Abstract: Advertising is marked with a code in a way which makes it difficult to fool the system. The advertising is marked with a code at the time the advertising is produced. Then, when the advertising is broadcast, the code on the advertising is analyzed. Different security measures can be used, including producing the code in the closed captioning so that many different people can see the code, or comparing codes in one part of the signal with a code in another part of the signal. Measures are taken to prevent the code from being used to detect commercials. According to another part of this system, a paradigm for a clearinghouse is disclosed in which the user signs up with the clearinghouse, obtains a line of credit, and the advertiser, the agency, and the ad producer also subscribe to the service. When the ad is actually aired, the payment can be automatically transferred.

Abstract: A set of system configurations adapted to provide data communications to and from a set of client modems connected to one or more central modems through a tree and branch network such as exists in buildings, hotels, multiple dwelling units and the like to distribute cable television signals to individual rooms. The set of one or more central modems is connected directly or indirectly to one or more networks such as the Internet. Optionally, some components of this system can be placed at the cable television head-end for ease of access for maintenance.

Abstract: A graphics controller for flicker filtering interlaced image data is provided. The graphics controller includes a buffer and a memory region. A flicker filter for reducing a flicker of a display presented through an interlaced scan is also provided. The flicker filter is configured to receive interlaced image data prior to any received image data being stored in the memory region. The flicker filter outputs filtered data defining a pixel. The filtered data is stored in the memory region such that two pixels can be output in one memory access to the memory region. Flicker filter enabling circuitry in communication with the buffer is provided. The flicker filter enabling circuitry is configured to supply an even segment and a corresponding odd segment of the interlaced image data to the flicker filter. An apparatus and methods for processing and storing image data having an interlaced format are also provided.

Abstract: A signal processing unit for a digital TV system comprises a first device which acts on a video signal with graphical picture elements and text characters. A second device performs frame-rate conversion on the output of the first device. The output of the second device drives a display driver.

Abstract: The system for updating a clock in an electronic device, such as a personal computer, has a receiver system having an input for receiving a real time signal and having an output on which is provided digital information representative of the real time signal. An extraction module is operatively coupled to the receiver system, the extraction module extracting at least a current time value from the display data. An update module is operatively coupled to the extraction module, the update module updating the clock in the computer when the current time value of the digital information differs from a current value of the clock in the computer. In one embodiment a validating unit is operatively coupled between the extraction module and the update module. The validating unit compares channel identification data derived from the display data to time zone data in the computer, the time zone data being indicative of a time zone in which the computer is currently located.

Abstract: A video system and method for combining multiple video signals on a single display is provided. The video system includes a video processor to process a second video signal and generate a processed video signal. The processed video signal has the same resolution and scan rates as a first video signal. A multiplexer is used to selectively display either the processed video signal or the first video signal on a display.

Abstract: A system enables connection information and content description information to be separately transmitted from a broadcaster to a receiver. Thus, the description of the content may be provided to a receiver prior to the time that the information needed to specify the connection to the service such as a channel is known. By uncoupling the content description and connection information, the assignment of connection information may be managed dynamically in the broadcast network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing national television system committee (NTSC) signals from a broadcasted datastream including advanced television system committee (ATSC) signals are provided. The apparatus includes an NTSC signal removing unit for removing the NTSC signal from an input signal with one or a plurality of NTSC filtering units; a vestigial sideband (VSB) core unit for generating an error generating signal if the NTSC signal is not removed by the NTSC signal removing unit for a continuous time period of at least a predefined length; and an NTSC filtering selection unit for applying a control signal to select a different one of the NTSC filtering units in response to the continuous error signal output by the VSB core unit.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for preventing appearance of a zigzag flush of light in a cathode-ray tube at the time of turning it off. A train of power-off control pulses are produced in synchronization with the vertical sweeping signal; a spot-killer control signal starts in synchronization with a selected power-off pulse to make the whole screen of the cathode-ray tube bright; and the power supply turns off in synchronization with another selected power-off control pulse, so that the power-off is caused at the termination of the vertical sweeping. Thus, the remaining static electricity is discharged at the lowermost of the screen of the cathode-ray tube. To assure that the residual static electricity is discharged completely, the length of time “t1” (continuing for a selected integer as long as the pulse-to-pulse duration) is determined to meet the size of the cathode-ray tube.

Abstract: A terminal is coupled to a video distribution network headend, and transmits upstream packets to the headend. Each upstream packet has a transmission power. The terminal receives a downstream packet from the headend, indicating a change in power. The terminal calculates an adjusted transmission power, based on the change in power specified in the downstream packet, and sets the transmission power of the upstream packets to the adjusted transmission power. The headend can be coupled to one or more terminals. The headend receives upstream packets from the terminal. The headend senses a received transmission power of each packet, and calculates a weighted average transmission power based on the received transmission powers. The headend calculates a change in transmission power based on the weighted average and a predetermined set point. The headend transmits a downstream packet to the terminal, indicating the change in power.

Abstract: A self-testing video display device and method of use. A video display test program is stored in a video processing unit inside a video display device. The test program includes a plurality of video test patterns and is accessible by entering a “secret” keycode combination on a keypad of the video display device. The self-testing video display device allows a service center operator to evaluate a malfunctioned video display device at the user's location through telephone or internet. An end user may also use the video display test process to set up, evaluate, and calibrate the self-testing video display device at the user's location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a frozen picture to be displayed on a display device in a video data decoding system; the apparatus and method including the steps of receiving video data to be spatially and temporally reconstructed in the decoding system, first determining whether a descriptor of the video data for indicating types of source material from which the video data has originated is in error, second determining whether the descriptor indicates progressive or non-progressive, displaying a frame picture of the video data to construct a frozen picture when the descriptor is not in error in the first determining step and the descriptor indicates progressive in the second determining step, and displaying one of field pictures of the video data to construct a frozen picture when the descriptor is in error in the first determining step or the descriptor indicates non-progressive in the second determining step.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that permits a variable number of disparate streams of data to be packaged together as content into a single distinct program referred to as an omnimedia package. A framework definition may be specified and created for the omnimedia package to allow a client set top box to decode the information and provide access to streams comprising video, audio and metadata information. The framework definition may be employed by a broadcast system to create a broadcast stream. A mechanism is described that permits a content provider to define a framework for delivering a package of related content. The framework definition encapsulates information necessary to build, format, transmit and display the disparate content streams. Data may be downloaded to a receiver prior to the broadcast of an associated program. The present invention may be implemented on terrestrial, cable, satellite, VDSL and other transport systems, including those that support upstream communication.

Abstract: In order to synchronise video and audio signals, a video test signal and an audio test signal are generated at the transmitting end of a transmission link, and transmitted over the link. The video test signal has first and second active picture periods of contrasting states. The audio test signal has first and second periods of contrasting states. As generated, the video and audio test signals have a predetermined timing relationship—for example, their changes of respective states may be coincident in time. At the receiving end of the link, the video and audio test signals as received are detected, and any difference of timing between the video and audio test signals is derived from their changes of respective states, measured and displayed, including an indication of whether the video signal arrived before the audio signal or vice-versa.

Abstract: A time-shifted video method has a real-time mode during which real-time video frames are delivered for display. In a time-shifted mode, time-shifted video frames are delivered for display. The time-shifted video frames are delayed relative to the real-time video frames. A real-time frame is paused during a transition from the real-time mode to the time-shifted mode.

Abstract: The objective of the invention is to provide an image processing device that can operate at high speed even if input/output with respect to the outside is performed at low speed, and that can fully exploit processibility, by means of input line memory 23 and output line memory 24, which can store image data of one scan line, and are arranged in the input unit and output unit, respectively; the input image data are written in input line memory 23 at the speed of the input image data; the image data that have been written to the input line memory are read at a speed n times faster than the input image data and are sent to processing unit 25 or memory unit 26; processing unit 25 and memory unit 26 receive the image data of one scan line at a speed n times faster than the speed of the input image data, perform a prescribed processing, and then output the processing results at a speed n times faster than the speed of the input image data; the image data output from processing unit 25 or memory unit 26 are selected

Abstract: A method for removing noise from a video input, prior to encoding includes receiving a frame of a video signal, identifying noise within the frame, and eliminating the noise from the frame. The video frame may then be encoded.

Abstract: Real-time events are electronically recommended using a fuzzy-now function of time. Real-time experiencing apparatus can be automatically tuned to a particular real-time event using a surf ring related to recommendations or automatically without a user request. Recommendations can be presented on a remote control device.

Abstract: A video projection system (50) comprises a rotary disc (31) having light guiding devices (35) extending radially thereof and in a helical configuration circumferentially at the disc (31) and corresponding in number to the number of lines to be scanned on a screen (48) the arrangement being such that, as the disc (31) rotates, a light bundle is directed through successive devices (35) which cause the bundle to be scanned on the screen (48).

Abstract: A color calibration method for an imaging color measurement device utilizes a detector array, a plurality of optical elements, and multiple instances of irradiation of the detector array for a single measurement. A flat-fielding correction error correction matrix of the imaging color measurement device for each instance of irradiation of the detector array is obtained prior to color calibration. The response for each instance of irradiation of the detector array is flat-fielded with the corresponding error matrix to obtain a flat-fielded, spectrally weighted irradiance response for each instance of irradiation of the detector array. An illuminant light source with known spectral output or chromaticity coordinates is measured to obtain an irradiance response of the imaging color measurement device for each instance of irradiation of the detector array.