Abstract: A system for controlling apparatus processing a signal representing a television program comprises a source of schedule data comprising at least data representing the time remaining in a television program. Television signal processing apparatus selectively processes the television program representative signal in response to a control signal. A control circuit generates the control signal to condition the processing apparatus to begin processing the television program signal in response to a user control signal, and to stop processing the television program signal when the time remaining in the television program has elapsed, in response to the program schedule data.

Abstract: A television receiver, includes a graphics generator for generating for display a stylized image of the environment in which the user's physical television receiver is situated. The image includes graphical representations of functions which are available for selection and control by a user, and at least one of which functions affect the display of the video image. In one embodiment of the invention, a video inset-image from a PIP unit is completely surrounded by a graphics image. The PIP image is aligned with the screen of a graphically displayed television receiver to portray an image of a television displaying an received television program. Alternatively, an animated graphics presentation is displayed in the screen area of the graphically-displayed television receiver to simulate live video.

Abstract: A method and apparatus by which correct tool dimensions for a three dimensional tool mounted on a manipulator can be determined. The manipulator operator inputs initial values for the tool dimensions into the manipulator control in the teach mode. Having established a target point within the manipulator's working volume, the operator, by means of teach pendant, causes the tool center point to approach and touch the target point from four different directions, at least one of which is noncoplanar with respect to the other three. For each approach point coordinates X, Y, Z, D, E, R are entered into the control. The control thereafter executes an analytical procedure including a major iteration loop which calculates the coordinates of the target point. In a first minor iteration loop within the major iteration loop updated tool dimensions are derived. In a second minor iteration loop within the major iteration loop new coordinates for the tool center point approach points are calculated.

Abstract: A three-dimensional vision seam tracking method and apparatus for controlling the motion of the center point of a tool mounted on a manipulator. The manipulator is provided with a control to operate the manipulator members to move the tool center point at programmed velocities along a programmed path corresponding to the seam. The manipulator is provided with a vision system including a laser scanner/camera head mounted ahead of the function element. The control is programmed with dynamically varying orientation angles to control the orientation of the tool during seam tracking. The laser scanner/camera head scans the seam at predetermined time intervals. A set of coordinates for the center point of the seam in a coordinate system relative to the camera is provided for each scan.