Abstract: An on-screen display generator includes a character buffer containing a plurality of entries, and an attribute buffer also containing a plurality of entries. Each entry in the character buffer has a corresponding entry in the attribute buffer. The entries in the character buffer each specify a display character, and the corresponding entry in the attribute buffer specifies the display attributes of the display character. Control circuitry retrieves corresponding entries from the character and attribute buffers substantially simultaneously, and generates a signal representing the image of the display character specified in the retrieved display character entry having the attributes specified in the retrieved attribute entry.

Abstract: A multi-protocol serial data bus system includes two clock lines and a data line. A controller generates a first clock signal and a first data signal according to a first serial data bus protocol during a first mode of operation of the system, and generates a second clock signal and a second data signal according to a second serial data bus protocol during a second mode of operation. The first clock signal and the first data signal are provided on the first and third signal paths, respectively, during the first mode of operation. The second clock signal and the second data signal are provided on the second and third signal paths, respectively, during the second mode of operation.

Abstract: In an electronic instrument subject to power line interruptions and having a standby power supply, an external timer is used to time a predetermined brief period (e.g. 15 seconds to 1 minute). If the timer has not yet expired when standby power is once again developed, then a controller will cause a real time clock to start timing, using the currently held time of day. If the timer has expired when standby power is once again developed, the controller will cause the time of day clock to indicate that its time is no longer accurate. Moreover, if the timer has expired, then the controller will not cause the receiver to be turned on. If the timer has not expired, then the controller will determine if the receiver was turned on when the AC power line failure occurred, and if so, the controller will cause the receiver to turn on. If the receiver was turned off when the AC power line failure occurred, then the controller will cause the receiver to remain in standby mode.

Abstract: A system for processing auxiliary video signals provides for decoding an extended data services signal in line 21 of field 2. Extended data services provide a general purpose video system information and control capability in addition to basic closed caption operation. Extended data services information is arranged in packets of data. Each packet provides information regarding current of future video programs, the source of the video program, and miscellaneous information such as time of day. The extended data services data may be decoded to control the operation of a video system including a videocassette recorder (VCR) and a television receiver.