Abstract: An image display device having (a) a DVD or a CD, (b) a television receiver, (c) a display for displaying an image from the DVD and the television receiver, (d) a screen burn-in preventer, and (e) a deterioration protector for protecting the display device from deterioration. The screen burn-in preventer discontinues reproduction from the DVD when an image reproduced of the DVD becomes stationary, and the stationary state continues for the predetermined time period. The deterioration protector discontinues reproduction from the DVD at a second predetermined time after the television receiver is turned on while an image reproduced from the DVD is displayed by the display.

Abstract: A television set having the option of displaying main and one or more auxiliary pictures, ratings control capability which includes means for an authorized person to limit the display of programs having ratings beyond a selected level, closed captioning capability which includes means for a viewer to choose to display closed captioning along with a picture, and a single stripper for slicing data from the vertical blanking information (VBI) portion of one or more broadcasts wherein the single stripper processes ratings control information for both main picture and auxiliary picture when the ratings control option has been invoked by cycling between main and auxiliary; and the auxiliary picture capability is disabled when the closed captioning option has been invoked.

Abstract: A system for playing video data ahead of corresponding audio data in order to help maintain synchronization between the audio data and the video data. Two software objects or filters are used to process the video data. An initial start time of the video data is determined and, if possible, the frame of video data is decoded or else it is selectively dropped in order to help maintain synchronization. An adaptive offset time is applied to the initial start time of a decoded frame of video data in order to produce an adjusted start time for the decoded frame. The offset time can be adapted to include a refresh offset related to sweep delays in computer monitors, a target offset which helps to build in a play-ahead margin for future late frames, and an earliness offset which is diminishing over time to help smooth transitions due to changing apparent video processing power. Additionally, the playing of video data can be slowed down in response to a low condition of the audio buffer.

Abstract: In a computerized image processing system, a camera acquires a set of images of a scene while rotating the camera about an axis passing through an optical center of the camera. The images of the set overlap each other. An initial estimate of the focal length of the camera is made. The initial focal length can be any reasonable focal length. Using the initial estimate of the focal length, the set of images are composited in a memory to determine an estimated initial composited length. A next best estimate of the focal length is derived from the initial estimated composited length. The set of images are recomposed using the next best focal length estimate. This process is iterated until the absolute difference between the successive estimates of the focal length is less than a predetermined threshold to calibrate the camera.

Abstract: A system and method for the transmission of signals from a device to a communications network connection card. In particular, a return path is provided for the transmission of signals from a device to an interface where the signals are converted into a format acceptable for transmission to a communications network connection card. The signals are then transmitted to the card and/or may be transmitted to an optical network unit, thereby establishing a connection from the device to systems that employ optical networks. An embodiment also provides a transport system for the delivery of video signals to a device, for the return of analog signals from the device, and for the transmission of digital signals to a signal destination. This embodiment includes a broadband communications module that receives video signals from a signal source and delivers the video signals to the device. The module also receives analog signals from the device and transmits the analog signals to an interface.

Abstract: A near video-on-demand (NVOD) system and method for incorporating and/or updating a commercial (CM) or promotion video program or the like in a video program.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for removing noise by distinguishing between edge and non-edge pixels and applying a first noise removal technique to pixels classified as non-edge pixels and a second noise removal technique to pixels classified as edge pixels. The methodology operates on images while in a Color Filter Array (CFA) domain prior to color interpolation, and uses techniques suited to the classification, whether edge or non-edge.

Abstract: A method for performing pulse width modulation (PWM) on a binary spatial light modulator using spatial-temporal multiplexing. A 10% light boost is achieved by eliminating deadtimes that are typically generated using the global-reset operation of a DMD when bit-planes having small on times are utilized. The number of bit-planes required is reduced by using a combination of binary and ternary bit-planes to achieve grayscale of a displayed digital image. By using a combination of spatial and temporal processing, digital pixel values can be displayed using a reduced number of bit-planes, without generating perceived artifacts such as pulsing due to pixels being turned on-off from frame to frame.

Abstract: A set top terminal for receiving information transmitted from a service provider, for receiving control information transmitted by a service provider, and for transmitting control information from the set top terminal to the service provider to interactively control the services that are being received. The set top terminal receives display images via an information channel carrying both conventional analog cable television signals and digital television signals. Additionally, set top terminal control signals are sent from the service provider via a command channel and the set top terminal sends control signals to the service provider via a back channel.

Abstract: A convectional 2-1 interlaced (nominally 50 Hz field rate or nominally 60 Hz field rate) television signal is converted to a form suitable for display on a progressively-scanned variable-frame-rate high-resolution computer-type monitor. First, a succession of progressively-scanned video frames is derived from the interlaced television signal and each frame is repeated at least twice in succession When the interlaced television sign is derived from a motion picture source, the progressively scanned frames are derived by merging opposite polarity fields derived from tho same motion picture frame. For other sources, other interlace-to-progressive scan techniques, such as line duplication or line interpolation, are employed. The sequences of repeated progressively-scanned frames are written into a two frame memory at rate derived from the timing of the progressively-scanned video frames and are read out at a rate derived from the timing of the monitor's frame rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving logical address links in advance of a television program and combining such links with those that may be received in real-time during a television broadcast are provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, content associated with a television (TV) program may be automatically displayed by a client system, such as an Internet terminal or a computer equipped with a TV tuner. Prior to broadcast of a TV program, TV listing information is stored in the client system. The TV listing information includes one or more batch mode logical addresses, e.g., Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), that identify content, such as Internet content. The client system alerts the viewer of the existence of an active logical address associated with the current TV program by providing a visual indication. After the visual indication has been selected by the viewer, the client system displays the content identified by the logical address.

Abstract: A wideband signal distribution unit for receiving a plurality of inputs and having a plurality of outputs is provided. The distribution unit features a first combiner having an output and being connected to a first subset of the plurality of inputs. A second combiner having an output is connected to a second subset of the plurality of inputs. A phase shifting combiner having inputs each connected to the outputs of the first and second combiners supplies a combined signal to an output connected to a splitter which is connected to the plurality of signal distribution unit outputs. The phase shifting combiner is designed to apply a phase shift to one of its inputs.

Abstract: A CATV transmission center apparatus, a subscriber terminal device, a CATV distribution system, and a method of distributing a program, will solve the problems of the need to change transmission facilities for handling more channels, the costly CATV infrastructure per program, the expensive subscriber terminal devices, and the tedious and time-consuming process of selecting desired programs. When there is a request to view a program which is not being distributed from the subscriber terminal device to the CATV transmission center apparatus, an empty channel is searched for. If an empty channel is found, the requested program is distributed via the empty channel. All subscriber terminal devices are notified that the program which has started to be distributed is being distributed. The CATV transmission center apparatus distributes only those programs which are actually viewed by subscribers.

Abstract: An image transmission method, image anti-duplication method, image anti-duplication device, and image recording medium in which information for anti-duplication control is superimposed on a video signal without deterioration of the resultant video signal and the information is extracted accurately and quickly to perform anti-duplication control. An output device starts generation of pseudo-noise (PN) corresponding to a PN code start timing signal generated based on a video sync signal. One chip interval of the PN code is divided into a plurality of divided chips corresponding to a PN code inversion timing signal HT, and an original value of a chip is inverted on an alternate one divided interval to generate a PN inversion code. An anti-duplication control signal is subjected to spectral spreading using the PN inversion code and superimposed on the video signal.

Abstract: A charge transfer device and a method of driving the charge transfer device are arranged to enable electric charge to be correctly transferred in a short time after starting. An initialization voltage is applied at the time of starting and a portion having a higher impurity concentration is formed below a channel.

Abstract: A communication system for passing information between information services and terminal devices over a twisted wire pair network. The information services include a telephone exchange and other services, such as a data network and a television distribution system. The terminal devices include telephones and other devices, such as computers and televisions. The system includes a main information interface coupled to the information services and to the twisted wire pair network, which couples the terminal devices and to the main information interface. The wiring network includes multiple active telephone pairs for passing voice signals between the telephone exchange and telephones.

Abstract: A real-time modular video processing system (VPS) which can be scaled smoothly from relatively small systems with modest amounts of hardware to very large, very powerful systems with significantly more hardware. The modular video processing system includes a processing module containing at least one general purpose microprocessor which controls hardware and software operation of the video processing system using control data and which also facilitates communications with external devices. One or more video processing modules are also provided, each containing parallel pipelined video hardware which is programmable by the control data to provide different video processing operations on an input stream of video data. Each video processing module also contains one or more connections for accepting one or more daughterboards which each perform a particular image processing task.

Abstract: A transmitting device capable of transmitting video data with high speed has been disclosed. When transmitting video data, by providing a transmitting circuit for invalidating a time out signal of a timer which counts the occupied time of a bus, the video data having large volume of information can be successively transmitted by continuously using the bus, and thus the video data can be transmitted with high speed.

Abstract: A display monitor (12) operates in a time-multiplexed fashion to display a plurality of viewer-selected video channels on a single display screen. A visual apparatus (22) worn by the viewers is synchronized to the operation of the display monitor for enabling each of the viewers to observe the display screen only at times when the viewer-selected video channel is being displayed.

Abstract: A source of analog computer video signals is provided, which source may be a video switch providing a single set of computer video signals from one of a plurality of computers. From the source, the video signals are applied to a transmitter that includes circuitry for developing a pair of balanced video signals from each discrete video signal and applying each signal of the pair of balanced signals to respective conductors of a twisted pair of conductors. At the receiver, each balanced pair of video signals is converted back to a single-ended form. Compensation circuitry is provided for compensating for the length of twisted pair conductors between the transmitters and receivers for each video signal. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are applied via respective buffer amplifiers to another twisted pair of conductors in unbalanced relation.