Abstract: A VCR schedule controller receives broadcast data over antenna (1) or cable (2) by a programmable tuner (3), which is connected to a teletext receiver (4). The teletext receiver (4) is connected to a microprocessor (5). Microprocessor output (11) is connected to a video display generator (10), used to create text for television receiver (60) to display a message from the microprocessor (5). After processing embedded data in a broadcast, the microprocessor (5) generates a cue for display on TV receiver (60). Remote control receiver (20) receives a command from a remote controller (22) from a viewer input in response to the cue. Remote control receiver (20) supplies a control signal to cause the microprocessor to store the embedded data in memory (9). The microprocessor then issues a message to the display generator (10) as an acknowledgement of the viewer input. The microprocessor (5) monitors the system clock (6) and compares it with stored schedules from the embedded supplemental data.

Abstract: A video broadcasting method and apparatus. The broadcasting method generally includes the steps of selecting one or more channels from a plurality of available channels, and scanning the selected channels for generating signals identifying these selected channels. The channel identifying signals are then fed back to a transmitter unit over a first carrier frequency. The feedback signals are used to selectively identify the channels to be transmitted. The signals from the selected channels are compressed, multiplexed and transmitted over a second carrier frequency to a reception unit, where the signals are demultiplexed and separated into separate channels, and stored for a predetermined period of time. The separated signals are then decompressed, reconstructed and displayed on a real-time basis.

Abstract: In a video signal processor incorporating a reference clock pulse generator of highly precise frequency, two pulse generators, one preceding the drop-out corrector circuit which includes a picture memory and another following the drop-out corrector, are controlled in phase and frequency periodically in response to a horizontal synchronizing pulse. An addition circuit (101) the output of which is intermediately stored in a 20 place register (105) has a data input (104) to which bits of higher binary significance, for phase control, are supplied in response to the synchronizing pulse and thereafter bits of lower binary digit significance are supplied by a velocity error detection circuit for frequency control during the remainder of a television line interval. The output of the 20 place register is fed back to another input of the addition circuit, to produce a sawtooth wave resulting from the overflow of the addition circuit, which is a submultiple of the reference clock pulse generator frequency.

Abstract: A clock pulse generating circuit is provided which is capable of generating a stabilized clock pulse without being effected by disturbance due to the vertical equalizer pulse. The clock pulse generating circuit includes a PLL circuit for generating a clock pulse which is phase-synchronized with an input signal. The circuit further includes a synchronizing circuit for generating a window pulse synchronized with the horizontal synchronizing signal by being operated with a clock pulse generated by the PLL circuit as a reference. The synchronization condition is judged with respect to the composite synchronizing signal and a gate circuit which permits passage of the composite synchronizing signal only during the period of existence of the window signal. Accordingly, the signal is constructed so as to select the composite synchronizing signal before passage through the gate in an asynchronous condition of the synchronizing circuit.

Abstract: In an encoding device including a frame memory for memorizing an input moving picture signal as a memorized moving picture signal frame by frame and an encoding unit for encoding the memorized moving picture signal by using an encoding parameter, a control unit controls the parameter in compliance with a ratio which a moving picture area has relative to a frame picture represented by each frame of the input moving picture signal. The parameter should be fine and coarse when the ratio is small and great, respectively. As usual, a buffer memory of the encoding unit produces an amount signal indicative of an extent to which the buffer memory is full. Preferably, the control unit suspends encoding operation during a succeeding one of two successive frames when the amount signal indicates that the buffer memory became full in a preceding one of the two successive frames. The control unit makes the frame memory keep a frame of the memorized moving picture signal while suspending the encoding operation.

Abstract: Data is embedded in a video signal by adding a low level wavefrom to the video signal, the low level wave form having a level below the noise level of the video signal and corresponding to the data. To detect the data embedded in the video signal the video signal is correlated with the low level waveform corresponding to the data to produce a correlation coefficient. A high correlation coefficient indicates the presence of a low level waveform which is converted into the data. The low level waveform extends over many video lines such that it does not occur at or near the same location within a video frame for many video frames to avoid fixed-pattern noise anomalies that may be detected by a viewer of the television picture.

Abstract: A video signal from an input unit is supplied to first and second low-pass filters. A selector picks up a video signal which has passed through the first low-pass filter if a single frame image is to be printed, and picks up a video signal which has passed through the second low-pass filter if a multifreeze image is to be printed. The picked-up video signal is sampled and quantized by an A/D converter and stored in a first memory. The video signal in the first memory is read out to print a signal frame image. To print a multifreeze image, the video signal stored in the first memory is thinned to reduce the size of an image and thereafter is stored in a second memory having a larger capacity than that of the first memory. A plurality of frames are inlaid within one frame at the second memory. Thereafter, the video signal in the second memory is read out to print a multifreeze image.

Abstract: An adaptive rounder for avoiding truncation errors for digital video signal has a dither source that is modified by the bits of an integer portion of an input digital signal corresponding to the video signal. A dither signal from the dither source has a number of bits equal to a fractional portion of the input digital signal. The dither signal is added to the input digital signal and the result is truncated to produce an output digital signal having a number of bits equal to the integer portion.

Abstract: A method for timing audio and video component signals of a television signal with coincidental markers generates a field pulse every Nth field of the televison signal at the transmitter. The duration of the field pulse is approximately one video field, and is ued to enable an audio tone generator for the one video field and to switch a distinctive video signal, such as a flat video signal, into the video component signal for the one video field. At the receiver the two component signals are input through a synchronizer to a waveform display device, such as an oscilloscope, to observe the time differential between the two markers in the audio and video component signals. The audio component signal is delayed by the synchronizer until the markers are again in time conicidence as at the transmitter.

Abstract: A teletext decoder comprises a validation circuit for affording an output (V) when valid teletext data pulses are received. The validation circuit comprises an error checking circuit (SR, FCCC, MDCC, RACC) for affording outputs indicative of the number of errors existing in data pulses corresponding to a Framing Code, and Hamming protected magazine and row address data, and a validation check circuit (A, VCC) for affording an output V indicative of valid teletext data having been received when the combined total of said errors does not exceed one.

Abstract: A method generates a reinforcement signal for transmission in scan lines within a vertical blanking interval of a predetermined television video signal, and includes the steps of: randomizing the reinforcement signal in accordance with a predetermined key, adding the randomized signal to be within the vertical blanking interval of the video signal to produce a combined signal, and sending the combined signal through a television transmission path. In a preferred embodiment the video signal is in accordance with an aspect ratio which is greater than four to three, and the combined signal may be displayed on a conventional television display which displays an increased vertical blanking interval as horizontal dark bars at the top and bottom of the television picture and wherein the reinforcement signal within the bars is not coherent with any picture image being displayed. Within such displays, gamma correction of the reinforcement signal is useful.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter converts an input analog video signal into a corresponding digital video signal. A first input terminal of a phase comparator receives the digital video signal. A loop filter receives an output signal from the phase comparator. A digital-to-analog converter converts an output signal from the loop filter into a corresponding analog control signal. First and second voltage-controlled oscillators generate oscillation output signals having different frequencies respectively which depend on the analog control signal. A switch selects and outputs either of the oscillation output signals. A frequency divider divides a frequency of the selected oscillation output signal into a value corresponding to a horizontal frequency. The frequency divider supplies its output signal to a second input terminal of the phase comparator.

Abstract: A system for providing control signals for raster scan displays includes a horizontal timing random access memory and a vertical state random access memory arranged in a presettable counter configuration containing multiple levels of information. This approach allows the generation of the control signals in a sychronized relationship using a common counter arrangement so as to obviate the need for repetitive circuitry and without compromising performance.

Abstract: A signal synchronizing system comprising first circuit having a plurality of sync signals, second circuit having a plurality of sync signals corresponding to the sync signals of the first circuit, respectively, and a synchronizing control circuit which synchronizes output signals of the second circuit with output signals of the first circuit. The synchronizing control circuit inputs the plurality of sync signals of each of the first and second circuits, and outputs a control signal to the second circuit.

Abstract: This reference signal producing circuit includes circuits (3, 5) for separating a vertical synchronizing signal from a composite synchronizing signal, a timer (25) reset by a reference signal, a circuit (26) for comparing an output of the timer with a variable set value and producing a compensation signal having a variable period, and a reference signal output circuit (23) for supplying as a reference signal the separated vertical synchronizing signal or the compensation signal. Although the period of the compensation signal is usually set to a value slightly larger than that of a vertical synchronizing signal period, it is set to a value equal to the vertical synchronizing signal period in the case that the vertical synchronizing signal pulses within the composite synchronizing signal lack successively.

Abstract: An image signal encoding apparatus for encoding an image signal in which image of one picture plane consisting of a plurality of pixel data are divided into a plurality of blocks each consisting of a predetermined number of pixel data. For each of the blocks, a pair of reference value data regarding the maximum and minimum values of the levels of the pixel data constructing the block are formed. On the basis of the formed reference value data, encoded date is formed by encoding each of the pixel data of the block. Decoded data is formed by decoding the encoded data formed on the basis of the reference value data. By comparing each of the pixel data of the block with the decoded data, errors are detected. The reference value data are corrected in accordance with the result of the detection. Thus, the encoding errors are reduced and it is possible to perform the encoding with less deterioration in picture quality of the image signal.

Abstract: A teletext decoder for teletext information comprising a plurality of different pages each of which is identified by a respective page number and each of which comprises a plurality of data packets each having a respective address. The teletext decoder includes a page memory and a pseudo page clearing arrangement in which a reference flag number (F) is allocated to a page header of a selected page. A packet related flag number (F) is allocated to each packet of the selected page as it is received. Utilisation of any data packet stored in the page memory, whose packet related flag number is not the same as the reference flag number is inhibited and the reference flag number for each successively selected page is changed.

Abstract: Circuitry is disclosed for regenerating a digital output stream referenced to an output timing signal from a digital input stream referenced to an input timing signal wherein the input and output timing signals are typically unsynchronized. Both the digital input stream and a delayed version of the input stream alternately serve as inputs to a dual-port memory. The output port of the memory emits the output stream under control of the output timing signal. Whenever the output stream is being transferred from the dual-port memory to an output buffer, the storing of data through the input port of the memory is temporarily suspended. In order to ensure that no input data is lost, the delayed input stream is presented to the memory after interrupt of the memory by the output timing signal. Prior to the interruption, the input port receives its input directly from the input stream. The delay interval is chosen to be commensurate with the output timing signal to preserve data input into the memory.

Abstract: In a system for processing a widescreen television signal containing center and side panel components, low frequency side panel information is time compressed before being disposed in a horizontal image overscan region. The compressed side panel low frequency information is frequency modulated onto an FM subcarrier to improve the noise characteristics of the compressed side panel information when transmitted over a noisy channel.

Abstract: A method of and system for identification and verification of TV and/or radio broadcasted program segments involving use of subaudible codes which are mixed with the conventional audio in the program segments. Individual program segments, which may include commercial message segments, have at the beginning thereof a preamble code (such as a predetermined number of cycles of 40 Hz.), a program segment identification code (which may consist of a series of alphanumeric characters) and a postamble code (such as a given number of cycles of 40 Hz.). The program segment codes may consist of a series of mark and space signals (such as presence and absence of 40 Hz. signals). A plurality of radio/television broadcast stations are monitored, the codes recovered and data sets defined, stored and later sent to a central location for reconciliation and/or compilation.