Abstract: The absence of MPEG processing in a consumer digital recorder player may preclude on screen message display of recorder status. Various methods are disclosed which facilitate the on screen display of recorder player status messages. A first embodiment returns a reproduced decoded, analog video signal to the digital recorder player for insertion of status messages. In a further embodiment recorder message data is coupled to the digital signal decoder for inclusion with the decoded analog video signal. In a another embodiment a recorder message command is coupled to the decoder to access recorder specific graphical messages. In yet a further embodiment, recorder message data is tagged and coupled to the decoder to select recorder specific graphical messages if available or to display recorder message data. In yet another embodiment, digital or analog operating mode determines recorder message display position and timing.

Abstract: A record and replay apparatus comprises a transducing unit for reproducing a digital signal from a medium. A control unit controls a reproduction mode of the apparatus. A decoding is coupled to the transducing unit for decoding the digital signal and deriving therefrom a signal indicative of a specific picture type. The reproduction mode has a first period of reproduction at a normal play speed and a second period of reproduction at a speed greater than the play speed. The first and second periods alternating with the first period initiated responsive to the signal indicative of a specific picture type. In a further arrangement a first transducing unit records an MPEG signal. A control unit generates a signal, indicating an intra coded frame occurrence in the MPEG bit stream, which is recorded by a second transducing unit together with a servo reference signal.

Abstract: A digital television receiver comprises a receiving means having selectable first and second inputs. The first input receives a broadcast digital television signal and the second input receives a digital television signal from a reproduction apparatus, and generates a video signal for display. A generating means is coupled to the receiving means for generating a display message responsive to display message data derived from the selected input and combining the display message with said video signal.

Abstract: The absence of MPEG processing in a consumer digital recorder player may preclude on screen message display of recorder status. Various methods are disclosed which facilitate the on screen display of recorder player status messages. A first embodiment returns a reproduced decoded, analog video signal to the digital recorder player for insertion of status messages. In a further embodiment recorder message data is coupled to the digital signal decoder for inclusion with the decoded analog video signal. In a another embodiment a recorder message command is coupled to the decoder to access recorder specific graphical messages. In yet a further embodiment, recorder message data is tagged and coupled to the decoder to select recorder specific graphical messages if available or to display recorder message data. In yet another embodiment, digital or analog operating mode determines recorder message display position and timing.

Abstract: The absence of MPEG processing in a consumer digital recorder player may preclude on-screen message display of recorder status. Various methods are disclosed which facilitate the on-screen display of recorder player status meassages. A first embodiment returns a reproduced decoded, analog video signal (102) to the digital recorder player (200) for insertion of status messages. In a further embodiment recorder message data (221) is coupled to the digital signal decoder (100, 117, 520) for inclusion with the decoded analog video signal (102). In another embodiment a recorder message command (TAG/CMD) is coupled to the decoder (100, 510) to access recorder specific graphical messages. In yet a further embodiment, recorder message data (221) is tagged and coupled to the decoder (100, 510) to select recorder specific graphical messages if available or to display recorder (200) message data. In yet another embodiment, digital or analog operating mode determines recorder message display position and timing.

Abstract: A digital apparatus for reproducing a digital video representative signal stored on a recorded medium is connected to a receiving device including a decoder. The apparatus comprises a processing means for the digital video representative signal stored on the recorded medium to produce an output compressed digital video signal bit stream for decoding by the decoder. A status message generator generates a message data signal indicative of an operating mode of the apparatus. A display message combiner has a first input coupled to the message data signal and a second input coupled to receive a decoded digital video signal from the decoder, for combining the message data signal with the decoded digital video signal for display on a video monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a source of compressed digital video and control data occuring in transport packets. The apparatus comprises a deriving means responsive to the source for deriving copy control data from the transport packets. A generating means responsive to the copy control data for generating a copy control word. A forming means for forming a superpacket including the copy control word and the transport packets.

Abstract: A digital apparatus for reproducing a digital video representative signal stored on a recorded medium is connected to a receiving device including a decoder. The apparatus comprises a processing means for the digital video representative signal stored on the recorded medium to produce an output compressed digital video signal bit stream for decoding by the decoder. A status message generator generates a message data signal indicative of an operating mode of the apparatus. A display message combiner has a first input coupled to the message data signal and a second input coupled to receive a decoded digital video signal from the decoder, for combining the message data signal with the decoded digital video signal for display on a video monitor.

Abstract: A programmable synchronizing system for selectively providing synchronizing signals at different rates, such as for incorporation in a video signal decompression system, includes an oscillator and a programmable counter. The programmable counter is conditioned to count pulses from the oscillator by alternate moduli in predetermined sequences to generate the synchronizing signals. The desired synchronization rate is effectively the average of the counter output resulting from counting by the alternate moduli.

Abstract: A system for generating a signal for coupling digital audio, video and data signals in compressed form via a bus. A processing means formats the digital audio, video and data signals into superpackets for transmission via the bus. Each superpacket comprises a timestamp, and a transport packet, representative of the digital audio, video and data signals. The superpackets have a fixed duration and occur at variable intervals. Devices receive the superpacket signal and may utilize the timestamps for clock synchronization. A recording and replay device processes the variable superpacket signal occurrence for recording. Reproduced timestamps are utilized to control restoration of the superpacket signal to have substantially the duration and occurrence as when formatted for bus transmission. A simplified bus couples superpackets between devices. An indicia is added to a superpacket signal to provide automatic control of device bus interfaces.

Abstract: A digital video recording/reproducing system in which the operating state of the recording/reproducing device is transmitted to the television system separately from the digital video signal. The television system uses this information to generate an on-screen display.

Abstract: A data bus system is disclosed, including a plurality of nodes coupled together by a daisy chain bus. Each node includes a first and a second bus connection, each having a first and second bidirectional terminal. An arbitration logic is coupled between the first and second bus connection. The node operates in an arbitration mode, during an arbitration time interval, in which the first bidirectional terminal in the first bus connection, and the second bidirectional terminal in the second bus connection are configured to be input terminals, and the second bidirectional terminal in the first bus connection and the first bidirectional terminal in the second bus connection are configured to be output terminals. Then the node operates in a bus access mode in which the first and second bidirectional terminals in the respective first and second bus connections, are both configured to be one of input and output terminals.

Abstract: A decoder conditional access system incorporates different encryption systems for providing access to programs derived from different sources. A conditional access processor for processing encrypted program data and an associated encryption code includes a first algorithm means for decrypting the encryption code to provide an encryption key. The conditional access processor also includes a second algorithm means for encrypting the encryption key and the second encryption algorithm is different to the first encryption algorithm. A datastream representing the program is generated from encrypted program data and an associated encryption code. The encryption code is decrypted to provide an encryption key using a first algorithm. The encryption key is encrypted using a second algorithm different to the first encryption algorithm and the program datastream is formed from the encrypted program data and the encrypted encryption key.

Abstract: A simplified serial data bus provides interconnection between equipment such as computers, imaging apparatus, and consumer electronic devices. The simplified bus utilizes the cable and connectors of a data bus standard. An apparatus for data communication comprises a connector for receiving a plurality of signal carrying conductors. A control circuit is coupled to the connector for supplying a control signal to one of the plurality of conductors. A detector is coupled to the connector for detecting a voltage source on the one of the plurality of conductors. The control signal is inhibited responsive to detection of the voltage source.

Abstract: An adaptive decoder generates a program representative datastream, in selectable, encrypted or decrypted form. A method for adaptively processing input encrypted program data with an associated encryption code provides either an encrypted or a decrypted program output. In an encrypted mode, encrypted program data and an associated encryption code is exported to an output port. In a decrypted mode, input encrypted program data is decrypted using an encryption key derived from the encryption code to provide decrypted program data. The decrypted program data is exported to the output port. Non-encrypted program data is exported to an output port in a selectable non-encrypted mode.

Abstract: A decoder excludes an encryption code or key from decrypted or non-decrypted program output data. Decrypted program representative data is generated from an input datastream containing encrypted program data and an associated encryption code. The encrypted program data is decrypted using the encryption to provide decrypted program data. An output datastream is formed containing the decrypted program data but excluding the encryption code. The encryption code may be excluded by submitting non-encryption code data for the encryption code. The output datastream may also contain ancillary date formed to support decoding of the decrypted program data.

Abstract: A decoding method minimizes the use of incorrect program specific information (PSI) parameters across program boundaries and provides default video and audio outputs for reproduction during error conditions. Program representative packetized datastreams incorporating PSI suitable for use in recovering data content of the program are decoded. PSI packets in the datastream are identified and a parameter within the identified PSI data is used to determine whether the identified PSI data is to be used for decoding the program content, irrespective of previous PSI content. Current PSI is updated with the identified PSI data in response to the parameter. Program content packets are identified using the current PSI. The program content packets are assembled into a decoded datastream using the current PSI. The current PSI may also updated with the identified PSI data irrespective of the content of the identified PSI data, provided that there is an absence of a PSI content error indication.

Abstract: Program specific information (PSI) is formed suitable for use in recovering data content of a program in the form of a packetized datastream. Packet identifiers (PIDs) that identify individual packetized datastreams constituting the program are renumbered and corresponding packetized datastreams that constitute different programs are given the same PID. A program map table (PMT) is created that associates the renumbered PIDs with the individual packetized datastreams constituting the program. A program association table (PAT) is also created for associating the program with PIDs that identify packets comprising the PMT. A parameter may be employed within the PSI to indicate that the PSI is to be applied in subsequent processing of the program irrespective of a substantive difference between the PSI and previous PSI content. In addition, the PSI may incorporate a version number that is varied between successive occurrences of the PSI irrespective of substantive change in PSI content.

Abstract: A system for generating a signal for coupling digital audio, video and data signals in compressed form via a bus. A processing means formats the digital audio, video and data signals into superpackets for transmission via the bus. Each superpacket comprises a timestamp, and a transport packet, representative of the digital audio, video and data signals. The superpackets have a fixed duration and occur at variable intervals. Devices receive the superpacket signal and may utilize the timestamps for clock synchronization. A recording and replay device processes the variable superpacket signal occurrence for recording. Reproduced timestamps are utilized to control restoration of the superpacket signal to have substantially the duration and occurrence as when formatted for bus transmission. A simplified bus couples superpackets between devices. An indicia is added to a superpacket signal to provide automatic control of device bus interfaces.

Abstract: A storage medium format for a storage medium containing packetized data programs includes packet identifiers (PIDs) that identify individual packetized datastreams constituting a program. The data format facilitates the association and assembly of the packetized datastreams of the program by a decoder, independent of PID de-mapping data. The PIDs include a base PID for identifying one datastream and a second PID of predetermined offset value to the base PID for identifying a second datastream. Corresponding packetized datastreams that constitute different programs are given the same PID. The storage medium format may also include program specific information (PSI) suitable for use in recovering data content of a program. The PSI includes an MPEG-like program map table (PMT) and an MPEG-like program association table (PAT) and incorporates a parameter suitable for commanding a decoder to apply the PSI in decoding the program irrespective of previous PSI content.