Abstract: A remote control system including a server device and a client device. The client device displays an operation screen of the server device and, when an operation is input, sends operation information to the server device, thereby remotely operating the server device. The client device may request a moving picture content file from the server device. Upon receiving the requested moving picture content file, the client device displays the moving picture in place of the operation screen. The user of the client device can then view the moving picture without being troubled by the slow screen update speed of the remote control operation screen.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver having a conditional access card exchanges information related to broadcast programs with an information server via the Internet. When the conditional access card generates a tuning command in preparation for an exchange of such related information, a controller in the digital broadcast receiver sends the conditional access card a pseudo confirmation response so that the conditional access card can operate as if the related information were to be transmitted and received by conventional out-of-band signaling. Out-of-band signaling circuits, if present in the digital receiver, are powered off when the related information can be transmitted and received via the Internet.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver has a first module that uses a conditional access card to receive a digital broadcast signal protected by scrambling, and a second module that receives a digital broadcast signal not protected by scrambling. Each module decodes its own received signal, and the second module selects and outputs one of the decoded signals. Each module includes its own controller. The controller in the first module executes application programs downloaded with the scrambled digital broadcast signal. The controller in the second module executes embedded application programs. Software troubleshooting is simplified because the two types of application programs run on separate controllers, and power consumption can be reduced by switching off the power of the first module when the conditional access card is not inserted.

Abstract: A desirable program is separated from a channel having a plurality of programs multiplexed. A channel number (12) indicative of a channel having a program (last program) received last multiplexed is stored in a first memory (5) and a PID (13) of a PMT for identifying the last program is stored in a second memory (6). During channel selection, a tuner (1) tunes a channel having the last program multiplexed based on the channel number (12). A control circuit (4) retrieves a program corresponding to a PMT having a PID coincident with the PID (13) of the PMT for identifying the last program from the channel, and controls a demultiplexer (3) if there is the coincident program and selectively outputs the program.

Abstract: A cover (19) capable of opening/closing movement is attached to an opening of a card insertion part (18). A detector (14) for detecting opening/closing of cover detects whether the cover (19) is in open position or in closed position. After detecting transition of the cover (19) from open position to closed position, the detector (14) for detecting opening/closing of cover outputs a reset signal (64B). After receipt of the signal (64B), a controller (11) restarts a receiver (1). After restarting, the controller (11) determines whether a memory card (2) is connected to a connector (17) on the basis of a detection result (65) from a card detector (15). When it is determined that the memory card (2) is connected to the connector (17), the controller (11) loads a program in the memory card (2) into a RAM (11B). A copy of information (52) in the memory card (2) is made into a flash memory (12) on the basis of the loaded program by the controller (11).

Abstract: A cover (19) capable of opening/closing movement is attached to an opening of a card insertion part (18). A detector (14) for detecting opening/closing of cover detects whether the cover (19) is in open position or in closed position. After detecting transition of the cover (19) from open position to closed position, the detector (14) for detecting opening/closing of cover outputs a reset signal (64B). After receipt of the signal (64B), a controller (11) restarts a receiver (1). After restarting, the controller (11) determines whether a memory card (2) is connected to a connector (17) on the basis of a detection result (65) from a card detector (15). When it is determined that the memory card (2) is connected to the connector (17), the controller (11) loads a program in the memory card (2) into a RAM (11B). A copy of information (52) in the memory card (2) is made into a flash memory (12) on the basis of the loaded program by the controller (11).

Abstract: A format converter has a memory capable of storing a video signal of progressive or interlaced scan construction and having one of a plurality of video data sizes and one of a plurality of frame rates, a frame rate controller using the memory to control a frame rate of the video signal, and a conversion filter for converting a video data size of the video signal. With the above configuration, conversion of the signal is effected without losing or detracting the features of the source material of the video signal. The conversion of the video data size is preferably effected on the output having the frame rate adjusted. With the above configuration, the format of a video signal can be converted without degrading the quality of the input video signal, and at the same time the required memory capacity can be reduced.