Abstract: A television signal transmitter includes a mixer in which an intermediate-frequency television signal is frequency-converted into a television signal on a channel used for transmission in a predetermined frequency range, a bandpass filter to which the television signal on the channel used for transmission is input and the passband center frequency of which is changed by an applied control voltage, a memory which stores, in the form of digital data, voltages for setting the passband center frequency to equal the frequencies of a plurality of channels in the frequency range, and a D/A converter which converts the digital data into each analog voltage. The analog voltage, at which the passband center frequency equals the frequency of the channel used for transmission, is applied as the control voltage to the bandpass filter.

Abstract: An encoder includes a sampler that samples an audio signal and that generates from the samples a plurality of short blocks of sampled audio. Each of the short blocks has a duration less than a minimum audibly perceivable signal delay. A processor combines the plurality of short blocks into a long block. The long block is transformed into a frequency domain signal having a plurality of independently modulatable frequency indices. The frequency difference between adjacent indices is determined by the minimum duration and the sampling rate of the sampler. A neighborhood of frequency indices is selected so that the frequency difference between a lowest index and a highest index within the neighborhood is less than a predetermined value. Two or more of the indices are modulated in the neighborhood so as to make a selected one of the indices an extremum while keeping the total energy of the neighborhood constant. A plurality of frequency bands are so coded.

Abstract: A conditional access system for controlling the access of receivers of end-users to data transmitted from a data content source in an uplink system. The uplink system comprises a scrambler for scrambling the content supplied from the content source, an entitlement control message generator for generating entitlement control messages containing a control word and an entitlement identification, and a transmitter for transmitting the scrambled content and the entitlement control messages. A descrambler, an entitlement control message decoder and means for storing entitlements are associated to the receiver. The entitlement control message decoder supplies a control word to the descrambler for descrambling a part of the received scrambled content for which the receiver is entitled, if a match between the entitlement identification in the entitlement control message and the entitlement of the end-user exists.

Abstract: A method of providing rebroadcast programming includes encoding a rebroadcast program, specifying a preferred play time, and providing a broadcast that fits the preferred play time. The encoding of the rebroadcast program can use a replay plan which prioritizes portions of the rebroadcast. A priority can be assigned to commercials which have been made to be shortened or dropped, or an alternative commercial substituted, depending on time limitations. A rebroadcast packaging and playlist are provided.

Abstract: At least one visual significance metric is determined (12) for at least some frames belonging to an original series of frames (11). Key frames are identified (13) as a function, at least in part, of the visual significance metric. Cumulative visual significance values are then determined (14) for at least some of the frames that intervene between each pair of key frames. These cumulative visual significance values are then used to identify (15) frames of additional content interest. Various frames are then selected (16) for use in a visual summary. In one embodiment, all of the key frames and frames of additional content interest are selected for inclusion in the visual summary.

Abstract: In order to transition to digital television services, existing analog televisions require additional equipment that can decode received digital data streams. Devices of this sort are readily available, however they can become expensive as the feature list expands. The present invention provides a low-cost digital television settop or the like, with built-in digital decoding and analog signal pass-through capabilities. The tuner within an analog television receives (i) passed through analog television channels and (ii) digital channels that have been converted to analog signals and placed on a predetermined analog television channel.

Abstract: In an apparatus for composing image data of a main picture and image data of a sub-picture by a chroma key process, an attribute of an image contained in the sub-picture is detected, a partial area of the sub-picture is set as a chroma key mask area in accordance with the attribute detection result, and composing the image data of the main picture and the image data of the sub-picture by executing the chroma key process for an area other than the chroma key mask area without executing the chroma key process for the chroma key mask area in the sub-picture.

Abstract: An impulse-reducing module (200) reduces random noise in video pixels by providing an impulse detector (244) and an impulse reducer, such as a median filter (250). The impulse detector (244) generates filter control signals in response to detection of impulses, and the median filter (250) generates filtered pixel values in response to the filter control signals. The control signals set the median filter to a plurality of filter operating modes.

Abstract: There is provided a frequency converter for suppressing generation of an image signal using a simple adaptive algorithm. In the frequency converter, an orthogonal converter 21 converts an RF/IF signal to a complex signal along with frequency conversion and ADCs quantize the complex signal. An image signal canceller achieves the complex conjugate of the quantized complex signal by inverting the imaginary part of the quantized signal through a multiplier. An LMS core adaptively processes the complex signal using the complex conjugate signal as a reference signal and the output of the image signal canceller as an error signal. The resulting cancellation signals are level-matched in attenuators. Subtracters combine the complex signal with the level-adjusted complex conjugate signal.

Abstract: A programmable gain amplifier having three separately programmable amplifiers. A programmable transconductance amplifier is followed by a programmable transimpedance amplifier, then a programmable switched capacitor amplifier. In one embodiment, this programmable gain amplifier is implemented in an analog front-end (AFE) circuit. One AFE embodiment provides a coarse pre-gain offset a black reference level sampler, and a fine post-gain offset in the programmable switched capacitor amplifier. In one embodiment, an ADC reference is sampled, and is subtracted directly from the video signal in the switched capacitor amplifier so that the zero level of the video signal is made to correspond to the zero level of the ADC.

Abstract: A novel echo cancellation reference (“ECR”) training signal is inserted into the current ATSC 8 VSB data stream to achieve improved echo rejection while maintaining compatibility with the ATSC 8 VSB digital ATV standard. The novel ECR training signal is also suitable for other multipath or dispersive digital communication channels. A pre-equalization subsystem is included in the digital ATV system as a front end to the VSB receiver, and is trained with preferably the novel ECR training signal. One type of pre-equalization subsystem provides a fully ATSC compliant signal at its output, and therefore is particularly useful with standard VSB receivers. Another type of pre-equalization system provides a signal at its output which is ATSC compliant in some respects but which retains the ECR signal, and therefore is particularly useful for signal relays, analysis purposes, and other applications in which the residual channel information is important.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording program information is provided with a program information obtaining device, a program guide providing device, a storing device, a reception contents recording device, a newest program information obtaining device, and a program information recording device. In the apparatus, the program information obtaining device obtains program information including at least program names, broadcast start times, program lengths or program end times, and broadcast channels of a plurality of programs. The program guide providing device provides a program guide to a user on the basis of the obtained program information. The storing device stores the obtained program information. The reception contents recording device receives the broadcast channel of the selected program in a period within the program length after the broadcast start time, or in a period by the broadcast end time from the broadcast start time, and recording the reception contents, at the stored broadcast start time.

Abstract: A gain deviation is leveled in the same band by using a varactor diode having the same characteristics as that used in an input tuning circuit for coupling the input tuning circuit and a high frequency amplifier The input tuning circuit has a tuning varactor diode whose tuning frequency varies with a tuning voltage applied to the cathode of the tuning varactor diode, a high-frequency amplifier is provided in a stage subsequent to the input tuning circuit, and a coupling varactor diode for coupling the input tuning circuit to the high-frequency amplifier, in which the cathode of the coupling varactor diode and that of the tuning varactor diode are connected with each other and a bias voltage higher than the voltage at the anode of the tuning varactor diode and lower than the lowest voltage of the tuning voltage is applied to the anode of the coupling varactor diode.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of controlling image display in an image display apparatus having a panel and wherein an image output is synchronized to a frame synchronization signal of an input signal. The method includes determining whether or not an input synchronization signal is an abnormal synchronization signal, processing the abnormal synchronization signal if the input synchronization is the abnormal synchronization signal, and removing damaged frame data if the abnormal synchronization signal is processed.

Abstract: An ACC system includes a controllable amplifier having an input coupled to receive a chroma input signal and an output for providing an chroma output signal of controllable amplitude. A first feedback path, including a cascade connection of means for providing a signal representative of a measured burst amplitude, means for providing an error signal representative of the difference between a desired burst amplitude and the measured burst amplitude, and an integrator, is coupled between the output of the controllable amplifier and a gain control input of the controllable amplifier.

Abstract: A control signal (k_lum) derived from the luminance component (Y) of a video signal is used to adaptively control a temporal noise reduction filter (10) according to the level of motion in a video image. To compress the control signal for storage in a memory (30), the control signal is averaged over each 2×2 pixel area, and then a non-linear compression function is applied. The non-linear compression function preferably selects quantization values of the control signal which correspond to a perceptually substantially linear response in the noise reduction factor (NRF) of the noise filter (10).

Abstract: A broadcast data receiver (BDR) is provided and a method of using the BDR for the production of a pseudo stable reference control for the reliable generation of composite video signals. The BDR receives video, audio and/or auxiliary data from a broadcaster can stored a part of all of the data in storage means, typically in the form of a hard disk drive. When the BDR is deriving video data from the hard disk due to the BDR being disconnected from the signal feed from the broadcaster, the BDR uses a pseudo stable reference produced by deriving one or more values from stable frequency information embedded in incoming data. The pseudo stable reference is used to control the frequency of a VCXO in the BDR, thereby allowing accurate color sub-carrier frequency generation for the generation of a final video output.

Abstract: A system that allows service providers, consumer electronic (CE) manufacturers or standards bodies to define flexible security policies (110) for the execution of downloaded applications (120) on digital television (DTV) receivers (160). The current receiver environment in which a software application is to be run is evaluated. For example, environmental factors such as time of day, date, channel currently tuned in, parental lockout status, grouping of major and minor virtual channels, and so forth, may be considered. An access controller (168) determines if the receiver's environmental factors satisfy the conditions for granting a permission to a downloadable application to allow access to the receiver functions (161), receiver resources and user private data. The security policy can be modified by installing or downloading a new security policy (110), or modified by a user with the provision of an appropriate interface. A Java code-implemented embodiment is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preventing collisions when a cable modem re-registers with a cable modem termination system on a cable television network following failure of a primary communications channel between the cable modem and the cable modem termination system. The method provides a service identifier that is transmitted to the cable modem during initial registration of the cable modem with the cable modem termination system. Upon registration of the cable modem with the cable modem termination system, the cable modem stores the service identifier in memory. After failure of the primary channel, the cable modem reinitializes on the cable network and waits for transmission of a bandwidth allocation map from the cable modem termination system. When the cable modem receives the bandwidth allocation map, it determines if the map contains a unicast initial maintenance opportunity.

Abstract: A technology is disclosed to enable a transfer to be made quickly and easily to a screen layout and an audio output mode preferred by a user when there is a change in an input source. Past viewing and listening history information regarding the attribute and the output state of an input source is stored beforehand, for example, which input source was viewed and listened to in what screen and audio structure, or which multi-window displaying a transfer was made to when an interrupt input source came in, depending on a relationship with a video being viewed and listened to at the time. Then, when an image regarding the input source is displayed, a screen layout and an audio output state are determined, and controlled based on the viewing and listening history information.