Abstract: A method for transmitting and processing by a system packetized data stream comprising audio and video components and program guide information. The program guide information has a predetermined service identifier and includes service identifier information associated with audio and video program components. The program guide information is used to identify service identifiers associated with a selected program. The identified service identifiers are used to acquire data packets associated with the selected program. The acquired data packets are processed in accordance with a video signal standard to generate output signals representative of the selected program.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing a packetized transport stream that determines whether a sequence of transport packets are received in a proper sequence and whether an error is present in a particular transport packet. The method includes the steps of determining a packet identifier for identifying transport packets associated with a selected program and parsing a packetized transport stream to identify and capture the desired sequence of transport packets in response to the packet identifier. The method further includes the steps of detecting a counter portion, determining whether a desired sequence of transport packets has been received in response to the counter portion, detecting a one bit toggle portion, and determining whether an error exits in the associated transport packet in response to the one bit toggle portion. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing packetized signal having a plurality of channels carrying program information. The packetized signal also includes program guide information that includes channel identifier data. The program guide information comprises a sequence of data blocks including a segment map that includes information about the partitioning of the plurality of channels into segments and map block that includes information relating specific channels of the plurality of channels with respective channel identifier data.

Abstract: Apparatus in a receiver, for processing transmitted entitlement control information, includes a packet transport processor for selecting signal packets having payloads containing a conditional access payload header and a remaining payload of entitlement data. Respective payload headers include groups of bytes which are coded in a manner to allow or disallow the respective receiver from processing the entitlement data. A conditional access filter preprogrammed with a subscriber specific conditional access codeword examines respective byte groupings of the conditional access header for a match with the subscriber specific conditional access codeword. Only if a match occurs is the processor permitted to process the entitlement data. The entitlement data is thereafter utilized to generate decryption keys for descrambling portions of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for acquiring a program from a packetized signal in response to ancillary information included in the packetized signal. The packetized signal includes a plurality of program signals and ancillary information associated with the plurality of program signals. The apparatus includes means for identifying the ancillary information from the packetized signal, the ancillary information including master guide information for use in identifying and acquiring special guide information, and special guide information for use in acquiring program information associated with the plurality of program signals. The program signals may be acquired using identifier information that may be derived from the ancillary information. The apparatus includes means responsive to the ancillary information for acquiring a selected program from the packetized signal.

Abstract: Apparatus in a receiver, for processing transmitted entitlement control information, includes a packet transport processor for selecting signal packets having payloads containing a conditional access payload header and a remaining payload of entitlement data. Respective payload headers include groups of bytes which are coded in a manner to allow or disallow the respective receiver from processing the entitlement data. A conditional access filter preprogrammed with a subscriber specific conditional access codeword examines respective byte groupings of the conditional access header for a match with the subscriber specific conditional access codeword. Only if a match occurs is the processor permitted to process the entitlement data. The entitlement data is thereafter utilized to generate decryption keys for descrambling portions of the transmitted signal.

Abstract: In a videocassette recorder including "VCR PLUS+.TM." videocassette recorder programming system capability and autoprogramming capability, it is herein recognized that the channel-mapping procedure may be greatly simplified by using the autoprogramming feature to locate and program all active channels, and then by mapping only those channels which are active, instead of requiring the user to select all 125 possible channel-programming positions.

Abstract: In a videocassette recorder including VCR PLUS.TM. capability and autoprogramming capability, the channel-mapping procedure may be greatly simplified by using the autoprogramming feature to locate and program all active channels, and then by mapping only those channels which are active, instead of requiring the user to select all 125 possible channel-programming positions. It is herein recognized that it is desirable that the autoprogramming scan list and the channel guide list be independently modifiable. In one embodiment, the performance of an autoprogramming function resets the lists to a state in which both lists contain identical data.

Abstract: It is herein recognized that it is desirable that a television receiver provide preprogrammed labels for many widely-used television networks. The user has only to select the proper channel and then select a corresponding preprogrammed label from a list in order to associate the channel and label. In one embodiment the preprogrammed label is a graphically-formed logo or service mark of the television network.

Abstract: It is desirable that a television receiver provide a prominent visual indication that it is about to automatically turn off. On-screen display (OSD) circuitry automatically reduces the viewable picture area to a small area before turning off the receiver. Reduction of the viewable area may be performed by displaying and gradually enlarging at least one graphically-generated margin of the OSD display.

Abstract: A component audio/video system includes a system controller having an input/output port adapted for connection via a bidirectional data bus to a plurality of peripheral audio/video devices. At times determined by a system master clock the controller transmits, via the bidirectional bus, user programmed sequences of commands at user specified times to user selected peripheral devices for controlling the operating modes thereof. After transmission of a command of a sequence, the controller monitors the bus to detect a received return status message from the selected device and in response to the received message selectively (1) re-transmits the last command, (2) interrupts the transmission and (3) transmits a further command in the sequence whereby a number of individual devices may be controlled by a single master clock and the possiblility of conflict between a currently transmitted command and a current device operating mode is minimized.

Abstract: A component audio/video system includes a system controller coupled to supply selection and control commands to a plurality of peripheral audio/video devices and to receive status messages therefrom. The devices may be selected to form a number of different recording configurations involving combinations of one or more recording signal sources and one or more devices for recording the signals. The system controller enters one of a number of different control modes for turning power off to the signal sources and recording devices depending on the status messages identifying recording configurations to enable continued recording by some devices when others run out of recording or playback media.