Abstract: A video signal processing circuit, in which a horizontal synchronizing signal is separated from an input analog video signal by a synchronism separating circuit, whether a “H” period of the horizontal synchronizing signal continues for more than a prespecified period of time or not is checked by a synchronizing signal monitoring counter, and power supply to an A/D converter is controlled thereby according to a result the confirmation.

Abstract: An image processor includes a determination unit which determines an adaptation ratio of a reference white color value with respect to at least two white color values. Also included are a calculation unit which calculates a reference white color value in accordance with the determined adaptation ratio, and a conversion unit which converts an image signal in accordance with the calculated reference white color value.

Abstract: A program selection system for a consumer digital television receiver includes a numeric keypad and scrolling keys for selecting a channel through which a multi-program bit-stream is received. The numeric keypad and the scrolling keys may also be used to select an individual program from the multi-program bit-stream. In one embodiment of the invention, the numeric keypad is used first to select a channel and then to select a program within the channel. According to another embodiment of the invention, the numeric keypad is used to select the channel and another key is used to step through the programs that are contained in the multi-program stream that is carried by the channel. In a third embodiment, scrolling keys are used to select the next channel or the next program within the channel depending on whether the currently selected program is the last program in the bit-stream that is carried by the channel.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for simultaneously displaying a graphic image (23) (e.g., a control menu of a television receiver or video recorder) and a video image (22). In order to achieve optimal legibility of the menu without fully obscuring the underlying video signal, the graphic image is accommodated within a window (21) and the window is given an adequate color (24) which is additively mixed with the video signal. The mixing factor is preferably controlled in response to the amount of spatial and/or temporal activity of the video signal within the window.

Abstract: For a possible flexible adaptation to changing ambient conditions, a circuit arrangement comprising an integrated circuit in which a microprocessor is provided which controls an index generator provided in the integrated circuit for teletext and/or on-screen display functions and which performs control functions of a television apparatus by means of a control interface provided in the integrated circuit is characterized in that a storage interface for a read-only memory outside the integrated circuit is provided in the integrated circuit, and in that the read-only memory comprises at least a part of the program code for the microprocessor and at least a font for the teletext function and possible further index functions.

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 frame memory is provided which has five fields each having N slots, and three additional slots. Each slot has a storage capacity to store eight image lines. Four fields of the five fields serve to store motion compensation reference frames. The remaining one field and the three additional slots are used for B-picture interlace conversion. Disposed in a control unit are a slot control memory, a write slot pointer, and a read slot pointer. For an image output unit to acquire information from the frame memory in a correct slot order, the contents of the slot control memory are updated at the time of performing write operation to enter information into the frame memory by a bit stream analysis unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method and system for providing aging of a cathode ray tube. The system comprises a video processing circuit that is configured to generate a first luminance signal and a second luminance signal. The system also comprises an electron gun located in the cathode ray tube, that is coupled to the video processing circuit. The electron gun is configured to operate at a first luminance level corresponding to the first luminance signal for a first predetermined period of time, and a second luminance level corresponding to the second luminance signal for a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An information display method comprises a first display step of displaying information icons EY for guiding respective information on a part of a display screen as the base units of an information guide; a second display step of displaying the summaries of information corresponding to the information icons EY in the forms of titles TY at display positions corresponding to the information icons EY; and a third display step of displaying the explanation of the contents of the information which corresponds to the information icons EY at positions respectively corresponding to the information icons EY and the displays of the titles TY. The respective display steps can be switched or changed by a viewer or a user, so that desired information can be more readily and understandably retrieved.

Abstract: A video display apparatus for controlling the brightness of a display screen having an on-screen display portion in which the on-screen display can be satisfactorily read regardless of the picture brightness includes a display screen, circuitry for displaying on the display screen an on-screen display portion showing adjustment data for the video display apparatus, and circuitry for maintaining the brightness of the on-screen display portion substantially constant while the brightness of the display screen is changed. Also, a method for using the apparatus includes controlling the brightness of the display screen of the video display apparatus having an on-screen display portion while maintaining the brightness of the on-screen display portion substantially constant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for masking latency in an interactive television network. One embodiment of the invention initially receives a command pertaining to an interactive selection from a viewer. The invention then determines if latency is associated with the execution of the received command. If so, the invention (1) begins processing the command, and (2) presents a latency-masking presentation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for converting an interlaced television display to a progressive, scan, or non-interlaced display where artifacts are removed if the source of the signal is from a movie film to television converter, a video recording of a movie, a live camera, or a camera output captured on a video recording system, or any sequence of the above, by utilizing three motion detection stages.

Abstract: A television system performs beam convergence in video displays. The system is implemented through one or more convergence sensors, which are exposed to two distinct convergence test patterns. The output signals from the sensors when exposed to the two test patterns are used in beam convergence calculations. The test patterns are selected to reduce the dynamic range requirement for an A/D converter in the television system supplied with the sensor output signals. A low-pass filter circuit with selectable characteristics is also used to reduce the dynamic range requirement.

Abstract: A method and device for enhancing the sharpness of a video image. The luminance signal portion of a television signal is boosted in its upper frequency range, e.g., between about 2.0 MHz and about 4.25 MHz. This enhancement of the luminance signal accentuates the transitions between the high brightness levels and low brightness levels of the luminance signal. The resulting video image appears much sharper because this quicker transition reduces the amount of signal carrying intermediate brightness information.

Abstract: A television schedule system and method for displaying television schedule information on a television screen includes a program guide having a schedule information area that depicts the programs that are being presented on each channel at each time during the day. An input device allows the viewer to browse through the schedule information area and/or obtain more information about programs of particular interest. In one aspect, the viewer may watch a program on the currently-tuned channel, while browsing through the other channels on a portion of the television screen. In another aspect, the viewer may watch programs currently being shown on the television, while he or she browses through the program guide. In yet another aspect, the system includes a database, a processor and associated software for automatically customizing the television schedule guide to an individual viewer or a group of viewers, e.g., a family, to facilitate use of the television schedule.

Abstract: A combined image is made up of a static image and a motion image. An area of the static image is replaced by the motion image to form the combined image. The combined image is then coded and transmitted from one communication partner to another communication partner by way of a network.

Abstract: A circuit and method for indicating an image adjustment pattern using an on-screen display (OSD), includes: a microcomputer for selectively generating a free running frequency or converting the free running frequency into a standard mode frequency and generating a frequency output and video data according to the frequency converted; an OSD control circuit for receiving the frequency output from the microcomputer, and generating an OSD gain signal in accordance with a signal cable check request and an image adjustment pattern OSD gain signal according to the frequency output; a signal processing circuit for receiving and processing the video data according to the frequency output from the microcomputer, and thus outputting a video signal; and a video mixer for mixing the video signal output from the signal processing circuit and the OSD gain signal selectively output from the OSD control circuit, and outputting a signal cable check request video signal and an image adjustment pattern video signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for appropriately adjusting a dot clock for video signals by a simple process. A process of adjusting a phase of the dot clock first obtains two image data by two dot clocks having different phases, carries out a certain operation for the two image data to calculate a phase-related index representing the relative phase of the dot clock to a video signal with respect to the two image data, and determines a delay that gives a desirable phase to the dot clock based on these phase-related indexes. A first process of adjusting the frequency of the dot clock first obtains image data by a dot clock that has been generated with a provisional factor, calculates a length of an effective signal area on one line of the image data, and determines a desirable factor based on the ratio of a known length to the measured length of the effective signal area.

Abstract: A method of determining the position of a TV camera relative to a patterned panel being viewed by the TV camera including the steps of: identifying a plurality of edge points of the pattern from the video signal produced by said camera and using these edge points to calculate the perspective of the pattern relative to the camera.

Abstract: A system (FIGS. 7 and 8) and method (FIG. 1) for video transmission of active events, for example sports events, having in the background physical images in designated targets, wherein the physical images are electronically exchanged with preselected virtual images, so that objects or shadows actually blocking the same portions of the virtual images, and the motion of players or a ball blocking the physical image will block corresponding regions of the exchanged virtual image, so that the exchanged electronic image will remain in the background of the event, exactly as the original image.