Abstract: A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising: transmitting programming over-the-air to a mobile device by a first facility in communication with a service provider; and receiving by a second facility comprising a wireless access point in communication with the service provider first information based on the programming from the mobile device is provided. A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising: receiving programming over-the-air by a mobile device from a first facility in communication with a service provider; and transmitting by the mobile device to a second facility comprising a wireless access point in communication with the service provider first information based on the programming is provided.

Abstract: A method of and system for providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising transmitting programming on-air to a first mobile device by a first facility in communication with a service provider and receiving by a second facility in communication with the service provider information based on the programming, wherein the first information comprises information relayed from the first device to the second facility after being processed by a second mobile device, is provided.

Abstract: A method of and system for providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising transmitting programming on-air to a first mobile device by a first facility in communication with a service provider and receiving by a second facility in communication with the service provider information based on the programming, wherein the first information comprises information relayed from the first device to the second facility after being processed by a second mobile device, is provided.

Abstract: A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising transmitting programming on-air to a first mobile device by a first facility in communication with a service provider and receiving by a second facility in communication with the service provider information based on the programming, wherein the first information comprises information relayed from the first device to the second facility after being processed by a second mobile device, is provided.

Abstract: A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising: transmitting programming over-the-air to a mobile device by a first facility in communication with a service provider; and receiving by a second facility comprising a wireless access point in communication with the service provider first information based on the programming from the mobile device is provided. A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising: receiving programming over-the-air by a mobile device from a first facility in communication with a service provider; and transmitting by the mobile device to a second facility comprising a wireless access point in communication with the service provider first information based on the programming is provided.

Abstract: A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising transmitting programming on-air to a first mobile device by a first facility in communication with a service provider and receiving by a second facility in communication with the service provider information based on the programming, wherein the first information comprises information relayed from the first device to the second facility after being processed by a second mobile device, is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a cursor associated with a dynamic background is described. In a first step, the position of the dynamic background in a first frame is calculated. In a second step, the position of the dynamic background in a second frame is calculated. In a third step, the change in position of the dynamic background from the first frame to the second frame is calculated. Lastly, the position of the cursor in the second frame is adjusted according to the change in position of the dynamic background. The change in position of the dynamic background from the first frame to the second frame can be calculated in one, two or three dimensions. Likewise, the position of the cursor in the second frame can be adjusted in one, two or three dimensions. This advantage allows for easier positioning of the cursor by a user on a desired object in the display.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a cursor associated with a dynamic background is described. In a first step, the position of the dynamic background in a first frame is calculated. In a second step, the position of the dynamic background in a second frame is calculated. In a third step, the change in position of the dynamic background from the first frame to the second frame is calculated. Lastly, the position of the cursor in the second frame is adjusted according to the change in position of the dynamic background. The change in position of the dynamic background from the first frame to the second frame can be calculated in one, two or three dimensions. Likewise, the position of the cursor in the second frame can be adjusted in one, two or three dimensions. This advantage allows for easier positioning of the cursor by a user on a desired object in the display.

Abstract: A display device for receiving encrypted or scramble video data and for decrypting or descrambling the video data such that a signal is not provided “in the clear”. The video data is stored in a memory array in an encrypted form and read out from the memory array using a decryption key. The encrypted data is then read out from the memory elements in accordance with known methods.

Abstract: A LCD display device for receiving encrypted video data and for decrypting the video data such that a signal is not provided “in the clear” before receipt by the display device. The video data is encrypted within a row of video and decrypted at the display. Alternatively the rows are encrypted by altering the time sequence of display of each row.

Abstract: An information retrieval system in which information is stored in digital form in a serial access device such as a digital VCR, the information being organized as a library of successive albums, each album having successive tracks of individually identifiable items of information, such as audio performances, subjects or events. A random access device, such as a compact disc player or magnetic hard disc drive, has stored therein a portion of a preselected track of each album and a brief introductory portion of each of the remaining tracks in each album. Both devices are coupled to a common data bus and are controlled by a programmable processor so that during search intervals of the serial access device to access a selected album or track read-out thereof is initiated by the random access device. When the serial access device is ready to access selected track or album, read-out is switched over thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a digital television signal using a first multipoint constellation comprised of a plurality of identical second constellations each having fewer points than the first constellation and each positioned in a different section of the first constellation. The receiver includes a decoder which decodes data as encoded in one of the second constellations. Additional bits, transmitted with the data, are also decoded at the receiver to identify which to section of the first constellation the second constellation belongs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a digital television signal using a single QAM (quadrature amplitude modulated) carrier which provides audio and video data packets at respective complex symbol data rate levels. One purpose of the invention is to provide a digital television signal which resembles the audio vs. video reception characteristics exhibited by conventional analog television (i.e. NTSC). way communication path.

Abstract: A method and decoder for decoding a hierarchically coded digital video bitstream which can process a high resolution television picture in real time and which is made, up of a number of individual decoder modules, connected in parallel, which each have less real time processing power than is necessary, but which when combined, have at least the necessary processing power needed to process the bitstream in real time. The decoder includes a system controller which detects the hierarchical code indicating bits and slices and communicates this information to a slice parser which dynamically allocates the bitstream among the digital modules as needed on a per slice basis.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as an adaptive flywheel, and method for producing periodic time references, forming a periodic time reference signal, from uncertain time references. A counter counts from a first count value to a second count value and provides a periodic time reference each time its count reaches the second count value. An error processing device, coupled to the counter, determines (a) whether an uncertain time reference is received within a predetermined range of count values (corresponding to a window of expectation), or (b) whether the absolute value of the average of an error, corresponding to the number of increment values before or after the second count value, whichever is lower, the count is at when an uncertain synchronization reference is received, and at least one previously determined error for at least one previously received uncertain synchronization reference is greater than WC/2 increment values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating and demodulating an MCM television signal is described which is particularly useful in proposed "simulcast" HDTV terrestrial broadcasting. The MCM spectrum of the television signal is shaped using weighting coefficients which are derived from either an idealized NTSC signal or an actual NTSC co-channel signal. These coefficients are used to shape the respective MCM carriers to provide an energy distribution in the MCM signal which provides greater degree of robustness with a minimum degree of co-channel interference to and from an NTSC co-channel signal. The instant invention further takes advantage of the interference characteristics of composite television signals described above, to position the placement of the MCM carriers in frequency, to minimize interference with an NTSC co-channel signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a television source signal having a first bandwidth, into a frequency multiplexed signal having a narrower bandwidth and comprising a plurality of subcarriers modulated with digital information. Each of said subcarriers has an amplitude, bandwidth and coding characteristic which reflects the relative importance of the digital information provided thereby. The frequency multiplexed signal is suitable for use in a broadcasting environment wherein a conventional television signal is also used and wherein said subcarriers are disposed in frequency, in positions which are least likely to result in interference to or from said conventional signal. The invention also includes a receiver for decoding the frequency multiplexed signal and for providing a high definition display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a television source signal having a first bandwidth, into a frequency multiplexed signal having a narrower bandwidth and comprising a plurality of subcarriers modulated with digital information. Each of said subcarriers has an amplitude, bandwidth and coding characteristic which reflects the relative importance of the digital information provided thereby. The frequency multiplexed signal is suitable for use in a broadcasting environment wherein a conventional television signal is also used and wherein said subcarriers are disposed in frequency, in positions which are least likely to result in interference to or from said conventional signal. The invention also includes a receiver for decoding the frequency multiplexed signal and for providing a high definition display.

Abstract: Each line of a wide aspect ratio television signal is divided into a main panel component and two augmentation panel components for transmission or storage. The two augmentation panels are transmitted in a multiplex analog format on the same channel. They are transmitted adjacent to one another so that additional signals such as audio signals will occupy the same time slots regardless of the respective widths of the panels. (The sum of the panel widths remains constant even in pan and scan operations). Weighted transition augmentation samples effect a transition from the last redundant pixel of one augmentation panel component to the first redundant pixel of the second augmentation panel component.

Abstract: Each line of a wide aspect ratio television signal is divided into a main panel component and an autmentation panel component joined to the main panel component at a stitch point for transmission or storage. At the transmitter, a first signal is extracted from the horizontal line signal, the first signal including the main panel component, a plurality of main panel redundant pixels extending from the main panel into the augmentation panel component, and a multiplicity of weighted main panel transition samples extending further into said augmentation panel component from the redundant samples. Similiarly, a second signal includes the augmentation panel component, a plurality of augmentation panel redundant samples extending into the main panel and a plurality of transition augmentation samples extending from the redundant augmentation samples further into the main panel and weighted to create a predetermined transition curve.