Abstract: A device that enables a user to exchange information with other people about the user's preferences with respect to the primary function in storage. The purpose of the exchange of information is to discover common user preferences or interests. Preferences such as musical taste can be rated by the user and the information exchanged. A comparison is made with other users and when a user is within a certain distance that shares common preferences/interests, the user is told of the other person, and the relative distance of the person having the common interests. The device is suitable for digital audio players, wireless telephones, remote controls, portable television/video/radio devices and can be used to match people based on their common preferences.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for transmitting a plurality of data items from a transmitter to one or more receivers. Each data item (Di) is identified by a unique number (i) within a given range. According to the invention, a field (F) comprising both ends (k1,k2) of said range is also transmitted. This allows a receiver to check whether all data items have been received and to check which data item(s) is (are) missing, if any. The invention may generally be used in systems delivering data items to multimedia stations. The invention is particularly suitable for transmitting electronic programme guide information in a television broadcast system.

Abstract: A system comprises an apparatus which is capable of personalizing its behavior in accordance with a user profile, and a gatekeeper device which comprises control means for allowing a user to control said personalization of the apparatus. The gatekeeper device is capable of detecting apparatuses which have personalization capabilities and of notifying the user upon such detection. The user may then decide to establish a relationship with the apparatus, which relationship specifies the extent of personalization which the apparatus is allowed to exhibit and whether confirmation by the user is required at fixture occasions. The user is allowed to change the relationship at any time. The system enables the user to build up anonymous relationships with various apparatuses, providing the user with personalized services while privacy is guaranteed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information processing device (1), including a user control unit (2) for the selection of units of primary information to be processed and functions to be invoked. The device also includes storage means (3) for storing the primary information. From the selections made by the user the device derives personalizing information concerning the use of the device and the primary information processed with the device. The personalizing information is stored separately and represents a history of the usage of the device, thus making the device more personalized to its owner.

Abstract: Television transmitters often transmit auxiliary operational signals to provide additional services in addition to the conventional television program. An example hereof is interactive television which allows the public to participate in a program, inter alia, by answering questions in a quiz show or voting for the best performance in a song contest. The operational signals identify actions to be taken by the receiver, such as sending the user's response to the transmitter through a modem. To inform the public that a particular service is being offered, the transmitter (1) transmits a logo (150) to indicate the transmission of the operational signals. The receiver (3) is equipped to receive the transmitted logo, compare (352) it with a locally stored logo (350) and process (36) the operational signals only if the transmitted and locally stored logos are perceptibly identical. The logo may be separately encoded or embedded in the conventional television signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to the reception of data by a data broadcast receiver, particularly, a mobile data receiver for the Japanese TV data multibroadcast sound subcarrier system. The receiver is controlled to receive a desired type of data, for example, weather forecasts, news, stock prices, etc. The invention provides the transmission of time information which specifies, for each type of data, when the data will be transmitted or retransmitted. This allows the receiver to enter a standby mode in which the power consumption is reduced. On, or slightly before, the specified time, the receiver switches on to receive, decode and display the desired data. The invention is also applicable in television receivers having the facility to receive electronic program guides (EPG) or other services. The receiver is informed about the time at which an updated version of the EPG can be expected.

Abstract: A signal processing device which selects a signal, using for example, a channel selector in a television receiver or a source selection circuit in an amplifier, and compensates automatically for differences in signal parameters, such as volume of sound or picture brightness, between the signal sources. Corrections which are applied to the relevant parameter within a given time interval after source selection are divided within the time interval between a global value and a local value (for example an offset) for the relevant signal source.

Abstract: There exists a problem of backwards compatibility and future proofness of data transmission systems and, more particularly, interactive television broadcast transmissions. In view hereof, service providers must take into account that their service is to be processed by receivers having different capabilities. To this end, operational signals for different receiver types are identified by respective level data (operation.sub.-- level) defining which receiver capabilities are required to perform the operation. Two operation levels (full.sub.-- operation.sub.-- level and minimum.sub.-- operation.sub.-- level) are sufficient. More levels can be defined by means of chaining techniques. In a practical embodiment, a plurality of operations is packed in a transmission block. Events (e.g., user actions) are represented by an index to the list, the index depending on whether the receiver has full or minimal capabilities.

Abstract: An arrangement and method is disclosed for transmitting data items to a receiver for selective display on said receiver. The data items may collectively constitute an electronic television program guide or a database of products and services for electronic shopping purposes. By transmitting auxiliary presentation and navigation information, the information provider may determine how a receiver displays the data items and how the receiver needs to respond to user actions. Sometimes, however, it is desirable for a receiver to respond in a setmaker-defined manner, even if navigation and presentation data are provided by the setmaker. In order to solve possible conflicts between the information provider's interests and the setmaker industries' interests, the transmission includes a copyright bit which allows an information provider to indicate explicitly whether or not a receiver is allowed to ignore the transmitted presentation and/or navigation data.

Abstract: A system for transmitting a plurality of data items from a transmitter to one or more receivers. Each data item (Di) is identified by a unique number (i) within a given range. According to the invention, a field (F) comprising both ends (k.sub.1,k.sub.2) of the given range is also transmitted. This allows a receiver to check whether all data items have been received and to check which data item(s) is (are) missing, if any. The invention may generally be used in systems delivering data items to multimedia stations. The invention is particularly suitable for transmitting electronic program guide information in a television broadcast system.

Abstract: By encoding references to teletext pages as an offset to a referenced teletext page, significant gains in transmission efficiency can be realized. The current teletext standard provides a mechanism for linking teletext pages, but the maximum number of different links supported by the teletext standard is insufficient to cover the need for more links for novel media services such as the transmission of Electronic Program Guides (EPG). An efficient extension of the number of links which can be supported is provided by coding further links as an offset with respect to the existing links in a conventional teletext link packet.

Abstract: Conventional teletext decoders only respond to teletext data lines in the vertical blanking interval of a television signal. The decoders erroneously respond to conventional full-channel teletext transmissions in which all lines of the television signal are used for teletext. The method in accordance with the invention transmits teletext pages in the vertical blanking interval of the television signal in a conventional manner. Additionally, pages are also transmitted in the active video interval. A supplemental page header in each active video interval is provided to prevent teletext rows in the vertical blanking interval from being interpreted as rows of a page which is transmitted in the active video interval.

Abstract: Teletext page signals are transmitted in a format providing basic pages and extension pages, and a table which includes a code for indexing extension pages to the basic pages with which they are to be used. The code includes a multibit value for selecting an extension page from a list, and a single bit for selecting or not selecting a predetermined common extension page. Each extension page includes signals for enhancing the basic page or pages to a higher level display.

Abstract: Method, transmitter and receiver for transmitting, receiving and displaying teletext pages. A Level 1 teletext page transmitted in a known manner is extended to a higher display level using extension signals. To activate a desired attribute in an area covering a plurality of rows, the extension signals include a height code which indicates the number of further rows in which the further attributes must be repeated.

Abstract: A table contains codes for consecutive decimally numbered pages and pages whose numbers contain hexadecimal digits. Codes for all the pages having decimal units numbers are arranged in rows and columns such that a column contains codes for pages having a same units number, and codes for pages having a same tens number (whether decimal or hexadecimal) are in the same row. Codes for pages having a hexadecimal units number are arranged in a continuation of the rows and columns, hexadecimal units being arranged in the columns under the corresponding decimal units.

Abstract: Teletext page signals are transmitted in a format providing only basic characters and colors, along with extension signals enlarging the character set, colors, and other presentation information which is used by decoders and display systems having more extensive capabilities. Decoders ignore extension signals intended for a higher level display than the associated apparatus. A code is added identifying the level of display for which extension signals are intended, so that extension signals can be transmitted for use only by a display of a given capability, without undesired use by a higher level display.

Abstract: A television receiver includes a teletext decoder which is adapted to check whether a keyword entered by the user occurs in a teletext cycle. The teletext pages with the searched keyword, or their page numbers, are identified and stored for later display or selection. The receiver has arrow keys for selecting the keyword on the display screen so that an alphabetical keyboard is not necessary. The receiver also includes a non-volatile memory in which a personal index of keywords can be programmed.

Abstract: Teletext decoder including an error detection and correction circuit in which the detection and correction of bit errors is effected in a serially manner in Hamming bytes. The teletext decoder includes selection means for selecting predetermined bits from the received bytes, modulo-2 accumulators for generating a syndrome word which indicates the presence and position of bit errors, decoding means for generating a correction value and correction means for correcting faulty data bits during the serial transfer. The error detection and correction circuit can also be used with other data communication systems as well as with digital storage means.