Abstract: A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays, on demand by the viewer and on the viewer's display screen, descriptive data and a video clip related to a program identified on the program guide. A tuner receives TV radio frequency or optical transmission signals in a plurality of cable channels and passes a viewer usable signal of any selected one of the channels to a signal combiner. A computer receives any of a plurality of control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It also controls the tuner to pass the viewer usable signal of any selected channel in response to one of the control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It also receives and stores an input picture image signal containing local program guide data and descriptive data and video clips related to selected ones of the programs identified in the program guide data.

Abstract: A wireless communications system that has variable power levels in communications frames may be provided. The wireless communication system may include a plurality of cells that include transmitters for providing communications services to a geographic area. Each cell may be assigned a channel selected from a limited number of available channels. Communications frames may be transmitted in the cells using a plurality of data rates. Each communications frame may include a portion that is to be transmitted at one of the data rates. The power level used for transmitting that portion of a communications frame may be selected (e.g., lowered) to limit at what distances that portion may be properly received. Locations of cells in the geographic area may be partly determined based on the power levels.

Abstract: A wireless local area network that carries mixed traffic of voice and data communications may be provided. The wireless local area network may include an access point and a plurality of remote terminals that are associated with the access point. The access point may be operably coupled to a wireline network. The access point may receive voice and other communications packets from the remote terminals and the wireline network. Some of the packets may be for transmission to the remote terminals. The access point manages which packets to transmit and when to transmit packets. The access point may manage traffic to maintain a fair distribution of packets and to give priority to voice communications over other communications.

Abstract: Programmable logic modules on a programmable logic device each include a four-input look-up table circuit which can be programmed to allow the logic module to produce an output signal which can be any of a plurality of logical combinations of four input signals applied to the logic module. In addition, each logic module is augmented with additional circuitry that allows the logic module to be alternatively operated as a dynamic four-to-one multiplexer.

Abstract: A programmable logic device is provided that allows a redundant row of programmable logic to be shifted into place to repair the device when a defect is detected in a row of programmable logic on the device. The redundant row is shifted into place by routing programming data into the normal logic and the redundant logic while bypassing the row of logic containing the defect. Switching circuitry may be used to direct programming data into the serial inputs of various data registers that are then used to load the programming data into the device. The patterns of programmable connections that are made between programmable logic regions on the device and vertical and horizontal conductors also allow redundant logic to be shifted into place. Some connections between the logic and the horizontal and vertical conductors may be identical within a column to facilitate shifting. Other connections may only partially overlap between respective rows.

Abstract: A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays current or future programming information superimposed over the normal programming displayed on any channel accessible to the viewer's display screen. Identification signal data are accessed and generated by the computer for durations defined in the identification signal data either automatically or in response to the TV viewer remote. Information signal data are accessed and generated by the computer in response to the TV viewer remote. A signal combiner superimposes the identification signal or the information signal over the viewer usable signal of any selected channel from the tuner. The identification signal may include data defining an icon or textual matter alerting a viewer to the availability of information data.

Abstract: Redundant circuitry is provided for a programmable logic device that uses an interleaved input multiplexer circuit arrangement. The programmable logic device has at least one row of logic regions and has multiple columns, each of which contains one of the interleaved input multiplexers and one of the logic regions. A set of conductors associated with the row of logic regions is used to convey signals between the logic regions. Each interleaved logic region distributes logic signals from the conductors in the row to two adjacent logic regions. Bypass circuitry is provided in each column for bypassing the interleaved input multiplexer and logic region in that column. If a defect is detected in a column during testing of the device, the manufacturer can repair the device using the bypass circuitry to bypass that column. Spare logic is provided to replace the circuitry lost when a defective column is bypassed.

Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device is provided with enhanced capability for dynamically multiplexing signals on the device. Controllable connectors that are provided on the device for connecting any of several connector input signals to a connector output are controlled by control signals that can be programmable selected to be either constant or variable signals. If a control signal is selected to be a variable signal, then the connector controlled by that control signal can be operated as a dynamic multiplexer of the input signals to that connector. The controllable connectors may advantageously be used as the connectors that are employed for allowing several possible signal sources to effectively share a smaller of number of signal drivers.

Abstract: Programmable logic modules on a programmable logic device each include a four-input look-up table circuit which can be programmed to allow the logic module to produce an output signal which can be any of a plurality of logical combinations of four input signals applied to the logic module. In addition, each logic module is augmented with additional circuitry that allows the logic module to be alternatively operated as a dynamic four-to-one multiplexer.

Abstract: Redundant circuitry is provided for a programmable logic device that uses an interleaved input multiplexer circuit arrangement. The programmable logic device has at least one row of logic regions and has multiple columns, each of which contains one of the interleaved input multiplexers and one of the logic regions. A set of conductors associated with the row of logic regions is used to convey signals between the logic regions. Each interleaved logic region distributes logic signals from the conductors in the row to two adjacent logic regions. Bypass circuitry is provided in each column for bypassing the interleaved input multiplexer and logic region in that column. If a defect is detected in a column during testing of the device, the manufacturer can repair the device using the bypass circuitry to bypass that column. Spare logic is provided to replace the circuitry lost when a defective column is bypassed.

Abstract: A system is provided for filtering out potentially objectionable content from a video. The system is preferably implemented with user equipment such as a set-top box, a dedicated stand-alone box, a videocassette recorder, or circuitry in other television equipment. Videos to be filtered have embedded information that identifies potentially objectionable substitution events. The system determines which substitution events are to be filtered out based on selectable ratings settings. If desired, filtered video images may be replaced with blank video images and filtered audio signals may by replaced with silence or a tone. Filtering may also be accomplished by disrupting the event to be filtered (e.g., by garbling the event). Filtering may involve making substitutions of audio or video information. For example, audio information in a substitution event may be replaced by appropriate audio segments. Video information in a substitution event may be replaced by a video still or by a video clip.