Abstract: A method, computer program product and system are provided for integrating television signals with internet access. A television signal is received and divided into images and universal resource locators (URLs). Checking is performed to identify a filtered image user selection. Responsive to a filtered image user selection not being identified, the image is altered to visually emphasize URLs. Then the visually altered image is rendered for display. Responsive to a filtered image user selection being identified, the filtered image without URLs is rendered for display. The user enters user selected preferences and used selected filtering for display.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for interconnecting multiple consumer electronics devices in a home entertainment system. The consumer electronics devices are connected in a hub and spoke configuration, with each one being directly connected to a central electronics device. The central electronics device includes multiple identical, interchangeable jacks, each of which can receive cables connected to any of the consumer electronics devices, thereby significantly simplifying the process of connecting the components of the home entertainment system. The jacks are compatible with S-video and RCA video cables, such that the user does not need to understand the differences between these cables. In the hub and spoke configuration, all signals in the home entertainment system are accessible by the central electronics device. Accordingly, the central electronics device can process, route, or otherwise respond to any signal. For example, any video or audio signal can be routed to a VCR, where it can be recorded.

Abstract: In an interactive information distribution system that utilizes open sessions to provide requested information to users, a method for sharing the use of open sessions between a plurality of set top terminals associated with a common account number or user.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for frequency sweeping and frequency sweep testing a CATV system wherein the CATV system has a plurality of channels and is transmitting television signals over at least some of the channels. The system includes a head end test unit coupled to the CATV system at its head end and a remote test unit coupled to the CATV system at a location remote from the head end. The head end test unit sweeps the CATV system by either generating and transmitting test signals at the channel frequencies over the CATV system or, if a television signal is being transmitted on a channel, using the television signal as the test signal. The head end test also measures the signal levels of the test signal and at the end of the sweep, transmits telemetry signals, which include the frequencies to be swept and the measured signal levels, over the CATV system to the remote test unit using the same transmitter that it use to generate and transmit the test signals.

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: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for purchasing media features for programming transmissions. A selection is sent to a server system to buy an upgraded media feature for a programming transmission. The server system automatically coordinates purchasing the media feature from a programming transmission source and providing the media feature from the programming transmission source. In one embodiment, an entertainment system includes a user interface from which a viewer selects an upgraded media feature for a programming transmission, wherein the programming transmission with the upgraded media feature is provided to the entertainment system.

Abstract: The tap antenna unit includes signal splitting circuitry, coupled to a coaxial cable which is servicing a consumer electronic device, such as a television set, for splitting off a signal from the coaxial cable; a filter coupled to an output of the signal splitting circuitry for selecting a low-level sharp frequency band in the energy spectrum of the coaxial cable; circuitry for demodulating a signal carried by the low-level frequency band; circuitry for modulating the output signal onto a carrier in an unlicensed frequency band; and an output antenna which is coupled to the modulating circuitry and which is capable of transmitting the output modulated signal over a limited transmitting-receiving area.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for improving or otherwise affecting the picture produced from a video signal. The apparatus preferably includes a video signal receiver, a circuit that decodes picture parameter correction information from a received video signal, and a circuit that processes a received video signal based on decoded picture parameter correction information. The correction information is preferably located in the vertical blanking interval of the received video signal. The method includes encoding picture parameter correction information into a vertical blanking interval of a video signal.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving and rendering Unicode text in multiple languages on a set top box is disclosed. The system includes a set top box which receives an application program from a broadcast station. The set top box executes the application program. The application program includes Unicode character encoding text for display on a television coupled to the set top box. An operating environment running on the set top box includes a Unicode encoding engine which the application program invokes to display Unicode text. The encoding engine determines the language of characters in the text and invokes a rendering engine corresponding to the language of each character, thus enabling characters from different languages to be mixed in the same text string. The rendering engine has specific knowledge of the language, such as rendering direction and context.

Abstract: A remote control for operating a consumer electronic device. The remote control device may comprise a housing providing a mounting for a visual display and a keyboard including a plurality of keys; electrical circuitry in the housing including a microprocessor, at least one of an IR or RF receiver circuit coupled to the microprocessor, keyboard circuitry coupled between the microprocessor and the keyboard, a memory coupled to the microprocessor, and at least one of an IR or RF transmitter circuit coupled to the microprocessor. Program guide software is stored in the memory and executable by the microprocessor for causing to be displayed on the visual display, upon actuation of one or more of the keys, a program guide, advertising and/or other content contained in a data set received by the receiver.

Abstract: A wireless receiving subsystem operatively connectable to a broadcast receiver unit having a frequency tuner has an antenna with a feed point, an amplifier located essentially at the feed point, and a transmission line extending from the feed point of the antenna and the amplifier to a signal input of the broadcast receiver unit. The transmission line having a pair of conductors, for example, coaxial conductors. A manually operated switch is disposed in the transmission line for applying a DC voltage across the conductors, while a relay switch is operatively connected to the transmission line for changing a connection state of the amplifier to the transmission line in response to the voltage.

Abstract: A technique for selectively inhibiting television receiving apparatus from displaying those television channels which are not authorized for viewing, such as unsubscribed television channels and channels with programs which satisfy predetermined content ratings criteria. Television channel information associated with television channels that are receivable by the television receiving apparatus, such as rating data representing the contents of the programs on the television channel, is obtained. A rating code representing the content ratings criteria of those channels which a viewer wishes to inhibit from being displayed also is obtained. When either channel up or channel down buttons are operated by the viewer, the rating data associated with the next television channel is compared with the rating code to determine if that television channel satisfies the predetermined content ratings criteria.

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: An asymmetrical data communications system (ADCS) provides point-to-multipoint television programming including conventional television programming, near video-on-demand (NVoD) or video-on-demand (VoD), and the full variety of available programming, via a compressed, digitized UHF transmission. A program subsystem of the ADCS receives programming from content providers and processes the received signals for channel and VoD or NVoD service, then sends the aggregated signal to a transmission subsystem that modulates, channelizes, amplifies, filters and broadcasts the digital UHF signals over the air. Subscribing viewers are equipped with an intelligent control box (ICB) suitably configured to receive, demodulate, and decode the digital UHF broadcast and to transmit the resulting signal to one or more display or other terminal devices. The ICB further provides a matrix switch or gateway for receiving signals over any available transmission path.

Abstract: An exemplary leakage tagging signal generator according to the present invention is intended for use in connection with a leakage tagging signal detector that detects signal leakage in a communication system. In particular, the leakage tagging signal generator is intended for use with a leakage tagging signal detector that identifies leakage tagging signals based on the detection of a characteristic leakage tagging frequency component. The leakage tagging signal generator includes an RF signal source, an output, a switch, and a pulse signal source. The RF signal source is operable to generate an RF carrier signal having a first frequency. The output connects to the communication system. The pulse signal source is a device operable to generate a pulse signal having a first state and a second state, said pulse signal having a pulse period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows a user to preview live audio and/or video of a channel displayed in a multiple channel selection display prior to making a complete selection is generally accomplished by providing pixel information for displaying visual representations of a plurality of channels where the video representation of each channel is displayed in a corresponding channel display area (i.e., a video thumbnail). When the user selects one of the video representations in a preview mode, the video thumbnail is switched from a still image with no audio to an image that includes live audio and/or video. This preview mode remains until the user deselects the preview mode, selects full display area viewing, or a time-out period expires. In addition to the preview option, the user is provided with an editing option that allows the user to customize his or her multiple channel display.

Abstract: A method of interactively viewing the Earth including the steps of: selecting satellite viewpoint of a region of the Earth; reading prestored image of the region of the Earth from the satellite viewpoint; displaying the prestored image; selecting prestored wide-angle images of the region from a lower-altitude viewpoint in comparison to the satellite viewpoint; selecting and displaying portions of the prestored wide-angle images; reading and displaying prestored textual data associated with the region of the Earth; and selecting and displaying prestored terrestrial images of the region of the Earth from a terrestrial viewpoint.

Abstract: A remote programmer connectable to a satellite television receiver prompts a user to enter commands representing a satellite or local television program to be recorded by a video tape recorder. The remote programmer issues programming commands to the satellite television receiver and the video tape recorder to cause the program to be provided at the output of the receiver and recorded by the video tape recorder at a specified time.

Abstract: A horizontal sync separator that is capable of operating with horizontal sync signals of differing durations. A monostable is operated by the leading inverted negative edge of the horizontal sync pulse and generates a minimum duration horizontal pulse. The minimum duration horizontal pulse is applied along with the inverted negative horizontal pulse to an OR gate which outputs the longer of the two pulses. The arrangement assures proper video clamping during the horizontal back porch interval.

Abstract: A two-way point to multipoint data transmission system comprises an upstream unit, a plurality of downstream units, and a transmission line connecting the downstream units to the upstream unit. At least one headend modem is located at the upstream unit and at least one downstream modem is located at the downstream units. The modems employ multitone orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to establish two-way communication between the upstream and downstream units. The OFDM has a tone spacing selected to minimize the ingress of electromagnetic interference at least in the upstream direction.