Abstract: A pixel clock frequency is adjusted in response to periodically monitoring the relative positions between a video signal to be displayed and a video signal captured. Image shear of the display signal may be avoided quickly. Adjustments are made to the color burst signal where dramatic changes in the pixel clock frequency result.

Abstract: A digital-signal-processing circuit comprising an LUT memory used for storing a gamma-correction LUT used for carrying out gamma correction on an input digital video signal, and a front-stage signal-processing unit provided at a stage preceding the LUT memory and used for carrying signal processing, such as contrast adjustment, after the input digital video signal having a typical width of 8 bits is subjected to signal processing, such as contrast adjustment, in the signal-processing unit to be transformed into a digital video signal with a width of 11 bits. The 11-bit digital video signal is supplied to the LUT memory having an output bit count of 10 bits, which is smaller than the 11-bit width of the digital video signal supplied to the LUT memory but greater than the 8-bit width of the digital video signal input to the signal-processing unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring a correct satellite signal connection. Specifically, a user selects a satellite signal via an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) from at least one satellite, and the IRD sends a command signal to a selector switch to acquire and lock onto said satellite signal. The IRD repeats transmission of the command signal to the selector switch once the IRD has acquired and locked onto said information signal. Thus, in the event that the selector switch failed to switch to a low noise block converter (LNB) corresponding to the initial command signal, then the repeated command signal helps to ensure that the selector switch switches to the LNB corresponding with the latest command signal sent by the IRD.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for allowing a user to supervise personal exposure to a program exhibited by a consumer electronics device, such as a television system. The consumer electronics device includes “V-chip” circuitry that analyzes a signal and either blocks or passes the signal based on certain content-based criteria. In this connection, a user can program the “V-chip” circuitry with the preset content-based criteria in the form of preset content-based specification sets, which are stored in the consumer electronics device by the manufacturer. The preset content-based specification sets specify either allowable or objectionable content within a program signal received by the consumer electronics device. The “V-chip” circuitry receives a content-based indicator set, which is indicative of the actual content of the program signal. One of the preset content-based specification sets is conveniently selected by a user.

Abstract: The color reproduction correction circuit which corrects the color distortion caused when color signals using the first combination of the three primary colors are reproduced in a color display of the second combination of the different primary color sources has been disclosed, wherein: a provided color correction circuit generates the mixed color signal by multiplying the color signal in question by the specified coefficients and adding the mixed color signal to other color signals; the mixed colors in the second combination are used as primary color light sources in the second combination; the specified coefficients are determined so that these mixed color light sources are made close to the coordinates of the primary color light sources of the first combination; and the luminescent chromaticity values of the three primary colors are corrected so that the chromaticity values of the device match those specified by the signal system.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding and storing encoded control data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An interactive device such as an interactive toy performs behavior defined by control data that can be encoded into a video signal that can be broadcast or played-back from video tape. The interactive device is equipped with a non-volatile memory that permits the control data to be stored for performance subsequent to the transmission session (e.g., a televised program). The interactive device also may be equipped to perform behavior during the transmission session. The control data is delivered as a series of control data words that include genus codes and sequence codes. Genus codes identify the interactive device to which the data word is directed, so that a particular interactive device will respond (i.e., perform behavior) only in accordance with the control data words including the appropriate genus code.

Abstract: In a beam current limiting circuit for a video projector, an average current is limited under closed loop control containing an anode current detection circuit 5. On the other hand, a cathode current detection circuit 107 comprises a first resistor and a second resistor in series to a cathode current circuit and detects a cutoff current at the voltage across the first resistor and an average current at the voltage across the second resistor. An offset addition circuit 11 is provided for correcting the detection value of the average current based on the maximum value of detected cathode current, and beam current is limited. Further, means 15 for detecting time change of anode current is provided and if the current value does not change for a long time, the beam current is limited to a smaller value.

Abstract: A method and circuit for generating a train of synthesized sync pulses in accordance with the Bresenham algorithm in response to an input clock having frequency Fi, such that the leading edges of the pulses occur at least nearly periodically, with time-averaged frequency at least nearly equal to (A/T)Fi, where A and T are integers, and such that the accumulated error, between the actual time interval between the first and last leading edges of Z consecutive ones of the pulses and the time ZT/(AFi), never exceeds 1/Fi. When Fi is equal to (T/A)Fo, where Fo is a predetermined output line frequency, an embodiment of the sync pulse generator includes an accumulator which stores a Count value, a comparator, and logic circuitry for generating the sync pulse train in response to a binary signal asserted by the comparator (and typically also control data that determines a configuration of the logic circuitry).

Abstract: A hybrid passive-interactive program guide is generated by combining the features of an interactive program guide with the passive video portion of a passive program guide. The interactive guide may replace passive listings with interactive listings, replace passive features with interactive features, provide supplemental advertisements, or replace passive tagging information with interactive tagging information. Users may be provided with an opportunity to purchase a program or product being advertised, to view listings for segments aired in the video portion of the passive guide, to schedule reminders for listings or video segments that are displayed by the passive guide, or to schedule video segments and related information for recording.

Abstract: A tuning circuit's bandwidth is maintained almost constant throughout a UHF low to high band range so as to prevent interference by a neighboring channel, particularly in receiving high band television signals, and also to improve NF in receiving low band television signals, eliminating a difference in NF between channels. To realize this, a UHF tuner comprises: a UHF tuning circuit which has a varactor diode first and second inductance elements serially interconnected and connected in parallel with the varactor diode, where the varactor diode 11a varies a tuning frequency within a prescribed frequency range in the UHF band; and impedance means which is serially inserted between an input terminal and the junction of the two inductance elements, where the impedance by the impedance means increases as a frequency increases within the prescribed frequency range in the UHF band.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a video signal, and particularly, an apparatus and method for deleting a sawtooth wave are provided in which a sawtooth wave component is detected and with consideration of direction the sawtooth wave is deleted. The sawtooth wave deleting method includes (a) detecting a sawtooth wave component based on an area dispersion value and motion information in each frame in an input video signal; (b) detecting a direction from the pixels of the detected sawtooth wave component; and (c) deleting the sawtooth wave component by outputting an interpolated pixel in the detected direction. According to the apparatus and method, since interpolation of a sawtooth wave component is performed with consideration of the direction so that the sawtooth wave component is effectively deleted, a much smoother image is provided after deinterlacing.

Abstract: An IP data transport method and system that makes efficient use of the subscriber television system bandwidth and uses the existing structure and equipment of the subscriber television system. The method allows several levels of IP data service within a subscriber television system. A subnet connection is established between an IP server in a headend and an external network. The existing communications paths within a subscriber television system are used to establish an IP communications route between the headend and a Home Communications Terminal (HCT). The data is communicated in an Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) format. Encapsulating the IP data into an MPEG format allows the existing systems to transport the IP data in the same packet streams it uses for video, audio, and control data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving and displaying electronic program guide data having a number of segments, wherein each segment is associated with a program and wherein some of the segments have a keyword therein includes a receiver having a memory that stores a keyword list containing the keyword or keywords. The receiver receives the program guide data and compares the segments of the program guide data to the keyword list to determine if any keywords are contained in the segments. The receiver displays the keyword on a display screen so that the keyword may be selected by the user.

Abstract: A system with parental control features is provided. The system may be switched between single account control and multiple account control. Each account may have a program control code and a purchase control code. A user may set parental control criteria for controlling access to programming for each account. A user may set purchase control criteria for controlling purchasing for each account. The system may remove a block on parentally-controlled activity when an authorized user enters an appropriate purchase or program control code. Every activity that matches any of the parental control criteria may be blocked and authorized user login may be required. The system may provide a selectable bypass locks feature. The system may present targeted advertising based on which code was entered last. The system may track account usage and provide information related to usage.

Abstract: In a transport stream decoder, a plurality of synchronization establishment circuits receive a plurality of different transport streams and a plurality of input clocks corresponding thereto, to establish synchronization between the transport streams and the input clocks. A multiple TS time-division multiplexing circuit receives outputs of two FIFO memories, converts a plurality of transport stream signals into time-division multiplexing signals synchronizing with an internal processing clock, and provides an addition of a TS identification signal indicating which one of the transport streams corresponds to each time-division multiplexing signal. Therefore, a TS decoder with suppressed circuit scale can be provided even when different types of transport streams are handled.

Abstract: A system and method for providing program guide information to subscribers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is applied to a broadcasting system having a plurality of service networks, each broadcasting a set of programs and program guide information describing at least a portion of the set of programs. The method comprises the steps of determining a receiver station configuration; receiving a first program guide information at the receiver station, the first program guide information comprising a default transmitting network identifier value uniquely identifying the service network transmitting the first program guide information; and generating a first program guide from the first program guide information and presenting the first program guide, according to a comparison between the determined receiving station configuration and the default transmitting network identifier.

Abstract: A tuner of a digital television signal translator tunes to receive an RF digital television signal on a first selected television channel. A demodulator provides a baseband digital television signal from the RF digital television signal to which the tuner is tuned. The baseband television signal includes a data component identifying the first selected channel. A data replacer replaces the data component identifying the first selected channel with a data component identifying a second selected channel different from the first selected channel. The output of a modulator is modulated by the baseband television signal including the data component identifying the second selected channel for transmission as a digital television signal on the second selected channel.

Abstract: A transmit device and method, a record/play device and method, a record system as well as a media allowing selection of the ideal record media by the receiver. The EPG data generator of a transmit device generates an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) showing the scheduled transmission of the program to be broadcast An editor generates supplemental information containing information indicating the program data quantity, adds the supplemental information to the EPG and a multiplexer transmits the EPG added with the supplemental information.

Abstract: A local communication system comprises a plurality of devices interconnected for data communication. One of the devices is a display device arranged to display data from one or more other devices of the system, and one of the devices is a remote control carrying a first group of controls (A . . . G) for controlling respective operational functions of a device of the system. The system is configured to identify a selected device of the system to be controlled by user operation of a remote control device, and to determine which operational functions of that selected device are missing on the remote control. For such functions, the system generates on the display device a user actuatable simulacrum of a control for that function (H, J, K, L).

Abstract: A method for identifying extender text tables of an electronic program guide in a DTV is disclosed. In the present invention, the extender text tables are identified by processing an ETT section in the same manner as other tables using a value capable of identifying the extender text table sections. Particularly, an event_id is input in a table_id_extension within ETT sections, so that the ETT sections can be identified at a receiving or a transmitting party without parsing the ETT sections.