Abstract: A micro-power stand-by system is provided which minimizes power supplied to and the utilization of a stand-by power supply circuit and the resultant production of electro-magnetic interference (EMI) during normal electronic device operation. In one embodiment, the stand-by power supply circuit includes at least one capacitor in electrical communication with at least one stand-by relay, with the capacitor electrically connected to an AC line. The capacitor powers the stand-by power supply circuit and the stand-by relay. At least one switch is located a prearranged distance from a main power supply circuit, and is electrically connected to the AC line and the stand-by relay to provide normal operation for the main power supply circuit. In another embodiment, the switch includes a stand-by switch and a main power switch which provide an inrush current limiting resistor during initial power-on for safety reasons and a bypass of the inrush current limiting resistor during normal operation, respectively.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and method for digital processing of television like signals and in particular the use of oversampling and interpolation to achieve improved resolution of the digital version of such signals as compared to a digital version obtained by the use of simple A/D conversion or processing at the desired sample rate. The preferred embodiment utilizes oversampling, interpolation and various filtering in recursive and nonrecursive form to provide output video signals wherein the artifacts and distortion of the video are kept to low levels.

Abstract: An intelligent system and process for producing and displaying stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either real or synthetic 3-D objects, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing thereof. The system comprises a subsystem for acquiring parameters specifying the viewing process of a viewer positioned relative to a display surface associated with a stereoscopic display subsystem. A computer-based subsystem is provided for producing stereoscopically-multiplexed images of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, using the acquired parameters. The stereoscopically-multiplexed images are on the display surface, for use in realistic stereoscopic viewing of either the real or synthetic 3-D objects, by the viewer.

Abstract: A projection display uses a matrix of digital correction factors defining deflection correction factors between which linear interpolation is used for intermediate points on the display. A circuit for generating a correction signal to correct image distortion on a display screen, comprises a memory storing displacement values corresponding to spaced points on the screen in a grid of rows and columns. The displacement values of the grid generally define correction curves for correcting the image distortion without introducing significant banded regions on the display screen. An interpolator is coupled to the memory for interpolating intermediate values between adjacent ones of the stored displacement values, and a digital to analog converter is coupled to the interpolator for providing the correction signal.

Abstract: A VGA to analog video converter is useful e.g. for displaying video and/or graphics data from a computer onto a large screen television or television monitor. The RGB video signals output from the personal computer are first converted to digital form. The analog-to-digital converter which does this is clocked by a clock signal generated by a phase-locked loop using the horizontal synchronizing signal from the personal computer. The digital RGB signals are then converted to a YCbCR format. A flicker filter eliminates the flickering appearing on the TV monitor by operating on the luminance (Y) component. The YCbCr signals are encoded into NTSC or PAL Standard, and output in composite analog video or S-VHS format. A color subcarrier synthesizer generates the color subcarrier signal to generate an accurate subcarrier frequency for the video output signals. An analog-to-digital clock phase adjustment is used to ensure that the input RGB signals are sampled at the proper instant by the analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for use in connection with home television video recording, playback, and viewing involving processing an electronic signal, including audio and video information, whereby the audio information, including digital representations thereof, is analyzed and modified to compare words and phrases represented in the audio information with words and phrases stored in electronic memory for elimination of undesirable words or phrases in audible or visible representations of the audio with options for replacing undesirable words with acceptable words. The options include varying degrees of selectivity in specifying words as undesirable and control over substitute words which are used to replace undesirable words. The options for control of the method and apparatus for language filtering are selectable from an on-screen menu through operation of a control panel on the language filter apparatus or by use of a conventional television remote transmitter.

Abstract: The automatic cut-off system includes a video data processing circuit, a cut-off control circuit, a drive circuit, and a level control section. The video data processing circuit adds a cut-off reference pulse having a predetermined level to primary-color signals of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) at different timings within a single vertical blanking interval, and outputs latch timing signals respectively indicating the timings. The cut-off control circuit shifts a level of each primary-color signal having the cut-off reference pulse added thereto based on a corresponding cut-off control signal. The drive circuit drives each cathode of a CRT (cathode-ray tube) based on a corresponding one of the shifted primary-color signals, and outputs a voltage corresponding to each cathode current as a common feedback signal. The level control section latches the feedback signal in response to each latch timing signal, and outputs the cut-off control signal of one of the primary-color signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for providing a variable character size in an on-screen display application. The system includes logic means and a font memory means adapted to store a plurality of bitmaps corresponding to a plurality of characters. A mapping memory means is adapted to map the plurality of characters into the plurality of bitmaps. And a display means is adapted to display the plurality of bitmaps responsive to the logic means. The mapping memory comprises a width and a height associated with each of the plurality of characters. The mapping memory comprises a pointing means adapted to store an address associated with each of the plurality of bitmaps.

Abstract: A color video display signal processor comprises a source of a color difference signal and an analog to digital converter for converting the color difference signal to a digital signal. A potential divider is coupled to reference voltages of the analog to digital converter for generating a clamp voltage. A clamp arrangement is coupled to the color difference signal and to the analog to digital converter and receives the clamp reference voltage. In response to a clamp pulse the clamp arrangement couples said clamp voltage to said color difference signal.

Abstract: Designed for use with widescreen TVs or high-end TVs with a mode for accommodating anamorphic programs, an EPG client is equipped with an electronic program guide (EPG) and a letterbox-to-anamorphic converter. The EPG client evaluates EPG data to determine whether programs are in the letterbox format. When a letterboxed program is selected for viewing, the EPG client vertically stretches the program by a ratio of M/N, where M>N (e.g., 4/3), to convert the program from the letterbox format to an anamorphic format prior to delivery to the television. The converted anamorphic program is output to the television, where it is horizontally expanded to fit the screen.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a signal processor which improves the offset accuracy of a video signal without increasing the number of bits of a circuit. An N-bit adder (103) adds a video signal (S101) and an upper-N-bit signal of a brightness control signal (S102) as an offset value. A 1-bit pulse generator (107) generates a 1-bit pulse signal (S107) in which “1” and “0” have equal chances of appearing at random. A selector (106) selects the 1-bit pulse signal (S107) when the LSB of the brightness control signal (S102) is “1”, while selects a ground level “0” when the LSB is “0”, and supplies the selected signal to a carry input of the N-bit adder (103).

Abstract: A image displaying and controlling apparatus for displaying a computer graphics image in square-shaped pixels in an MPEG2 image format in rectangular-shaped pixels at a regular roundness. A graphics processor block produces the data of 640×480 pixels, two-line data of which are stored in two 1H buffers, and are multiplied respectively by weights output by a weight control circuit through a line conversion circuit. As a result, data of 640×432 are produced. A delay circuit delays a vertical synchronizing signal output by the graphics processor block by 14H. A phase comparator circuit compares the 14H delayed vertical synchronizing signal in phase with a vertical synchronizing signal output by an MPEG2 video decoder. The timing of the generation of the vertical synchronizing signal at the graphics processor block is set to be earlier by 14H than the timing of the generation of the vertical synchronization signal of the MPEG2 video decoder.

Abstract: An optical projection apparatus includes an optical lighting system provided with a polarized beam splitter for polarizing a white light flux received from a white light source and combining the white light flux with other light fluxes, thereby taking out a predetermined polarized wave; a multi-lens array consisting of a plurality of lens elements; and an irradiator for separating the white light flux into three primary color light fluxes of red, green, and blue and irradiating each of the three color light fluxes on the same display element at an angle different from the others; and a projector for projecting the three primary color light fluxes modulated by the display element. The optical lighting system and the projector are disposed between the white light source and the display element.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically scanning channels of a television operable for displaying channels of a channel lineup one at a time includes a television input device. The television input device is operable for being controlled by a viewer to enable the viewer to control the television to change the channels being displayed by the television. The television input device is operable with the television to automatically change the channels being displayed by the television such that each channel in the channel lineup is displayed one at a time by the television for a channel display time period until the viewer controls the television input device to stop the television from changing the channels.

Abstract: A projection-type video display apparatus has a polarizing beam splitter for matching light, which is outputted by a light source unit, to one of S polarizing light and P polarizing light, an optical characteristics switching element for electrically and periodically switching a wavelength band of light outputted by the polarizing beam splitter, a video display element, as a light valve element, for forming an optical image from light outputted by the light source unit, in accordance with a video signal, and a radiating unit for radiating a plurality of color light, which are sequentially outputted by the optical characteristics switching element, to the video display element, wherein light outputted by the video display element is incident on a projecting lens, and a light path from the light source unit to the projecting lens is U-shaped. Consequently, the projection-type video display apparatus becomes compact and has improved contrast.

Abstract: An adaptive comb filter small in circuit scale and simple in circuit constitution is provided. The frequency band component of chrominance signal is extracted from a composite color video signal by a bandpass filter. The extracted chrominance signal is delay by a delay circuit by one horizontal period. A subtraction output is obtained by a first subtracting circuit between the output signal of the bandpass filter and the output signal of the delay circuit. An addition output is obtained by a adding circuit between the output signal of the bandpass filter and the output signal of the delay circuit. A correlation detecting circuit is provided that outputs a binary signal k0 based on a relationship between the output of the first subtracting circuit and the output of the adding circuit. This binary signal k0 and a signal k1 obtained by delaying this binary signal k0 by a second delay circuit by one horizontal period are supplied to an arithmetic block.

Abstract: A SECAM decoder and an FM modulator therefor are disclosed, in which a demodulated color signal is provided to indicate deviations in the frequency of modulated color information from a nominal subcarrier frequency. The demodulator comprises numerator and denominator filters operating on the modulated color information, and a divider providing a ratio result by dividing the numerator filter output by the denominator filter output. The demodulator may include two sets of numerator and denominator filters offset in phase from one another, where one of the two sets is selectively employed in order to mitigate divide-by-zero problems. Also disclosed are methods for demodulating digitized FM color signals in a SECAM decoder.

Abstract: The present invention provides for controlling a controlled apparatus, which is controlled by a remote control signal. The remote control signal transmitted from a remote control apparatus is received, and the controlled apparatus or a second controlled apparatus is selected according to the remote control signal. A control command corresponding to the remote control signal is transmitted to the second controlled apparatus, if the second controlled apparatus is selected. An operating state of the second controlled apparatus is checked before the control command is transmitted to the second controlled apparatus. The controlled apparatus is controlled according to the remote control signal, if the controlled apparatus is selected.

Abstract: Composite ghost cancellation reference (GCR) signals that make available both a chirp and a PN sequence during the same VBLI in each successive field facilitates the more rapid and efficient calculations of ghost cancellation and of equalization, on a continuing basis. A television receiver for use with such composite GCR signals includes means for separating the chirp and PN sequence portions of the GCR signals from the remainder of the composite video signal, a ghost cancellation filter and an equalization filter connected in cascade to respond to the composite video signal and provided each with adjustable filtering weights, means responding to the separated chirp portions of the GCR signals to calculate a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) therefrom, means responding to that DFT to determine the adjustable filtering weights of the ghost cancellation filter, and means responding to the separated PN sequences to determine the adjustable filtering weights of the equalization filter.

Abstract: A multiplexed video signal interface in accordance with the present invention provides a multiplexed component video signal which includes component video signals with OSD data and user-controllable contrast and video gain, along with the ability to individually control such signal components. This advantageously minimizes the complexity of the necessary signal interfaces and allows for greater integration of circuit functions, thereby significantly reducing circuit complexity, size and costs. Also provided is a signal peaking circuit in the form of a variable high pass filter that enhances the magnitudes of the higher frequency signal components of the component video signals and OSD data, thereby providing for sharper edges on the displayed images.