Abstract: A method for providing conditional access (i.e., managing access) to a received scrambled audio/visual (A/V) signal from a variety of sources by utilizing secret sharing for key recovery. Secret sharing eliminates the necessity to protect and transfer the complete descrambling keys between devices, because a portion of the key is stored in the device or a smart card coupled thereto.

Abstract: A device for reading or writing on optical recording media with disk type recognition capability has an optical scanning device and a focus regulating circuit. The object of the invention is to provide a device of this type which can reliably recognize in a short time the type of the recording medium inserted into the device. Another object of the invention is to provide a corresponding process. These objects are attained in that the disk type recognition capability includes a mirror signal generator, a threshold value generator, a counter and an evaluation unit. The process is based on the utilization of a mirror-signal value of the device for disk type recognition.

Abstract: A program guide information data structure and processing system facilitates both decoding and selectable program guide generation by a decoder. A decoder acquires a directory of object files associated with program guide information items and a map for associating the object files (e.g. representing channel, program or control information or software) with the program guide information items. The decoder creates an image object from an object file and links the image object to a program guide information item. The decoder executes an application software object to form a special program guide for display and executes another application software object to command a device in processing a program listed in a program guide.

Abstract: A receiver system automatically adaptively tunes to broadcast signals that are variable in the number of channels that are transmitted, their signal coding type and their modulation format. A system receives a digital bitstream representing video information encoded in one of a plurality of different formats, and transmitted on one of a plurality of transmission channels. In the system, a method for acquiring data transmitted on a transmission channel involves selecting a transmission channel from the plurality of channels and selecting a modulation format. The method also involves tuning to receive the modulation format and determining whether valid data is being received on the selected transmission channel. The method steps are repeated until valid data is received. The method may also involve selecting a coding type, and tuning to receive the coding type.

Abstract: Channel map information includes program map table information in packetized program information used in video processing and storage medium formats. In a digital video system for decoding an MPEG compatible datastream containing MPEG compatible program map table information, channel map information is identified and assembled. The channel map information identifies individual packetized datastreams that constitute a broadcast program. The channel map information associates a broadcast channel with packet identifiers used to identify individual packetized datastreams that constitute a program transmitted in the broadcast channel. The channel map information replicates information conveyed in the MPEG compatible program map table information.

Abstract: Program channels are allocated first and second identification numbers in packetized program information used in video processing and storage medium formats. Packetized program information is decoded to provide data content of a program. Channel map information in the packetized program information is identified. The channel map includes a first identification number for use in identifying a first broadcast sub-channel and the first identification number is associated with a first broadcast source. The channel map also includes a second identification number for use in identifying the first broadcast sub-channel from among a group of sub-channels associated with the first identification number. The identified information is assembled to form a channel map suitable for use in identifying a program transmitted on the first broadcast channel using the first and second identification numbers in conjunction.

Abstract: Packetized video program information used in video processing and storage medium formats includes program related text messages. A decoder decodes packetized video program information including program related text messages. The decoder determines a broadcast programming time segment associated with a desired program related text message and identifies program related text message data occurring in the determined broadcast programming time segment. The decoder acquires the identified program related text message data and formats the text message data for display.

Abstract: A multiplexer system includes a multiplexer (20) having plural inputs (1-K) and an output (15); plural channel processors (10) each having a control input, a data input for receiving an input signal, a complexity output for providing a signal representing the complexity of an associated input data signal, and a data output for providing a constant bit rate data signal to an associated input of the multiplexer; and a bit rate allocator (30) responsive to the complexity representing signals for providing bit rate control signals to the associated control inputs of the channel processors (10) as a function of the complexity representing signals, such that a bit rate of an output data signal from a channel processor (10) is a function of the complexity of an associated input data signal and to the combined of the input data signals.

Abstract: Packetized program information used in video processing and storage medium formats includes multiple text strings. A decoder decodes packetized program information containing multiple text strings associated with a program. The decoder determines from a first indicator in the packetized program information a type of coding and compression employed in encoding a first text string. The decoder decodes the first text string with a decoding function selected in accordance with the determined type of coding and assembles decoded text string elements to form an output text string.

Abstract: A receiver system automatically adaptively tunes to broadcast signals that are variable in the number of channels that are transmitted, their signal coding type and their modulation format. A system receives a digital bitstream representing video information encoded in one of a plurality of different formats, and transmitted on one of a plurality of transmission channels. The system includes a processor for identifying and capturing program guide information including a plurality of channel maps. A channel map associates a transmission channel with a video channel output and the channel map is also associated with an encoding format. The system also includes an adaptive decoder for decoding the bitstream to provide the video channel output in response to the program guide information.

Abstract: Program Guide information is formed suitable for incorporation in a video program datastream and for storage on a storage medium or for broadcast in variable broadcast encoding formats. A method of formatting video data to be suitable for output on one of a plurality of output channels and in one of a plurality of encoding formats is employed. The method involves forming program guide information including a channel map associating an output channel with a video program. The program guide information also associates the channel map with an encoding format. The program guide information and the video data are incorporated into a datastream and the datastream is provided to an output channel. The method may also involve generating a parameter indicative of an encoding format and combining the encoding format parameter and the channel map in the program guide.

Abstract: A complexity determining apparatus is disclosed which comprises a source of a data signal and a subsampler system, coupled to the data signal source, for producing a subsampled signal representing the data signal. A variable bit rate (VBR) encoder is responsive to the subsampled signal and produces an encoded signal representing the subsampled signal. A counter accumulates the number of bits in the encoded signal and produces a complexity representative signal corresponding to the accumulated number of bits.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining a complexity measure of a data signal is disclosed which includes an encoder, having an input terminal responsive to a data input signal and a data output terminal producing a coded output signal representing the data input signal at a constant bit rate. The encoder includes a variable quantizer, responsive to the data input signal, for producing a quantized signal, representing the data input signal, having a quantizing step size defined in response to a quantizing step size control signal. A bit rate regulator produces the quantizing step size control signal in response to the bit rate of the coded output signal and a quota input signal. A complexity analyzer generates a complexity representative signal related to the quantizing step size and the bit rate of the coded output signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for asynchronously generating control signals (CONTROL) is disclosed including a plurality of sources (5) of asynchronous data signals and a plurality of data processing channels (10, 14), each processing one of the data signals in response to a control signal (CONTROL). Each of a plurality of parameter determining circuits (10, 16) produces a signal (COMPLEXITY) representing a parameter of one of the data signals. A data sampler (30) samples the signals (COMPLEXITY) from all of parameter determining circuits (10, 16) substantially simultaneously at predetermined sampling time intervals. A control signal generator (30) generates control signals (CONTROL) for the data processing channels (10, 14) having values based on the sampled parameter representative signals (COMPLEXITY) and the preceding sampling time interval.

Abstract: Apparatus for sampling a signal parameter of a plurality of data signals is disclosed which comprises a plurality of sources (5) of data signals. Each data signal includes sequential groups of data. Each group of data in all of the data signals has the same fixed predetermined time duration, and includes sequential blocks of data. A plurality of parameter determining circuits (16) are each responsive to a respective one of the data signals, and produce sequential signals (COMPLEXITY) having values representing the signal parameter for each of the sequential blocks of data in the data signal. A plurality of accumulators (31) are each responsive to a respective one of the parameter representative signals, and produce a signal representing the cumulative parameter value of the data signal.

Abstract: A system for dynamically allocating a resource is disclosed which includes a plurality of resource users and a resource having a maximum utilization level sharable among the plurality of resource users. A plurality of need analyzers, associated with respective resource users, dynamically generate respective signals (COMPLEXITY), each representing the relative need for the resource by the associated resource user. A plurality of access controllers, associated with respective resource users, control access to the resource by the associated user in response to an allocation signal (CONTROL). A resource allocator dynamically generates allocation signals (CONTROL), representing allocated resource utilization levels for associated users, in response to the plurality of need representative signals (COMPLEXITY) from the need analyzers.