Abstract: Apparatus for asynchronously generating control signals (CONTROL) is disclosed including a plurality of sources (5) of asynchronous data signals and a plurality of data processing channels (10, 14), each processing one of the data signals in response to a control signal (CONTROL). Each of a plurality of parameter determining circuits (10, 16) produces a signal (COMPLEXITY) representing a parameter of one of the data signals. A data sampler (30) samples the signals (COMPLEXITY) from all of parameter determining circuits (10, 16) substantially simultaneously at predetermined sampling time intervals. A control signal generator (30) generates control signals (CONTROL) for the data processing channels (10, 14) having values based on the sampled parameter representative signals (COMPLEXITY) and the preceding sampling time interval.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving and rendering Unicode text in multiple languages on a set top box is disclosed. The system includes a set top box which receives an application program from a broadcast station. The set top box executes the application program. The application program includes Unicode character encoding text for display on a television coupled to the set top box. An operating environment running on the set top box includes a Unicode encoding engine which the application program invokes to display Unicode text. The encoding engine determines the language of characters in the text and invokes a rendering engine corresponding to the language of each character, thus enabling characters from different languages to be mixed in the same text string. The rendering engine has specific knowledge of the language, such as rendering direction and context.

Abstract: A digital video system receives a digital bitstream representing video and audio information and containing a plurality of packetized data programs in a data format and includes data units related to the selection of individual programs and individual packetized datastreams associated with a program. The system includes a first processor responsive to the bitstream for capturing program guide information and a second processor responsive to the bitstream for capturing selected program data. The program guide data includes a base data unit for selecting a first program and a second data unit of predetermined offset to the base data unit for selecting a second program. The second processor captures program data by capturing data with identifiers matching an identifier determined from the data units.

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching for specific television programs which satisfy certain criteria concerning a user's viewing preferences, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus generates a list of such television programs in order to predict for the viewer certain programs which may be of interest. In a first embodiment of the invention the apparatus stores information about the particular television shows which the user watches, as search criteria. In a second embodiment of the invention the search criteria is editable by the viewer to further refine the searches.

Abstract: A consumer digital video cassette recorder may record an advanced television signal having an MPEG like signal format. The predictive nature of the MPEG like signal format requires that additional I frame data be generated and recorded together with a normal a play speed data stream to facilitate non-standard speed, or trick play reproduction. Additional I frame data streams are generated specifically for each replay speed and are written within recorded tracks to facilitate reproduction at the predetermined speeds. Various inventive methods for the derivation of full resolution and reduced resolution trick play data streams are disclosed. Inventive trick play data stream generation is disclosed for real time recording by consumer apparatus and non-real time normal and trick play data stream generation for use with pre-recorded digital media.

Abstract: Apparatus for sampling a signal parameter of a plurality of data signals is disclosed which comprises a plurality of sources (5) of data signals. Each data signal includes sequential groups of data. Each group of data in all of the data signals has the same fixed predetermined time duration, and includes sequential blocks of data. A plurality of parameter determining circuits (16) are each responsive to a respective one of the data signals, and produce sequential signals (COMPLEXITY) having values representing the signal parameter for each of the sequential blocks of data in the data signal. A plurality of accumulators (31) are each responsive to a respective one of the parameter representative signals, and produce a signal representing the cumulative parameter value of the data signal.

Abstract: A microcomputer in a radio frequency (RF) signal receiver, such as a cordless telephone set, periodically samples a received baseband audio signal to determine its frequency content. The microcomputer uses at least one predetermined frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is present if the output signal contains signals no higher in frequency the frequency threshold value, and determines that the RF signal is absent if the output signal contains signals higher in frequency than the frequency threshold value. The circuit is useful in either a base unit or a handunit of a cordless telephone set.

Abstract: A switch hook interface circuit couples a subscriber telephone to a subscriber telephone line. This interface circuit comprises a source of an off-hook signal, having one state indicating an off-hook condition, and a second state indicating an on-hook condition. A circuit is coupled between the off-hook signal source and the subscriber telephone line which gradually increases the current drawn from the subscriber telephone line when the off-hook signal indicates an off-hook condition, and gradually decreases the current drawn from the subscriber telephone line when the off-hook signal indicates an on-hook condition.

Abstract: A display system includes a kinescope. A horizontal scan detector is coupled to a source of a horizontal scan current signal and detects a loss of horizontal scanning. In addition, a vertical scan detector is coupled to a source of a vertical scan current signal including a feedback path and detects a loss of vertical scanning. A vertical feedback detector is also coupled to the vertical scan current signal source, and detects a failure of the feedback path in the vertical scan current signal source. A controllable kinescope driver circuit, coupled to the kinescope, the horizontal scan detector, the vertical scan detector and the vertical feedback detector, blanks the kinescope if the horizontal scan detector detects a loss of horizontal scanning, the vertical scan detector detects a loss of vertical scanning or the vertical feedback detector detects a failure of the feedback path.

Abstract: A multi-protocol serial data bus system includes two clock lines and a data line. A controller generates a first clock signal and a first data signal according to a first serial data bus protocol during a first mode of operation of the system, and generates a second clock signal and a second data signal according to a second serial data bus protocol during a second mode of operation. The first clock signal and the first data signal are provided on the first and third signal paths, respectively, during the first mode of operation. The second clock signal and the second data signal are provided on the second and third signal paths, respectively, during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: A smart card that includes a descrambler for descrambling entitlement information and data provides improved access control by controlling the manner in which the entitlement information portion of the data stream is passed through the smart card. Entitlement data that is descrambled and used in the smart card for functions such as key generation is reinserted in scrambled form in the high speed output data signal from the smart card. A variable delay device is included in the smart card for controlling when scrambled entitlement data is reinserted into the data stream. Varying the delay permits establishing a desired timing relationship between the reinserted data and other data in the data stream that is output from the smart card. For example, scrambled entitlement data in the output data stream can be made to exhibit substantially the same timing relationship to other data that exists in the input data stream.

Abstract: An eletronic system includes a power supply providing an operating voltage, and a reset circuit. The reset circuit includes a voltage sensing circuit, coupled to the power supply, for generating a control signal when the operating voltage drops below a predetermined voltage. A control circuit generates a rest signal in response to the control signal. Further circuitry provides power to the control circuit, independently of the power supply, when the operating voltage drops below the predetermined voltage.