Abstract: A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. The invention is particularly useful in program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal that carries data and identifies available program choices. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information.

Abstract: A method for objectively and non-intrusively measuring the audio-visual quality of a destination audio-video signal that generates measurement parameters that are indicative of human image quality perceptions. Subjective human test panel results are generated for a variety of audio-video test samples and objective test results are also generated by the apparatus of the invention for the variety of audio-video test samples. Accordingly, when the apparatus extracts test frames from the actual source and destination audio-video signals and compares them, audio-visual quality parameters are output by the apparatus that are indicative of the audio-visual quality of the destination audio-visual signal based upon the source audio-visual signal.

Abstract: An interactive image display system includes a user interface to select a portion of a wide-angle image sequence. An image processor processes the portion of the wide-angle image sequence selected by the user interface to produce a perspective corrected image sequence. A display device displays the perspective corrected image sequence produced by the image processor. An accounting system monitors a usage parameter associated with the interactive image display system. A controller selectively inhibits an operative feature provided by at least one of the user interface, the image processor, and the display device based upon the usage parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for ensuring accurate reception of digitally encoded files that are transmitted in non-real time from a distribution station to a plurality of receiving stations, e.g. cable headends. Each file is divided into a plurality of data packets, with the packets being transmitted via satellite to the headends. Each headend determines which packets are in error (i.e. missing or jumbled) and need to be re-transmitted to the headend from the distribution station. After such a determination, each headend communicates a request over a land-link, e.g. telephone line or internet, to the distribution station requesting re-transmission of the packets in error. The distribution station then re-transmits these particular packets either via the land-link or the satellite. Re-transmission in non-real time via the land-link allows the headend to simultaneously receive packets via satellite and land-link so as to reduce the time taken to transmit files from the distribution station to the headends.

Abstract: In a video distribution system, methods and apparatus for rapid channel selection are implemented to reduce the channel-to-channel latencies which might otherwise occur in modern video decoding systems, such as MPEG-2.

Abstract: An assembly and delivery circuit and method of operation therefor which delivers a stream of pixel formatted digital video data as words to an internal bus of a host personal computer. The host personal computer receives and processes the words assembled and delivered by this circuit to present a video image on its display screen. The assembly and delivery circuit operates in conjunction with the host computer's internal bus at a sufficient speed to permit a host personal computer having a sufficient operating speed to display either black and white images, or color television images at a real-time rate of thirty frames per second.

Abstract: A program time guide for an interactive viewing system allows a user to control the time and channels for which program information is displayed. The user can navigate through the program time guide to identify and select desired programs. The program time guide displays information for various types and sources of programming by assigning each program source a channel number. Selecting a program on a particular channel causes the system to tune to an associated frequency to receive video signals, launch a computer executed application which generates displayed information, or to perform some other activity associated with that channel or program.

Abstract: A multiplex frame format for transmitting digital data in a data transmission system comprises a PACKETS portion comprising a highly error-protected region and a region having only Reed Solomon encoding as an error protection measure, the PACKETS portion including low speed data. The frame format also comprises portions for transmitting medium (AUDIO) and high speed (VIDEO) data streams following the PACKETS portion. Prior to transmission, the composed frame comprising the PACKETS, AUDIO and VIDEO portions is interleaved and the BLOCK SYNC and FRAME SYNC are added. A multiplex structure control packet word of the PACKETS portion immediately follows FRAME SYNC. Thus, the FRAME SYNC word defines where interleaving begins. A demultiplexer in concert with a microcontroller of a decoder decodes the multiplex structure control word and related PACKETS and outputs digital data streams to related output peripheral processors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for dynamically transferring an application from a server to a client station in an interactive television network. The method begins with the step of storing an application engine in the memory of the client station. The method further includes the step of transmitting a signal from the client station to the server. The signal represents a request for an application. The method also includes the steps of downloading an application segment from the server to the client station and storing the application segment in the memory of the client station. Finally, the method includes the step of executing the control logic of the application segment. An apparatus is also disclosed for implementing the method.

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 method and system for distributing multimedia signals to a subscriber from a headend unit. The multimedia signals are transmitted on a network media as a composite RF and AC signal. A passive unit is upgraded by with a circuit having connectors that separates the AC from the RF signal. The signals are split in the upgraded passive unit. 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 RF signal and AC output signal are separately fed to a customer interface unit where the RF signal is decoded and transmitted to a subscriber. By providing a passive unit 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: A programmable CPU running at a video display rate, or a sub-multiple thereof, is used to generate the timings by loading control registers on the fly. In a preferred embodiment, a very reduced instruction set is used to generate VSYNC, HSYNC, and CSYNC signals. The CPU executes instructions out of an Instruction SRAM. The CPU's main goal is to load a pair of backing registers before a down counter reaches the value of zero.

Abstract: An automatic picture quality compensating method and apparatus employs a fuzzy theory to entirely analyze three components of brightness and sharpness of the picture image and signal-to-noise ratio in order to achieve an optimal profile compensation of the picture image. The method and system are defined such that the brightness is controlled by using the luminance signal level of the picture image, and the sharpness of the picture quality is controlled by using the vertical correlativity of the luminance signal. In addition, the S/N ratio can be improved by using the envelope of the video signal.

Abstract: In a convergence adjusting apparatus, there are generated waveform signals for adjustment, each level of which becomes zero at a plurality of adjustment points on a display except for one adjustment point. The levels of the waveform signals for adjustment are adjusted in accordance with convergence adjusting signals, and a convergence deflection yoke is supplied with the waveform signals having adjusted levels. In the convergence adjusting apparatus, only a beam spot at any adjustment point subjected to adjustment is moved when convergence adjustment is effected, without affecting adjustment for other adjustment points.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus which is operable during muting, even though it relies on audio to monitor program signals transmitted by broadcast sources. The monitoring is performed by transmitting a combined signal derived by adding a code to an audio program signal. During muting, the audio is inhibited by actuating a switch. However, the code is separated from the combined signal and routed so as to bypass the switch in order to enable the monitoring to continue.

Abstract: A video signal processing system, such as a pay TV system, that includes a smart card access control feature decodes control information from data included in groups of video line intervals that represent data channels. Each channel includes data arranged in packets of data. Each packet includes both descriptor data and application data. The packets of data are extracted from the video lines by a data dispatcher. After receiving a packet from a data channel, the data dispatcher analyses the descriptor data to determine the target for the application data. The data dispatcher transmits the application data contained in the packet, without analyzing the data, to the correct target processor unit, e.g. either a control access processor or a decoder intelligent processor. Information that may be transferred to the decoder processor includes, a specific channel allocation table, data related to the VTR of the customer, and information related to a geographic location.

Abstract: A display system for displaying a plurality of video windows on a display screen. A receiving element is included for receiving video data packets from a plurality of video sources in a time sharing manner, each of the video data packets including: coded video information for representing a partial image contained within one of a plurality of blocks constituting a video frame; attribute information for indicating at least a location of a block corresponding thereto within the video frame; and identification information of the video source. A decoder element is connected to the receiving element for decoding the coded video information extracted from each of the video data packets and for outputting a partial image corresponding to one of the blocks in the video frame.

Abstract: A dewar cooled piezo electric activated beam splitter permits a filtered dimensional multispectral multidetector staring imager to operate as a target acquisition and recognition device as well as a detector and classifier of unknown chemical vapors or other targets with spectral fingerprint.

Abstract: Location specific messages or programming are generally broadcast and selectively filtered by user terminals which have encoded one or more arbitrary locations of interest. The area surrounding a user, a remote location, a route to be travelled, or the like may be selected for receipt of local warnings, local commercial messages, and the like. A set-top receiver being a preferably tunable apparatus capable of receiving digital information transmitted by a variety of means. Transmitted messages contain information targeted to geographical groups of users, with location designation coding accompanying location-specific messages. A geographic location selection code is entered into a data processor coupled to the user's receiver to define the user's selected location(s) of interest. The processor receives the information segment and its designation code and compares the designated location to the selected one. Segments where the designated and selected points or areas overlap are processed. e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus for developing synchronization of an intermediate layer of signal such as the transport or multiplex layer of a multi-layered compressed video signal, includes at the encoding end of the system apparatus for including a time stamp reference, such as a count value from a modulo K counter, and provision for a differential time stamp related to time stamps of a further compressed signal or differential transit times of respective transport packets. Flags are included in transport packets of signal to indicate the presence or absence of the time stamps or differential time stamps. At the receiving end of the system, circuitry examines respective packets for the condition of the flags to locate specific information such as the time stamps and differential time stamps. A counter is responsive to a controlled receiver clock signal and the count value of this counter is sampled at the arrival of transport packets including a flag indicating the presence of a time stamp.