Abstract: A recorder, method, device, and interpretation apparatus for executing code commands. The invention is a device which functions in response to code commands comprising: means to execute a function in response to a code command having a format for the device; and means to execute the function in response to a code command having a format for a different device. The invention is also a recorder comprising means to execute a first type of recorder function corresponding to a second type of recorder commands. In another aspect, the invention is a method of controlling a recorder comprising: receiving a second type of recorder command; mapping the second type of recorder command into a corresponding first type of recorder function; and executing the corresponding first type of recorder function. In yet another aspect, the invention is an interpretation apparatus for receiving a second type of recorder command and outputting a corresponding first type of recorder.

Abstract: Screen burn on televisions having Internet browser capability is avoided by removing the conventional static icons such as toolbars and buttons from the default browser and replacing their functions with keyboard keys. The invention is especially useful in projection televisions and with keyboards which have keys assigned to browser functions. Favorite URLs can be mapped to a favorite key by holding down the favorite key while a favorite web page is displayed.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver, radio and/or other device having an emergency alert function provides alert outputs in manner which increases the likelihood that users are promptly notified of emergency events. According to an exemplary embodiment, a television signal receiver includes a tuner operative to tune signals including emergency alert signals capable of activating the emergency alert function. A processor is operative to enable a disabled audio output device associated with the television signal receiver responsive to activation of the emergency alert function.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables users to specify analog connections for devices on a data bus network such as an IEEE 1394 network in a convenient, time-efficient manner. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of enabling an on-screen display comprising a list of devices connected to the digital data bus network requiring analog connections to the apparatus, and enabling a user to specify the analog connections responsive to the on-screen display.

Abstract: A method for controlling a recording function of a video apparatus improves recording quality by preventing certain display functions of the apparatus from adversely affecting the resultant recording. A problem may arise in certain video signal processing apparatuses when the user selects a recording function after selecting a particular user-activated display function because the user-activated display function may result in the recording of the video signal in an undesired format, for example a different aspect ratio, or zoom mode. According to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention overcomes this problem by providing a method that includes the steps of detecting activation of a recording function of a video apparatus, and turning off a user-activated display function of the video apparatus responsive to the detection.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and/or method including or embodied as a television signal processor provides a user setting up a channel surf list or parental control list with the option of blocking (prohibit viewing) or unblocking (allow viewing) all available channels at once. This serves as a convenient starting point to save time before editing the channel list since if the user expects that most of the channels are to be blocked, one can start out by blocking all of the channels, then make some of the channels unblocked (i.e. viewable) and/or vice versa. In one form, separate channel surf or parental control lists pertaining to separate television signal inputs are maintained with each list provided with the global viewing status or state setting option.

Abstract: The invention is a method and remote control apparatus for controlling an electronic device that is capable of indicating a low battery state without the need for cooperation with the electronic device. In one aspect, the invention is a remote control apparatus for controlling an electronic device comprising: a power supply having a voltage; and means to activate an indicator, wherein the activation means activates the indicator in the first way when the voltage is at or above a predefined threshold and the activation means activates the indicator in the second way when the voltage is below a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for identifying broadcast digital audio signals include structure and/or function whereby the digital audio signal is provided to processing structure which is configured to (i) identify a program-identifying code in the received digital audio signal, (ii) identify a program-identifying code in a decompressed received digital audio signal, (iii) identify a feature signature in the received digital audio signal, and (iv) identify a feature signature in the decompressed received digital audio signal. Preferably, such processing structure is disposed in a dwelling or a monitoring site in an audience measurement system, such as the Nielsen TV ratings system.