Abstract: A PIP system stores data indicative of the location of the center point of an inset picture with respect to a display screen center point in a memory area of a first size. The inset image data is read out of the memory area beginning with the data stored in a memory location known as the "read address". When a ZOOM-IN or ZOOM-OUT command is received, data representing a new video image of a different size is stored for display in an unused memory area of a different size, a new inset center point is computed, and a new read address is computed, so that the displayed centers of the new inset area of a different size, and the old inset area are substantially the same.

Abstract: A channel number data entry system for a television receiver employing a numeric keyboard allows the selection of cable channels having channel numbers greater than 99, without the use of a separate ENTER or 100s key. Specifically, if the leading digit of a desired channel number is a number one, a measurement is made of the time interval during which the number one key is activated. If the measured time interval exceeds 2 seconds, then a three digit channel entry mode is enabled. If the measured time interval does not exceed 2 seconds, then a two digit channel entry mode is enabled. In both modes, the desired channel is tuned upon receipt of the final digit of the channel number.

Abstract: A channel number data entry system for a television receiver employing a numeric keyboard allows the selection of cable channels having channel numbers greater than 99, without the use of a separate ENTER or 100s key. Specifically, if a predetermined unused or invalid channel number, such as 00, is entered, then the on-screen display message 1.sub.-- is generated, and a three digit channel entry mode is enabled. If a valid and used two digit channel number is entered, then a two digit channel entry mode is enabled. In both modes, the desired channel is tuned upon receipt of the final digit of the channel number.

Abstract: In CD-players with a memory (S) having A storage locations for the storing of the titles recorded on a CD-record, it can occur that the number of titles C recorded on the CD-record exceeds the number of storage locations A in the CD-player.In order to keep the access times for individual titles low, the memory (S) is partitioned into a first part (T1), having B storage positions, and a second part T2, having A-B storage positions. The titles 1 to B are stored in sequence in the B storage locations of the T1 portion of memory S. The remaining titles are distributed to the A-B storage locations of the part (T2) such that, no continuing sequence with the first B titles is formed. For example, the remaining C-B titles may be distributed evenly in the second part (T2) of memory S.

Abstract: A switching system for a television receiver allows a user to specify which of several input connectors is assigned to which of several signal sources. Thereafter, upon selection of a particular signal source, the system automatically selects the input connector associated with the selected signal source.

Abstract: A commercial message timer stores data indicative of a first tuned station in response to a channel change command and begins repeatedly timing a predetermined time period. Upon each expiration of the time period, the user is reminded that the commercial message on the first tuned station may be over. In this way a user can avoid a commercial message on a first channel by setting the timer and scanning through other channels, and yet be reminded to return (e.g. by use of a PC (previous-channel) key) to the first channel at the end of a time period substantially equal to that of a typical commercial message. In another embodiment employing a videocassette recorder (VCR) the commercial timer is activated upon pressing the PAUSE key of the VCR so that the user may avoid recording the commercial message on videotape.

Abstract: In a color television receiver having first and second chroma amplifiers, a chroma overload detector uses a differential amplifier for peak detection of a chrominance signal over a predetermined threshold level, and in response thereto, for generating a control signal and applying it to the second chroma amplifier to control the gain of the amplifier.

Abstract: A tuning system is provided which allows a user to enter text labels associated with respective channels or television programs to be tuned so that, thereafter, a channel or program to be tuned may be selected by the user by entering its label. Scheduling of television programs by label is also provided by storing time-related data as well as channel-related data and associating these data for each television program with a user-entered label.

Abstract: A temperature compensation network for an integrated circuit amplifier in a television receiver includes a thermistor mounted physically adjacent to, and electrically connected in parallel with the brightness control potentiometer, to the brightness control terminal of the integrated circuit. By mounting the thermistor in close proximity to the integrated circuit to be controlled, the thermistor is able to compensate for both self-heating of the integrated circuit and ambient temperature variations.

Abstract: A memory retention system for an electronic apparatus having several logic devices driven by a common oscillator includes a capacitor for retaining a voltage on at least one of the logic devices and means for stopping the oscillator during a power failure. The logic devices have respective oscillator input terminals which are connected together and to the input terminal of the oscillator rather than to the output terminal of the oscillator to reduce current drain from the capacitor.

Abstract: Digital data is conveyed along with the analog signal by selectively quantizing the analog signal in response to the level of each of the digital bits to be sent. By determining which quantization function was used, a decoder may recover the embedded digital data.

Abstract: An audio/video signal switching system permits an audio input to be automatically switched from a mode in which it receives audio signals associated with an NTSC signal source, to a mode in which it receives audio signals associated with an S-VIDEO signal source.

Abstract: A servo loop arrangement for the reproduction of data from a record medium has interleaved pulse trains of opposite polarity pulses applied to it to add to the servo loop control signal which undesirably includes an offset voltage. The resultant increasing opposite polarity changes in the control signal in successive pulse train intervals are threshold detected. The numbers of opposite polarity pulses required to reach the threshold values are compared and any difference in number is converted to a compensation signal which is added to the servo loop to compensate for the offset voltage.

Abstract: A commercial message timer, when enabled by a user, stores data indicative of a first tuned station and begins timing a predetermined time period. Upon expiration of the time period, the first tuned station is automatically reselected if it had been deselected after the timer was enabled. In this way a user can avoid a commercial message on a first channel by setting the timer and scanning through other channels, and yet have the receiver return automatically to the first channel at the end of a time period substantially equal to that of a typical commercial message. In another embodiment employing PIX-IN-PIX circuitry, the subject apparatus is responsive to the sequence of (1) enabling the timer and (2) changing channels for automatically moving the desired channel to the insert position. In response to the expiration of the timer period, the program displayed in the insert position is automatically returned to the main display position.

Abstract: A channel sampler system, including a television signal tuner, displays an array of inset pictures on a display screen. Each inset picture is a still video picture (i.e., freeze-frame) selected by tuning each of the channels in a scan list of channels. A feedback signal is used to determine the point at which the channel is tuned, at which point a frame of video is received and stored, so that the television program sample freeze-frame image is taken from each active channel without undue delay.

Abstract: A tuning system is provided which allows a user to enter into a memory text labels associated with respective channels to be tuned so that, thereafter, a channel to be tuned may be selected by the user by entering its label. The time required to search the memory for a match with a previously stored label during a channel change operation is minimized by storing the labels in alphabetical order, and performing a binary search of the area in memory in which the labels are stored.

Abstract: A graphic illustration of the rear connector panel of a television monitor/receiver is displayed on the screen of the monitor/receiver along with a menu of possible functions to which the connectors may be assigned. By making the functions of the connectors assignable, only a relatively few connectors need be provided, thereby producing a cost saving and reducing complexity for the user.

Abstract: An automatic switching apparatus is disclosed for a system employing a battery and a charging device. A load is automatically disconnected in response to the decrease in voltage caused by an inactivation of the charging device so that the battery will not be undesirably discharges if the load is not turned off. An override switch is provided to allow the load to draw power even when the charging device is not operating.

Abstract: Time-keeping apparatus includes a microcomputer having a normal, relatively high power consumption mode of operation and a standby relatively low power consumption mode of operation. The AC power supply includes energy storage providing standby power for operation during power interruption. A controllable delay arrangement causes the microcomputer to operate in a cyclical mode with a relatively long duration in the standby mode of operation and a relatively short duration in the normal mode of operation. The time period of the relatively long duration, having been previously stored in memory, is utilized for incrementing the time-keeping during the relatively short duration in the normal mode until the end of the power interruption ends the cylical mode of operation.

Abstract: A system for preventing crosstalk in a stereo television receiver includes a signal selection switch for selecting between signals produced by a demodulator and signals received at an auxiliary input, a controller for generating a switching control signal and circuitry for muting the audio demodulator during channel change and when said auxiliary input is selected in response to said switching control signal.