Abstract: Example systems and methods of generating a television channel list involve scanning virtual channels contained in a transport stream supplied to a television and determining, for each scanned virtual channel, whether that channel contains decodable video or audio content. A ring list used for tuning channels in channel up/down tuning operations is generated which contains only those scanned channels determined to have decodable video or audio content.

Abstract: Example systems and methods of generating a television channel list involve scanning virtual channels contained in a transport stream supplied to a television and determining, for each scanned virtual channel, whether that channel contains decodable video or audio content. A ring list used for tuning channels in channel up/down tuning operations is generated which contains only those scanned channels determined to have decodable video or audio content.

Abstract: The functionality of the SMSI protocol is extended by adding to the SMSI protocol messages having the same format as the conventional SMSI protocol messages but implementing leave word calling functions for a voice message system adjunct processor and integrating maintenance functions of an adjunct processor and an SMSI protocol-to-non-SMSI protocol converter.

Abstract: The functionality of the SMSI protocol is extended by adding to the SMSI protocol messages having the same format as the conventional SMSI protocol messages but implementing leave word calling functions for a voice message system adjunct processor and integrating maintenance functions of an adjunct processor and an SMSI protocol-to-non-SMSI protocol converter.

Abstract: A battery powered, hand-held signal generator adapted to be connected to home or business telephone line at the interface between the telephone company wiring or the home or business wiring. The signal generator successively applies a uniquely coded pulsed signal to each wire of the line. The invention further includes a hand-held receiver adapted to be plugged into each modular telephone jack of the home or business line. The receiver contains four separate receiving circuits, one of which is connected to each wire of the line. Each receiving circuit includes a visual indicator such as an LED for visually indicating reception of a pulsed signal through that wire. By monitoring the reception of pulses over each wire, the user of the device can determine if each of the wires is properly connected. Reception of the wrong code on a given wire indicates a cross connection with the wire on which the received code is transmitted. Reception of the same code on more than one wire indicates a short between the wires.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer system is disclosed that is useful in connection with programs that provide the user with messages such as error messages. The error messages are stored in an indexed file, at least some of the messages having token words whose meaning must be provided in order to give complete meaning to the error message. A dictionary list of the definitions for all token words that may be encountered when a command of the program is executed is developed prior to a point in the program where a message is retrieved from the indexed file. If the proper condition is developed to indicate that an error message is necessary, the error message number corresponding to that condition is used to recover the appropriate error message with token words either from the indexed file or from a local header table. The token words are then replaced with definitions from the dictionary list and the error message is delivered to the user.