Abstract: A television system has a television viewing mode (50) and a guide mode (56, 58). The guide mode includes an electronic program guide (EPG), which provides the viewer program information for tuned programs, and a tape index guide (TIG), which provides information for programs recorded on a video cassette (16). In both guides, real time images of a program are displayed in a PIP window (50) on the television screen and guide information (56, 58) is displayed in the background. In both guides, the viewer may switch between a currently telecast program or a recorded program. The viewer may access either guide from the television mode and vice versa. In the guide mode, the viewer may independently switch the guide information and the type of program, i.e., tuned or recorded, in the PIP window.

Abstract: A method for recording on video tape and indexing programs carried by a television signal. The title of some, but not all, of the programs is embedded real time in the television signal. A video tape cassette is loaded in a VCR for recording. A data file corresponding to a plurality of television program listings is stored in memory. The data file includes the channel and start time of each program listing, and the title if available. The program listings are displayed on a video monitor. One of the displayed program listings is selected for recording. The data corresponding to the program listing selected for recording is transferred from the data file to a VCR recording stack so the VCR records the program represented by the program listing selected for recording. A directory of programs recorded on the video tape, including program titles and tape locations, is created.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for allowing rating level control of the viewing of a program. The apparatus includes a device for entering a desired rating level for controlling the viewing of a program, a device for extracting rating data from a program video segment, the rating data indicating a rating level of the program video segment, and a device for extracting text data representative of the content of the program video segment from the program video segment. The apparatus includes a device for determining whether the extracted rating data indicates that the program video segment has an acceptable rating level for viewing with regard to the entered desired rating level and a device for blocking the playing of the program video segment if it is determined that the extracted rating data indicates that the program video segment has an unacceptable rating level for viewing with regard to the entered desired rating level.

Abstract: Operation of a video cassette player is facilitated by providing a VBI decoder which decodes information, such as title, channel, date, time and length of broadcast programs and utilizing the information in providing directory of the programs as well as control of the VCR. The video cassette player is also provided with a VBI encoder for inserting control as well as directory information into the tape, either in the VBI portions of the video track or in the control track.

Abstract: Encoded video recorder/player timer preprogramming information listed in a television calendar allows a timer preprogramming feature on a video cassette recorder VCR to be programmed using a compressed code of as few as 1 to 8 digits, which are decoded by a decoder built into either the video cassette recorder or a remote controller to convert the compressed code into channel, date, time and length information. The channel, date, time and length information is communicated to a VCR and used to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television program with the corresponding channel, date, time and length. Alternately, the channel, date, time and length information is decoded directly in a remote controller and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands are sent to the VCR at the appropriate times.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for parental control of television programs. Program schedule information including program titles are stored in a memory and displayed on a monitor. Compressed code is entered for the programs to be blocked. Alternatively, one or more program titles are selected from the displayed program schedule information for blocking by a parental control circuitry connected to a controller.

Abstract: Encoded video recorder/player timer preprogramming information listed in a television calendar allows a timer preprogramming feature on a video cassette recorder VCR to be programmed using a compressed coded indication of as few as 1 to 8 digits, which are decoded by a decoder built into either the video cassette recorder or a remote controller to convert the compressed coded indication into channel, date, time and length information. The channel, date, time and length information is communicated to a VCR and used to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television program with the corresponding channel, date, time and length. Alternatively, the channel, date, time and length information is decoded directly in a remote controller and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands are sent to the VCR at the appropriate times. An encoder, which may be implemented on a computer, is used to generate the compressed coded indications.

Abstract: A database consisting of inventive data structures is used to facilitate the creation of electronic program guides when used with a television program schedule system. The database is periodically updated with television program schedule information and is interrogated by a schedule system in order to create program guides.

Abstract: A system for sending selected up-to-date information in a television signal from a sender located at a network head-end or television station to a receiver co-located with a television viewer. The television viewer subscribes to an information service by telephoning a customer service center affiliated with the sender. The customer service center informs the sender of the subscription and the sender sends data packets of information individually targeted for the television viewer in the vertical blanking interval of the television signal. The television viewer's receiver accepts the data packets identified for it and on viewer command displays information included therein on the television screen. The data packets may include information relating to news, sports results, financial market updates, television programming guides, and the like. Information is displayed to the viewer in a menu format, allowing for ease of use in controlling presentation of various types of information.

Abstract: Digital compressed codes, associated with advertisements enable a user to selectively record additional information, which would be broadcast on a television channel at a later time. The advertisement could be print advertisement or broadcast advertisement on television or radio. The user enters the digital code (I code) associated with an advertisement into a unit with a decoding means which automatically converts the code into CTL (channel, time and length). The unit within a twenty four hour period activates a VCR to record information on the television channel at the right time for the proper length of time. The decoded channel, time and length information can be communicated directly to a VCR and used by the VCR directly to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television information broadcast corresponding to the communicated channel, time and length.

Abstract: Encoded video recorder/player timer preprogramming information listed in a television calendar allows a timer preprogramming feature on a video cassette recorder VCR to be programmed using a compressed code of as few as 1 to 8 digits, which are decoded by a decoder built into either the video cassette recorder or a remote controller to convert the compressed code into channel, date, time and length information. The channel, date, time and length information is communicated to a VCR and used to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television program with the corresponding channel, date, time and length. Alternately, the channel, date, time and length information is decoded directly in a remote controller and only start record, stop record and channel selection commands are sent to the VCR at the appropriate times.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for parental control of television programs. Program schedule information including program titles are stored in a memory and displayed on a monitor. Compressed code is entered for the programs to be blocked. Alternatively, one or more program titles are selected from the displayed program schedule information for blocking by a parental control circuitry connected to a controller.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for programming a controller for selection, from a plurality a set of infra red (IR) codes, set of IR codes for subsequent control of IR signal communication with a video cassette recorder (VCR). Each set of IR codes is for communicating with a different corresponding VCR. To this end, each such VCR has a tuner, which, when tuned to an actual channel of broadcast video signals, provides video signals derived from the actual channel to a video output thereof. A signal is provided to the VCR where the signal is predetermined by a selected IR code which is selected from one of the sets of IR codes. This causes the VCR to perform a predetermined operation. The video output of the VCR is monitored for a predetermined signal condition, such as a video signal being present, or for a label broadcast in the video signals. A set of IR codes is then selected for subsequent signal communication with the VCR.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for measuring an address in time between the beginning of the tape on the reel and the current location along a recording tape wound around a hub of a reel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for inserting data into a vertical blanking interval (VBI) line of video frames. The method includes the steps of inserting first data into a first vertical blanking interval VBI line for a plurality of consecutive video frames, inserting second data into a second vertical blanking interval VBI line for a plurality of consecutive video frames, counting a number of consecutive video frames having first data inserted into the first vertical blanking interval VBI line, terminating the insertion of first data for a first number of video frames before again inserting first data into the first vertical blanking VBI interval line when the counted number of consecutive video frames into which first data is inserted into the first vertical blanking interval VBI line equals a second number, and repeating the steps.

Abstract: A television for controlling a video cassette recorder to access programs on a video cassette tape, the television comprising a circuit for retrieving a directory of programs from a television signal received from the video cassette recorder, a circuit for retrieving a program identifier from the television signal received from the video cassette recorder, a circuit means for displaying the directory of programs to allow a user to select a program from the directory, a circuit for determining from the retrieved program identifier and the selected program the amount to either advance or rewind the video cassette tape to position the video cassette tape in the video cassette recorder at the beginning of the selected program, and a circuit for commanding the video cassette recorder to position the video cassette tape at the beginning of the selected program.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for television audience monitoring includes an apparatus and method for determining that a television is turned on. Compressed codes, each representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel and a time-of-day for a program are retrieved from a television signal received by the television. Each compressed code is decoded and expanded into a channel and time-of-day for a program. The channel and time-of-day for a program are stored when the apparatus for determining that a television set is turned on indicates that the television set is turned on. Alternately, the compressed codes are stored. The decoding and expanding of the compressed code into channel and time-of-day is performed as a function of the clock output. Upon command the stored channel and time-of-day for a program or the stored compressed code for a program are sent over a telephone line.

Abstract: Text data is arranged into groups. A unique code is assigned to each group. The data is encoded so that the codes represent the groups. The groups and their assigned codes are transmitted to a receiver where they are stored as a table correlating each group to its assigned code. After the table is transmitted, the program and the encoded text data are transmitted to the receiver, preferably in synchronism. At the receiver, the data is decoded from the table and displayed as the program is reproduced.

Abstract: A video tape player monitors the selection habits of a viewer selecting from a plurality of video tapes. Each video tape contains a plurality of programs. A first type of video tape has a title information symbol contained in a predetermined interval of the tape, e.g. the vertical blanking interval, for each program on the tape. A clock provides the time of occurrence of commands. A detector receives user inputted commands for controlling the movement of the video tape such as play, record, stop. The user inputted commands comprise a start play command to start moving, in a longitudinal direction, the video tape proximate to a magnetic head so that the magnetic head can detect the programs on the video tape and a stop command to stop moving the tape. A controller is coupled to the detector for commanding the motor in response to the detected user inputted commands and for reading the time of occurrence of the commands.

Abstract: A mounting stand for a remote control unit is provided which aligns the remote control unit with a device to be controlled. The remote control is easily removable from the mounting stand for easy use. The mounting stand is provided with a front alignment flange and raised sides connected to a base for aligning the remote control relative to the mounting stand. The mounting stand is further provided with a rear alignment flange for aligning the mounting stand with the device or devices to be controlled by the remote control unit.