereof, is represented in a respective region of the video frame by one or more video component levels that are assigned to the region and which correspond to the numerical value of the data bits of the byte or of the portion. The digital data are represented in the video frames in place of a video image or, alternatively, are represented in the same frames in which video images are recorded but in the areas of the frame in which the video image is not ordinarily recorded. Digital data represented in the video frame are decoded from the video component levels assigned to the regions.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus is described that prevents the period of a horizontal timing signal from being shifted. The apparatus includes a separator, a phase-locked loop, a detector, a compensator and a timing signal generator. The detector delays a reference clock signal in a shorter period than the period of the reference clock signal, in a step-like manner, to produce a plurality of delayed timing signals having step-like phase differences. The detector further contrasts the plurality of delayed timing signals with a horizontal sync signal and the reference clock signal to measure the phase difference and the period of the horizontal sync signal. The compensator sets a ratio for combining consecutive luminance data in accordance with the phase difference and the period of the reference clock signal and combines consecutive luminance data in accordance with the ratio to generate compensated luminance data.

Abstract: The invention features the generation of timing signals for use in the generation of a video signal. Vertical timing codes and horizontal timing codes are stored in a memory. The horizontal timing codes define regions of at least two types of horizontal timing signals of the video signal, and the vertical timing codes define the timing of the horizontal timing signals. The vertical and horizontal timing codes are stepped through to generate at least one signal indicative of the timing of the horizontal timing signals.

Abstract: After analog-to-digital conversion, a luminance signal 103 and a chrominance signal 109 are stored in a line memory circuit 128. Such stored signals are read out of said line memory circuit, using a read clock 124 obtained by parabolically modulating a read frequency with both the horizontal period and the vertical period. The read-out digital signal is again converted into an analog luminance signal 132 and analog color difference signals 135, 136 by digital-to-analog conversion. By this procedure, inner pincushion distortion or inner barrel distortion is corrected. Since such distortion is corrected by modulating an image signal itself by digital processing, no circuit drift due to the conventional analog correction occurs and no analog circuit design such as troublesome setting of parts constants is required.

Abstract: A cable access unit (CAU) (60) capable of monitoring power levels for a plurality of channels couples a television (80) and communication equipment (70) to an operations and maintenance center (OMC) (20). At some determined interval, the OMC (20) determines the need to measure the television signal at some particular subscriber's location and sends a message to the CAU (60). The CAU (60) determines if the communications equipment is in use. If not, the CAU receiver is tuned to the channel, and samples and digitizes the power level. The digitized power level is assembled into a message packet and transmitted to the OMC (20).