Abstract: An improved television control system includes a tuner (15), a memory (13), a keyboard (14) and a controller (11). The tuner (15) selects one channel from a multi-channel television signal based upon a channel selection input. The multi-channel television signal carries the signals for a set of received television channels. The memory (13) contains a favorite channel list that includes a list of channel identifiers, each channel identifier corresponding to one of a subset of the set of channels received by the tuner (15). The keyboard (14) includes a favorite channel button (16) and a favorite program button (16) as well as a numeric keypad (30) and channel up/down keys (28).

Abstract: System and method for learning the optimal channel change instruction recognition speed for an entertainment system. A memory stores information relating to: time increments between channel change signals; pulse width of each individual digit of a channel instruction; and the duration of time between each digit pulse signal. Based on the information stored in memory, a microprocessor constructs and sends channel change commands at a particular speed, progressively increasing the speed. When the speed at which channel change commands are sent exceeds the capability of the television receiver to recognize the channel change command, the microprocessor reduces the speed, as a function of the information stored in memory, until the television receiver can recognize the channel change command. The microprocessor stores in memory the fastest speed at which the television receiver can recognize the channel change command. Thereafter, the microprocessor uses the optimal speed to deliver channel change commands.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.

Abstract: An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is reproduced simultaneously with the display of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, the sound bite is embedded in a television signal that contains audio component and a video component. The television signal is transmitted to a plurality of television receivers and intercepted at one of the receivers. The video component is displayed on a monitor and the audio component is reproduced. On command the sound bite is reproduced instead of the audio component. An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is also reproduced simultaneously with the display of a program listing of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, when the program listing is marked with an on-screen cursor, the sound bite is reproduced.

Abstract: A system for communicating information from a television viewer to a central site includes a remote control unit for sending command signals from the viewer to a television or video cassette recorder (VCR). Circuitry integral with the television or VCR accepts the command signals from the remote control unit and interprets the signals to form a viewer command, such as a purchase command, to be communicated to the central site. The circuitry automatically sends dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) tone signals representing the command over a radio frequency (RF) link to a cordless telephone base unit, which is connected to the central site by a public switched telephone network. The cordless telephone base unit initiates a telephone call to the central site and communicates the DTMF tone signals received from the DTMF circuitry in the television or VCR to the central site.

Abstract: A system for providing an electronic program guide for both over the air channels and direct broadcast satellite channels includes a VCR (80) with an RF tuner. The RF signal carrying the over the air channels is connected to the RF input (64) of the DBS receiver (50), combined with an RF modulation on channel 3 (or 4) of the DBS channel tuned by the DBS receiver. The combined RF signal is sent to the RF tuner in the VCR, which tunes either channel 3 (or 4) for the DBS channel or the appropriate RF channel for a local over the air channel. The output of the RF tuner is output on the VCR's baseband video output (84) which is connected to a baseband video input (66) on the DBS receiver. This system provides a baseband video signal for both over the air and DBS channels.

Abstract: An improved television control system includes a tuner (15), a memory (13), a keyboard (14) and a controller (11). The tuner (15) selects one channel from a multi-channel television signal based upon a channel selection input. The multi-channel television signal carries the signals for a set of received television channels. The memory (13) contains a favorite channel list that includes a list of channel identifiers, each channel identifier corresponding to one of a subset of the set of channels received by the tuner (15). The keyboard (14) includes a favorite channel button (16) and a favorite program button (16) as well as a numeric keypad (30) and channel up/down keys (28).

Abstract: An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is reproduced simultaneously with the display of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, the sound bite is embedded in a television signal that contains audio component and a video component. The television signal is transmitted to a plurality of television receivers and intercepted at one of the receivers. The video component is displayed on a monitor and the audio component is reproduced. On command the sound bite is reproduced instead of the audio component. An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is also reproduced simultaneously with the display of a program listing of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, when the program listing is marked with an on-screen cursor, the sound bite is reproduced.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for restricting access to a television by providing parental control functions. Separate parental control levels are set for different users with each user having a different password. When the television is initially turned on, the default parental control level chosen is to be the level that corresponds with the most restrictive parental control level. If another user with a less restrictive parental control level wishes to change the parental control level, they enter their password for their level of parental control.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for learning the optimal channel change instruction recognition speed for the components of a particular entertainment system. A memory provides storage for information relating to: time increments between channel change signals; pulse width of each individual digit of a channel instruction; and the duration of time between each digit pulse signal. As a function of the information stored in memory, a microprocessor constructs and sends channel change commands at a particular speed, progressively increasing the speed. A means is provided for monitoring the television receiver and for detecting whether the channel change command resulted in the change of the programming channel received by the television receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a television guide. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a device for comparing a current time with at least one stored time period for extracting television guide data to determine if the current time is within the stored time period, a device for switching a signal output from a first television signal source to a second television signal source, if television guide data is not contained in the signal output from the first television signal source when the current time is within the stored time period, a device for extracting the television guide data from the signal output when the current time is within the stored time period, and a memory for storing the extracted television guide data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a television guide. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a device for comparing a current time with at least one stored time period for extracting television guide data to determine if the current time is within the stored time period, a device for switching a signal output from a first television signal source to a second television signal source, if television guide data is not contained in the signal output from the first television signal source when the current time is within the stored time period, a device for extracting the television guide data from the signal output when the current time is within the stored time period, and a memory for storing the extracted television guide data.

Abstract: A television viewer uses a PIP format for display of program related information such as television program listings from a program schedule data base in the background and moving, real time or stored video clip images of a program selected from the displayed listings in the PIP window. All the text of the background information lies outside the PIP window. In one embodiment, as the viewer selects a particular program from the display of current television program listings by means of a cursor or a code number, the corresponding program automatically appears in the PIP window.

Abstract: A television program guide the uses a picture-in-picture (PIP) setup to allow the user to view an active television channel while browsing the channel guide.

Abstract: A system for communicating information from a television viewer to a central site includes a remote control unit for sending command signals from the viewer to a television or video cassette recorder (VCR). Circuitry integral with the television or VCR accepts the command signals from the remote control unit and interprets the signals to form a viewer command, such as a purchase command, to be communicated to the central site. The circuitry automatically sends dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) tone signals representing the command over a radio frequency (RF) link to a cordless telephone base unit, which is connected to the central site by a public switched telephone network. The cordless telephone base unit initiates a telephone call to the central site and communicates the DTMF tone signals received from the DTMF circuitry in the television or VCR to the central site.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a television guide are provided. The method includes the steps of transmitting a television guide encoded as audio tones, starting to record the transmitted television guide on a VCR tape, decoding audio signals from an audio output on the VCR, commanding the VCR to stop recording in response to a first decoded audio signal, and storing a television guide decoded from audio signals while the VCR is stopped.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for a television guide. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a device for comparing a current time with at least one stored time period for extracting television guide data to determine if the current time is within the stored time period, a device for switching a signal output from a first television signal source to a second television signal source, if television guide data is not contained in the signal output from the first television signal source when the current time is within the stored time period, a device for extracting the television guide data from the signal output when the current time is within the stored time period, and a memory for storing the extracted television guide data.

Abstract: A television for controlling a video cassette recorder to access programs on a video cassette tape, the television comprising a circuit for retrieving a directory of programs from a television signal received from the video cassette recorder, a circuit for retrieving a program identifier from the television signal received from the video cassette recorder, a circuit means for displaying the directory of programs to allow a user to select a program from the directory, a circuit for determining from the retrieved program identifier and the selected program the amount to either advance or rewind the video cassette tape to position the video cassette tape in the video cassette recorder at the beginning of the selected program, and a circuit for commanding the video cassette recorder to position the video cassette tape at the beginning of the selected program.

Abstract: An indexing VCR system which responds to broadcast information to record a program guide which may subsequently be displayed to apprise the user of programs to be broadcast during the next day or week, etc. The program guide enables the user to condition the VCR to record selected programs when they are broadcast. The program guide may also include film clips of selected programs to assist the user in making a decision as to whether he/she desires to record any particular program. The program guide is preferably recorded on the video tape in the VCR in the form of a multi-cell grid and as full frame video so that information concerning each program may be displayed in respective cells in the grid. Other information, such as the PLUSCODE.TM., address of the corresponding clip, etc., may be transmitted to the user during the VBI intervals, or by other means.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an electronic guide with video clips are provided. The method includes the step of providing a video cassette tape having a first length of video cassette tape having a first index mark written in the control track near the beginning of the first length and a second index mark written in the control track near the end of the first length, a guide grid to video clips on the video cassette tape written in the video track between the first and second index mark, and guide data written as tones in the audio track between the first and second index mark, the guide data associated with the guide grid including for each video clip contained on the video cassette tape a number of index marks either forward or backward on the tape from the guide data to the video clip.