Abstract: Method and apparatus for using a wide screen television receiver operating at 2f.sub.H as a VGA or SVGA monitor. The VGA or SVGA board in a computer is programmed to generate an RGB video signal representing a picture having fewer than a normal number of horizontal lines than a conventional VGA or SVGA picture having a 4:3 format display ratio, in order to define a picture having a wide format display ratio, for example 16:9. The separate synchronizing signals of the RGB video signal are converted in polarity and phase, as necessary, to a form recognizable by a video processing circuit of the wide screen television receiver.

Abstract: A controller and media-reader are used to identify various physical or logical characteristics of data stored on a pre-recorded medium. These characteristics may include, e.g., the kind of medium, the kind of data, the way the data is segmented or separated, the size of any data segments, the total amount of data or physical size of the medium carrying the data. A controller then compares the identified set of characteristics to stored sets of characteristics which are associated with respective content-identifiers. A successful comparison yields content-identifiers applicable to the data stored on the pre-recorded medium. These content identifiers may be, e.g., information identifying the titles and length of audio or video programs included on the media. The stored sets of characteristic and content identifiers may be located at a remote site.

Abstract: The absence of MPEG processing in a consumer digital recorder player may preclude on-screen message display of recorder status. Various methods are disclosed which facilitate the on-screen display of recorder player status messages. A first embodiment returns a reproduced decoded, analog video signal (102) to the digital recorder player (200) for insertion of status messages. In a further embodiment recorder message data (221) is coupled to the digital signal decoder (100,117,520) for inclusion with the decoded analog video signal (102). In a another embodiment a recorder message command (TAG/CMD) is coupled to the decoder (100,510) to access recorder specific graphical messages. In yet a further embodiment, recorder message data (221) is tagged and coupled to the decoder (100,510) to select recorder specific graphical messages if available or to display recorder message data.

Abstract: Packetized program information used in video processing and storage medium formats includes multiple text strings. A decoder decodes packetized program information containing multiple text strings associated with a program. The decoder determines from a first indicator in the packetized program information a type of coding and compression employed in encoding a first text string. The decoder decodes the first text string with a decoding function selected in accordance with the determined type of coding and assembles decoded text string elements to form an output text string.

Abstract: A selection or display feature of a jukebox containing a plurality of storage media, such as CDs, is automatically programmed by determining a content-related profile of information stored on a medium and, utilizing the profile, retrieving content-descriptive information and utilizing the content-descriptive information. A screen display generator performs diskography on, e.g., an audio or video disk, to determine a disk profile, compares the disk profile to those stored in either a local or remote database, receives associated program descriptive data and incorporates the program descriptive data into a menu for display and selection.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting an MPEG-2 bitstream into an SMPTE-259 compatible bitstream is characterized by a frame rate converter which is selectively enabled to drop every 1001st frame of the incoming MPEG-2 bitstream depending on the input bitstream frame rate. If the input bitstream frame rate is other than 29.97 or 59.94 Hz, a frame dropper is enabled to discard every 1001st frame. The present converter can convert many different types of input bitstreams, such as all I types, IPIP types, or complex GOP types containing I, P, and B frames. The enabled frame dropper will drop either the I or P frame if it occurs as the 1001st frame, but if the 1001st frame is of the B frame type, the pixel information of the B frame is dropped. This produces a minimum in loss of information during the conversion. The format converter allows existing SMPTE-259 routing equipment to route and utilize MPEG-2 bitstreams, such as HDTV applications.

Abstract: A data bus system is disclosed, including a plurality of nodes coupled together by a daisy chain bus. Each node includes a first and a second bus connection, each having a first and second bidirectional terminal. An arbitration logic is coupled between the first and second bus connection. The node operates in an arbitration mode, during an arbitration time interval, in which the first bidirectional terminal in the first bus connection, and the second bidirectional terminal in the second bus connection are configured to be input terminals, and the second bidirectional terminal in the first bus connection and the first bidirectional terminal in the second bus connection are configured to be output terminals. Then the node operates in a bus access mode in which the first and second bidirectional terminals in the respective first and second bus connections, are both configured to be one of input and output terminals.

Abstract: A video display with data bus control has a standby and an operate condition. The video display comprises a microprocessor having a bi-directional data bus and is selectably operable in one of the operate and standby modes. A power supply is controllably coupled to the microprocessor for supplying power in one of the operate and the standby modes. An integrated circuit is coupled to the power supply and has bi-directional data bus control capability. A coupling device is responsive to the power supply and couples the bi-directional data bus to the integrated circuit in response to the operate mode and isolates the bi-directional data bus in response to the standby mode.

Abstract: A decoder conditional access system incorporates different encryption systems for providing access to programs derived from different sources. A conditional access processor for processing encrypted program data and an associated encryption code includes a first algorithm means for decrypting the encryption code to provide an encryption key. The conditional access processor also includes a second algorithm means for encrypting the encryption key and the second encryption algorithm is different to the first encryption algorithm. A datastream representing the program is generated from encrypted program data and an associated encryption code. The encryption code is decrypted to provide an encryption key using a first algorithm. The encryption key is encrypted using a second algorithm different to the first encryption algorithm and the program datastream is formed from the encrypted program data and the encrypted encryption key.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a luminescent screen structure 22 with a light-absorbing matrix 23, having a plurality of substantially equally sized openings therein, on an inner surface of a CRT faceplate panel 12. A color selection electrode 24 is spaced a distance, Q, from the inner surface. The method includes providing a first photoresist layer 50, whose solubility is altered when it is exposed to light, on the inner surface of the faceplate panel 12. The first photoresist layer 50 is exposed to light from two symmetrically located source positions +G and -G, relative to a central source position, 0. Then the more soluble regions 54 of the photoresist layer 50 are removed, overcoated with a light-absorbing material 58 and developed to remove the retained, less soluble regions 52 of the first photoresist layer with the light-absorbing material thereon. First guardbands 60 of light-absorbing material remain on the interior surface of the faceplate panel 12.

Abstract: In order to compensate for currents which are induced in a convergence yoke (16) by a deflection yoke (14), a pulse of current is injected into an amplifier (26) which receives the convergence waveform (from 28) so as to correct or compensate for the induced current. One way of generating the compensating pulse is by delaying a horizontal retrace pulse (36).

Abstract: An improved color picture tube includes a glass envelope comprising a faceplate panel, a funnel and a neck. The faceplate panel has four sides and four corners and includes a transparent rectangular faceplate, having a cathodoluminescent screen on an interior surface thereof, and a sidewall peripherally extending from the faceplate. The end of the sidewall facing the funnel has a seal land that is sealed to the funnel. The improvement comprises the sidewall seal land having a varied width around the periphery of the panel, wherein the widest portions of the sidewall seal land are located along the panel sides and the narrowest portions of the sidewall seal land are located at the corners of the panel. The width of the sidewall seal land is from 5% to 17% less in the corners of the panel than at the centers of the sides of the panel.

Abstract: An on-screen display system for displaying instructions for guiding a user to utilize various features of a consumer electronics product such as a television receiver or VCR, includes a memory for storing both uncompressed text data and compressed text data, and an associated microprocessor for retrieving the text data, decompressing it if necessary, and presenting it to a display buffer. Text data compression is in part accomplished by a dictionary containing text data representing commonly used text "strings" comprising one or more words which is stored in the memory. Code words related to the location of respective dictionary entries in memory are substituted for respective uncompressed text data.

Abstract: In a video display operable at multiple horizontal scanning frequencies, a synchronized high voltage generator is substantially undisturbed during synchronizing source selection or interruption. The generator comprises a controlled oscillator generating a drive signal. A source of pulses synchronizes the controlled oscillator and has a plurality of scanning frequencies. A high voltage generator is coupled to the drive signal and generates a display energizing supply. The scanning frequencies occur in two frequency bands, and when synchronized the oscillator generates the drive signal having a frequency only in a higher frequency band of the two frequency bands. In a further inventive arrangement a high voltage generator for a video display is operable at a plurality of horizontal scanning frequencies and is controlled such that the high voltage supply remains substantially constant during an interruption of horizontal scanning pulses from the source.