Abstract: The invention relates to improvements to the operation of a broadcast data receiver (BDR) and, in particular, to the provision of a video data amplifier and driver circuit for the processing of a received video data signal. The circuit includes a means for generating at least one compensatory value and preferably a multiplication factor. The compensatory value is added to the received video data signal as it passes through the circuit to form a combined signal. The combined signal can also be multiplied. The level of the compensatory value can alter with reference to changes in the environment of the operation of the circuit so as to take into account and minimise changes affecting the operation of the circuit and on the video signal.

Abstract: Information on Demand A broadcast data receiver for the reception of data broadcast from a remote location, processing of the data and generation of video and/or audio therefrom in the form of a television program for viewing. The receiver includes a table, such as an Event Information Table (EIT) which includes one or more strings of data. A user can request to be informed of an occurrence or occurrences of data from one or more of the strings being identified in a user-selected program. The receiver informs the user of an occurrence and/or every occurrence of said data identified in said selected program at the time of said program being broadcast. Alternatively, or in addition to, the user can select to be updated with information relating to the occurrences of data at their convenience by selecting a pre-designated button on the remote control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of video displays on a display screen from video data which is received as an encoded MPEG stream of data and then decoded and processed to be displayed. In the invention the video display can be generated in a conventional format or at least one use selectable alternative format, known as trick mode stream, such as a fast forward or fast cue display. The method of the invention allows the amount of data to be placed into the buffer memory prior to decoding and display of the data in the alternate format, to be calculated without reference to the MPEG stream information which is unavailable in the trick mode stream of data. The method therefore minimizes delay in the commencement and end of the display of the trick mode stream display format when selected by the user.

Abstract: A remote control handset (10) is provided for remote operation of a first item of electrical apparatus, such as a television set (2). The handset (10) has means for sending a signal to the TV set (2) to control at least one function thereof. The remote control handset (10) operates at least one further item of electrical apparatus, such as a broadcast data receiver (BDR) (4), and the TV set and the BDR communicate via a SCART connector. The remote control handset (10) is able to operate the BDR and the TV set by actuating the function switching pin (pin 8) (14) of the SCART connector.

Abstract: A broadcast data receiver (BDR) for receiving video, audio and/or auxiliary data from a broadcaster is provided. The video audio and/or auxiliary data relates to programme information. The BDR allows a user to select a particular point in a programme, data relating to the selected point being stored in memory means in or connected to the receiver. When the programme is repeated, the BDR recognises the selected point in the programme and informs the user that the selected point has been reached or is due to be reached in a pre-determined period of time.

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: The present invention provides a method of producing a user interface translation system for an electronic device, such as a broadcast cast data receiver (BDR). The BDR is connected to a television set for display of the user interface. The method includes the steps of attaching a unique label to each language component of the user interface. Data relating to each unique label of the language components is recorded into storage means, together with equivalent translations of each language component into at least one other language. The recorded data is linked with the user interface so that each unique label of the interface matches with an equivalent unique label of the recorded data. Upon user-selection of one of the available language, the required translation of the language components is inserted into the user interface from the recorded data corresponding to the equivalent unique labels.

Abstract: A broadcast data receiver (BDR) (4) communicates with at least one telephone line (10). The telephone line (10) includes a voicemail service and the voice mail service is driven from said BDR (4). An audio and/or visual indication is generated via speakers or a display screen (6) forming part of or communicating with the BDR (4) to inform a user when one or more voicemail messages have been detected. The user can access the voicemail messages via the BDR (4) or via a telephone handset (14) in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A data reader for reading data provided as part of a barcode (2). The barcode (2) includes a plurality of black bars (6) and white spaces (8) in a pre-determined arrangement (4), with characters in the form of numbers (10) represented by the pre-determined arrangement (4) provided adjacent the arrangement. The data reader is provided with image capture and processing means to identify the barcode (2) and/or the numbers (10), capture at least one image of the numbers (10) and process the at least one image to identify the numbers (10) and read data represented by the numbers. The data is then used by the data reader to identify an item or items to which the barcode (2) corresponds or one or more attributes of the item.

Abstract: The invention which is the subject of this application is to provide for the dynamic adjustment of the display of a graphic display on a display screen, such as that of a television set. Typically, the display screen shows a video display such as that of a television programme generated from received video data such as via a broadcast data receiver, DVD, VCR or the like. On occasion and typically in response to a user selection a graphic display can be generated and overlaid on the video display to provide information to the user. Changes in the video display to take into account different video display formats and/or the particular format of the display screen can cause the graphic display to be unacceptable but this is avoided in the current invention which allows the graphic display to be altered with respect to the format such that it is visible and in a preferred form.

Abstract: Channel selection procedure for a mobile communication device A method of controlling a mobile communication device, such as a mobile telephone, to operate at or over one or more predetermined frequency values or ranges depending on the geographical location. The method includes the steps of determining where the mobile communication device is in terms of geographical location using GSM network information, identifying frequency values or ranges available in the geographical location at which the device can operate and configuring the mobile communication device to operate at one of the identified frequency values or ranges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a television system and to the generation on the screen and/or audibly, of an indicator to a user of the system of the commencement of a commercial break on a particular channel and/or the end of the break. Various options are also provided to the user which may include any or any combination of, accessing a related internet site, viewing other channels or temporarily pausing recording of data when the indication is generated.

Abstract: A method of indicating data quality provided to a digital data receiver. The digital data receiver is typically a broadcast data receiver or set top box receiving digital data from a remote location. The method employs a Forward Error Correction (FEC) method of turbo decoding of the received data, with received data being decoded and errors detected using one or more turbo code decoding stages. The method includes the steps of monitoring and/or measuring error output produced from each of the turbo code decoding stages to obtain an error value at each stage. The error value from each stage is used to calculate a bit error rate (BER) which in turn is used to indicate signal quality using BDR vs Eb/No relationship.

Abstract: The invention which is the subject of the application relates to a television system apparatus and method wherein the broadcast data receiver includes at least two tuners. Each tuner is controllable to tune to a frequency of a known RF carrier for data relating to one or a plurality of selectable television channels. In order to avoid or reduce the delay which can appear on screen when the user selects to change channels a method and apparatus is provided whereby, based upon previous user channel selection patterns, the apparatus predicts the channel which is next to be selected and if one of the tuners is free, that tuner is controlled to tune to the RF carrier frequency for the predicted channel such that the data for that channel is available, should the channel subsequently be selected by the user.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring voltage across an isolation barrier. The apparatus includes a voltage input and a voltage output and an opto-isolator provided between the voltage input and voltage output. Processing means are provided at the voltage output to measure and/or monitor pulse width. A Circuit arrangement including two transistors and two resistors is provided to allow a substantially constant current to flow through the opto-isolator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing signal reception for a broadcast data receiver. Broadcast Data Receivers are used to receive digital data transmitted from a remote location, process the same and then generate video, audio and auxiliary services. However the Broadcast data receiver is typically located in a household and can be susceptible to general and/or local conditions which affect the reception of the data signals at different frequencies. The present invention provides a method for optimizing the signal reception at the broadcast data receiver location by allowing the analysis of amplitude gain control levels of the broadcast data receiver and then selecting the amplitude gain control levels and/or other levels which optimize the quality of the received signal at each frequency.

Abstract: A television system and method of generating a display for a television system is provided. The television system includes a broadcast data receiver (BDR) (4) connected to or integrally formed with a display screen (6). The BDR (4) receives digital data from a broadcaster at a remote location and decodes and processes the data to provide video, audio and/or auxiliary data relating to a number of channels and/or programmes. In addition, the BDR is provided with a hard disk drive (10) connected to or integrally formed therewith for the selective processing and storage of the received data. Transmission of data for channels on which new and changing data is broadcast for a limited period of time, in any given time period, is identified by the broadcast data receiver. In those time periods outside the given time period, the BDR generates a display on the display screen (6) for the channels from data held in the hard disk drive (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to the provision of a broadcast data receiver for use in receiving digital data providing any or any combination of video, audio or auxiliary data. The broadcast data receiver receives the data via satellite, cable and/or terrestrial transmission systems via a number of RF carriers. The broadcast data receiver includes at least two tuners which can be controlled to receive data on specific data carriers at specified frequencies in response to user selections when operating a broadcast data receiver. In some instances, at least one of the tuners may not be required to receive data at a specific frequency and, in these instances, in accordance with the invention, the tuner is utilized to scan the available frequency bandwidth for service information and to store said service information for subsequent use. The invention therefore allows the utilization of a tuner when not in primary use for a useful service.

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).