Abstract: An electrical signal transmission system is disclosed and includes a transmission unit and a receiver unit. The transmission unit converts the relative amplitudes of an input amplitude signal to a time domain representative signal of varying pulse widths, and the receiver unit receives the time domain representative signal and generates an output signal representative of the input amplitude signal.

Abstract: For an arrangement for reproducing decompressed video and/or audio data at a video and an audio reproduction clock frequency, the arrangement comprises a circuit for generating the video and/or audio reproduction clock, which the circuit derives the reproduction clocks from the externally supplied digital video signal, for the purpose of synchronizing these data and for a possibly joint representation by an external video signal.

Abstract: A power sensor circuit for use in a convergence system which comprises a convergence circuit for generating a convergence correction signal. The power sensor circuit receives at least one supply voltage and generates an output signal having a magnitude selected in accordance with whether the at least one supply voltage is above a first threshold. The output signal is coupled to the convergence circuit, which enables or disables the convergence correction signal in response to the magnitude of the output signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically determining and dynamically updating user preferences in an entertainment system is provided. In a first embodiment, an apparatus comprises a storage medium to store user preference information corresponding to at least a subset of a plurality of entertainment system users and a processor agent. The processor agent, communicatively coupled to the storage medium, is operative to monitor user interaction with the entertainment system and to automatically detect which user of the plurality of entertainment system users is currently using the entertainment system.

Abstract: A method for transferring multimedia information in a system including a primary site 101 and at least one satellite site 102 coupled to the primary site 101 by a transmission medium 103. Information defining each of a selected plurality of objects composing a multimedia presentation is compressed at primary site 101 using a compression/decompression protocol corresponding to a type of each of the objects. The compressed information is transferred to satellite site 102 from primary site 101 via medium 103. Scene information describing the multimedia presentation to be made from the objects is also transferred from primary site 101. The compressed information defining each of the objects is decompressed at satellite 102 using the corresponding compression/decompression protocol. The multimedia presentation composed of the selected objects is generated at satellite site 102 from the decompressed information as directed by the received scene information.

Abstract: Service items at a central authority are scheduled as to their selective availability upon user request at remote stations. These are bidirectionally connected to the central authority. Each service item is assigned to one or more structures of items. Each structure of items is assigned to one or more of a set of navigation contexts. One unique start instant in absolute time is assigned to each respective navigation context. Upon attaining of any such start instant, all service items assigned to the associated navigation context are rendered available unto a detected request.

Abstract: An architecture for distributing digital information to subscriber units wherein selection from among multiple digital services is accomplished by transmitting a tuning command from a subscriber unit to an intermediate interface. The intermediate interface selects the desired service from a broadband network and transmits it to the subscriber unit over a bandwidth-constrained access line. The bandwidth-constrained access line may be implemented with existing infrastructure, yet the subscriber unit may access a wide variety of digital information available on the broadband network. Universal broadband access is thus provided at low cost. Output bandwidth of broadcast equipment may also be optimized.

Abstract: A graphics data decompression arrangement in a TV set top box that includes a system ROM for storing graphics data broken down into tiles, each of which is identified by a unique index number. The index numbers that identify the tiles of graphics data required to be included in a current picture on a TV set screen are written into a DRAM. An MPEG decoder reads the index numbers to convert them into a graphics address signal supplied via a ROM address bus to the system ROM to indicate the addresses of the required tiles of graphics data. In response, the required tiles are fed to the MPEG decoder for decompression in accordance with an MPEG decompression algorithm. A time-division multiplexing scheme allows the ROM address bus to be used for transmitting to the system ROM an address signal from a CPU that indicates where information required for CPU operations is located in the system ROM. In response to the CPU address signal, the required information is fed to the CPU.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for providing community interest messages to subscribers to broadcast satellite services. A connection is established between a subscriber's satellite receiver and a message center. The message center downloads messages to the receiver. The receiver then writes these to the overlay display buffer which causes them to be displayed on the television display in addition to whatever video signal is being displayed.

Abstract: A device which eliminates all RF ingress noise from entering the CATV network in the upstream communication path includes a shunt filter, a detector and a filter with a bandwidth equal to the bandwidth of the upstream communication path. The device monitors signals transmitted in the upstream bandwidth and detects when a valid upstream communication is being transmitted. Upon detection of this valid signal, the shunt filter is switched out of the upstream communication path to allow the valid transmission to be sent. When the end of the valid transmission is detected and a predetermined delay has lapsed, the shunt filter is switched to block all upstream transmissions in the upstream communication bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for broadcasting movies within channels of a wide band network by breaking the communications path into a number of logical channels and breaking each movie up into a number of segments of increasing size. The first segment of each movie is the smallest segment is transmitted in sequence over the first logical channel and repeated. The second segment of each movie which is proportionately larger than the first segment of each movie is transmitted in sequence over the second logical channel and repeated. This is repeated for the total number of segments which equals the total number of logical channels. The segments are broadcast in such a way that, once the first segment is received at a client location, the subsequent segments are also received in time, so that the movie can be viewed continuously.

Abstract: A digital broadcast station is configured to turn around and add interactive programming to a television signal originally conveyed by a remote network. The remote network inserts trigger commands within the vertical blanking intervals (VBIs) of the television signal to control the loading and playing of the interactive program at the broadcast station. The protocol associated with the trigger commands allows commands to be repeated to thereby ensure that the interactive program is controlled correctly, even in the event that an original command was not received or was corrupted in the transmission. If a repeated trigger command is received by the broadcast station and the original command was not properly received, the interactive program source enters an error recovery state to determine the appropriate action for the interactive program source. For certain commands, such as continue, pause and stop, the interactive program source responds to the repeated command without further error compensation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a communication system which can be utilized to complement an existing cable television system in which a central office transmits signals along a coaxial cable to a user unit through a tap. The communication system features a central transmitting/receiving unit for wirelessly transmitting first signals generated at the central office and for receiving second signals. A first response unit which may be connected to the tap will receive the first signals wirelessly transmitted from the central transmitting/receiving unit, and will generate and wirelessly transmit the second signals to be received by the central transmitting/receiving unit. A further second response unit may be connected to the user unit, and the second response unit may generate a third signal to be wirelessly received by the first response. The third signal may be used to control the tap connected to the first response unit.

Abstract: A display system receives a data stream having successive image frame data in frame regions and Internet Universal Resource Locator (URL) data and association data in data regions between frame regions, and displays on a display monitor successive frames derived from the image frame data. The association data associates one or more image entities in successive frames with one or more URLs, and a viewer, by selecting an associated image entity in the display, causes the system to access the Internet, to connect to a source on the Internet associated with the URL, to download a WEB page from the source, and to display the WEB page in the display. The viewer may interact with the displayed WEB page to access further related information. Entities may be enhanced in the display to indicate association with a hidden URL.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus, a receiving method, and a terminal unit. The receiving apparatus including a receiving portion for receiving a number of multiplexed broadcast waves, a separation portion for separating the number of multiplexed broadcast waves received by the receiving portion into a number of types of broadcast waves, a conversion portion for converting the number of types of broadcast waves separated by the separation portion into a number of IF signals of mutually different frequencies; and an output portion for outputting the number of IF signals converted by the conversion portion to a processing section.

Abstract: A post-processor for a decoded video sequence includes a digital noise reduction unit and an artifact reduction unit which significantly reduce blocking artifacts and mosquito noise in a video image. The post-processor uses both temporal and edge characteristics of the video image to enhance the displayed image. A coding parameter from a decoder is used in a coding parameter adaptive filter unit within an artifact unit to further enhance the perceived quality of the displayed image. The coding parameter for a particular macroblock is selected using a characteristic of that macroblock. The post-processor operates on a current frame of pixel data using information from the immediately preceding post-processed frame that is stored in a frame memory of the post-processor. The post-processor uses artifact reduction only on portions of the image that are not part of an edge, and are not part of a texture or fine detail area.

Abstract: The present invention distributes digital video programs to a predetermined group of subscribers. The video programs are converted into a digital format in a central site (100) and then distributed to a remote site (110). Identification information for the digital video programs is broadcast to the group of subscribers. Each of the subscribers has the option of selecting one of the digital video programs for broadcast to the group. A continuous program which includes the digital video programs is broadcast to the group of subscribers or displayed on televisions (130-133). The order of the selected digital video programs within the continuous program is based at least in part on when the subscriber selections are received.

Abstract: A system for capturing, storing and retrieving movies recorded in a video format and stored in a compressed digital format at a central distribution site is described. A plurality of remote distribution locations are connected through fiber optic connections to the central distribution site. The remote sites maybe of one of two types: a video retail store or a cable television (CATV) head end. In the case of a video retail store, VHS videotapes, other format videotapes or other video media may be manufactured on-demand in as little as three to five minutes for rental or sell-through. A totally automated manufacturing system is described in which the customers can preview and order movies for rental and sale from video kiosks. The selected movie is then either retrieved from local cache storage or downloaded from the central distribution site for manufacturing onto a blank or reused videotape.

Abstract: A system for bookmarking viewer selected TV broadcast events and displaying a set of associated internet locations or website hotlinks, comprising the selection of a set of broadcast events using a remote control, and storing a set of event-identifier data associated with the set of selected broadcast events in an activity table, and then generating a set of associated internet locations or website hotlinks by comparing the set of event identifiers with a database of TV schedules, events and company information. The generated set of associated internet locations or website hotlinks can then be used by viewer for access to and display of the selected internet locations associated with the set of selected broadcast events.