Abstract: A focusing waveform (Vf) is obtained by first generating (2) two intersecting triangular waveforms of opposite phase and half the deflection frequency. Subsequently, the difference between these two triangular waveforms is multiplied by itself for generating a second-order parabolic waveform at the deflection frequency, at which the parabolic waveform has a lower side which is located at zero and is not disturbed by DC offsets. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which is eminently suitable for multimedia applications, the focusing waveform has the correct form and amplitude, independent of the deflection frequency.

Abstract: During a period of transition from broadcasting analog TV signals to broadcasting digital TV signals, digital TV reception is susceptible to disruption owing to co-channel interference by analog TV signals. During this same transition period usually a digital TV receiver will incorporate an auxiliary analog TV receiver. This auxiliary analog TV receiver is advantageously used during digital TV signal reception for determining the amount of co-channel interference by analog TV signals, so that comb filtering can be selectively applied to symbol coding recovered from the digital TV signal, for suppressing artifacts of co-channel interfering analog TV signal when they are large enough to have substantial adverse on symbol decoding. The amount of NTSC co-channel interference is estimated by detecting the level of intercarrier generated by mixing the audio and video signals of the analog TV signal.

Abstract: In a broadband distribution system (SYS) for distributing television signals (TVS) and video signals (VOD), the return channel provided for requesting video signals is divided among the subscribers (TN) of the broadband distribution system (SYS) in such a way, that each group of subscribers (TN) is assigned a part of the return channel using time-division multiplexing, and the individual subscribers (TN) of a group have equal access to the part of the return channel assigned to the respective group. Access by the individual subscribers (TN) is monitored by a control unit (CONTROL) in the center (ZE) of the broadband distribution system (SYS). To synchronize the signals transmitted by the subscribers (TN) over the return channel using time-division multiplexing, the center (ZE) has a synchronizer (SYNC) which compensates for phase differences produced by differences in transit time.

Abstract: The system includes centralizing communications equipment (4) provided with first transmitter-receiver means (5, 6) connected to at least one transmit and receive cable (3) for transmitting and receiving radio signals, which cable extends throughout the served installation. The system also includes subscriber terminal appliances (2A to 2E) located in the installation and provided with second transmitter and/or receiver means (8 to 12) for transmitting and/or receiving radio signals, which means enable the terminal appliances to communicate via the communications equipment. The communications equipment re-transmits the signals that it receives to each destination terminal appliance in the installation and, with the assistance of additional means (27 to 31), outside said installation. The subscriber terminal appliances and the centralizing communications equipment respectively include means enabling them to transmit and/or receive digitized information signals in the form of packets and via radio links.

Abstract: A picture signal processing device for processing picture signals for displaying e.g., an enlarged picture, a contracted picture or a still picture. The picture signal processing device includes a motion detection unit for comparing the picture signal level of a pixel under detection in a first field or a second field together making up a frame, the picture signal levels of pixels lying close to the pixel under detection and the value of a variably set motion detection coefficient to one another for detecting the possible presence of motion in the picture of the pixel under detection. The first field is formed by every two scanning lines and the second field is formed by the remaining scanning lines.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical program guide system and method by which a desired program can be rapidly selected directly from among a large number of programs with certainty. A program selection screen as a multi-screen is formed from nine reduced screens reduced to one third in the horizontal and vertical directions from screens of programs broadcast on different broadcasting channels. A plurality of such program selection screens are transmitted to a reception side. On the reception side, the program selection screens are stored into a virtual frame memory so that reduced screens of them may make a single virtual screen. From among the reduced screens of the virtual frame, desired 3.times.3 reduced screens are read out and displayed on a multi-screen of full motion. A viewer finds and directly selects a desired program from within the 3.times.3 reduced screens of full motion displayed as the multi-screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image display apparatus equipped with a common terminal section 10 to which a single-density signal and a double-density signal each having different horizontal scanning frequencies to each other are commonly connected. The single-density and double-density signals are selectively inputted to the single-density signal processing circuit 5 or the double-density signal processing circuit 6 by a switching operation of a switch 11. A synch-signal separation circuit 13 separates a synchronous signal carrying the horizontal scanning frequency from the signal inputted to the common terminal section 10. An fV-conversion circuit 14 converts a horizontal scanning frequency of the synchronous signal into a voltage. A frequency discrimination circuit 15 detects the horizontal scanning frequency and memorize it in a look-up table of a memory device 16.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving, organizing and presenting program information to a display device in a home from at least two outside sources such as CATV, telephone companies (TELCOs) and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) is disclosed. A distribution network is established within the home using, for example, a consumer electronics bus (CEBus). First, a plurality of signals each from a different outside source and each being associated with information for constructing a program information database for the respective source are received. Next, the separate streams of program information for each outside source are integrated into a single merged database, entries of which can be accessed as a function of user supplied criteria.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment network system has a video-on-demand (VOD) application which allows viewers to create their own customized lists of preferred video content programs, such as movies, games, TV shows, and so forth. Viewers are permitted to select criteria for grouping various video content programs into manageable sets. Lists of programs are provided in one or more scrollable lists, the scrolling rates of which are programmable. Once grouped, previews for the set of programs are displayed. The VOD application allows the viewers to browse the previews at their own rate, skipping forward to the next preview or backward to the previous preview. During this automated browsing, the VOD application enables the viewer to add any of the programs of interest to a customized list. The viewer can retrieve the customized list at any time. If the viewer orders a program from the customized list, the program remains available to the viewer for a rental period (which is adjustable).

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing display of data relating to a predetermined application between an interactive terminal and at least one mobile interface device having a display. The at least one mobile interface device receives a user input signal and transmits the user input signal for synchronization with the interactive terminal. A set-top transceiver device is operatively coupled to the interactive terminal and receives the user input signal from the at least one mobile interface device. The set-top transceiver device also transmits a synchronization signal to the at least one mobile interface device and the interactive terminal. A central processing unit having a database is operatively coupled to the set-top transceiver device for receiving and processing the user input signal based on the database to obtain the synchronization signal for receipt by the set-top transceiver device.

Abstract: A method and system for broadcasting at least one of a plurality of digitally encoded signals transmitted by a network provider to a plurality of user programmable devices disposed in a single environment. A remote interface unit is coupled to each of the user programmable devices for receiving a user programming from one of the plurality of user programmable devices. The user programming selects one of the plurality of compressed, digitally encoded signals. A common set-top transceiver is operatively connected to each of the remote interface units and the network provider including a first receiver for receiving the user programming from each of the remote interface units and a transmitter for transmitting the user programming to the network provider.

Abstract: A massively parallel computer system employs hundreds or thousands of otherwise-idle microprocessors in set-top boxes distributed throughout a cable television system. Coupling between these processing nodes is effected by the cable television distribution network, which provides an asymmetrical transmission speed characteristic that is well suited for many parallel applications. The system is tolerant of interruptions due to preemption of set-top boxes for television viewing.

Abstract: When the time is to be set to a clock in a video tape recorder (VTR) utilizing time information that is interpolated in a broadcasting signal, a broadcasting station for this time setting can easily be selected by using broadcasting station tables containing identification codes of broadcasting stations which transmit time information of the areas (countries) separately for each area. A microprocessor in the VTR successively searches broadcasting stations and selects the broadcasting station which has the broadcasting station identification code contained in its broadcasting station tables in VPS or Teletext as the broadcasting station desired for time setting. Not only are the broadcasting station identification codes to be stored in memory but also a priority order may be stored in the broadcasting tables to enable the selection of a broadcasting station having the highest priority from among the received broadcasting station identification codes as the determined broadcasting station for time setting.

Abstract: A defective pixel correction circuit corrects a defective pixel in a solid imaging device such as a CCD exactly and sufficiently. A boundary detection circuit calculates magnitudes of boundaries from signals of eight peripheral pixels taken in a pixel taking-in circuit and a boundary ordering circuit compares the calculated magnitudes of the boundaries with one another to order the magnitudes of the boundaries. An interpolation circuit produces an interpolation signal in accordance with an interpolation method determined by an interpolation method determining circuit on the basis of the order of the ordered boundaries to correct the defective pixel.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method for providing immediate feedback to the user in an interactive television system. The system presents interactive programs to a user; each program can have a "cover bundle" for "covering" the delay between user selection of the program and the program's availability. When a user requests a program having a cover bundle, the cover bundle is downloaded first. The cover bundle provides a simple presentation (e.g., a short movie, music, and the like) to keep the user engaged while the requested program downloads.

Abstract: In low power audio and video applications, an audio/video signal converter converts balanced and unbalanced signals using a first converter which converts a balanced signal to an unbalanced signal and a second converter which converts an unbalanced signal to a balanced signal. The first and second converters may be selected (either separately or in any combination) based on any desired signal conversion. The input impedances, output impedances, and the gains, of each of the first and second converters, may be adjusted either manually or automatically, and either independently or jointly, for proper loading and termination of signals.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system is comprised of a source station which transmits video signals of different channels on an optical transmission line to a number of subscriber terminals in accordance with subscriber requests. The source station includes a multiplexing unit which generates a frequency division multiplexed signal from the video signals in such a manner that vertical synchronizations of the video signals of different channels are in accordance with each other, and transmits the multiplexed signal to each subscriber terminal. Each subscriber terminal includes a transmitting unit which transmits a control signal indicative of a subscriber request to the source station at a frequency band different from frequency bands of the video signals of the frequency division multiplexed signal, the control signal being transmitted during a vertical blanking period of the video signals.

Abstract: Night vision apparatus including an infrared night vision sensor having a selected field of view and a display panel positioned for displaying an image detected by the sensor, the display panel having a display aspect ratio optimized based upon the horizontal dimension of the field of view of the infrared sensor such that the display aspect ratio decreases as the horizontal field of view narrows.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a memory management system employed in a settop terminal which utilizes memory available at the headend of a CATV system through a bidirectional CATV network to augment the memory resident within the settop terminal. The system includes a memory management unit that monitors the software application running on the settop terminal microprocessor, pre-fetches blocks of the program from the headend and stores these blocks in resident memory. The memory management unit manages the limited pool of settop terminal memory by dividing it into segments large enough to hold a single program block. Program blocks are fetched from the headend as needed by the microprocessor, and segments of memory containing program blocks not likely to be used are reused. The system provides sufficient read-ahead capability to ensure that the microprocessor has enough executable code to process at all times. The location of the memory is completely transparent to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A television receiver providing a stable image whether or not a composite color signal is present, in which a transmitter-recognition processes the television synchronization signals of the composite color signal. A character generator displays alphanumeric as well as graphic characters. The deflection generators and the character generator are operative with TV signals as well as characters that are alphanumeric as well as graphic. The deflection generators and the character generator are driven by control signals. An oscillator controls the deflection generators, and a phase comparator operates in the presence of synchronization signals to synchronize the oscillator. The phase comparator receives no signals from the input terminal when no synchronization signals are present, so that the oscillator oscillates at a fixed preadjustable frequency to provide a stable image.