Abstract: A digital/analog broadcast signal processing unit is provided by which a video/audio signal can be processed by receiving an analog broadcast signal and a digital broadcast signal and switching a signal processing block which is used in common for digital broadcast signal processing and analog broadcast signal processing.

Abstract: In a digital TV receiver a single digital complex multiplier is used for digitally synchrodyning digital intermediate-frequency signal to baseband both during the reception of VSB digital television signals and during the reception of QAM digital television signals. The component digital multipliers of the complex multiplier are provided by read-only memories (ROMs). The complex digital carriers used by the complex multiplier are supplied from further read-only memory storing sine/cosine look-up tables for the QAM carrier and for the VSB carrier as,translated to the final intermediate-frequency band. This further read-only memory is addressed by a sample count and an indication of whether VSB or QAM digital television signal is currently being received.

Abstract: This television tuner comprises a mixer 1c for frequency converting each of a television signal and an FM broadcasting signal into an intermediate signal, a local oscillator for outputting a local oscillation signal to the mixer, and a PLL circuit for setting the frequency of the local oscillation signal in correspondence with the frequency of the television signal or the frequency of the FM broadcasting signal. The step frequency of the PLL circuit in the event of receiving the television signal and that in the event of receiving the FM broadcasting signal are made different. The step frequency in the event of receiving the television signal is set to 31.25 kHz and that in the event of receiving the FM broadcasting signal is set to 50 kHz.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.

Abstract: In a video signal capturing apparatus with a simple construction capable of distinguishing fields in units of a color field, a separation circuit separates from input video signals, vertical synchronizing signals that lead fields in a one-to-one relationship. A field counter formed by, for example, a scale-of-four counter, counts the number of vertical synchronizing signals. Based on the count value of the field counter and values set in a register, a timing generating circuit performs data capture in such a manner that color fields are distinguished from each other. If color field 3 is to be captured, a value “3” is set the register. The timing generation circuit compares a count value from the field counter with the set value “13”. When the count value equals 3, the timing generation circuit starts capture of digital video data in the determined field. An even-odd number determining circuit may be provided for distinguishing (i.e.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reception of data by a data broadcast receiver, particularly, a mobile data receiver for the Japanese TV data multibroadcast sound subcarrier system. The receiver is controlled to receive a desired type of data, for example, weather forecasts, news, stock prices, etc. The invention provides the transmission of time information which specifies, for each type of data, when the data will be transmitted or retransmitted. This allows the receiver to enter a standby mode in which the power consumption is reduced. On, or slightly before, the specified time, the receiver switches on to receive, decode and display the desired data. The invention is also applicable in television receivers having the facility to receive electronic program guides (EPG) or other services. The receiver is informed about the time at which an updated version of the EPG can be expected.

Abstract: The multiple preamplifier circuit for a television tuner has at least one first band with an amplification stage and a second band with an amplification stage. The amplification stage of the first band and the amplification stage of the second band are commonly integrated in a common chip for both bands. The band switching signal and an amplification control signal are applied directly to the common chip.

Abstract: An image reproducing apparatus having a screen blanking function for suspending image information displayed on a screen and a screen blanking method using the same are provided. The image reproducing apparatus includes a command applying circuit for applying image blanking execution and cancellation codes, a screen blanking determining circuit for determining whether a screen is to be blanked according to a code provided by the command applying circuit, and a screen power controlling circuit for controlling the power supply provided to the screen according to the determined result of the screen blanking determining circuit.

Abstract: The network system has a configuration so that information supplier address data transmitted together with character broadcast data is extracted and stored in the Internet address memory. Furthermore, the Web site addresses once accessed by the user or selected on a character broadcast display can be registered in an address list as being stored in the address list area, and a desired Web site can be accessed by the Internet browser 9 according to an address selected from the address list.

Abstract: A PLL circuit which outputs an oscillation clock signal synchronous with a reference clock includes a phase lock detector for detecting if the oscillation lock signal is synchronous with the reference clock. If the phase lock detector detects a phase difference between the oscillation clock signal and the reference clock, a charge pump circuit is used to alter the oscillation clock signal so that the oscillation signal is placed back in sync with the reference clock. The charge pump selects one of a ground potential and a power supply potential in response to a comparison result of the oscillation clock signal and the reference clock. The charge pump pulls a constant current to ground from an output terminal of the charge pump ,circuit when the ground potential is selected and supplies a constant current to the output terminal of the charge pump circuit when the power supply potential is selected, thereby producing an output which alternately repeats the ground potential and the power supply potential.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high brightness color selective light modulator (CSLM) formed by a polarization modulator positioned between two retarder stacks. The modulator changes the apparent orientation of one retarder stack relative to the other so that, in a first switching state of the modulator the two retarder stacks cooperate in filtering the spectrum of input light, and in a second switching state the two retarder stacks complement each other, yielding a neutral transmission spectrum. Two or more CSLM stages can be used in series, each stage providing independent control of a primary color. One preferred embodiment eliminates internal polarizers between CSLM stages, thereby providing an additive common-path full-color display with only two neutral polarizers. Hybrid filters can be made using the CSLMs of this invention, in combination with other active or passive filters.

Abstract: A data storage system is described that simultaneously stores incoming data in a plurality of different digital formats linked together to permit economical accessibility and browsing of stored content by providing user access to reduced-resolution versions of stored format. Synchronization information correlates the same content stored in different digital formats to provide a means to reflect an edit of content in one format to the content stored in the other formats without manual editing of content in each format.

Abstract: Circuitry for identifying digital data packets, each comprising a useful signal and a header signal containing data pertaining to the contents of the useful signal is provided. The circuitry includes a means (30) for extracting data from each header signal, which data is representative of a corresponding useful signal, a means for storing reference data in a memory, at addresses each corresponding to a packet type, and a means for comparing the data extracted from each header signal with said reference data stored in memory, and for the delivery, to a data processing unit (32,34), of an address signal indicating the nature of the corresponding packet. The data storage means and the comparison means preferably employ an associative memory (38) adapted to ensure the simultaneous comparison of the data extracted from each header signal with the reference data stored in memory.

Abstract: A signal of a vestigial sideband modulated wave is generated by use of a first oscillator, an amplitude-modulator and a surface acoustic wave filter for vestigial sideband filtering at a frequency being higher than the carrier frequency of a video signal, the signal is frequency-converted to a given transmission channel by use of a first PLL frequency synthesizer, a first control circuit, a frequency converter and a filter.

Abstract: In a television tuner system, a printed board is disposed within a frame having a side plate. A tuner and an intermediate frequency circuit are disposed adjacent to each other on the printed board. The tuner has a mixer and a local oscillator. The intermediate frequency circuit includes at least a SAW filter having a plurality of terminals. A first ground conductor is formed between the tuner and the intermediate frequency circuit. A second ground conductor is formed at a peripheral edge of the printed board. The SAW filter is placed along the second ground conductor in such a manner that the terminals of the SAW filter are arranged substantially parallel to the side plate. The local oscillator is disposed substantially on a line extending from the arrangement of the terminals of the SAW filter. With this arrangement, the distance between the output terminals and the local oscillator is greater than that between the input terminal and the local oscillator.

Abstract: There is provided a UHF/VHF tuner in which complication in structure and increase in manufacturing costs are suppressed and broadcast receiving performance is improved by reducing variation in the reception sensitivity according to frequency when broadcast in the VHF band is received. In a UHF/VHF tuner for receiving both of a broadcast in the UHF band and a broadcast in the VHF band, one mixer and one UHF local oscillator are used for the broadcast in the UHF band, and one mixer, a VHF high-band local oscillator which is switched to be connected when the high band is selected and a VHF low-band local oscillator which is switched to be connected when the low band is selected are used for the broadcast in the VHF band.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

Abstract: A decoder has a DRAM used as a work area in processing such as decompression and an MPEG decoder including an OSD processing unit. The MPEG decoder has a function to decompress data completing MPEG compression and a graphic function to display information such as an EPG (Electronic Program Guide). A control unit generates display data from presentation information conveyed by a digital television broadcast by using the OSD processing unit employed in the MPEG decoder and the DRAM in order to display the presentation information. With such a decoder, it is possible to provide a receiver with a new function to use presentation information conveyed by a digital television broadcast without entailing an increase in cost.

Abstract: An alignment command is transmitted from a video conference application to a television receiver using an existing command path within the television receiver. The television receiver is then configured in accordance with the alignment command. Transmitting the alignment command may include formatting the command according to a protocol compatible with the existing command path within the television receiver. For example, a signal protocol compatible with a television remote control may be used. Further, the alignment command may be received at an input jack associated with the existing command path within said television receiver. Configuring the television receiver may be accomplished by decoding the alignment command to obtain an alignment parameter for the television receiver. This may include accessing a table (e.g., a look-up table stored in a memory) to obtain the alignment parameter. The alignment parameter may then be used to produce a display alignment command for the television receiver.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a signal generator for generating a signal with a predetermined frequency. The signal generator includes a first comparator for generating a first error signal and a second comparator for generating a second error signal. The first and second comparators are coupled to an oscillator configured to receive the first and second error signals and generate the signal having a predetermined frequency. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a signal generator for generating a signal with a predetermined frequency. The signal generator includes a counter for generating a first count, Q_last. The counter is coupled to a ratio counter which generates a signal having a value less than or equal to Q_last. The contents of the ratio counter represent the phase of the signal having a predetermined frequency. The ratio counter outputs the signal having a predetermined frequency.