Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for time-managing the utilization of data detected in a data flow and constituting a data set. The device comprises a circuit (MP) for calculating a minimum duration of utilization of the detected data, which is proportional to the amount (L) of data contained in the data set. The invention applies more particularly to the case in which the detected data are digital data representing subtitles detected in a flow of data conveyed according to the MPEG 2 System transport standard. The utilization of the data then corresponds to the displaying of the subtitles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device which may be attached to a cable ground block (62) such that the level and type for signal emitted through the upstream flow of the signal, from a residence or business (59), may be determined along with the location of the source of ingress of any such signals. The invention, further includes a device (10) to transmit a signal of predetermined frequency towards a residence, such the source of errant signal ingress may be determined. Further, a method of causing the transmission of the signal at a predetermined time, measurement of the signal and determination of the source of the ingress of the signal is provided.

Abstract: A video projector including a network adapter, a microprocessor physically and electrically coupled to the network adapter, a graphics adapter physically and electrically coupled to the microprocessor, a light valve physically and electrically coupled to the graphics adapter, and a light source physically coupled to the light valve. The video projector is operable to receive video data in digital form and the network adapter and the video projector is operable to transfer the video data to the microprocessor, the graphics adapter, and the light valve in digital form.

Abstract: Decoder system initialization involves scanning to associate a particular program guide with individual channels. A similar procedure is also performed upon introduction of a new channel. A system for acquiring program guide information conveyed on one of a plurality of broadcast channels involves scanning through received broadcast channels to identify program guides available on individual channels. A program guide of a selected program guide type (e.g. analog-VBI type, MPEG PSI type or ATSC PSIP type) is associated with a broadcast channel by updating a video decoder database. The program guide of the selected program guide type is acquired and used in capturing packetized program information comprising a program conveyed on an individual broadcast channel. In another feature, data received on an individual broadcast channel is examined to identify program guides of particular type in a predetermined order.

Abstract: A circuit for generating video synchronization timing signals includes a negative peak detector (FIG. 5) for following variations of a composite video signal (FIG. 1), rather than clamping the most negative voltage of the composite video signal. The negative peak detector provides a voltage level VTIP representative of the voltage at the synchronization tip of the composite video signal. A sample and hold circuit (700, 702, 704) is used to add an offset VSLICE to VTIP, VSLICE being a voltage level of the breezeway, color burst, or back porch segments of the composite video signal, or a combination of these segments. The sample and hold circuit generates a signal VREF, and is connected by a resistor divider (708,710) to the negative peak detector to form the signal VTIP+VSLICE provided to an amplifier (606) functioning as a comparator. The signal VSLICE+VTIP is compared in comparator (606) with the composite video signal to provide an overall circuit output.

Abstract: A Residential Gateway (RG) for distributing video, data and telephone services to multiple devices within a residence is disclosed. The RG receives signals from a telecommunications network, converts the signals to formats compatible with the multiple devices, and transmits the appropriate signals to the appropriate devices. Wireless remote control devices (RCs) associated with remotely located televisions (TVs) transmit channel select commands to the RG as wireless signals. The wireless signals are received by Remote Antennae Packages (RAPs) coupled to the remotely located TVs. The RAPs transmit the wireless signals over coaxial cable to a Media Interface Device (MID) coupled to the RG. The MID extracts the channel select commands and forwards them to the RG. The MID is also capable of combining and splitting TV signals, and adjusting the impedance of network signals so that they can be transmitted over the coaxial cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing apparatus. The display screen is switched to a predetermined display screen and receives processing on this predetermined display screen by operation of another operation key. Thus, in case where the present invention is applied to a set-top box for digital satellite broadcasting or the like to provide a large number of programs by various selection methods, the number of operation keys of a remote control device is prevented from being increased, so the operationality can be improved.

Abstract: A method including integrating information regarding receiving, transmitting and converting capabilities of each device in a network with regard to signal formats, so that a pertinent transmission path can be determined. Such possible transmission paths can be specified in terms of the order of devices involved in the transmission paths and a signal format between these devices involved. One of the possible transmission paths that match the transmitting device and the transmitted signal format is selected as a pertinent transmission path. The method displays the selected transmission path on a monitor. Commands are issued to devices involved in the pertinent path, and the input/output of these devices is controlled according to the commands to establish the selected transmission path automatically. According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a means for storing device capability information. Also included is a memory for storing capability information of other devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for accessing data that is periodically transmitted by a broadcaster. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a receiver capable of reception of data is disclosed. The data is transmitted by a broadcaster in a broadcasting system. The receiver reduces the delay conventionally encountered in accessing periodically transmitted data in a broadcasting system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing method and an image processing apparatus that improve quality of display images in different formats of a multi-format data broadcast image. The image processing method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: separating menu data, character data, still image data, and moving image data in a plurality of formats from a broadcast video signal; generating a layer image signal such that the image signal of data in each of the formats is superimposable on the data in the plurality of formats; and subjecting the superimposed layer image signal to adaptive image processing according to a preset parameter by means of an adaptive image processing unit. Therefore, by subjecting each layer to different image processing irrespective of the type and the format of the signal, it is possible to perform image processing adapted to each format.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing method and an image processing apparatus that improve quality of display images in different formats of a multi-format data broadcast image. The image processing method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: separating menu data, character data, still image data, and moving image data in a plurality of formats from a broadcast video signal; generating a layer image signal such that the image signal of data in each of the formats is superimposable on the data in the plurality of formats; and subjecting the superimposed layer image signal to adaptive image processing according to a preset parameter by means of an adaptive image processing unit. Therefore, by subjecting each layer to different image processing irrespective of the type and the format of the signal, it is possible to perform image processing adapted to each format.

Abstract: An apparatus displays a video signal (VID) by means of a scan (SCAN). The apparatus may be, for example, a television set. The apparatus comprises a device (SCAVEM) for modulating the scanning rate (Vscan) as a function of the derivative (DLUM) of a luminance signal (LUM) extracted from the video signal (VID). This enables the subjective display quality to be improved. The apparatus has the following characteristic feature in order to obtain an even better quality, notably when the apparatus is used for displaying video signals of different types. The derivative (DLUM) of the luminance signal, as a function of which the scanning rate (Vscan) is modulated, is obtained by means of a difterentiator circuit (DIFF) having a controllable frequency response (CFR).

Abstract: A video processing system and method are provided for generating clock and timing signals from an incoming video signal. The system includes a timing reference circuit for generating a reference clock signal, a video format detector coupled to the reference clock signal and to synchronization data derived from the incoming video signal for generating a format signal indicating the format of the incoming video signal, and a clock and timing generator circuit coupled to the format signal and the reference clock signal for generating clock and timing signals that emulate the incoming video signal, and may be locked to the incoming video signal.

Abstract: A method and system for locating faulty components in a cable modem network configured within a hybrid fiber-coaxial cable television system by tabulating modem performance data are described. A method of isolating problematic components in a cable modem network includes determining whether a cable modem transmitted a polling message to a central destination during the modem's allotted time interval. A media access control layer, located within a cable modem termination system (CMTS), keeps a miss count for the cable modem that reflects the number of times the cable modem does not transmit a polling message to the CMTS during its allotted time. The media access control layer determines whether the cable modem is changing states. This data and the miss count are tabulated in a form that can be analyzed by a correlation module to determine characteristics of the cable television plant.

Abstract: A method for deinterlacing interlaced video using a graphics processor includes receiving at least one instruction for a 2D/3D engine to facilitate creation of an adaptively deinterlaced frame image from at least a first interlaced field. The method also includes performing, by the 2D/3D engine, at least a portion of adaptive deinterlacing based on at least the first interlaced field, in response to the at least one instruction to produce at least a portion of the adaptively deinterlaced frame image. Once the information is deinterlaced, the method includes retrieving, by a graphics processor display engine, the stored adaptively deinterlaced frame image generated by the 2D/3D engine, for display on one or more display devices. The method also includes issuing 2D/3D instructions to the 2D/3D engine to carry out deinterlacing of lines of video data from interlaced fields. This may be done, for example, by another processing device, such as a host CPU, or any other suitable processing device.

Abstract: An image magnifying circuit is made up of a frame memory 12 for storing input image data, a coefficient memory 18 in which filter coefficients corresponding to a plurality of magnification ratios are stored, a non-linear magnification controller 20 for outputting an enable signal for reading the corresponding image data from the frame memory 12 and a coefficient selecting address AD3 for reading the corresponding filter coefficient from the coefficient memory 18, on the basis of an area width w predetermined to divide a display screen into n parts and a predetermined magnification for the n parts, and a filter 14 for filtering the image data from the frame memory 12 on the basis of the filter coefficients from the coefficient memory 18 to output the image data on the image which is non-linearly magnified in a horizontal direction. These filter coefficients correspond to the magnification ratio which are set for the n parts of the display screen.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving, storing and displaying television program data. The method includes transmitting data including scheduled program data, program guide data, and cache program data. The method further includes receiving the transmitted data and storing the cache program data. Once a cache television program is selected, the cache program data corresponding to the selected cache television program is retrieved, and a display of the television program is generated for viewing.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to present a first portion of an output data stream in response to a first portion of an input data stream. The second circuit may be configured to present a second portion of the output data stream in response to a second portion of the input data stream. The apparatus may be configured to perform color and gamma correction on the input data stream to generate the output data stream in response to one or more control signals. In one example, the apparatus may comprise block move engine (BME).

Abstract: A data broadcast receiving apparatus includes a storage controlling unit and a reproduction controlling unit. The storage controlling unit stores data modules among a plurality of data modules included in received broadcast data, into a module storing unit and also stores storage information for each of the plurality of data modules into a storage information storing unit, the storage information showing the presence or absence of the data module in the module storing unit, a reason of the absence of the data module, and the like. When the user selects a data module as a reproduction target, the reproduction controlling unit judges whether the data module is stored unit, based on storage information of the data module. If the data module is not stored, the reproduction controlling unit displays a message informing the user of the fact and reason that the data module is not stored.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) from data transmitted to a receiver location. The EPG is generated from the data for display on a screen. The receiver of the data for the programs to be displayed and to which the EPG relates is capable of interrupting the display of the programs and saving the data in a memory for subsequent display at a later time. The present invention ensures that the EPG data is adjusted in accordance with the data held in the memory so as to continue to be synchronized with the programs which can be displayed.