Abstract: A method is provided for selecting a filter for interpolating a target pixel for reducing noise in an image. The method comprises the following steps. A plurality of pixels along a predetermined contour is compared with a plurality of predefined patterns. The patterns represent visually significant patterns possible along said contour. A filter is selected from a predefined set of filters in accordance with the results of the comparison.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: A television receiver intended to decrease the number of expensive SAW filters to achieve low cost and a compact design. A trap circuit is interposed between a mixer and a SAW filter. During reception of a television signal, one of the trap frequencies at which the trap circuit responds is set to a video intermediate frequency on a television channel adjoining above an intermediate frequency band or a nearby frequency. The other trap frequency is set to a sound intermediate frequency on the adjoining television channel or a nearby frequency. During reception of an FM broadcast signal, the frequency of the FM broadcast signal is converted into a color subcarrier frequency on the intermediate frequency band or a nearby frequency. One of the trap frequencies is set to a substantially middle frequency between the video intermediate frequency and color subcarrier frequency on the intermediate frequency band.

Abstract: A video signal processor is used to receive programs in the form of a composite video signal which incorporates a video broadcast channel, a main audio channel and an additional audio channel. The main audio channel may carry a standard audio track for the program while the additional audio channel carries a different audio track, such as dialogue in a foreign language, DVS audio track, or a modified audio track that has been changed from the main audio track slightly. The video signal processor selects one of the audio tracks as the active audio track based on the contents of the additional audio channels and/or a viewers' preferences. The video signal processor may be a stand-alone device, or may be incorporated into a TV receiver, VCR, DVD player, etc.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for customizing a digital broadcast receiver. Video and audio clips may be captured from a broadcast signal after receiving commands from a user. The captured clips may then be used to provide background images and sounds. Sounds may also be assigned to broadcast receiver events.

Abstract: An arrangement including a terminal for outputting at least a pair of video and acoustic signals, and a display for receiving the signals from the terminal and displaying a corresponding image, utilizes (1) a terminal modem including a multiplexer for time division multiplexing video and acoustic signals, and an input/output driver circuit for outputting the multiplexed signal, and (2) a display modem including an input/output driver circuit for inputting the multiplexed signal output from the terminal, and a demultiplexer for demultiplexing the input multiplexed signal into corresponding video and acoustic signals. The display can be connected to an optional device, and the optional device is also controlled by the terminal.

Abstract: A binarizer binarizes a video signal VD1 inputted from an A/D converter and a video signal VD2 outputted from a line memory using an average luminance value LU fed from a detection window video signal processor as a threshold value, to output a binary pattern BI. A reference pattern generator generates a plurality of reference patterns RA. A first pattern matching angle detector compares the binary pattern BI with each of the plurality of reference patterns RA, to output the angle of the reference pattern RA which matches with the binary pattern BI as angle information PA. A detected isolation point remover 4 outputs angle signal AN when the angle information PA has continuity.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing video and graphics data. Specifically, the present invention discloses a method and system for displaying video and graphics data of different formats and image frequencies onto the same display line. A master device that is continually streaming data of a first media type to a display at a certain image rate requests data from a source device one line at a time. The incoming line of data is sent to a FIFO buffer. A mixer associated with the master device then aligns the incoming data to the same format and image rate used for displaying the first media type. The incoming data is then displayed simultaneously on the same line with the data of the first media type. As viewed as an image, windows of video and/or graphics data are shown on a display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-processing video signals comprises a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video input module receives and forwards one or more live video signals, producing a forwarded video signal for each received live video signal. The first video pipeline pre-processes VS1, wherein VS1 is a first stored video signal or one of the forwarded video signals produced in the video input module, producing a first pre-processed video signal. The second video pipeline pre-processes VS2, wherein VS2 is the same video signal being pre-processed in the first video pipeline, one of the other forwarded video signals produced in the video input module, or a second stored video signal, producing a second pre-processed video signal.

Abstract: A communication system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a serial link, in which encoded data (e.g., video, audio, and optionally also other auxiliary data) are transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver. The serial link can but need not be a TMDS or TMDS-like link. In typical embodiments, packets of encoded audio data are transmitted over each of one or more channels of the link during data islands between bursts of encoded video data. Other aspects of the invention are transmitters for use in encoding data for transmission over a serial link, receivers for receiving such data, and methods for sending encoded data over a serial link.

Abstract: An effective pixel area calculating circuit (11) detects position information indicating the position of a target pixel in a frame. A lacking pixel creating circuit (12) determines the class of the target pixel from a plurality of classes in accordance with the position information, then selects a plurality of pixels from an input image signal as a prediction tap, and carries out arithmetic processing based on conversion data obtained in advance by learning for each class and the prediction tap, thus outputting an output image signal of higher quality than the input image signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to television, interactive television, user interfaces, video conferences and may be used in the creation of video programs with interactive interaction between participants of video programs and objects generated by a computer program. The technical result is enhancement of the reliability and quality of the display to viewers of images, formed by a computer, and the reaction of participants of a video program to a change of the images. A participant 2 of a video program is shot by a video camera 1, wherein an image, formed by a means 3 (computer), is simultaneously displayed to the participant 2 on the line of shooting with the video camera.

Abstract: Systems and method for controlling audio volume are provided. One method for controlling audio volume includes receiving a user input requesting a first volume-type that is associated with a first audible volume level, and responsive to receiving the user input, modifying an audio signal to achieve the first audible volume level.

Abstract: A digital broadcast recorder capable of recording digital television (TV) signals includes a first frequency converter which converts a received digitally modulated TV signal into a first intermediate frequency signal having a frequency lower than that of the digitally modulated TV signal, the first intermediate frequency signal having a frequency in a standard TV band and useable in demodulating standard TV signals, a band-pass filter coupled to the first frequency converter, which selectively passes-through the first intermediate frequency signal, a phase-lock loop (PLL) circuit coupled to the first frequency converter, which controls an oscillation frequency of a local oscillator in the first frequency converter, a second frequency converter coupled to the band-pass filter, which converts the first intermediate frequency signal passed through the band-pass filter into a second intermediate frequency signal lower in frequency than said first intermediate frequency signal a digital demodulator coupled to the

Abstract: A broadcast text data sampling apparatus comprises an A/D converter for sampling a broadcast text signal supplied from the outside, with a sampling clock of a predetermined frequency, to convert the text signal into digital data; a binarization circuit for converting the digital data into a binary signal; a sampling pulse generation circuit for detecting the cycle of clock run-in of the broadcast text signal from the binary signal, obtaining a text data sampling interval value on the basis of the clock run-in cycle, sequentially calculating the positions of data in the binary signal, which data are positioned at intervals close to the sampling interval value, starting from a predetermined sampling start position, and generating a sampling pulse that designates the calculated data positions as data sampling positions; and a sampling circuit for sampling the text data from the binary signal on the basis of the sampling pulse.

Abstract: A vertical region designation circuit 141 outputs a vertical region designation signal to a vertical driver 103 on the basis of vertical display position information, a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. A horizontal region designation circuit 142 outputs a horizontal region designation signal to a horizontal driver 102 on the basis of horizontal display position information, a pixel synchronization signal, a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. The horizontal driver 102 outputs an input picture signal to a picture display surface 101 from a signal line at a horizontal coordinate corresponding to the number of times of pixel synchronization signals that is counted from an input horizontal synchronization signal as a starting point during a period when a horizontal region designation signal is effective.

Abstract: A system receives a transport stream containing video data and audio data. A determination is made regarding the time required to process the video data contained in the transport stream and the time required to process the audio data contained in the transport stream. The system then determines a difference in time to process the video contained in the transport stream as compared to the audio data contained in the transport stream. Presentation of the audio data is delayed by this difference in time to synchronize presentation of the audio data with presentation of the video data.

Abstract: A method of expanding data to a high-speed serial video link in such a way that it is invisible to existing receivers and such that auxiliary data, i.e. audio data, can be transmitted without any knowledge of the capabilities of the display to receive the auxiliary data.

Abstract: A computer hardware system for editing a video signal includes, a first signal bus employing a first bus interface, and a second signal bus employing a second bus interface and adapted to carry at least one video signal. The system desirably further includes a general purpose computer connected to the first bus and operating according to a first operating system; and a video graphics computer connected to the first signal bus and the second signal bus. The video graphics computer operates according to a second operating system. The video graphics computer is adapted for editing the video signal transmitted along the second signal bus according to commands from the general purpose computer.

Abstract: A video display system comprising a plurality of video display apparatuses 11 to 13 for displaying video signals Sv being supplied as video. A specific video display apparatus 11 out of a plurality of the video display apparatuses 11 to 13 discriminates video characteristics Pv1 to Pv5 of the video signal Sv to output identification signals IDa to IDd that correspond to the discriminated video characteristics (Pa1 to Pa5) to (Pd1 to Pd5) and simultaneously displays the video signal Sv according to the display characteristic characteristics (Qa1 to Qa3) to (Qc1 to Qc3) stored in correspondence to the identification signals IDa to IDd. The other video display apparatuses 12 and 13 than the specific video display apparatus 11 display the video signals Sv according to the display characteristic characteristics (Qa1 to Qa3) to (Qc1 to Qc3) stored in correspondence to the identification signals IDa to IDd.