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: 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 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: A mobile communications device control system is provided. The system is for use with a device capable of receiving and transmitting data in the form of calls or messages. The device is provided with receiving means for receiving a signal from a location (2), processing the signal and altering the operating condition of the device in accordance with the received signal. The signal emitted from the location (2) is effective within a localised, determinable area (8) of the location, thereby providing a localised controlling effect on the operation of the device.

Abstract: The invention to which this application relates is to improvements in electronic programme guides (EPG) which are service provided, in digital broadcast data television systems, to users of the system to indicate to the user the programmes available for selection at the instant of viewing or in the future. The invention provides additional useful and practical information relating to a user selected programme in the form of video and/or audio and/or auxiliary information via an on-screen display.

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 present invention relates to a method and system for selecting the particular location for the storage of e-mails or other electronic documents in a storage means. Conventionally electronic documents are stored in a manner which allows the same to be identified and retrieved from a multilayered, or hierarchical storage structure. The present invention allows the electronic documents to be stored in a selected location with the selection being made by comparison of predefined attributes of the storage location with attributes of the document. Weighting values can also be allocated to the locations and the attributes and weighting values can be revised following the receipt and storage of a document.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of an on-screen display and a control system for the same which allows the known problems in display which can occur to be avoided. Upon change of at least part of an OSD, the system continues until a request to redraw the display is received. At this stage, if the Vsync signal of the display screen has occurred since the change the redraw occurs immediately, thereby avoiding unnecessary delay.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for controlling the storage of data. The data is broadcast to and received by a broadcast data receiver and the receiver is provided with or connected to memory in which the data, including video data is to be stored. At an instant decided by any or any combination of control parameters, a portion of the data held in the memory is selected, compressed/recompressed and stored in the memory in the compressed condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a television system incorporating a display screen (2), broadcast data receiver (3), remote control device (6) and the generation of an EPG on screen which provides information relating to programs and channels which can be viewed. In accordance with the invention the user can select one or a number of said channels and/or programs from said EPG and designate a button or button configuration on the remote control (6) for each selected channel/program or a number of selected channels/programs. The selected channel(s)/program(s) typically relate to pre-defined criteria, such as subject matter categories, user-favorite channels or similar. Once designated the user can then subsequently select a channel/program for display by depression of the appropriate button or button configuration.

Abstract: Web browser apparatus, typically located in a broadcast data receiver (BDR), and a method of use thereof is provided. The web browser apparatus includes a communications link to an internet service provider, and allows the user selection of an internet site and the generation and rendering of one or a number of pages of the internet site on a display screen connected to or forming part of the BDR. One or more of said web pages typically including one or more images. The BDR includes storage means in which data indicating the size or sizes of one or more images used in a selected internet site web page is/are extracted from the web page data using the web browser apparatus and stored in the storage means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system which allows the transfer of data between first and second remote locations. In one embodiment the transfer is between apparatus in the form of telephone apparatus at each location. In a second embodiment the transfer of data is performed via apparatus in the form of two broadcast data receivers allocating the data as part of an e-mail transmission, but in both cases the data is transferred between a device and apparatus at the first location and subsequently from the apparatus to apparatus at the second location via a telecommunications link, where the data is typically transferred from the apparatus at the second location to a further device.

Abstract: A television system (2) and method of using the same is provided. The television system (2) includes a display screen (6) and a broadcast data receiver (BDR) (4) for receiving data from a broadcaster and generating audio, visual and/or auxiliary data therefrom. At least part of the data relates to television programme and/or channel information. The television system (2) is provided with a search facility, typically in the BDR (4), to search and analyse the programme and/or channel information, relating to a programme and/or channel which is selected for viewing by a user, for pre-determined criteria. The system generates an indication, which in one form can be in the form of a warning, if the pre-determined criteria are detected in the programme and/or channel information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a television system of the type which includes a display screen, a broadcast data receiver for the reception of video, audio and auxiliary data from a broadcast service provider and the generation of television programmes therefrom for display on the display screen and via speakers. The system allows a user to select a viewing time period in which they wish to watch a programme, typically in its entirety. The system identifies those of the available programmes at the start of the viewing time period which can be watched in their entirety in said period and indicates the same to the user who can then select to watch the same or one of the same. The user can therefore quickly select a television programme for a given period of time thereby greatly reducing the time which may be spent flicking through channels to find a suitable programme.

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.