Abstract: A system for providing a universal remote control feature for consumer electronics devices includes an existing remote control for remotely controlling a first consumer electronics device using a first device control code and means for storing the first device control code and a second device control code within a second consumer electronics device. The system further includes means for converting the first device control code into the second device control code when using the existing remote control to control the second consumer electronics device.

Abstract: Electronic Guide products give the user the ability to videotape selected programs. Once a program has successfully been taped a message is displayed, reminding the viewer that they have taped it. (E.g. “You taped Xxxxx; have you watched it yet?”) Information comprising information that shows are taped, the particular shows taped and viewer profiles allow advertisements targeted to the viewer who typically records a given type of programming to be presented. In an embodiment the display of the reminders is made conditional upon acceptance of advertising (for example, based on a piece of data transmitted along with other data related to that show), and can be sold to the broadcasters who transmitted the show. This information is marketed as a peculiarly well-targeted ad for the show, causing it to continue to produce value for the broadcaster after the broadcast is complete.

Abstract: A television system has a television viewing mode and a guide mode. The guide mode includes an electronic program guide (EPG), which provides the viewer program information for tuned programs, and a tape index guide (TIG), which provides information for programs recorded on a video cassette. In both guides, real time images of a program are displayed in a PIP window on the television screen and guide information is displayed in the background. In both guides, the viewer may switch between a currently telecast program or a recorded program. The viewer may access either guide from the television mode and vice versa. In the guide mode, the viewer may independently switch the guide information and the type of program, i.e., tuned or recorded, in the PIP window.

Abstract: A consumer electronic device, such as a television, cable box, or VCR uses a combined serial and infrared output port. The combined port is connected to a slave peripheral device that includes a serial port and an infrared output port. The serial port of the slave peripheral device is connected to the combined serial and infrared port and the infrared output port is connected to an infrared remote control transmitter via an infrared driver signal passthrough circuit.

Abstract: Electronic Guide products give the user the ability to videotape selected programs. Once a program has successfully been taped a message is displayed, reminding the viewer that they have taped it. (E.g. “You taped Xxxxx; have you watched it yet?”) Information comprising information that shows are taped, the particular shows taped and viewer profiles allow advertisements targeted to the viewer who typically records a given type of programming to be presented. In an embodiment the display of the reminders is made conditional upon acceptance of advertising (for example, based on a piece of data transmitted along with other data related to that show), and can be sold to the broadcasters who transmitted the show. This information is marketed as a peculiarly well-targeted ad for the show, causing it to continue to produce value for the broadcaster after the broadcast is complete.

Abstract: A video tape indexing system in which program broadcast identification information is entered into the system for use in recording the program. When the program is recorded, the system stores indexing information in an index memory. The system monitors a broadcast channel for electronic program guide information that includes titles and usually channel, date, time and length for the titles. The system matches the channel, date, time and length information from the broadcast channel with the identification information entered for the program to be recorded. The title in the broadcast channel associated with the channel, date, time and length information is then associated with the indexing information for the program.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement.

Abstract: A system for restricting access to television programs comprising an input for accepting cursor movement and selection commands. The system includes a display that depicts a two dimensional matrix composed of rows and columns of tiles, wherein either the rows of tiles or the columns of tiles correspond to overall program ratings and either the rows of tiles or the columns of tiles correspond to specific program content indications and depicts highlighting of individual tiles or groups of tiles based on the cursor movement commands. The system further includes means for blocking or allowing viewing of television programs based on the overall program ratings and specific content ratings of the rows and columns corresponding the highlighted tiles when a selection command is entered into the input.

Abstract: Operation of a video cassette player is facilitated by providing a VBI decoder which decodes information, such as title, channel, date, time and length of broadcast programs and utilizing the information in providing directory of the programs as well as control of the VCR. The video cassette player is also provided with a VBI encoder for inserting control as well as directory information into the tape, either in the VBI portions of the video track or in the control track.

Abstract: A television system comprises an electronic program guide (EPG) including a picture-in-picture (PIP) window and means for returning to a last channel viewed full screen (LCF) in a television viewing mode prior to entering the guide mode. The EPG displays a program list including a listing for the LCF and text identifying it as such. This last channel listing is positioned at the top of a program list area in the guide. The viewer returns directly to the LCF in the television viewing mode by setting a cursor to the last channel listing prior to exiting the guide mode. In guides including listings for future programs, the last channel listing remains in a designated position of the program list area.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a system and method for simultaneously displaying advertisements with an electronic program guide (EPG). The system displays television schedule information in rows of schedule information items including the time and channel for at least a portion of the displayed television schedule information items. An advertisement is selected for display from a plurality of advertisements, and the selected advertisement is displayed between two rows of the schedule information items simultaneously with the displayed television schedule information items.

Abstract: A memory controller is provided that has an access priority arbiter having a memory address bus and a memory data bus for connection with one or more memories and a plurality of requester buses, each for connection to a memory requester. It also has a RAM controller for connection with a RAM connected to the memory data and address buses and/or a ROM controller for connection with a ROM connected to the memory data and address buses. Each such RAM controller and/or ROM controller are connected to the access priority arbiter with one or more control lines. The access priority arbiter receives access requests on one or more of the requester buses and grants access to the memory address and data bus to one requester bus at any one time based on logic internal to the access priority arbiter.

Abstract: A system for reprogramming a consumer electronic device includes a consumer electronic device (CED) having a CED processor and a CED memory and a CED serial port connected to the processor, the memory storing CED processor instructions and CED data. The system also includes a download module having a download processor and a download memory and a download serial port connected to the download processor. The CED processor periodically applies a signal to the CED serial port. When the download serial port is connected to the CED serial port to make a serial connection and the download processor receives one of the periodic signals from the CED processor, the download processor initiates the download of one or more of download instructions and download data from the download memory to the CED memory over the serial connection.

Abstract: Multiple channel maps are embedded in a television transmission and the appropriate channel corresponding to the particular television service used by the viewer is downloaded for use with the television receiver. Each channel map is accompanied by a channel map identifier which identifies the source of the television transmission and a geographic identifier. The source of a television transmission is automatically detected by monitoring the radio-frequency spectrum allocations of telecast stations. The geographic area identifier is determined by comparison with a user inputted geographic area identifier. The channel map having a channel map identifier corresponding to the detected television transmission source and the user inputted geographic area identifier is downloaded and stored for future use.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement over previous Electronic Programming Guides (“EPG”) in that it provides, among other things: Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG; improved viewer control of video recording of future-scheduled programming; improved features to the EPG display and navigation; parental control of the EPG display; improved television program information access by the viewer; improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach the viewer; improved product information access by the viewer; creation of a viewer's profile; utilization of viewer profile information to customize various aspects of the EPG; and utilization of viewer profile information to provide customized presentation of advertising to the viewer.

Abstract: A command controller reads and extracts predetermined key words and parameters from a configuration file. The command controller inserts digital data into a television signal according to the extracted predetermined key words and parameters. The command controller initiates a self-recovery operation to purge stored data and re-initialize the VBI inserter based on the extracted predetermined key words and parameters and time or access time. The command controller also extracts digital data from another video signal to be compared to stored diagnostic data or transmitted to another external source.

Abstract: Operation of a video cassette player is facilitated by providing a VBI decoder which decodes information, such as title, channel, date, time and length of broadcast programs and utilizing the information in providing directory of the programs as well as control of the VCR. The video cassette player is also provided with a VBI encoder for inserting control as well as directory information into the tape, either in the VBI portions of the video track or in the control track.

Abstract: A system for two-way communication between a television viewer operating a remote control unit to control a television and a television signal or other information provider located at a central site. A set-top box coupled to the television includes an infrared receiver to receive command signals from the remote control unit, a pager transmitter to transmit messages to the television signal or other information provider, and a pager receiver to receive confirmation messages from the television signal or other information provider. Also included is a controller to control reception of command signals from the remote control unit, reception of a television signal, display of the television signal on the television, translation of the command signals into messages to be sent by the pager transmitter, reception of confirmation messages from the pager receiver, and display of received confirmation messages on the television.

Abstract: Operation of a video cassette player is facilitated by providing a VBI decoder which decodes information, such as title, channel, date, time and length of broadcast programs and utilizing the information in providing directory of the programs as well as control of the VCR. The video cassette player is also provided with a VBI encoder for inserting control as well as directory information into the tape, either in the VBI portions of the video track or in the control track.

Abstract: A video tape indexing system in which program broadcast identification information is entered into the system for use in recording the program. When the program is recorded, the system stores indexing information in an index memory. The system monitors a broadcast channel for electronic program guide information that includes titles and usually channel, date, time and length for the titles. The system matches the channel, date, time and length information from the broadcast channel with the identification information entered for the program to be recorded. The title in the broadcast channel associated with the channel, date, time and length information is then associated with the indexing information for the program.