Abstract: A programming system in which entertainment and information programming is transmitted, received and stored in real time by a multitude of receivers. The stored programming subsequently may be retrieved by a user in non-real time at the user's convenience. This programming system is particularly adaptable for use with receivers located in moveable vehicles wherein, however, the mobile receivers must have access to the transmitted information, that is, to a transmitter, regardless of the extent of the vehicle's journey. To this end, one or more transmitters located within respective service areas transmit identical programming information along with respective transmitter location codes over different frequency channels, wherein each code also defines a transmitter priority of effective radiated power.

Abstract: An entertainment service consists of program material which is encoded, supplied and stored in receivers for later retrieval at the convenience of a subscriber or user. A number of unique options are available and include a format for the presentation of audio/video commercials and other message materials without interfering with the delivery of the program materials within which the message materials are to be inserted. Message materials may be targeted at specific program subscriber groups and specific program categories. The entertainment materials are electronically supplied in a unique format of the program and message materials selectively interspersed with program break flags and message flags. The flags identify and provide preselected access to the materials previously determined by the subscriber's service.

Abstract: The data rate of speech and non-speech audio is selectively reduced by respective compression techniques based upon the information content of the type of signal. A composite audio information signal formed of speech and non-speech audio is applied to both a voice encoder and a wide-band audio compression encoder. An audio-type detection circuit examines the speech spectrum as well as the entire frequency spectrum and dynamic range of the audio information and generates a selection signal indicating whether the signal is speech or non-speech audio. A composite encoded audio signal is produced by intermingling the outputs of the encoders in response to the selection signal. The composite encoded audio signal and an identification signal indicative of the audio signal type are transmitted to respective receivers at the reduced data rates for storage, and subsequent decoding and retrieval by a listener as an audible signal in response to the transmitted identification signal.

Abstract: An aperture correction system employing a tapped delay line includes an integral detection/gating circuit, whereby the combination generates an improved video detail signal by removing the objectionable noise and low amplitude components which are emphasized during the aperture correction process, while retaining the original shape of the high frequency video detail transitions as enhanced by the aperture correction process. The objectionable noise cancellation is provided by selectively gating the aperture correction signal via the detection/gating circuit in response to a selected gating waveform provided from the video detail signal itself. The detection/gating circuit may be selectively disabled to cause severe attenuation of the waveform at selected low and high frequencies outside the passband of the system.