Abstract: A digital video receiver, a conditional access module and method of transmitting data therebetween, the digital video receiver having a multi line socket for connection to the conditional access module, the socket having a pre-determined plurality of lines for transmitting and receiving transport stream data and a pre-determined plurality of lines for transmitting and receiving control data and resource/application data, the method comprising selectively transmitting resource/application data over the plurality of transport stream lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an information stream comprising a plurality of compressed information frames to produce an information sub-stream having a reduced number of information frames. In the case of an MPEG video information stream, the information sub-stream is suitable for use as a fast-forward (FF) or rewind (REW) stream in, e.g., a video on demand (VOD) system utilizing such streams.

Abstract: The present invention is implemented in one embodiment in a tuning decoder device, such as an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) of a digital satellite system. The IRD is coupled to a satellite system, the remote controller and a monitor, such as a TV set. The present invention allows a user to store up to five stations in a JUMP Loop sequence during a single viewing period by depressing a single key in a remote controller.

Abstract: Method and arrangements for transmitting and receiving an electronic database, e.g. an electronic television programme guide. The database includes a plurality of programme items. In order to assist the user in retrieving the items of interest, a menu structure is transmitted as well. The menu structure renders it possible to access the database in various ways. Rather than including programme items (such as known form teletext systems), the transmitted menus refer to programme items. Where necessary, references can be made to programme information transmitted by different TV stations.

Abstract: When a received broadcast signal is received in a digital broadcast signal receiving apparatus, an entitlement management message EMM representing broadcast-watching enabling information is extracted from the received digital broadcast signal in an EMM extracting unit regardless of any operation. An extracted digital broadcast signal already descrambled in a preceding step is recorded in a recording unit. When a user selects a reproducing operation in a current step, particular digital broadcast information indicating a particular television program is extracted from the extracted digital broadcast signal in a packet extracting unit. Therefore, the particular television program can be reproduced.

Abstract: Information associated with broadcasting, information associated with a network, and information associated with a package are included in data. A terminal device has means for acquiring data from broadcasting, data from the network, and data from the package. The terminal device further has a means for displaying the data acquired by the above-mentioned means together or a means for displaying information included in the data as a link. This novel constitution allows positive information provision to users by a combination of three types of media, broadcasting, network, and package. At the same time, this novel constitution allows provision of new services by making the most of mass storage provided by package and up-to-date information provided over network.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing radio frequency (RF) modulated broadcast television signals from a broadcast signal source to networked appliances connected to the source through a plurality of single conductor coaxial cables, simultaneously with distributing unmodulated digital signals and RF modulated video signals exchanged between the networked appliances over the same network coaxial cables.

Abstract: A television viewer uses a PIP format for display of program related information such as television program listings from a program schedule data base in the background and moving, real time images of a program selected from the displayed listings in the PIP window. All the text of the background information lies outside the PIP window. In one embodiment, as the viewer selects a particular program from the display of current television program listings by means of a cursor or a code number, the corresponding program automatically appears in the PIP window.

Abstract: A system for implementing an interactive broadcast program which includes a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed data stream which includes a main program and a plurality of different commercials, and a receiver (e.g., a digital television receiver) configured to receive the multiplexed data stream. The receiver includes a display device (e.g., a television monitor) and, facilities responsive to a user action for causing the display device to display a selected one of the plurality of different commercials during a commercial interruption in the main program. Also disclosed is a system for implementing an interactive broadcast program which includes a transmitter for transmitting a multiplexed data stream which includes an interactive main program comprised of a plurality of main program segments including at least a first main program segment and a plurality of different second main program segments, and a receiver. The receiver (e.g.

Abstract: When there is an inability to convey motion that is occurring in the frames of a video source by a full-frame-rate transmission, a surrogate effect, other than another form of motion, may be used as a compensation technique to better convey motion to a viewer. The surrogate effect employed may be a) fading, b) wiping, c) dissolving, d) blurring, e) enhancing the contrast, f) enhancing one or more colors, g) enhancing the brightness, h) scaling the image, and i) the like. How the surrogate effect is applied to any frame may be a function of one or more video frames. Optionally, more than one effect may be used in combination. Advantageously, a more continuous sense of motion is perceived by a viewer. In one embodiment of the invention, full-frame-rate video is initially available. A controller monitors the ability to transmit or display full-frame-rate video.

Abstract: Method and arrangements for transmitting and receiving menus, e.g. for accessing an electronic television programme guide. Each menu comprises a plurality of menu items which can be selected by a user. With each menu item, a subpicture can be associated. A subpicture is displayed when the cursor touches an associated menu item on screen. Thus, by moving the cursor over the screen, the subpicture dynamically changes so as to display a brief explanation of the menu items.

Abstract: A video and telephony signal distribution network is provided. The network includes a head end for transmitting to a plurality of remote units. The network further includes at least one optical/electrical converter unit that transmits to the remote units over at least two coaxial cables coupled to a common optical/electrical converter unit. Each remote unit transmits upstream electrical data signals over its associated coaxial cable to the optical/electrical converter unit using a common bandwidth. The optical/electrical converter unit converts and frequency shifts the upstream electrical data signals from at least one remote unit to form an optical upstream data signal for transmittal to the head end such that the frequency spectrum used for the upstream communications is simultaneously used on each of the coaxial cables of to optical/electrical converter unit.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an information stream comprising a plurality of compressed information frames having an associated original or source timecast parameter to produce an information sub-stream having a substantially constant timecast parameter. The invention generates an information substream having a timecast parameter that is held substantially constant, even though the timecast parameter of the input stream may vary.

Abstract: An electronic mail on which a control command is interpolated is transmitted through a public line, received by a modem section of a gateway, converted to digital data, and supplied to a control section. A CPU of the control section stores the received electronic mail in a RAM, and extracts the control command contained in the electronic mail. The CPU supplies a control signal corresponding to the control command to an interface section. The interface section controls an IR transmission section to transmit a signal corresponding to the control signal supplied from the CPU or outputs a signal through a connection line, and controls a video deck.

Abstract: An Internet information displaying apparatus, comprising: a video intermediate frequency detector (11) for extracting a first picture signal from a video signal and outputting it; a gate array (36) for converting the digital data taken in from the Internet into a second picture signal, and for compressing the second picture signal in the horizontal direction of the screen of a CRT (17); a TV picture horizontal compression unit (18) for compressing the first picture signal in the horizontal direction of the screen of the CRT (17); the gate array (36) for compressing the second picture signal in the horizontal direction of the screen of the CRT (17); a picture right and left composing unit (19) for composing the picture signals compressed by the unit (18) and the gate array (36), respectively, in a row; and switching units (14, 23) for switching the picture signal to be displayed on the screen of the CRT (17) into any of the first picture signal, the second picture signal, and the picture signal composed by the

Abstract: A method and apparatus routes user information including confidential information and other information to a vendor in a secure manner without requiring the user to transmit information in a secure manner. The user provides a user identifier and information including confidential information to a response collector, who relates the user identifier to the user information. The response collector may verify the information to protect against fraud. An information provider provides an application identifier and vendor routing information to a response collector, who relates the vendor routing information to the application identifier. The application identifier corresponding to the vendor is broadcast to the user via an interactive information system application, and the interactive information system sends the application identifier, a user identifier and other response information to a response collector as directed by the user and the interactive information system application.

Abstract: An objectionable outlining effect, seen as dark edges and white edges outlining everything in a scene, is eliminated by clipping or limiting the spikes generated by excessive enhancement. Specifically, a method is used for improving the quality of an enhanced video image, while simultaneously maintaining or improving image sharpness, by clipping the RGB levels of the enhanced video image, at the points of enhancement, to upper and lower level bounds representing the signal levels of the video signal prior to its enhancement.

Abstract: The system processes sequences of digital still images to provide real-time digital video effects, and includes first and second channels for communicating first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video. A controller directs still images to one of the first and second channels. A blender, having a first input connected to the first channel, a second input connected to the second channel, and an output, provides a combination of the first and second sequences of digital still images at a rate for simulating video.

Abstract: A cooperative electronic media measurement system is disclosed which uses media handlers to obtain information from, or otherwise obtain information about, presented media objects, including identification tags, if present, for collection by research data collection agents and subsequent dispatch to a centralized media research controller. The media research controller registers advertisements and other media for subsequent measurement and provides a unique identification tag that may be added to, or associated with, the existing media object. Media objects are presented to a panel member by a panel member-computing device which may receive media objects by means of a network connection, from one or more local sources, or generate media objects in real-time, or a combination thereof. One or more research data collection agents are assigned to measure each panel member's exposure to and interactions with electronic media.