Abstract: A digital sine wave signal is read form a memory storage of a phase synchronizing apparatus and is converted into an analog signal through a digital to analog converter. This converted analog sine wave is phase compared to an input analog sine wave supplied to an input terminal of the synchronization apparatus. The phase of the digital sine wave is synchronized with that of the input analog sine wave by controlling a read address signal of the memory storage based upon a detected phase error signal between the input analog sine wave and the converted analog sine wave. Thus, a desired digital signal synchronized with the phase of an input signal can be generated by a simple arrangement by digital processing.

Abstract: A half-pixel motion compensation controller accepting MPEG2 data implements a half-pixel motion compensator using a four phase division of macroblock units and a clock faster than the system clock. A FIFO controller controls the compensator. The controller includes a luminance pixel unit motion compensator, a luminance half-pixel unit motion compensator, a color motion vector converter, a color pixel unit motion compensator, a color half-pixel unit motion compensator, a luminance FIFO, a color FIFO, a luminance FIFO controller, and a color FIFO controller.

Abstract: A broadband communication system (SYS), which is used to distribute television, radio and video signals, is additionally used for transmitting data signals from one subscriber (TN) to another subscriber (TN). The center (ZE) of the broadband communication system (SYS) has a service-on-demand server (SOD) which contains a control facility (CONTROL). The control facility (CONTROL) receives information transmitted by a subscriber (TN) via the return channel (R) to the center, performs a frequency conversion and transmits the information via the downstream channel (V) to all the subscribers (TN) of the broadband communication system (SYS). The information contains a source address, a destination address and the subscriber-specific data to be transmitted. Only subscribers (TN) whose address coincides with the destination address are able to interpret the information through a modem MODEM.

Abstract: A system for overlaying digital character signals on an analog video source signal including a predetermined color subcarrier includes a digital character generating device, a digital video encoder, and a switching device. The digital character generating device detects horizontal and vertical timing of pixel information in the analog video source signal, and generates digital character signals that are to be overlaid in predetermined pixels of the analog video source signal. The digital video encoder is responsive to the color subcarrier signal for generating a separate color subcarrier which is locked to the predetermined color subcarrier of the analog video source signal. The digital video encoder also converts the digital character signals from the digital character generating device into an analog video output signal that includes the color subcarrier generated in the digital video encoder.

Abstract: A novel reprogrammable set top terminal for a television program delivery system which suggests programs for viewing is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for reprogramming set top terminals, and selecting and displaying programs to suggest to subscribers for viewing. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal which carries data and identifies the available program choices. Specifically, the invention relates to remote reprogramming of terminal memory and the gathering and analysis of data for selecting programs to suggest to a subscriber. The invention is a terminal which includes a circuit for receiving incoming signals, a processor, memory, and a circuit to generate menu screens for display on a TV or monitor. Various data gathering and analysis techniques are used to customize selection of programs for display on a menu.

Abstract: A frequency control system and method for minimizing frequency drifts in subscriber terminals in a point-to-multipoint system is described enabling the use of low cost oscillators in the Subscriber terminals by measuring the frequency offset of the subscriber terminal's receiver to estimate its oscillator frequency drift which is then used to correct the subscriber terminal's transmitter frequency and also by feedback of a frequency correction from the base station to the subscriber.

Abstract: A multi-point video conference system includes a plurality of terminals and a network. Each terminal includes a coder to code and to packetize at least a motion picture in a block unit and a multi-point video decoder to sequentially receive and to decode packets sent from decoders at other points. The decoder includes a video processor to process video information in a time sharing manner, a channel selection controller to decide a transmission source of a received packet according to information of the packet and to notify the source to the video processor, a shared frame memory to store therein video information from the plural terminals, and a display frame memory to output therefrom the video information in a synchronous fashion.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new digital video tape recorder apparatus and method in which video channels are simultaneously recorded in a recording mode, and in which any of the recorded video channels is reproduced when in a reproducing mode. The apparatus includes a first selector unit for generating signals for identifying one or more channels containing video signals to be recorded. A receiver sends the channel identifying signals to a transmitter, which, in turn, uses the channel identifying signals to selectively identify the channels to be transmitted to the receiver. The transmitter compresses and multiplexes the video signals of the channels selected by the receiver. The receiver receives the compressed and multiplexed signals, and records and stores the received signals. A demultiplexer selectively demultiplexes the channels transmitted to the receiver, and a memory records or stores the signals in the demultiplexed channels.

Abstract: A subscriber terminal ms sends the demand including at least information for identifying the demand subscriber terminal, information for identifying the requested information, and information relating to the urgency of the requested information to the information distribution transmission center HE through the going-up line. The information distribution transmission center HE plans a transmits information requested according to the transmission schedule of the information based on this demand, and transmits the transmission schedule information included in the going-down control data to the subscriber terminal which sent the demand prior to the actual transmission, and transmits the requested information according to the above-mentioned transmission schedule.

Abstract: A system is provided for distribution of broadcast and direct satellite television signals to multiple users, for example, within a multiple dwelling building. In one embodiment broadcast signals are combined with right and left-hand satellite signals and provided by a dual transmission line distribution system to user locations. In an alternate embodiment, satellite signals corresponding to one polarization are converted to a separate frequency band to provide a combined signal incorporating left and right- hand corresponding satellite signals and broadcast signals for distribution.

Abstract: An automatic step generator that monitors and corrects the sampling rate in a video signal. The invention isolates a sampling window in the prevailing sampling rate, the window advantageously being 144 lines for NTSC, or 231 lines for PAL, or some other preselected window wherein the sample count therein at an ideal sampling rate approximates an integer power of 2. The invention then calculates the numeric difference between that ideal sample count in the window and the preselected integer power of 2. The actual sample count in the window is then determined, and is adjusted by the numeric difference between the ideal count and the integer power of 2. Variations in this adjusted actual sample count and the integer power of 2 will thus represent variations between the actual sampling rate and the ideal sampling rate. A step value to correct the actual sampling rate to achieve the ideal rate may then be derived by dividing the adjusted actual sample count by the integer power of 2.

Abstract: A television receiver assembly including a multi-channel television signal decoder coupled to a source of incoming television signals, a multi-channel television display coupled to the decoder for displaying received decoded television signals, a channel changing device operative to change the channel decoded by the decoder and displayed by the display, the channel changing device being inoperative to display received decoded television signals during a channel changing interval, and an interval message provider operative to display at least one predetermined information message during the channel changing interval.

Abstract: A vertical synchronization signal detector for detecting a vertical synchronization signal in a composite video signal.

Abstract: When a continuous wave signal synchronized with a first color subcarrier signal is generated by a color subcarrier extracting circuit, a phase error detecting circuit, an A/D converting circuit, and a digital oscillating circuit from an analog video signal containing a first color sub carrier signal supplied to a first input terminal and a digital video signal containing a color signal component supplied to a second input terminal is converted by a digital video signal converting circuit into a composite video signal containing a carrier chrominance signal, a color signal component is converted into a carrier chrominance signal by using the continuous wave signal and a phase of a first color subcarrier signal contained in the analog video signal and a phase of a second color subcarrier signal of a composite video signal formed from the digital video signal are synchronized with each other.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing multimedia signals to a subscriber from a headend unit using a tap. The multimedia signals are transmitted on a network media as a composite RF and AC signal. A tap is upgraded by with a circuit that separates the AC from the RF signal in the composite signal. The separated AC signal is split in the upgraded tap. The RF signals are split in a circuit on the faceplate of the tap. The AC signal is fed to a power distribution unit which generates an AC output signal that is surge protected, RF filtered and current limited. The split RF signal and AC output signals are fed to connectors on the faceplate. By providing a tap where the AC and RF signal are separated in the same unit, the system can be upgraded with a power distribution unit when AC signals are required to supply power to subscriber equipment.

Abstract: In association with an interactive television system, a method and system for displaying an interactive program having intervening informational segments. When additional information is available, an additional information marker is displayed on the display screen and is selected by manipulating a remote control. When the additional information marker is selected, the display of the interactive program is terminated, and an intervening informational segment, a short segment of information, is displayed in its place. When the intervening informational segment is terminated, the interactive program is displayed beginning from a predetermined return point. The return point is dependent on the time, relative to the beginning of the interactive program, at which the additional information marker was selected. Each return point is located during a pause or a natural break in the audio and video of the interactive program such that the resumption of the program after the intervening informational segment is smooth.

Abstract: A usage management system for tracking usage of applications available to subscribers of an interactive network includes an application server adapted to process a plurality of applications on demand by the users. The application server generates a plurality of event records each event record including at least one active domain identifier representing a domain being executed. Each domain represents an executable logical location within an application. A usage processing server is coupled to the application server, which is adapted to receive signals from the application server corresponding to the generated event records. The usage processing server is further adapted to track the time of occurrence of each domain identified in each event record.

Abstract: A video entertainment system includes a video display device and a user interface unit connected for operation in conjunction with the video display device to receive a television image and to display the television image on the video display device. The system also includes a remote control handset having viewer-actuable controls. The remote control handset sends commands to the user interface unit in response to actuation of the viewer-actuable controls. The user interface unit has a graphics overlay component which is programmable to display entertainment images on the video display device overlying the received television image. The user interface unit has a viewer participation program that a viewer can initiate with the remote control handset. The viewer participation program allows the viewer to use the remote control handset to draw, "drop," or "throw" designs or pre-rendered graphics on top of the television image.

Abstract: A home communications terminal for use in a communications network is provided. The home communications terminal includes an applications module and a subscriber terminal module. The applications module has a memory including a first memory portion, and a processing unit for executing program code stored in the first memory portion of the memory of the applications module. The subscriber terminal module has a memory including a first memory portion for storing a first boot-loader program, and a second memory portion for storing a second boot-loader program. A processing unit of the subscriber terminal executes the first boot-loader program to load program code in the second memory portion of the memory of the subscriber terminal module and executes the second boot-loader program to load program code in the first memory portion of the memory of the applications module.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for distributing full motion video media, usually in the form of advertisements to a plurality of businesses, such as retail stores that are dispersed over a wide geographical area. The programs are transmitted from a distribution center to a multitude of receiving sites via satellite and are receivable via antennae at the receiving sites. Television monitors located at selected points in the receiving sites display the programs to an audience, which usually will include shoppers in the course of shopping. The invention provides for customizing video programs for particular target audiences or markets, such that the series of programs played in one receiving site could be quite different from that played in another.