Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit and a method for pairing decoders enabling, with the use of a switch controlled by a processor, to create a communication link successively between a master decoder and each of the slave decoders, without any particular addressing, or cascaded filters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital television decoder comprising—at least one first bi-directional interface with a display device intended to transmit and receive analogue data with the said display device, —at least one second mono-directional interface with the said display device intended to transmit analogue data to the said display device. According to the invention, the decoder comprises: —means to detect the reception of a video stream on the first interface, —means to switch the transmission of the data to the second interface when no video signal is received on the first interface.

Abstract: The invention reduces the time needed for an automatic channel search on a device receiving channels of different widths. The invention proposes a channel detection method which carries out a first scan of the frequency range in order to locate all the carrier frequencies. The measurements are saved. Then an analysis of the saved measurements can determine whether it comes from a satellite or FM source, only the data corresponding to satellite sources are kept.

Abstract: For testing of the appliance, a test adapter is used as an interface, which is inserted into the smart card reader of the appliance. Advantageously, a contact of the smart card reader is used for testing of the appliance, which is not used by the appliance, when operating with a smart card. One of the contacts used for testing of the appliance is in particularly the contact for the programming voltage VPP according to the ISO/IEC 7816-3:1997(E) standard. In a preferred embodiment, the test adapter comprises a serial adapter interface to a RS232 plug, which is coupled to a computer for testing of the appliance. This allows to use the XON/XOFF protocol via two data lines for testing of the appliance. The electronics part of the test adapter is powered via the smart card reader interface, when the test adapter is inserted into the smart card reader of the appliance. The appliance is especially a set-top box or a digital satellite receiver.

Abstract: The appliance comprises an IC card reader for an operation with an IC card and a power supply for providing a supply voltage, in particular for the IC card. The appliance comprises further an overload protection circuit, which simulates an IC card extraction in case of an overload of the supply voltage. The power supply is then immediately switched off to avoid any damage for the power supply. In a preferred embodiment, the IC card reader is equipped with a card presence switch for indicating to a micro-controller of the appliance, that an IC card has been inserted into the card reader. The micro-controller provides then a control signal for switching on the power supply for the operation with the IC card. The protection circuit is coupled between the supply voltage for the IC card and the signal line of the card presence switch and provides a detection of a short circuit. The protection circuit may comprise a diode, a comparator or a transistor, which switches off the power supply via a logic circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit and a method for pairing decoders enabling, with the use of a switch controlled by a processor, to create a communication link successively between a master decoder and each of the slave decoders, without any particular addressing, or cascaded filters.

Abstract: The device, and a respective system, comprises a microcontroller for signal processing and an interface controller for communicating with an IC card, the interface controller being coupled between the microcontroller and the IC card. According to the invention, the device comprises a reset button for resetting the microcontroller in case of a malfunction, the reset button being accessible to a customer, and a reset signal from the reset button simulates an IC card extraction or a card supply voltage shut down. In a special embodiment, the reset signal from the reset button is applied to the microcontroller and to the interface controller, and the signal from the reset button resetting the microcontroller is delayed by a delay circuit with respect to the signal, which resets the interface controller. The signal from the reset button is advantageously combined with the signal from a card presence contact via a logical OR-combination, and then coupled to a card presence input of the interface controller.

Abstract: For testing of the appliance, a test adapter is used as an interface, which is inserted into the smart card reader of the appliance. Advantageously, a contact of the smart card reader is used for testing of the appliance, which is not used by the appliance, when operating with a smart card. One of the contacts used for testing of the appliance is in particularly the contact for the programming voltage VPP according to the ISO/IEC 7816-3:1997(E) standard. In a preferred embodiment, the test adapter comprises a serial adapter interface to a RS232 plug, which is coupled to a computer for testing of the appliance. This allows to use the XON/XOFF protocol via two data lines for testing of the appliance. The electronics part of the test adapter is powered via the smart card reader interface, when the test adapter is inserted into the smart card reader of the appliance. The appliance is especially a set-top box or a digital satellite receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving audio-visual programs comprising a circuit for communication with means of connection to a bi-directional communication network, wherein the apparatus comprises: a first connector comprising at least one conductor for the transmission of a supply voltage (VBUS) originating from the master apparatus, at least one second connector allowing the connection of at least one peripheral device, a splitter connected on the one hand to the first connector and the at least one second connectors and on the other hand to a controller, means of detection of the presence of the supply voltage in the first connector, the means of detection being linked to the first connector and generating a switching control signal in response to the presence of the supply voltage (VBUS) to switch the apparatus from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission reception multimedia apparatus (20) comprising a circuit for communication (9, 8, 10, 3, 7) with means for connection to an audiovisual communication network (21) characterized in that it comprises:

Abstract: The device, and a respective system, comprises a microcontroller for signal processing and an interface controller for communicating with an IC card, the interface controller being coupled between the microcontroller and the IC card. According to the invention, the device comprises a reset button for resetting the microcontroller in case of a malfunction, the reset button being accessible to a customer, and a reset signal from the reset button simulates an IC card extraction or a card supply voltage shut down. In a special embodiment, the reset signal from the reset button is applied to the microcontroller and to the interface controller, and the signal from the reset button resetting the microcontroller is delayed by a delay circuit with respect to the signal, which resets the interface controller. The signal from the reset button is advantageously combined with the signal from a card presence contact via a logical OR-combination, and then coupled to a card presence input of the interface controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving audio-visual programs comprising a circuit for communication with means of connection to a bi-directional communication network, wherein the apparatus comprises:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for displaying data on a matrix display consisting of N data lines and M selection lines at the intersections of which are situated image points or pixels, the data lines being grouped into P blocks of N′ data lines each with N=P×N′, each block receiving in parallel one of the P data signals which is demultiplexed on the N′ data lines of said block. According to this process, inside a block, the data lines are addressed according to a spatial order chosen in such a way as to minimize the coupling error between the data lines of two adjacent blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for receiving an audiovisual program comprising a circuit for communication with means of connection to a bidirectional communication network, wherein the apparatus comprises