Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a video signal processing apparatus having a browser feature to protect a display device associated with the apparatus against the premature aging effects of screen burn due to an idle display when the browser feature is activated. The method includes the steps of detecting a first user input to a video apparatus, determining whether the first user input activates a browser feature of the video apparatus, and controlling the operation of the apparatus to reduce the screen burn. The operation can include setting a display parameter for the video apparatus to a first predetermined level responsive to determining that the first user input activates the browser feature, or determining an idle time and inactivating the browser feature if the idle time exceeds a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A method for controlling two devices, separated from each other, during an audio muting mode operation. A control device causes an audio device to become muted during the audio muting mode. The control device also causes a video device to output a text service during the duration of the audio muting mode. Preferably, the text service corresponds to the audio portion of a media service.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for recording media content include an input in communication with a content source for receiving media content therefrom. An input sensor detects whether a signal indicative of the media content is present on the input for a scheduled event. If no signal is detected at the input by the input sensor, a command module communicates a power-toggle control signal to the content source to activate the content source such that the input receives the content signal which is then sensed by the input sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a system and/or method of displaying video and/or audio content. An exemplary method comprises receiving input regarding a type of potentially objectionable content that is to be filtered from display of the video content, receiving a video signal containing an indication marking an occurrence of potentially objectionable video content in the video signal and a type of the potentially objectionable video content, and filtering the video signal at the occurrence if the type of the potentially objectionable video content corresponds to the type of potentially objectionable video content that is to be filtered when displaying the video content.

Abstract: There is provided a system and/or method of displaying video content. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising receiving input regarding a type of potentially objectionable video content (POC) that is to be filtered when displaying video content, receiving a video signal containing an indication of a display location of POC in the video content and a type of POC at that display location, and filtering display of content identified by the indication of the display location of the POC and the type of the POC if the type of POC corresponds to the type of POC that is to be filtered when displaying the video content.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver controls an external device such as a digital recording/reproduction device via a digital data bus by remapping keys on a user input device. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an input/output terminal operative to enable signal transfer between the television signal receiver and an external device via a digital data bus. A processor is operative to detect a first command signal of a first control protocol from a user input device, and to detect one of first and second modes of the television signal receiver. The processor detects the first mode in response to making a connection between the television signal receiver and the external device via the digital data bus, and detects the second mode in response to terminating the connection between the television signal receiver and the external device via the digital data bus.

Abstract: A method and system for recording a program in an apparatus that has auxiliary programming information available are described. A program is first selected for recording. A determination is made to see whether the associated auxiliary programming information is available for the selected first program for recording. If the associated auxiliary programming information is not available for the selected first program, then a recording timer is automatically populated with all known recording parameters. All the unknown recording parameters in the recording timer are also populated according to a predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: Screen bum on televisions having Internet browser capability is avoided by removing the conventional static icons such as toolbars and buttons from the default browser and replacing their functions with keyboard keys. The invention is especially useful in projection televisions and with keyboards which have keys assigned to browser functions. Favorite URLs can be mapped to a favorite key by holding down the favorite key while a favorite web page is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for selecting one of a plurality of digital video channels and analog video channels in response to user selection, in particular, when operating in a digital recording mode. The user may select the channel using either a channel scan mode, in which the user selection causes the selection of the next channel in a channel sequence, or a direct channel mode, in which the user enters a specific channel number to be selected. When operating in the recording mode, and the apparatus receives a channel selection in the channel scan mode, the apparatus selects the next digital channel in the sequence and skips any intervening analog channels. When the operating in the recording mode, and the apparatus receives a channel selection in the direct channel selection mode, the apparatus selects the channels and terminates the recording mode if the selected channel is an analog channel and maintains the recording mode if the selected channel is a digital channel.

Abstract: A universal remote control includes a display that is partitioned into a button touch-screen portion and a message area. The button touch-screen portion includes pre-determined or etched areas defining a plurality of buttons and a given number of pre-determined labels for each button. The message area includes individual pixels (i.e. a dot matrix) that allow the display of messages, labels or the like such as text. Activation of a touch-screen button having a message or label associated therewith causes the message or label to be displayed in the message area of the display. The remote control is customizable by the user. The user can configure a label for a particular button to suit the user's preference(s). This is especially useful for “learning remotes” where the function “learned” (stored) with respect to a particular button or key may bear no relationship to the label printed or available for that button. Now the user can create a custom label that is displayed in a message area of the remote.

Abstract: A personal video recorder (PVR) may be designed to capture a recording source which matches the view source displayed on a television, thereby allowing a user to pause and rewind “live TV.” However, during recording, the user may inadvertently change the view source by, for example, accessing an autotune feature within a menu system of the audio/visual system. When this happens, the recording source may be prevented from tracking the view source, thereby allowing the continued recording of the program without loss or interruption while the menu system is active.

Abstract: The invention is a method and remote control apparatus for controlling an electronic device that is capable of indicating a low battery state without the need for cooperation with the electronic device. In one aspect, the invention is a remote control apparatus for controlling an electronic device comprising: a power supply having a voltage; and means to activate an indicator, wherein the activation means activates the indicator in the first way when the voltage is at or above a predefined threshold and the activation means activates the indicator in the second way when the voltage is below a predefined threshold.

Abstract: A method and a system for accessing recorded video programming, which can be displayed while the programming is being recorded to a storage medium (148). Program information can be automatically stored in a memory location. The program information can be determined by accessing an on-line program guide and monitoring a user video channel selection. The program information can include a program identifier (315) and a recording time (310). At least a portion of the program information can be displayed in a time-line (300) and sub-divided into a plurality of time increments (320, 325, 330). Responsive to a user input, playback of a portion of the programming corresponding to a user selection can begin. The user selection can be a selected portion of the program information that has been marked by the user. The user selection also can be identified by a recording time, which can include a start time and a stop time.

Abstract: A system for selectively illuminates a light source that illuminates a power indicator of a video apparatus when the indicator distracts a viewer. The power button illumination is selectively set to be extinguished or illuminated when the video apparatus is powered on by means of an on-screen menu as an example. Extinguishing the power button light source does not affect the ability of the indicator to become illuminated to provide information to a viewer regarding the operating status of the video apparatus such as when a TV projection lamp has failed.

Abstract: An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) interface includes an information window for displaying a program that is currently airing on a channel; wherein the program to be displayed on the information window is determined by a head end provider. A viewer has no control of which program will be selected for display on the information window.

Abstract: A remotely located product dispenser interfaced with a point of sale (POS) terminal is provided. To obtain product from the dispenser, a sale must first be entered in the POS terminal. After the sale is completed, the POS terminal communicates with the dispenser causing the dispenser to dispense the desired product in the purchased quantity. Further, the dispenser includes an improved mechanical transport system in the form of a collapsible gate that is connected to a belt. The transport system enables the dispenser to be configured for dispensing a much wider array of products.

Abstract: A system for selling game tickets for purchase by a game player within a store, the system comprising a point of sale terminal in communication with a game monitor that detects inputted game selection data and determine therefrom the number and type of game tickets to be played. The system further comprises a ticket dispensing system in communication with the game monitor. The game monitor detecting the activation of a predetermined terminal key of the point of sale terminal and dispenses the desired number and type of game tickets from the ticket dispensing system.

Abstract: A system and method of dispensing lottery game tickets to a purchaser. A point-of-sale (“POS”) terminal is provided with a ticket dispenser assembly in communication with the point-of-sale terminal and a central inventory computer. The POS terminal has at least one dedicated key for requesting ticket information from the central computer and a cash tender key for completing a ticket purchase. The ticket dispenser assembly includes a POS monitor, a ticket controller and a ticket dispenser. The POS monitor passively monitors the electrical communications of the point-of-sale terminal, including the engagement of the dedicated key and the cash tender key, and intercepts the electrical communications corresponding to the engagement of the dedicated key. Upon actuation of the dedicated key and the cash tender key, the POS monitor sends a message to the ticket controller to dispense the desired number of tickets from the ticket dispenser according to the electrical communication produced by the POS terminal.

Abstract: An Electronic Program Guide (EPG) interface includes an information window for displaying a program that is currently airing on a channel; wherein the program to be displayed on the information window is determined by a head end provider. A viewer has no control of which program will be selected for display on the information window.

Abstract: A universal remote control includes a display that is partitioned into a button touch-screen portion and a message area. The button touch-screen portion includes pre-determined or etched areas defining a plurality of buttons and a given number of pre-determined labels for each button. The message area includes individual pixels (i.e. a dot matrix) that allow the display of messages, labels or the like such as text. Activation of a touch-screen button having a message or label associated therewith causes the message or label to be displayed in the message area of the display. The remote control is customizable by the user. The user can configure a label for a particular button to suit the user's preference(s). This is especially useful for “learning remotes” where the function “learned” (stored) with respect to a particular button or key may bear no relationship to the label printed or available for that button.