Abstract: Video data coded in a coding device 12 is temporarily stored in a temporary buffer 13 before transmitted to a transmission buffer 171. A frame dropping/quantization control device 16 cancels the video data in the temporary buffer 13 if the amount of information of the video frame stored in the temporary buffer 13 is larger than a predetermined threshold, and further, sets a quantization step size with a quantization step size larger than the quantization step size used to code the video frame stored in the temporary buffer 13 and outputs it to the coding device 12.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus has a multiplexing unit that cyclically multiplexes presentation information and navigation information stored in a transmission data storage unit according to control by a multiplexing control unit and a transmission unit that transmits the multiplexed stream. The reception control unit of a data reception apparatus sets filter conditions in a filter condition storage unit of a TS decoder unit in accordance with user operation indications. The presentation information and navigation information separated by the TS decoder unit are outputted via a reproduction unit to a display unit and an audio output unit.

Abstract: A cooperative electronic media measurement system is disclosed which uses media handlers to obtain information from, or otherwise obtain information about, presented media objects, including identification tags, if present, for collection by research data collection agents and subsequent dispatch to a centralized media research controller. The media research controller registers advertisements and other media for subsequent measurement and provides a unique identification tag that may be added to, or associated with, the existing media object. Media objects are presented to a panel member by a panel member-computing device which may receive media objects by means of a network connection, from one or more local sources, or generate media objects in real-time, or a combination thereof. One or more research data collection agents are assigned to measure each panel member's exposure to and interactions with electronic media.

Abstract: An interface for connecting one or more conditional access modules to a receiver, the interface including a plurality of interface sections, each for connection with a respective socket for receiving a conditional access module and each having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of respective output lines for connection to said socket, the interface sections being arranged in series, with the input lines of one interface section being connected to the respective output lines of the next interface section and with each interface section including an electronically controllable switch connecting the output lines of that interface section to the input lines of the same interface section, such that each socket may be selectively by passed.

Abstract: A time display bar is displayed in a purchasing picture, and an elapsed time indication bar for indicating an elapsed broadcast time of a selected PPV program with respect to its total broadcast time is displayed in the time display bar. By looking at the time display bar, a user can immediately and visually recognize the progress in time of the selected PPV program at the present time. Where the selected PPV program accommodates NVOD, time display bars for candidate PPV programs having the same contents as the selected PPV program and to be broadcast on different channels are also displayed in the purchasing picture. This provides more effective user interface.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a drive server, a control server and one or more decoder devices. The drive server may be configured to present one or more compressed data streams in response to one or more first control signals. The control server may be configured to present one or more of the compressed data streams in response to (i) one or more request signals and (ii) the one or more compressed data streams. The decoder devices may be configured to present a decoded video signal and a decoded audio signal in response to (i) one or more second control signals and (ii) the one or more compressed data streams. The navigation software, which traditionally is processed local to the decoder, may be processed on the control server. The control server may be enabled to control the remote decoder.

Abstract: Audiovisual reproduction system comprising a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, characterized in that the operating system comprises a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified.

Abstract: A channel selecting method and apparatus. In addition to selecting a current viewing channel by using one of two tuners, a channel predicted to be selected is selected by using the other tuner. If a channel change to the channel predicted to be selected is requested, a signal of the selected channel is selected as a signal of the viewing channel.

Abstract: A satellite broadcast receiver comprises an antenna, a tuner, a modulator, a FEC decoder, a microprocessor, and an antenna driver. The antenna receives the satellite signal and the tuner tunes the satellite signal received by the antenna, and the modulator modulates the satellite signal tuned by the tuner into digital signal, the FEC decoder corrects a position error of the satellite antenna using the signal modulated by the modulator, and outputs a corresponding output signal, and the microprocessor receives the signal modulated by the modulator and the output signal of the error corrector, and outputs a control signal which controls the position of the antenna, and the antenna driver drives the antenna in accordance with the control signal of the microprocessor. The satellite broadcast receiver enables a user to detect satellites fast and see satellite broadcast conveniently.

Abstract: In interactive television, a broadcaster may broadcast triggers to a great many receiver units prompting the receiver units to attempt to send requests to a single destination on the Internet at roughly the same time. Such a large number of simultaneous requests can give rise to throughput problems and server overload. A receiver unit in accordance with the invention, rather than immediately attempting to send a request, waits a period of time (for example, a random period) before sending the request so as not to overload the server. In one embodiment, a trigger is received on an interactive television receiver unit prompting the viewer to select an icon. If the viewer selects the icon, then a browser in the receiver unit retrieves a web page on the Internet identified by a URL in the trigger. The web page includes an indication of a destination, scheduling information, and a form area. The viewer enters user information in association with the form area.

Abstract: An inconspicuous system is defined for measuring the absolute luminance of a CRT display and the actual effective luminance as would be measured from the viewer's perspective due to additional reflected ambient illuminance in order to enable closed loop adjustment of the display device and to thereby enable luminance quality control, facilitate image perception, and ascertain fidelity of image presentation conveniently over time.

Abstract: A display device is described which provides a self generated diagnostic image to help determine the functionality of the display device, and to assist in the isolation of problems causing faulty images on the display. The display may be decoupled from an external video source for relocation and testing with out the need for an external video source. Existing circuitry and software providing on screen display functions are enhanced to provide for display of a predetermined pattern of geometric shapes and colors. Segments of lines making up selected geometric shapes are formed with alternating color guns to provide a simple diagnostic for correct alignment of the color guns.

Abstract: A method for converting frame data at a slower rate into field data at a faster rate in a video decoder comprises determining a basic field repetition rate such that a field is repeated an integer number of times in a frame period, calculating a ratio differential of the repetition rate by subtracting from the speed-up ratio of the faster to the slower rate, the ratio of the fields per frame period to the slower rate, comparing the ratio differential with the differential of the field repetition rate and adding or subtracting extra fields when the two are substantially at variance.

Abstract: A frequency converter is disclosed, which improves processing time and reduces hardware costs, in converting input data sampled at a first frequency into output data compatible with a system operating at a second frequency. The frequency converter has first and second coefficient generators for calculating first and second coefficient values, respectively. The frequency converter uses an interpolator for interpolating input data using the first and second coefficient values into the output data. In addition, a dual-port memory stores the output data in accordance with the first frequency and outputs the stored data in accordance with the second frequency.

Abstract: An image mode selecting method and apparatus for a television receiver which can display n images corresponding to n image modes on a screen utilizing a picture-in-picture (PIP) display function, so that a user can easily select an optimum image among the displayed images. According to the method and apparatus, the n images corresponding to the n image modes are displayed on the n PIP regions of the screen, respectively, by pressing an image selection key, and then the optimum image among the n displayed images can be selected by pressing a numeral key corresponding to the selected image.

Abstract: Primary content data is received from an external source and subsidiary data is obtained which corresponds to the primary content data, wherein the subsidiary data is independent of the primary content data. The subsidiary data is provided synchronous to the primary content data.

Abstract: A Web-based video-editing system using a high-performance multimedia software library having a toolkit, the toolkit being a set of reusable, high-performance primitives and abstractions that are at an intermediate level of abstraction between C and conventional libraries. By decomposing common multimedia data types and operations into thin abstractions and primitives, programs written using the toolkit achieve performance competitive with hand-tuned C code, but which are shorter and more reusable. The toolkit programs can employ optimizations that are difficult to exploit in C and are impossible to use in conventional libraries.

Abstract: An architecture for convergence systems is disclosed. The architecture includes a hardware component providing a convergence environment. A channel map services component includes a listing of receivers of programming associated with the convergence environment and a listing of channels associated with the receivers. A content services component includes a listing of programming associated with the channels of the receivers. A TV services component uses the channel map services component, and the content services component to control the hardware component of the convergence environment to manage the hardware component of the convergence environment. The TV services component controls the audio/video multiplexer to reroute programing signals from receivers to outputs audio/video multiplexer and various devices attached to the outputs. Conflicts are resolved with minimal user intervention.

Abstract: A method of reducing noise and ingress in cable return paths is disclosed in which the return frequency spectrum is divided into two regions; one frequency region being for transmissions from in-home devices such as television settops and personal computers, and another frequency region being for transmissions from communications devices called coaxial termination units located between the drop cable and the home coaxial wiring. By locating blocking filters between the drop cable and home coaxial wiring, undesirable signals emanating in the home in the second part of the return spectrum are prevented from entering the cable return system. The location of the blocking filter reduces the noise in the second part of the return spectrum substantially and allows the establishment of reliable telecommunications services on the cable return in such second part of the return spectrum.

Abstract: A system and method for content-based television program selection are provided that allow a viewer to “surf” directly between programs of a desired content category. The system includes a head-end server operable to receive program signals from a programming source, and a viewer input apparatus, such as a remote controller, which is operable to generate an input signal indicating a viewer's desired program content category. The system further includes at least one set-top box, where the set-top box has a program receiver for receiving program signals from the head-end server, and a viewer input receiver for receiving the input signal from the viewer input apparatus. In addition, the set-top box includes a processor that determines whether any channels are currently showing a program of the desired content category at the time the input signal is received.