Abstract: Apparatus and methods to receive and display digital television signals are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus to receive digital television signals comprises an antenna assembly coupled to the signal processing circuitry and comprising a first antenna positioned to maximize reception in a first direction and a second antenna positioned to maximize reception in a second direction, different from the first direction, and a processor coupled to the antenna assembly and comprising a selection logic module to select an antenna to receive a digital television signal for a specific channel, and a tuning logic module to configure the antenna assembly to receive a signal via a selected antenna.

Abstract: Remote control signal detection systems and methods are operable to set media device operation preferences in a media device. An exemplary embodiment detects a remote control communication signal transmitted from a remote control, wherein the remote control communication signal includes a unique identifier associated with the transmitting remote control; determines that at least one foreign language preference is associated with the transmitting remote control; and reconfigures information generated by the media device into the preferred foreign language.

Abstract: The present invention includes an interactive computer system which provides television schedule information and displays an action pop-up listing actions which can be scheduled. In the preferred embodiment, a memory stores a computer program, image data, and received data. This data includes the television schedule information. A processor uses the computer program to organize the television schedule information into a desired format, display an action pop-up for a chosen program, and schedule an action listed in the pop-up when selected by the user. Icons are listed in various displays indicating actions scheduled for associated programs.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus, which converts a frame rate by dividing an input frame into sub-frames and outputting the sub-frames, includes a minimum value filter unit, a low-pass filter processing unit, a generation unit, and a switching unit. In an input frame, the minimum value filter unit selects a maximum value of minimum values from the minimum values of pixel values in each horizontal line in a predetermined area including peripheral pixels of a processing target pixel, and performs pre-processing to replace the processing target pixel with the maximum value. The low-pass filter processing unit performs low-pass filter processing on the pre-processed input frame and generates a first sub-frame. The generation unit generates a second sub-frame from the first sub-frame and the input frame. The switching unit switches the first sub-frame and the second sub-frame at predetermined timing and outputs a sub-frame.

Abstract: A television system for providing identification of user television viewing activities, while maintaining the privacy of individual viewers. In selected embodiments, the television system includes a random, unique identification generator that, on a periodic basis, can be used to send targeted advertisements or programming to a user. The user can force the system to re-generate a random identifier and/or purge any tracked data at any time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for broadcasting signals. The system includes a supplemental antenna at a first location co-located with a main antenna transmitting a main signal. The supplemental antenna is physically separate from a main antenna at the same location and transmits a supplementary signal adjacent to the main signal which matches or corresponds to a remote signal transmitted from an antenna at a remote location. The system transmits the supplemental signal at sufficient power to overcome interference in a coverage hole of the remote signal caused by the main signal. A supplemental antenna co-located with the main antenna can transmit the supplemental signal. The system can receive a supplemental signal that matches a remote signal, pass the supplemental signal through a same power amplifier and filter as a local main signal, and broadcast via an antenna both the main signal and the supplemental signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide a multimode tuner architecture implementing direct frequency conversion are shown. Embodiments provide a highly integrated configuration wherein low noise amplifier, tuner, analog and digital channel filter, and analog demodulator functionality are provided in a single integrated circuit. A LNA of embodiments implements a multi-path configuration with seamless switching to provide desired gain control while meeting noise and linearity design parameters. Embodiments of the invention implement in-phase and quadrature (IQ) equalization and a multimode channelization filter architecture to facilitate the use of direct frequency conversion. Embodiments implement spur avoidance techniques for improving tuner system operation and output using a clock signal generation architecture in which a system clock, sampling clock frequencies, local oscillator (LO) reference clock frequencies, and/or the like are dynamically movable.

Abstract: A horizontal synchronization signal detection system includes a coarse period estimator and a fine period time estimator. The coarse period estimator estimates a minimum value and corresponding position of each period of a CVBS signal to calculate a coarse period of a horizontal synchronization signal. The fine period time estimator divides the horizontal synchronization signal into a first part and a second part so as to generate a first sum and a second sum by adding signals of the first part and the second part, and detects a middle point of the horizontal synchronization signal when the first sum equals the second sum. The steps of fine-tuning the coarse period to generate a fine-tuned coarse period, extracting the horizontal synchronization signal according to the fine-tuned coarse period, and determining whether the first sum is equal to the second sum are repeatedly executed until the first sum equals the second sum.

Abstract: The addition of temporal positions to an inverted index allows for temporal queries in addition to phrase queries. Store additional binary data for each term instance in the word-level index to prepare for searching in response to time-based queries from a user is accomplished through the use of Lucene's binary payload feature where the payload structure is defined for use in such searches. The pre-defined payload fields consist of three integers, which account for 12 extra bytes that must be stored for each term instance. A content database on the Master/Administrator server node provides the indexes for search into content in response to user events, returning results in JSON format. The search results may then be used to locate and present content segments to a user containing both requested search term results and the time location and duration within a content asset where the search term(s) is found.

Abstract: A device obtains a video and a matrix code (such as a QR code) to divide into portions and interlace with the video. The device generates a modified interlaced video by including at least a first portion in a first but not a second field of a first frame, a second portion in a second but not a first field of a second frame, and so on such that all of the portions of the matrix code are included in the modified interlaced video. Subsequently, the device transmits the modified interlaced video to a display. When the modified interlaced video is displayed, the matrix code is present but not visually perceptible. A matrix code reader detects and/or records and analyzes the displayed modified video to identify the portions of the matrix code included therein, extract such portions, and combine the extracted portions to form the matrix code.

Abstract: A system and method for improved comb filtering. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise method steps and system components that generate a signal indicative of the quality of a field-combed signal. A first signal indicative of inter-field and inter-line signal difference substantially inside the chroma frequency band may be generated. An indication of field comb quality may be determined based at least in-part on the first signal, and a corresponding signal may be generated. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise method steps and system components that generate a comb-filtered signal. A field comb signal and line comb signal may be generated. A comb-filtered signal may be generated based on the field comb signal, line comb signal, and the signal indicative of the field comb quality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method (101), in relation to a current video frame (300) comprising a visual element (320) associated with a location in a scene captured in the frame (300), said visual element (320) being associated with a plurality of mode models (350), said method matching (140) one of said plurality of mode models (350) to the visual element (320), said method comprising, for each said mode model (350), the steps of determining (420) a visual support value depending upon visual similarity between the visual element (320) and the mode model (350), determining (440) a spatial support value depending upon similarity of temporal characteristics of the mode models (350) associated with the visual element and mode models (385) of one or more other visual elements (331); and identifying (450) a matching one of said plurality of mode models (350) depending upon the visual support value and the spatial support value.

Abstract: Remote control of an electronic device is achieved by retrieving a description of a control surface associated with the electronic device, rendering a graphical representation of at least portion of the control surface on a screen in accordance with the description and navigating the graphical representation using a navigation device that is remote from the first electronic device. The graphical representation may include multiple controls. The electronic device is operated in accordance with controls selected using the navigation device. The graphical representation may be displayed on the navigation device or on a remote screen. The controls to be displayed may be selected automatically dependent upon a selected operating mode.

Abstract: A signal processing method by adding odd and even field SYNC data for neutralized effects including the steps of receiving an odd field SYNC data of an odd field, which is different at a certain data segment when compared with an even field SYNC data of an even field, and the even field SYNC data of the even field; adding the odd field SYNC data and the even field SYNC data to neutralize the odd and even field SYNC data so as to generate a combined odd and even field SYNC data; and performing a predetermined signal processing on an input signal according to the combined odd and even field SYNC data.

Abstract: As information to be processed at an object-based video or audio-visual (AV) terminal, an object-oriented bitstream includes objects, composition information, and scene demarcation information. Such bitstream structure allows on-line editing, e.g. cut and paste, insertion/deletion, grouping, and special effects. In the interest of ease of editing, AV objects and their composition information are transmitted or accessed on separate logical channels (LCs). Objects which have a lifetime in the decoder beyond their initial presentation time are cached for reuse until a selected expiration time. The system includes a de-multiplexer, a controller which controls the operation of the AV terminal, input buffers, AV objects decoders, buffers for decoded data, a composer, a display, and an object cache.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).

Abstract: A display method and display apparatus are provided. The display method includes receiving a broadcast signal that contains a main image and a sub-image, setting a restriction area where motion estimation is restricted in the sub-image, performing motion estimation in areas corresponding to the broadcast signal other than the set restriction area, and displaying the broadcast signal obtained after the motion estimation is performed.

Abstract: One or more processors and/or circuits receive a composite video signal and determine a current pixel and a plurality of reference pixels. A plurality of weighting factors corresponding to the reference pixels are determined utilizing non-local means. Chroma components and/or luma components for the current pixel are determined based on weighted least squares utilizing the reference pixels, the weighting factors and information known about the composite signal, for example, sub carrier information. The composite video signal may comprise baseband Y and modulated Cb and/or Cr components. Weighting factors are determined by comparing a block of pixels about the current pixel with a block of pixels about the corresponding reference pixels in a current, previous or future frame. A set of equations comprising reference pixel data, a set of weighting factors and/or the known information may be solved to the determine signal components.

Abstract: An electronic device has a plurality of wired-connection terminals, a selection portion that selects one of the plurality of wired-connection terminals for input of source data, and a transmission portion that wiredly transmits a command requesting a shift to a normal-operation mode to another electronic device having a power-save mode after switching of input by selection by the selection portion. The plurality of wired-connection terminals are all of an identical type for wired connection to another electronic device having a power-save mode.

Abstract: A system for and a method of synchronous acquisition of pulsed source light performs monitoring of aircraft flight operation. Diode sources of illumination (18, 108, 208) are pulsed (16, 106, 206) at one-half the video frame rate of an imaging camera (36, 136, 236). Alternate frames view the world-scene with lights of interest pulsed on, and then off, respectively. Video differencing (34, 134, 234) eliminates the background scene, as well as all lights not of interest. Suitable threshholding over a resulting array of camera pixel-differences acquires the desired lights and represents them as point symbology on a display (40, 140, 240). In an enhanced vision landing system embodiment, the desired lights (symbols) overlay or are fused on a thermal image of the scene; alternatively, the symbols overlay a visible scene (TV) image.