Abstract: A memory database creation system for encrypted program material in which received encrypted material is first descrambled or decrypted and parsed to allow the generation of location identifiers for portions of the material. Once parsed, the location identifiers are stored in a database in a receiver and the material is again encrypted at the receiver prior to storage in memory. Typically, the steps of the method and system are performed at one instant thereby preventing unauthorized access to the material when it is in a descrambled or decrypted form.

Abstract: The invention relates to the simultaneous operation of items of electrical apparatus, such as but not exclusively, a broadcast data receiver and a DECT telephone system. A problem with this type of apparatus is that the operating frequencies of the same can overlap and in turn cause interference in the operation of the respective items. The invention provides a method for identifying the overlap of the RF ranges of the apparatus, and having identified the same, adjusting the operating characteristics of one of the items to allow the interference to be avoided or minimized and the opportunity for the items of apparatus to be combined into one unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) from data transmitted to a receiver location. The EPG is generated from the data for display on a screen. The receiver of the data for the programs to be displayed and to which the EPG relates is capable of interrupting the display of the programs and saving the data in a memory for subsequent display at a later time. The present invention ensures that the EPG data is adjusted in accordance with the data held in the memory so as to continue to be synchronized with the programs which can be displayed.

Abstract: A television system comprising a television set with at least one television tuner, and a broadcast data receiver for selective operation to receive data for the generation of one of a number of selectable television channels, and a detector to detect spectral emissions from the television tuner. The spectral emissions are a value from the local oscillator to allow identification of an analogue channel selected for display by the user. The broadcast data receiver is controlled to decode and process digital data relating to the identified analogue channel and display the processed digital data to produce the selected channel via the television system.

Abstract: A broadcast data receiver (BDR) is provided and a method of using the BDR for the production of a pseudo stable reference control for the reliable generation of composite video signals. The BDR receives video, audio and/or auxiliary data from a broadcaster can stored a part of all of the data in storage means, typically in the form of a hard disk drive. When the BDR is deriving video data from the hard disk due to the BDR being disconnected from the signal feed from the broadcaster, the BDR uses a pseudo stable reference produced by deriving one or more values from stable frequency information embedded in incoming data. The pseudo stable reference is used to control the frequency of a VCXO in the BDR, thereby allowing accurate color sub-carrier frequency generation for the generation of a final video output.

Abstract: A device (2) which allows for the input of visual, audio and/or auxiliary data, the processing of the data and storage of the data in the device. The device (2) is provided with a display screen (16) for the display of the visual data and/or speakers for the sounding of the audio data. The device (2) allows for the selected communication of the visual, audio and/or auxiliary data to and/or from a remote location either directly via a communications link or via a broadcast data receiver, and then via a communications link. The device (2) is of such size so as to be hand held and portable and can be located in a holder (10). The holder (10) can be provided with lighting means (12) to improve viewing of the display screen of the device and/or magnification means to allow data to be magnified and projected on a further surface (20) for viewing and/or audio means to allow for the generation of sound from received audio data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling the operation of a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with respect to a SAW filter (6) within a broadcast data receiver (BDR) (104). Over time, it is found that during normal operation of the BDR (104), the SAW filter (6) is susceptible to frequency drift which can affect the operation of the BDR. In accordance with the invention, temperature readings are taken at various time intervals from within the BDR (104) to provide an indication of changes in temperature over time and, if the temperature does change in the BDR with time then the operating frequency of the VCO can be adjusted to a predefined frequency value which is appropriate for the temperature values measured. By adjusting the operating frequency of the VCO with changes in temperature, the drift of the SAW filter (6) can be compensated for, thereby ensuring the continued operation of the BDR (104) in the required manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of electrical apparatus which has at least one printed circuit board on which electrical components are set out and a first format of connection type exposed to allow connection of further apparatus. The connections can be attached directly to further apparatus with the same connector format and allow transfer of data between further electrical apparatus or alternatively, at the time of manufacturing an adaptor can be provided which has connectors of the same format as those on the printed circuit board for connection with the said printed circuit board and a series of output connectors of a different format which can be exposed for the selective connection thereto of phono or other format connectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a graphic compression method for pixel data for a display screen and particularly a display screen provided as part of a mobile device. The method includes the splitting of pixels data for the display into quadratic groups of pixels typically 2×2 pixels, and by encoding representing the same with respect to a number of color templates, with a reduced number of bits.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package and method of transportation for items of electrical apparatus. The items are required to be packaged for transport from the manufacturing location to a storage facility and then on to an end user. At the storage facility, preinstallation checks and procedures, also called staging, are performed on the items of apparatus including, in some instances the downloading of software and control features via electrical connection. The invention avoids the conventional need to remove the items of apparatus at the storage location for the performance of the checks and procedures by providing a package with selectively removable portions which, when removed, allow the required access to the components of the apparatus without needing to remove same from the package.

Abstract: A display is generated for viewing on a display screen. The display indicates any or any combination of a function of the display screen control parameters and/or information relating to channels and/or programmes which can be viewed on the screen. The display further comprises one or more geometrical shapes, each split into a plurality of segments and the segments represent particular time intervals, programme/channel information, control parameter information or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for searching the frequency range of a digital data receiving device, said method including the steps in one embodiment of firstly identifying and disregarding analogue carrier frequencies in the range, then proceeding to estimate the initial starting frequency for a digital carrier by dynamic real-time pre-processing of the spectrum profile and then obtaining successive samples of the frequency range from the start position for the carrier until the center frequency for the carrier is located. In one embodiment the method includes the prediction of the center frequency estimations of all digital carriers for respective channels in the range prior to the search commencing. The method reduces the possibility of locking to analogue carriers, and can reduce the time required to perform a search in comparison to the current digital carrier frequency “search & lock” procedure.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of apparatus and a method for the tuning to one of a range of radio frequency signals to receive data which can subsequently be used to generate a radio or television channel selected by the user of the apparatus. The bit error rate of the output of the received radio frequency signal is monitored and, if the bit error rate exceeds the predefined bit error rate limit the apparatus is retuned to a frequency which is equivalent to the selected radio frequency signal plus or minus an offset frequency value. The bit error rate is thereafter monitored and an increase in the offset can be used if required. The invention allows a reduction in data errors which may be caused by interference from other apparatus.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) is provided for use with electrical apparatus. The PCB has a body with a surface provided for the location of electrical components thereon and electrically conductive tracks are provided for electrically connecting the component in a required arrangement. A portion of the PCB body has a test port thereon for allowing testing of functions of the PCB, electrical conductive tracks and/or electrical components. The testing portion of the PCB body provided with the test ports is detachably attached to the PCB body to allow removal therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to the processing of digital data which is transmitted by broadcasters of television programs for receipt by users of a broadcast data receiver which includes decoding the transmitted data and then processing the decoded data to generate video and/or audio displays on a television set or other form of display screen in the form of a television program. The television system allows the user to select to monitor a selected program for designated criteria and, if the criteria is/are detected, the system activates an alert for the user, stores the data for the selected program or displays the selected television program thereby allowing the user to be aware of a designated occurrence in the television program even though they were not previously watching the television or were watching another program.

Abstract: The invention to which this application relates is a television system which allows a visual or other form of indication to be generated to a user of the system that a programme which they select to watch has previously been viewed by them and is therefore a repeat showing of the programme. This prevents the user from having to try and guess whether they have previously viewed the programme before selecting the programme from, for example, an Electronic programme Guide (EPG). The system includes a database in which information for those programmes which are selected by the user to view is input and in which the information is stored for a period of time period thereafter to allow comparison with data for programmes which are subsequently selected to be viewed by the user.

Abstract: A broadcast data receiver (BDR) (10) and method of use of the same is provided. The BDR (10) receives data from a broadcaster at a remote location and processes and decodes the data to provide video, audio and/or auxiliary data. The BDR (10) is provided with a reception port/slot (8) for a SIM card (2) from a mobile phone. A smart card reader reads and processes the data stored on said SIM card memory, thereby allowing the SIM card data to be stored, viewed and/or utilized via the BDR (10) and/or display screen (14) connected or integrally formed with the BDR (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in receivers for receiving broadcast video data for generating a video display from said data and also to the method of displaying said data. The invention provides for a memory into which received data can be directed and said data may also at the same time or previously have been used to generate a video display on a display screen. The data in the memory can be called up to generate a video display thereafter and the speed of the display may be selected so as to provide, for example, a slow motion or freeze frame display. The facility allows the user to select to regenerate a display which they may already have seen at the initial video display and further to generate the display in a slow motion sequence. The memory can be updated with newly received data.

Abstract: A system for gauging, measuring or recording data. The system includes a detection mechanism external of a premises which is connected to transmit data to a device within the premises for processing or display of the data. The internal device includes a receiver for receiving and broadcasting broadcast data transmitted to a receiving device external of the premises and wherein data from the detection mechanism is carried to the internal device along the connection between the receiving device and the internal mechanism and wherein the data is processed and is accessible by at least one further control mechanism.