Abstract: An apparatus and method for parental control of television programs. Program schedule information including program titles are stored in a memory and displayed on a monitor. Compressed code is entered for the programs to be blocked. Alternatively, one or more program titles are selected from the displayed program schedule information for blocking by a parental control circuitry connected to a controller.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing programming and other information to television viewers for enabling them to control their respective television receivers. A central broadcasting computer and associated memory gathers and stores the information to be provided, and broadcasts it in a viewing area. An information receiver positioned in close proximity to the television is linked to said central broadcasting computer to receive signals representing said information from said central broadcasting computer. The received signals are converted video displays viewable on the television receiver's screen, and the user can use the displays to control the television receiver and other devices, such as video cassette recorders, used with the television receiver.

Abstract: Encoded video recorder/player timer preprogramming information listed in a television calendar allows a timer preprogramming feature on a video cassette recorder VCR to be programmed using a compressed coded indication of as few as 1 to 8 digits, which are decoded by a decoder built into either the video cassette recorder or a remote controller to convert the compressed coded indication into channel, date, time and length information. The channel, date, time and length information is communicated to a VCR and used to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television program with the corresponding channel, date, time and length. Alternatively, the channel, date, time and length information is decoded directly in a remote controller and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands are sent to the VCR at the appropriate times. An encoder, which may be implemented on a computer, is used to generate the compressed coded indications.

Abstract: A system capable of automatically recording television programs broadcast on different cable television channels. The system includes a cable box, a video recorder and a cable programmer. The consumer enters sets of channel, date, time-of-day and length commands ("CDTL information") or compressed codes representative of such sets of commands into the video recorder. From each set of commands, subsets of date, time-of-day and length ("DTL information") are stored in the video recorder's memory. At the same time or shortly thereafter, a subset of channel, date and time-of-day commands ("CDT information") from the same set of commands is transmitted to the cable programmer. The cable programmer and video recorder have independent control circuits the control certain aspects of the recording process according to the subsets of commands stored in their memories.

Abstract: Digital compressed codes, associated with advertisements enable a user to selectively record additional information, which would be broadcast on a television channel at a later time. The advertisement could be print advertisement or broadcast advertisement on television or radio. The user enters the digital code (I code) associated with an advertisement into a unit with a decoding means which automatically converts the code into CTL (channel, time and length). The unit within a twenty four hour period activates a VCR to record information on the television channel at the right time for the proper length of time. The decoded channel, time and length information can be communicated directly to a VCR and used by the VCR directly to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television information broadcast corresponding to the communicated channel, time and length.

Abstract: Encoded video recorder/player timer preprogramming information listed in a television calendar allows a timer preprogramming feature on a video cassette recorder VCR to be programmed using a compressed code of as few as 1 to 8 digits, which are decoded by a decoder built into either the video cassette recorder or a remote controller to convert the compressed code into channel, date, time and length information. The channel, date, time and length information is communicated to a VCR and used to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television program with the corresponding channel, date, time and length. Alternately, the channel, date, time and length information is decoded directly in a remote controller and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands are sent to the VCR at the appropriate times.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for parental control of television programs. Program schedule information including program titles are stored in a memory and displayed on a monitor. Compressed code is entered for the programs to be blocked. Alternatively, one or more program titles are selected from the displayed program schedule information for blocking by a parental control circuitry connected to a controller.

Abstract: A system is provided for programming home electronic devices. The system includes a computer for converting information needed to program the electronic device which is communicated from the consumer to a representative at the site of the computer into data for programming the home electronic device. The computer communicates the programming data over telephone lines to a programming module at the consumer's location which receives the data communicated over the telephone lines from the computer. The programming module is then coupled to a home electronic device using a plug and socket, infrared link, AC line modulation or some other method of transferring data and the programming data communicated to the programming module from the computer is transferred to the home electronic device. The system is especially appropriate for data which must be programmed into a home electronic device as part of its initial setup.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selecting channels on a television system by theme.

Abstract: The encoded television receiver timer pre-programming indicia listed on reverse side of a program schedule page allows a timer pre-programming feature on a television or, in particular, a video cassette recorder (VCR) to be programmed. The control indicia are decoded by a decoder built into either the video cassette recorder or controller, which convert the indicia into channel, date, time and length information for timer preprogramming. The channel, date, time and length information is communicated to the VCR to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television program with the corresponding channel, date, time and length. Alternately, the channel, date, time and length information is decoded directly in the controller and appropriately sent to the VCR for recording a program. The program schedule pages with control indicia utilized with the present invention can be printed in advance and used with a VCR or controller with the decoding.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for programming a controller for selection, from a plurality a set of infra red (IR) codes, set of IR codes for subsequent control of IR signal communication with a video cassette recorder (VCR). Each set of IR codes is for communicating with a different corresponding VCR. To this end, each such VCR has a tuner, which, when tuned to an actual channel of broadcast video signals, provides video signals derived from the actual channel to a video output thereof. A signal is provided to the VCR where the signal is predetermined by a selected IR code which is selected from one of the sets of IR codes. This causes the VCR to perform a predetermined operation. The video output of the VCR is monitored for a predetermined signal condition, such as a video signal being present, or for a label broadcast in the video signals. A set of IR codes is then selected for subsequent signal communication with the VCR.

Abstract: A video time-shifting system characterized in having a continuous recording track accessed by separate, asychronous read and write facilities enables playback of a video program to commence from any point in the program while continuing to be recorded in real time, thus providing VCR-like program control features such as PAUSE/RESUME, REWIND, and FAST FORWARD. A memory is used to store information relating to various points in the program so that even upon receipt of multiple PAUSE commands, the system automatically keeps track of correct program re-entry. In the preferred embodiment, the storage means takes the form of a continuous recording track in a magnetic disk drive.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selecting channels on a television system by theme.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording and reading magnetic tape that contains audio signals and data that is related to the audio signals. In the preferred embodiment, the audio signals are music, and the related data are lyrics to the music displayed in real time to the music as it is being played. The lyrics are modulated onto an ultrasonic carrier signal and mixed with the audio signal on one track of the tape. The tape may be played on a conventional tape recorder without having interference from the recorded data at ultrasonic frequencies. In a suitably equipped tape player, the mixed signal is read and filtered to generate a high pass filtered signal and a bandpass filtered signal. The bandpass filtered signal filters out frequencies outside the range of human hearing to generate an audio signal. The high pass filtered signal is demodulated by the carrier frequency to reconstruct the lyrics.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for synchronizing a clock to a network clock. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a device for receiving a first compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a first program on a first day and on a first channel currently displayed on a television, a decoder for decoding the first compressed code into a first channel, a first time-of-day, and a first length of time, a device for receiving an end of program indication for the program, and a device for loading the sum of the first time-of-day and the first length of time into the clock calendar in response to receiving the end of program indication.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a video system. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a remote controller including a device for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card, and the type code printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero, and the input data card including a plurality of printed input data, each input data printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero. The apparatus further includes a television for storing the received input data and the type code and for enabling viewing of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time.

Abstract: A method and system for downloading initial setup data to an apparatus for controlling at least one appliance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling turning on and off appliances. The method for operating a remote controller includes the steps of selecting a first one of a plurality of appliances including a television to control, selecting to send a power toggle command, measuring a time between a user selecting a first one of a plurality of appliances to control and the user selecting to send a power toggle command, comparing the measured time to a predetermined time, and sending the power toggle command to the television, if the measured time is greater than the predetermined time, otherwise, if the measured time is less than the predetermined time, sending the power toggle command to the selected first one of a plurality of appliances to control.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for television audience monitoring includes an apparatus and method for determining that a television is turned on. Compressed codes, each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel and a time-of-day for a program are retrieved from a television signal received by the television. Each compressed code is decoded and expanded into a channel and time-of-day for a program. The channel and time-of-day for a program are stored when the apparatus for determining that a television set is turned on indicates that the television set is turned on. Alternately, the compressed codes are stored. The decoding and expanding of the compressed code into channel and time-of-day is performed as a function of the clock output. Upon command the stored channel and time-of-day for a program or the stored compressed code for a program are sent over a telephone line.