Abstract: A digital video signal processing system receives encoded packets of data representing video image information in compressed form. A video decoder and an associated video RAM are used to decode and decompress the video packets to form groups of video image representative digital words. The video decoder also includes an on-screen display (OSD) unit which converts a graphics bit map stored in a section of the video RAM to groups of graphic image representative digital words. The image representative digital words and the graphic representative digital words are multiplexed together under the control of the OSD display unit.

Abstract: A compression/decompression system includes a source of non-interlaced scanned video signal. A preprocessor constructs interlaced scanned video signal from the non-interlaced scanned video signal by selection of alternate lines of successive non-interlaced image signals. The interlaced scanned video signal is compressed according to known methods to generate primary compressed video data. The primary data is decompressed by known processes, inverse to the compression processes, to regenerate the interlaced scanned frames. Interlaced scanned video signal, corresponding to the intervening lines of the non-interlaced scanned video signal, which were not included in the primary interlaced scanned video signal, is predicted from the decompressed frames of video signal. In addition the intervening lines of the original non-interlaced scanned video signal, which were not included in the primary interlaced scanned video signal, are formed into secondary interlaced scanned video signal.

Abstract: A television receiver having a video memory receives a small number of lines of a second low motion content video program transmitted during the vertical blanking interval of a first normal video program, stores and accumulates the lines of the second video program in video memory, and displays the image of the second video program when it is fully assembled. Audio for the second video program is conveyed via a second audio program (SAP) channel. In this manner two video programs, each of which is encoded in a standard television format (i.e., NTSC, PAL, or SECAM) can be received by a single tuner tuned to a single channel. In an embodiment utilizing picture-in-picture processing circuitry, the second video program can be displayed in an inset area of the screen.

Abstract: The digitized video image data stored in a video RAM in a pix-in-pix television receiver is modified by the addition of digital data from an external computer via a computer interface circuit under control of the pix-in-pix controller. The computer interface circuit is coupled to the internal controller of the television receiver via an external input terminal. The additional digital data received from the external computer may be representative of either text or graphics to be merged into the stored video image.

Abstract: The stored digitized video image data stored in a video RAM is transferred from the video RAM in a pix-in-pix television receiver to an external computer via a computer interface circuit under control of the pix-in-pix controller. The computer interface circuit is coupled to the internal controller of the television receiver via an external terminal. The external terminal receives digital control data from the external computer and conveys the stored digitized video image data signals from the video RAM to the external computer.

Abstract: A tuning system is provided which allows a user to enter text labels associated with respective channels or television programs to be tuned so that, thereafter, a channel or program to be tuned may be selected by the user by entering its label. Scheduling of television programs by label is also provided by storing time-related data as well as channel-related data and associating these data for each television program with a user-entered label.

Abstract: Time-keeping apparatus includes a microcomputer having a normal, relatively high power consumption mode of operation and a standby relatively low power consumption mode of operation. The AC power supply includes energy storage providing standby power for operation during power interruption. A controllable delay arrangement causes the microcomputer to operate in a cyclical mode with a relatively long duration in the standby mode of operation and a relatively short duration in the normal mode of operation. The time period of the relatively long duration, having been previously stored in memory, is utilized for incrementing the time-keeping during the relatively short duration in the normal mode until the end of the power interruption ends the cylical mode of operation.

Abstract: A component audio/video system includes a system controller having an input/output port adapted for connection via a bidirectional data bus to a plurality of peripheral audio/video devices. At times determined by a system master clock the controller transmits, via the bidirectional bus, user programmed sequences of commands at user specified times to user selected peripheral devices for controlling the operating modes thereof. After transmission of a command of a sequence, the controller monitors the bus to detect a received return status message from the selected device and in response to the received message selectively (1) re-transmits the last command, (2) interrupts the transmission and (3) transmits a further command in the sequence whereby a number of individual devices may be controlled by a single master clock and the possiblility of conflict between a currently transmitted command and a current device operating mode is minimized.

Abstract: A component audio/video system includes a system controller coupled to supply selection and control commands to a plurality of peripheral audio/video devices and to receive status messages therefrom. The devices may be selected to form a number of different recording configurations involving combinations of one or more recording signal sources and one or more devices for recording the signals. The system controller enters one of a number of different control modes for turning power off to the signal sources and recording devices depending on the status messages identifying recording configurations to enable continued recording by some devices when others run out of recording or playback media.

Abstract: In a programmed audio amplifier system, the volume setting when the system is turned on is conditionally related to the last volume setting, i.e., immediately before the amplifier was turned off. At turn-on the system remains at the last volume setting as long as it is less than a preset volume setting. However, at turn-on the system exhibits the preset volume setting if the last volume setting exceeds the preset volume setting.

Abstract: A television receiver includes apparatus for stabilizing an on-screen character display by which the deflection signal source is controlled for operating in a free-running mode, substantially unaffected by signal variations on the sync input line, rather than in a synchronized mode when sync is unreliable or otherwise undesirable. As another feature, the deflection signal source is caused to operate at substantially the same frequency in either mode.

Abstract: Programming apparatus for a scheduler of a television receiver or VCR for automatically tuning the system to channels corresponding to future programs requires, in its simplest form, only a single programming key for initiating the programming operation and digit keys for normally entering channel numbers. This is made possible by apparatus for displaying on the screen of the television receiver or, in the case of a VCR, an associated television receiver or monitor step-by-step instructions for entering the scheduling information. In response to pushing the programming key, a numbered list (or "menu") of various possible programming modes, e.g., scheduling programs to be selected only once, scheduling programs to be selected on a daily basis or scheduling programs to be selected on a weekly basis, is displayed. Thereafter any of the programming modes can be initiated by pushing the appropriate digit key.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling various functions of a television receiver such as the picture and audio responses includes a keyboard with numbered keys which are normally used for selecting channels and a program key. When the program key is pressed, an on-screen character generator is caused to display a numbered list or menu of the various functions to be controlled. Thereafter, a particular function can be selected for control by pressing the correspondingly numbered key. This causes the numbered list or menu of the characteristics of the selected function, e.g., the brightness, contrast, sharpness, color level and color tint of the picture, to be displayed. Thereafter a particular characteristic can be selected for control by pressing the correspondingly numbered key.

Abstract: An interconnection system for an audio and video component entertainment system includes a single conductor audio bus serially coupled between each of the video and audio components transfers audio signal in a "daisy-chain" manner among the components. The video components are grouped together separately from the audio components along the audio bus and both types of components supply and/or receive audio signals from the bus. A first switch in series with the audio bus separates the audio bus into first and second sections so as to allow simultaneous and independent audio signal transfer among the video and audio components connected to the separated sections of the audio bus. A single conductor video bus serially coupled between each of the video components transfers video signal in a "daisy-chain" manner among the video components.

Abstract: A tuning control system includes a pulse converter for converting a digital word to a corresponding pulse signal having pulses the width or frequency of which represents the magnitude of a tuning voltage associated with a respective channel. The pulse signal is applied to a filter which produces the tuning voltage. An automatic fine tuning (AFT) voltage is generated by an AFT discriminator in an IF section and also applied to the filter to modify the magnitude of the tuning voltage to correct for any frequency deviation of the IF signal. To make the response of the tuner to changes of the AFT voltage more uniform for different channels, the AFT voltage is applied to the filter through a switch which is selectively closed in response to the pulses of the pulse signal so as to change the effective amplitude of the AFT voltage applied to the filter as a function of the channel selected.

Abstract: A television receiver includes a chassis having a digital tuner for generating local oscillator signals for tuning the receiver to respective channels in response to binary signals representing corresponding channel numbers and a signal processing unit for controlling at least one characteristic of the receiver such as the sound level, in response to binary signals representing the controllable characteristic. The receiver also includes a microcomputer including a RAM (Random Access Memory) with at least one memory location for storing binary signals representing the present time and a plurality of memory locations for storing binary signals representing future times and channel numbers of channels to be tuned at those times. A control portion of the microcomputer causes binary signals representing the channel number associated with a future time to be coupled to the digital tuner when the present time matches the future time.

Abstract: In a tuning system for a television receiver including a memory for storing binary signals representing tuning voltages corresponding to various channels a viewer may select, during a tuning voltage setup mode in which the binary signals representing the tuning voltages are generated in response to viewer control, a multiplexer couples predetermined selected ones of the binary signals representing the tuning voltages to a digital channel number display unit to provide a viewer with an indication of the relative tuning position. The multiplexer also couples binary signals representing the letter "A" to the channel number display during the tuning voltage setup mode to distinguish the tuning voltage setup mode from other modes of operation of the tuning system.