Abstract: A method of transmitting and decoding biphase coded signals individually representing separate data services and inserted in the line blanking interval of a video signal greatly increases the probability of avoiding the effects of anticoincidence errors. A unique start code is allocated to each of the data services prior to transmitting the video signal. The video signal is separated into the separate data services without field or line windowing. Every pair of biphase elements occurring after the start code is checked for anticoincidence errors, and all wanted bits are stored in a buffer memory. The wanted bits are transferred from the buffer memory to an output memory only when no anticoincidence error has occurred between the start code and the last wanted bit.

Abstract: A video system pulse generating circuit has the frequency of the video system pulse being an integral multiple of a video synchronizing signal, and being synchronized with video synchronizing signal. The video system pulse generating circuit includes a phase locked loop circuit, a dividing circuit, and a synchronizing range determining circuit, wherein an asynchronous oscillator such as a quartz oscillator is not required.

Abstract: An interactive video services system for enabling store and forward distribution of digitized video programming is disclosed. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, encoded and compressed digital video signals are transmitted via satellite link from a centrally located uplink site to a plurality of hospitality establishments, where the digitized video programming is stored in the memory of a video server computer or is transmitted "real-time" to the hospitality establishment's customers. The establishment either has its own downlink facilities or shares downlink facilities with other hospitality establishments. The uplink facility and satellite can transmit a variety of video signals--including video signals for real-time viewing by customers, compressed video signals for storage and subsequent retrieval and viewing by customers, and other types of digitized data, such as advertisements and barker screens.

Abstract: A Video-On-Demand (VOD) system including a plurality of video storage devices; an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) telephony technology network connected to provide video data to a plurality of subscribers; and a unique video server coordinating the conversion and transfer of video data from computer technology devices to the ATM telephony technology network.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting and synchronizing a ghost cancellation reference (GCR) signal in a television video signal, includes a circuit for receiving at least one field of an input video signal, a circuit for finding a maximum correlation peak value in a field of said input video signal, a circuit for scaling the maximum correlation peak value to a lower predetermined value for detection for forming a scaled peak value, a circuit for synchronizing a next field of the video signal using the scaled peak value, and a circuit for predicting a future position of the GCR signal.

Abstract: An improved ghost prevention apparatus for a television capable of preventing ghost of a picture of a television, which occurs due to a detection wave distortion, by generating a key pulse within a part of a horizontal synchronous section of a timing signal generator, by turning on an automatic phase controller for the key pulse generation section and turning off the same for the remaining horizontal synchronous, which includes a synchronous separator for separating horizontal and vertical synchronous signals, respectively, from a combined picture signal detected by a picture wave detector; a timing signal generator for generating a key pulse in a horizontal synchronous range in accordance with a horizontal synchronous signal outputted from the synchronous separator and for generating a vertical blanking signal in a vertical synchronous range in accordance with a vertical synchronous signal; a first sampling holder for sample-holding a phase control signal outputted from the picture wave detector, outputting

Abstract: There is provided an image sensing apparatus which comprises a detecting part for detecting an optical characteristic of a photographic optical system, an image sensing part for converting an optical image photographed by the photographic optical system into an electrical signal, a combining part for combining character information with image information outputted from the image sensing part, and a control part for controlling a combining operation of the combining part in accordance with an output of the detecting part.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus prevents an increase in random noise and the like produced by distributing a transformation error, which is produced at the time of a level-number transformation, to unprocessed pixel data. Error data X.sub.n is added to pixel data, which has entered via an input unit, by an adder. Thereafter, the resulting data is subjected to a level-number transformation by a binarizing circuit. Transformation error produced at the time of the level-number transformation is calculated by an error arithmetic unit. The transformation error thus calculated is distributed to unprocessed pixel data by an error-diffusion unit, and the error is accumulated in a line buffer memory as error data. When processing of a prescribed number of lines has ended, a line-number discriminating circuit clears the error data that has been accumulated in the line buffer memory. As a result, an increase in random noise is prevented.

Abstract: An interactive audio-visual (A/V) transceiver is advantageously coupled to a television and/or telephone (T/T) cable, a TV, a video recorder (VCR), and other A/V devices. The A/V transceiver switches data between a program/service provider and the connected A/V devices. In one embodiment, the transceiver includes three primary modules, a main module including a CPU, a system bus, system memory, an infra-red (IR) control unit, an audio-visual bus, an A/V decoder, an A/V processor, and an A/V encoder, an A/V connect module including a number of tuner/demodulators and a switch, and an optional CD ROM module. The A/V transceiver hardware is complemented with an operating system and software program which supports the functions provided in the A/V user interface.

Abstract: A set top box for digital audio/video interactive decoding in an interactive television system is disclosed. The set top box includes means for connecting to an interactive television system as well as means for connecting to a television set. The set top box includes a CPU on which is run a real time operating system. The operating system is comprised of modules of code. Each module of code makes up a portion or component of the overall system. A description record is created for each module which includes the device type and device name and can also include the device parameters. The description records are stored in a configuration description block. The description block is stored in RAM and can be updated at any time. If a new system module is downloaded from the interactive television system, a description record corresponding to the new module can be added to the description block.

Abstract: In a projection-type display apparatus using light scattering type liquid crystal devices, light from a light source is reflected by a reflecting mirror through a collecting lens; reflected light is converted by a lens into a parallel light beam, which is injected into liquid crystal devices disposed on three sides through a dichroic mirror, the liquid crystal devices coloring an image in red, green and blue; the image is projected on a screen through again the dichroic mirror, the collecting lens and an enlarging lens. Further a photodetector is disposed at a focal point of the collecting lens and a function of adjusting the position of the light source on the basis of a result of this detection is added.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit and system for preventing tampering with services provided in a broadband transmission network. A coaxial relay is coupled between a cable providing signals in the network and the drop cable to the customer's premises. The coil which operates the relay is coupled to the shield conductor of the drop cable and to a source of dc potential. As long as a current flows through the shield portion and the coil, the customer is connected to the network through the relay. If current stops, as when the customer disconnects the drop cable, the customer is disconnected from the network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive multimedia services to subscriber premises utilizing wireless distribution within the subscriber premise. The service is provided via a communications link delivering to the subscriber premises broad band digital information including video and audio from a plurality of information providers and control signals in a multiplexed form. This multiplexed signal is then separated and processed on premise and distributed in a two-way fashion using frequency hopping code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum using radio frequency signals preferably at UHF. Upstream control signals from the user installation are communicated from the individual user terminals in the same wireless manner.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive multimedia services to subscriber premises utilizing in whole or in part the public switched telephone network. The service is provided using an existing twisted wire pair subscriber line with Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology. The ADSL connection provides a 1.5 mbits/s downstream video information channel, a two-way telephone connection, and a 16 kbits/s control channel. This multiplexed signal is then separated and processed on premise and distributed in a two-way fashion as a complex radio frequency signal. Multiple television sets and telephone stations may be simultaneously served and may conversely communicate commands upstream to the multimedia network. A complete installation may be made in an entire premise without the necessity for any significant installation of new wiring.

Abstract: A gamma correcting circuit has a plurality of differential amplifiers having respective input terminals for being supplied with a video signal and respective output terminals connected in common. At least one of the differential amplifiers comprises differential pairs of transistors including transistors whose bases are not connected to the input terminal, emitters are connected to respective resistors, and collectors are connected in common. A plurality of individually energizable and de-energizable external reference voltage supplies are connected to the bases of the transistors whose bases are not connected to the input terminal.

Abstract: A digital switching network is described which accommodates a full range of broadband and narrowband digital technologies, including video, wideband data, narrowband data, video-on-demand and telephone channels in an integrated manner. Optical fiber connects information sources to the switching component of the network utilizing a standardized transport stream such as SONET OC-N. A broadband ATM switch, a digital cross-connect switch or other distribution mechanisms may be utilized to interconnect information sources and subscribers. A level 1 gateway is utilized to control access to all information resources on the network.

Abstract: In two-way broadcasting, the broadcasting side broadcasts a broadcast signal multiplexed with information for identifying a no-ringing response function of the destination. When the destination has the no-ringing response function, the receiving side dials the no-ringing dialing number before the telephone number of the destination on the basis of the function identifying information. Thus, a telephone service station transmits the specified no-ringing dialing signal such as an NCNG or NRS signal. Moreover, when a broadcasting side having a plurality of destinations corresponding to a plurality of replies broadcasts a signal multiplexed with the information for identifying a plurality of destinations corresponding to a plurality of the replies, the receiving side selectively dials a plurality of the destinations on the basis of the destination identifying information, and terminates the line connection upon reception of the signal.

Abstract: A phase error corrector for an HDTV reception system, which can correct data level errors by reducing phase errors coming from local oscillators, includes a gain and offset adjustment unit for adjusting a gain and an offset of incoming I data, a Hilbert transform filter for performing a Hilbert transform filtering of the I data received from the gain and offset adjustment unit for generating Q data, a log LUT for producing logarithmic values of the I data and the Q data received from the gain and offset adjustment unit and the Hilbert transform filter into a logI value and a logQ value respectively, a complex multiplexer for generating a corrected I value and a corrected Q value having their errors corrected out of the logI value and the logQ value received from the log LUT, a phase error detector for detecting phase errors from the corrected I value and the corrected Q value received from the complex multiplexer, and a loop filter for accumulating phase errors received from the phase error detector and apply

Abstract: A television receiver control box which has a motherboard located within an inner cavity of a box housing. Mounted directly to the motherboard is a card reader which can read a credit card inserted through a slot of the box. Both the card and the slot can be concealed by a door that is locked and pivotally connected to a front panel of the control box.

Abstract: A television receiver includes a scan velocity modulation circuit. An amplitude correction circuit couples vertical and horizontal parabola signals to the scan velocity modulation circuit so as to vary scan velocity modulation with displacement of beam position from the center of the screen. The parabola signals may be derived from a pincushion correction circuit of the television receiver, for example, from a diode modulator. The position-indicating parabolas may control amplifier gain within the scan velocity modulation circuit, output level limiting, or the amplitude of the differentiated luminance signal applied to the amplifier to provide scan velocity modulation reduction away from screen center.