Abstract: A system processes packetized program information, from different broadcast sources, containing programs and program specific information including associated content rating data. A program specific parameter of a desired program is selected based on its source from equivalent parameters from alternative broadcast sources. The desired program is processed for display, recording or playback using the selected program specific parameter. The selected program specific parameter may comprise a content rating that is mapped to a different program content rating system and used in multi-level validation of authorization to access the desired program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for compressing digital data of a sequence of synthesis images describing a scene which is the subject of a script, comprising a processing step for modelling the scene on the basis of mathematical data, a step of image rendering for creating a synthesis image from this modelling and a partitioning of this synthesis image into image blocks, differential coding of the current image block on the basis of a block of at least one synthesis image, this block being defined on the basis of at least one motion vector, so as to provide a residual block, characterized in that the motion vector is calculated from mathematical data emanating from the synthesis script and defining the apparent motion of the various objects constituting the scene which is the subject of the sequence. Applications are image synthesis in production. For video games, these are for example interactivity or virtual reality applications.

Abstract: A communication data format conveys digital ancillary data in a vertical blanking interval of a video signal. The format employs a reference symbol including a plurality of digital pulses for indicating the start of the ancillary data and also includes a header byte following the reference symbol. The header byte contains an identifier identifying a destination service for a payload of the ancillary data or an address identifying a destination of the payload. The format also conveys multiple payload bytes, following the reference symbol in which individual bits have a period substantially comprising, a first integral multiple of a first clock period associated with a first data format, and a different second integral multiple of a second clock period associated with a second data format.

Abstract: A method for coding digitized frames of a stroboscope-like special effects film is proposed, in which alternately a first number of frames of a first film scene and a second number of frames of a second film scene is shown. Two frame buffers (30, 32) are available for coding the frames. The method is characterized by the fact that the two frame buffers (30, 32) are operated separately so that in each case one of the frame buffers (30) is permanently used for predicting frames of the first film scene and the other frame buffer (32) is permanently used for predicting frames of the second film scene. In addition, a corresponding method for decoding frames coded in this manner and devices for coding and decoding digitized frames of a stroboscope-like special effects film are also proposed.

Abstract: A data display video monitor includes an automatic kinescope bias (AKB) control system for the type wherein kinescope cathode output pulses representative of the black current level conducted by the kinescope are produced in response to energizing the kinescope grid during sensing intervals. As a result of this operation, plural horizontal lines along the top edge of the visible display screen area are illuminated. To reduce the visible effect of the illuminated lines, the AKB system is activated for short sensing intervals (e.g., two seconds or less) between considerably longer holding intervals (e.g., five minutes).

Abstract: A television receiver includes an audio signal processing arrangement for expanding a second audio program (SAP) signal compressed in accordance with the "dbx" system in a relatively simple manner. The signal processing arrangement includes a first filter for providing a first amount of deemphasis. A controllable gain amplifier has its input coupled to the filter and its gain controlled by a filtered signal representative of its input signal. A second filter at the amplifier output provides a second amount of deemphasis.

Abstract: In a wideband video signal processing system, a video signal is capacitively coupled to a kinescope via a signal path. A video signal clamping diode is coupled from the video signal path to a low impedance point in a feedback path of a keyed switching transistor. Parasitic capacitances associated with the clamping diode and with the output of the switching transistor are decoupled from the video signal path by means of a first decoupling resistor, and a second decoupling resistor included in the feedback path, respectively.

Abstract: In a luminance channel of a color television receiver, a luminance signal is conveyed to the input of a delay line via first and second series connected source resistors. A series tuned trap tuned to the chrominance subcarrier frequency is coupled between the junction of the first and second resistors and a point of reference potential. The coaction of the first and second source resistors and the trap results in a significant reduction in frequency dependent source impedance variations at the input of the delay line.

Abstract: A video signal processing and display system includes apparatus for automatically controlling the bias of an image display device. A sample and hold network of the control apparatus includes an amplifier, a switch and a storage capacitor. During sampling intervals the switch connects the capacitor directly to a bias control terminal. During substantially longer holding intervals, the switch connects the capacitor to the bias control terminal via the amplifier.

Abstract: A television receiver receives a scrambled television signal with a suppressed sync pulse which is restored by a decoder coupled to the receiver. The receiver also includes a noise inverter which alters blanking interval noise pulses below a threshold level to prevent the noise pulses from disrupting the operation of other receiver circuits. The operation of the noise inverter is inhibited when the decoder is operative in the presence of a scrambled signal.

Abstract: A companding system for a television audio apparatus includes a compressor and an expander for stereo difference or second audio program signals. The compressor provides variable preemphasis of high frequency signal components and the expander provides complementary variable deemphasis. Due to noise, the amount of deemphasis the expander can provide is limited. To ensure complementary operation of the compressor and expander a clamp means is used in the compressor to set the maximum amount of preemphasis. Similarly, in the expander, a clamp is used to set the maximum deemphasis of the compressor.

Abstract: A television receiver is arranged to selectively display either information from a broadcast television signal, or information from an auxiliary video signal. The black image reference level associated with the broadcast signal information is sampled and used to automatically establish the black image reference level of the auxiliary video signal.

Abstract: A first sound filter in a video IF channel of a television receiver exhibits a null response at a frequency slightly less than the 41.25 MHz sound IF carrier signal frequency. A demodulated baseband video signal is filtered by a second sound filter which exhibits a null response at a frequency slightly less than the 4.5 MHz intercarrier sound frequency. The first sound filter provides a nominal amount of attenuation of the sound carrier signal in the video IF channel, while conserving high frequency information as ultimately manifested in the demodulated baseband video signal. The second sound filter assists the first sound filter to assure that sound information is adequately attenuated in the baseband video signal.

Abstract: A video monitor includes a kinescope driver amplifier AC coupled to a kinescope via a capacitor which is also associated with a video signal clamp. A control signal related to the magnitude of video signals coupled to the kinescope modifies the kinescope bias so as to increase kinescope current conduction and image brightness, to counteract the tendency of a displayed image to exhibit reduced brightness as the amplitude of the video signal increases.

Abstract: A television receiver is arranged to selectively display either information from a broadcast television signal or information from an auxiliary video signal, in accordance with the position of a switching network to which the signals are capacitively coupled via respective capacitors. Similar black reference levels are established for the television and auxiliary signals by means of respective clamping circuits, including the coupling capacitors, which operate at different times but with respect to the same clamping reference voltage.

Abstract: A multiplier for multiplying the modulated sound and picture carriers to produce an intercarrier sound signal in a quasi-parallel sound channel of an IF section has a pair of anti-parallel connected diodes in a limiter for generating an amplitude limited version of the picture carrier. It has been discovered that the varying capacitance of the diodes with picture amplitude can cause phase shifts and hence phase modulation interference in the intercarrier signal. The latter is especially troublesome for stereo sound reproduction. To reduce such interference, a low value resistor is shunt coupled to the diodes to inhibit the capacitance variations of the diodes and resulting undesired phase modulation in the intercarrier sound signal.

Abstract: In a color television receiver including a color kinescope and plural kinescope driver stages, a control circuit is included for inhibiting the operation of the driver stages for a short interval after the receiver is energized, particularly under "hot start" conditions, to prevent disturbing artifacts from being displayed by the kinescope. In an illustrated embodiment the driver stages are disabled in response to a control signal applied to a bias point common to the plural driver stages.

Abstract: A video monitor includes apparatus for generating a horizontal blanking pulse accurately timed with respect to a horizontal image retrace interval. The leading edge of the blanking pulse is derived from a differentiated horizontal oscillator signal which is applied to one input of a gate having a threshold operating level. The lagging edge of the blanking pulse is generated when the amplitude of a horizontal flyback pulse applied to another input of the gate falls below the gate threshold level.

Abstract: In a video monitor for display alphanumeric data on a kinescope display screen, a kinescope driver transistor receives binary video data signals at a low impedance emitter input electrode and provides high level video data output signals to the kinescope from a collector output electrode. A source of adjustable control voltage is coupled to the base electrode of the driver transistor for varying the intensity of the data display.

Abstract: A television receiver responsive to broadcast television signals in a normal operating mode includes a video channel with high frequency peaking circuits, followed by a wideband display driver to which auxiliary R, G, B color image signals are applied in an auxiliary operating mode of the receiver. A low pass filter restricts the high frequency response of the video channel in the normal mode so that the combination of the high frequency peaking circuits and the wideband display driver does not result in a condition of excessive signal bandwidth and attendant unwanted spurious high frequency signal effects.