Abstract: A system for playing video data ahead of corresponding audio data in order to help maintain synchronization between the audio data and the video data. Two software objects or filters are used to process the video data. An initial start time of the video data is determined and, if possible, the frame of video data is decoded or else it is selectively dropped in order to help maintain synchronization. An adaptive offset time is applied to the initial start time of a decoded frame of video data in order to produce an adjusted start time for the decoded frame. The offset time can be adapted to include a refresh offset related to sweep delays in computer monitors, a target offset which helps to build in a play-ahead margin for future late frames, and an earliness offset which is diminishing over time to help smooth transitions due to changing apparent video processing power. Additionally, the playing of video data can be slowed down in response to a low condition of the audio buffer.

Abstract: A method for assembling data by sorting and filtering new data records and old data records, such as data records that an Electronic Program Guide data provider typically transmits to a head end of a cable television system. New incoming data records are combined with existing stored data records to form combined data records. Each of the data records is assigned an array index value. The combined data records are then sorted into one field of multiple fields. Within each field, each sorted data record is compared with other sorted data records and any conflicting data record is removed. The remaining non-conflicting data records are compared within each field and exact duplicate data records are removed from each corresponding field. The remaining processed data records are compared within each field and any older difference duplicate data record is removed. The filtered data records are then transmitted to a database.

Abstract: In a video signal processing device, an input video signal VO representing a test pattern having two gradations of black and white is converted to 8-bit data by an A/D converter 4 in synchronism with sampling clocks generated in a write-in control circuit 5, and then stored in a memory 6. An MPU 9 reads out picture element data in an effective area of the video signal stored in the memory 6, and calculates the difference AT between the average value of white-level picture element data whose values are larger than a predetermined value and the average value of black-level picture element data whose values are smaller than a predetermined value, and the total variance VT between the variance of the white-level picture element data and the variance of the black-level picture element data. The MPU 9 controls the phase of the sampling clocks generated in the write-in control circuit 5 so that the AT is maximum and the VT is minimum.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information.

Abstract: A system and methods for automated color correction. A computer-based workstation is coupled to an image source such as a telecine or other graphic image generating device, an image processing system such as a color corrector, and a utilization device such as a tape recorder or digital storage device. A target image from the image source is displayed on a display monitor associated with the workstation. An image and data storage device stores images and prestored reference image information for a plurality of selectable reference images. A capture device captures a source image from the image source. An image analyzer software process computes statistical parameters of the source image and compares these statistical parameters to prestored statistical parameters of a selected one of the reference images. The statistical parameters include a color distribution or frequency histogram for various color parameters, e.g. gain, gamma, and black level for video signals.

Abstract: A data/video server having the following elements: n I/O access channel connectors, m storage arrays and a commutator which connects individual ones of the I/O access channel connectors to different individual ones of the storage arrays in accordance with a connection diagram with which the server is being operated in accordance with at a given time, further includes a system (operating in accordance with a method) for enabling it to implement operation in accordance with a new connection diagram (which can enable the bandwidth provided to one or more I/O access channels coupled thereto to be changed). That system includes a bandwidth manager for generating a new connection diagram; and a control system, coupled to the bandwidth manager, for obtaining the new connection diagram and causing the elements of the server to implement operation in accordance with the new connection diagram.

Abstract: A system for encoding control data onto a clock signal includes at least one clock cycle in the clock signal; a first transition in the at least one clock cycle, the first transition is from a first voltage level to a second voltage level, the first transition is in a first location in the at least one clock cycle; a second transition in the at least one clock cycle, the second transition is from the second voltage level to the first voltage level, the second transition has a variable location in the clock cycle; and an encoder circuit for positioning the second transition in the variable location in response to the control data.

Abstract: An isolation circuit is disclosed for isolating ground interference from a wideband transmission signal. The ground isolation circuit of the present invention is constructed using a pair of matched mixer circuits, each of which receives a carrier signal from the same oscillator circuit. The first mixer circuit also receives the baseband signal input after appropriate conditioning, and modulates the baseband signal onto the carrier signal. In the preferred embodiment, the carrier signal has a predetermined frequency which is at least two times the frequency of the baseband signal. The modulated signal (which preferably comprises an rf signal) is transmitted via an rf transmission line to the second mixer, which demodulates the rf signal to recover the baseband signal. Each port of the mixer circuits connects to an isolation transformer to insure isolation from ground interference.

Abstract: Upon NTSC broadcasting, switches are respectively electrically connected to the N sides and a three-dimensional comb filter is made up of memories, a subtracter, etc., whereby a carrier chrominance signal is separated from a video signal in accordance with a frame-to-frame process. In this case, the video signal is divided into two signals, which are in turn written into the memories. Upon EDTV2 broadcasting, the switches are respectively electrically connected to the E sides and a three-dimensional comb filter is made up of the memory and the subtracter, whereby a composite signal obtained by combining a carrier chrominance signal and a horizontal resolution supplementary signal is separated from the video signal. The switch is electrically connected to the E side and a three-dimensional comb filter is made up of the memory, a subtracter, etc., whereby a horizontal resolution supplementary signal is separated from a composite signal in accordance with a field-to-field process.

Abstract: Blur-free, high-quality frame image data are generated from field image data. Image data of odd-numbered field images and image data of even-numbered field images are alternately applied every 1/60 of a second. The even field image data are applied to a first memory, and data of odd field images located immediately before and immediately after the even field image are applied to respective ones of a second memory and a third memory. Windows are set on the respective images and whether or not motion has occurred between the windows of the two odd field images is detected. If motion has not occurred, data of a pixel missing in the even field is generated using the pixel, of an odd field, at a position corresponding to this pixel missing in the even field and for which data are to be generated. If motion has occurred, the data of a pixel missing in the even field image is generated using pixels above and below the missing pixel in the even field and for which data are to be generated.

Abstract: A line driving system according to the characteristic of a transmission medium is disclosed, including: a setup signal generator for generating a setup signal; an amplifier, connected to the setup signal generator, for amplifying an entire frequency band to a constant level, and changing the setup signal and a subscriber transmission signal; a frequency compensator, connected to the amplifier, for adjusting an amplification gain of a corresponding frequency; a line connector, connected to the frequency compensator and a cable, for connecting a driving signal to a transmission line medium; a setup signal receiver for receiving the transmitted setup signal; a clamp/signal detector, connected to the setup signal receiver, for detecting a (-) directional pulse signal of the setup signal, generating a signal clamped to a reference point, calculating a value based on a clamp level, and converting the value to a voltage value; a combination/discrimination/control generator connected to the amplifier and the frequenc

Abstract: A DBS receiver front end which converts the received signal directly to the baseband representation and maintains a high performance with a new techniques for tracking and counteracting frequency drift, and correcting I/Q angular error and amplitude imbalance. The DBS receiver front end comprises a tuner and a demodulator/decoder. The tuner receives a high frequency signal and converts it to a baseband signal having a frequency offset error. In one embodiment, the DBS receiver front end includes a demodulator/decoder which digitally performs I/Q angular error correction. The tuner converts the high frequency signal to a baseband signal having an in-phase and a quadrature-phase component. Ideally, the components are separated by ninety degrees, but typically an angular error exists. The demodulator/decoder includes an adaptive equalizer for correcting the angular error. Having the equalizer allows for relaxed tolerances in the tuner.

Abstract: A digital entertainment terminal, such as a set top box, is used as a subscriber interface in the Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). The digital entertainment terminal interacts with the Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP) and central office switches to permit a customer to customize features of their telephone services such as voice announcement, digit collection, speech recognition capabilities and an array of other enhanced call processing features, such as voice or facsimile messaging. The digital entertainment terminal is preferably a set top box used for video-on-demand and similar services modified to provide dial-up communication with the ISCP of the AIN.

Abstract: A system for generating a video control signal to process a video signal associated with a video composite signal. The video composite signal has horizontal and vertical driving signal, each having one or more pulses. The system comprises a counter for counting the number of the pulses of respective one or more of the horizontal and vertical driving signals, and a flip-flop, which is coupled to the counter, for generating a blanking signal based on the result of the counting.

Abstract: Video data and TXT data are combined into a single image. The video data is representative of a mosaic of video windows. The TXT data form a plurality of TXT pages. Each TXT page is transparent in an area of one or more corresponding video windows. In an interactive application, a customized TXT page guides a user through a virtual world in video and TXT combined.

Abstract: An arrangement for reproducing a composite blanking or sync signal includes a vertical deflection circuit having a supply boost stage. A first pulse voltage at a vertical rate is derived from an output signal of the boost stage. The vertical rate, first pulse voltage is coupled to a base terminal of an emitter follower via a voltage divider for producing a leading edge of an output pulse voltage of the emitter follower. The vertical rate first pulse voltage is also coupled via an R-C network to a regenerative switch. The regenerative switch is coupled to the base terminal of the emitter follower for producing a trailing edge of the output pulse voltage of the emitter follower. The trailing edge is produced after a predetermined interval has elapsed from the leading edge. The output pulse voltage of the emitter follower is combined with a horizontal rate pulse voltage for producing the composite sync signal.