Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a cooling effect on components (6) of electrical apparatus which are mounted on an upper surface (8) of a printed circuit board (4) within a housing (2). The invention provides for the mounting of a material layer (12) which can absorb or otherwise dissipate heat and the invention allows the mounting of the said material (12) beneath the printed circuit board (4) within the housing (2) in position to provide improved cooling effect without contacting the components (6) themselves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a television system which typically includes a broadcast data receiver connected to or provided integrally with a television display screen. The system is provided with an internet capability and the invention allows the user of the capability to identify information relating to each of the internet page windows which are live and selectable for display across the screen at that instant by the generation of an information display which includes bibliographic data for each of the page windows. This therefore allows the system which hallows only one page window to be viewed at a time on the screen to be more user friendly.

Abstract: Electrical apparatus comprising a number of components or functions is connected to a control system by a ribbon cable. The ribbon cable includes a first line, which carries a signal or data to control the operation of a first component or function, and at least a second line, which carries a signal or data to control the operation of at least a second component or function. An additional signal or data is injected along the first line from the control system which has the effect of reducing the effect of noise from the signal or data passing along the at least second line, on the signal or data passing along the first line.

Abstract: A signal sequencing control means is provided for an electronic device. The sequencing control means includes an electronic circuit (2) and timing means, to allow a sequence of control signals to be activated in a pre-determined order for operation of the device and deactivated in a reverse order for disabling the device. The electronic circuit is driven to generate the sequence of control signals in a forward and reverse direction along the same circuit path. The electronic circuit can be a smart card.

Abstract: A television system includes a display screen (2) and a broadcast data receiver (4) for receiving digital data via terrestrial, cable or digital means from a broadcaster (6) and generating visual/audio and/or auxiliary data therefrom. The broadcaster (6) and/or broadcast data receiver (4) is provided with memory for storing program information, which can include subtitle and/or closed caption data. The television system is provided with a search tool/facility to allow a user to search the memory by generating a user request for program information. The television system is capable of matching the user request with any corresponding program information in the memory for display on the display screen (2).

Abstract: A broadcast data receiver includes at least two tuners, each tuner controllable to receive a user selectable data transmission, such as a video and/or audio channel, independently of the other. The user can select to combine the data transmission from the first tuner with the data transmission from the at least second tuner to provide a customized merged data ouput.

Abstract: A front panel display (6) for an electronic device. The front panel display (6) indicates the operational status of the device, such as a broadcast data receiver, to a user. The illumination and/or brightness of the display (6) is/are user adjustable and/or adjustable depending on the status of the device and/or ambient lighting in the locality of the device.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of user selected pages from an internet site and the delay in the reformatting of the same following a user selection of a new data event i.e. the selection of a new page which is to be displayed. In accordance with the invention, upon a user selection, reformatting of the page is delayed either for a predesignated time interval from the previous page reformatting or until all or a predefined amount of the data for the new page has been received. This allows the processor to be controlled hence preventing delays and/or errors in navigational functions and also can reduce the generation of “flicker” on the on-screen display.

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: A broadcast data receiver for generating an on screen display and a method of generating the display is provided. The receiver includes recording media on which received data can be stored for subsequent selective retrieval, control means for controlling the operation of the recording media and processing means for processing of the received data to generate video and/or auxiliary data for display on a display screen. The receiver further includes a means to generate a display on screen (3). The display is generated upon user selection of one of a range of operating functions of the recording media to indicate to a user that the recording media is performing a function.

Abstract: Electrical apparatus, such as a printed circuit board for a broadcast data receiver, is provided. The apparatus includes a number of components (4; 12) which are required to be interconnected in a manner to allow the transmission of data therebetween. At least two of these components (4; 12) are provided with communication means to allow communication of data and the communication means are in the form of a light emitter and receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a means for preventing interference and the occurrence of “sliding collisions” when two or more DECT communication systems are used in relatively close proximity The invention provides for the connection of the DECT systems to a data communication network along which a timing reference signal is carried such that the DECT systems connected to the network are synchronised. In one embodiment further steps can be taken to adapt the timing reference signal to take into account changes in the distance from the respective DECT systems to the data communication system head end at which the timing reference is generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the generation of television channels and which allows the generation of the same by the processing and selection of designated packets of data from multiple data transport streams, with each transport stream including numerous packets of data. In each transport stream the packet of data is identified by the allocation of a packet identification Code (PID) and each is held in the transport packet which is transmitted as part of each transport stream. In accordance with the invention, and in order to prevent errors and inaccurate packet selection, a Transport Stream Identification Code (TSID) is allocated to each of the transport streams of data received. Typically the TSID is located in the transport packet for each transport stream of data. In the selection of a packet of data, the appropriate TSID is referred to identify the appropriate transport stream and the PID then referred to identify the packet of data from that transport stream.

Abstract: A method is provided for delivery of ordered goods to a secure location. The secure location at a premises (3) is accessed by securing means (10) which can be opened by the input of a security code. The method includes the generation of a security code at the time of ordering the goods from a retailer (5). The generated security code is communicated to the deliverer of the goods and to the securing means (10) at the secure location and input of the security code by the deliverer into the security means causes the security means to be opened and the ordered goods to be located in the secure location. The order can be placed using a broadcast data receiver (2).

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 the provision of a system and control means which allows the storage and subsequent retrieval of data on a storage means such as, for example, a storage means in the form of, and known as, a hard disk drive. Furthermore the invention is related to the storage of data in the form of video, audio and/or auxiliary data which is transmitted from a remote location and received by receiver apparatus for the processing and subsequent generation of video, audio, and/or auxiliary data via a television screen connected to or including the receiver. In some instances the data is not decoded and displayed immediately and the decoding and/or the display of the data, when it does occur may be obtained from the storage means. The control system of the storage means includes a First In First Out (FIFO) buffer which in conjunction with a Central Processing Unit (CPU) controls the generation of the control signals and the storage of the incoming data.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus including a display screen and receiver apparatus for the reception of broadcast data from a remote location. The receiver is typically provided with a range of user selectable options which are selectable with reference to a display generated on screen. The invention allows for the generation of a number of displays of options and, furthermore for the generation of at least one display icon to indicate that further displays of options are available to be viewed thereby ensuring that the viewer can be aware of and view all of the available options. In a further embodiment a second set of icons are generated for those options in the first display which can be selected and the icons in the second set are each positioned with respect to an available icon in the display and indicate the action required by the user to select the said option.

Abstract: Electrical apparatus comprising a number of components or functions is connected to a control system by a ribbon cable. The ribbon cable includes a first line, which carries a signal or data to control the operation of a first component or function, and at least a second line, which carries a signal or data to control the operation of at least a second component or function. An additional signal or data is injected along the first line from the control system which has the effect of reducing the effect of noise from the signal or data passing along the at least second line, on the signal or data passing along the first line.