Abstract: Advanced recording options are provided on a personal versatile recorder (PVR) or similar recording device. Television signals and associated electronic programming guide (EPG) data are received at a receiver (30). Recorded program material is stored in a storage device (60). A processor (75) provides for automatic suspending of recording, based on predetermined criteria, for at least a portion of time during which the one or more television programs would otherwise be recorded. Recording may be suspended when non-programming specific content (e.g., a commercial or emergency broadcast) is received at the PVR (20). Non-program specific content can be identified through the use of EPG data or Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) triggers. End of program notifiers may be provided which enable the PVR (20) to record the entire program, regardless of whether the program runs beyond its scheduled time. Recording may be optionally suspended where the program is a rerun.

Abstract: The present invention provides an on-screen graphics (OSD) subsystem for overlaying OSD graphic images onto analog or digital video source signals. The OSD system has a video graphics bypass path and graphics bypass switch for directing an analog video channel around the OSD subsystem during time intervals when the OSD subsystem is not required to insert graphics into the source signal.

Abstract: A circuit connected between an audio signal receiver and an audio output unit can prevent an audio pop from being emitted by a speaker associated with the audio output unit. The circuit interrupts the output of the signal receiver when the DC voltage level of the system suddenly changes, e.g. when a different audio signal is selected or when the receiver is powered on or off. The output of the receiver is shunted through a resistor to ground until a blocking capacitor between the receiver and audio output unit can charge to the new DC voltage level.

Abstract: A system for overlaying digital character signals on an analog video source signal including a predetermined color subcarrier includes a digital character generating device, a digital video encoder, and a switching device. The digital character generating device detects horizontal and vertical timing of pixel information in the analog video source signal, and generates digital character signals that are to be overlaid in predetermined pixels of the analog video source signal. The digital video encoder is responsive to the color subcarrier signal for generating a separate color subcarrier which is locked to the predetermined color subcarrier of the analog video source signal. The digital video encoder also converts the digital character signals from the digital character generating device into an analog video output signal that includes the color subcarrier generated in the digital video encoder.

Abstract: A system for overlaying digital character signals on an analog video source signal including a predetermined color subcarrier includes a subcarrier phase lock loop, a digital character generating device, a digital video encoder, and a switching device. The subcarrier phase lock loop separately generates a color subcarrier and a system clock signal which are locked to the color subcarrier of the analog video source signal. The digital character generating device detects horizontal and vertical timing of pixel information in the analog video source signal, and generates digital character signals that are to be overlaid in predetermined pixels of the analog video source signal. The digital video encoder is responsive to the color subcarrier and system clock signals for generating a separate color subcarrier which is locked to the color subcarrier of the analog video source signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrambling video signals to obtain the secure transmission of video information. A block of video lines in a television raster is divided into top and bottom sub-block portions. The top and bottom sub-block portions are switched in position. The sequence of video lines within the sub-blocks are shuffled so that the resulting scrambled video signal contains blocks of video lines which have been block portion switched and shuffled from their original block portion position and their original line sequences. The size of the first block of video lines can grow and/or shrink in time so that the video appears to roll down or up the display. A pseudo-random number of sequence controls the shuffling sequence. A descrambler receives the scrambled video signal and a code identifying the shuffling sequence of the scrambled video for descrambling the video signal and returning the block portions and the video lines to their original sequences.

Abstract: This invention discloses electronic circuit that can be either embedded in n oceanographic sonobuoy housing or used as stand-alone equipment and which establishes and generates sonar signals of a repetition rate, pulse length, and amplitude pulse shape which are all programmably variable, selectable and determinable. A plurality of predetermined sonar pulse "profiles" are stored in a read only memory (ROM). A particular profile is selected from this memory and this profile is generated point by point at a selected frequency.