Abstract: A crosspoint selector switch for simultaneously supporting multiple data formats having different switch reconfiguration timing requirements, comprising; a configurable switch section for selectively connecting outputs thereof to receive data from respective inputs thereof in response to operational switch data; and a configuration section operatively connected to provide the operational switch data to the switch section, the configuration section storing switch configuration data supporting multiple different configurations of the switch section, the configuration section being operative to receive different operational update commands each associated with a different configuration for the switch section and update the operational switch data from the stored switch configuration data to reconfigure the switch section in dependence on which of the different operational update commands is received.

Abstract: A high speed interface for ancillary data is provided. The interface extracts ancillary data encoded in a serial digital data signal received over the serial digital data input; assembles a plurality of data packets, each packet comprising identification information identifying the data packet, length information identifying a length of the data packet, and value information representing a portion of the extracted ancillary data; sequentially encodes the plurality of data packets within a high-speed data stream; and transmits the high speed data stream via a high speed data output.

Abstract: A crosspoint selector switch and test module, comprising: a crosspoint switch having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein the outputs can be selectively switched to respective inputs; and a test system co-packaged with the crosspoint switch, the test system comprising a test signal generator that can be selectively connected to provide signals to the inputs of the crosspoint switch and a test signal analyzer that can be selectively connected to receive signals from the outputs of the crosspoint switch, wherein the test signal generator is configured to produce video data test signals that conform to a known format, and the signal analyzer is configured to analyze video data test signals that conform to the known format.

Abstract: A crosspoint selector switch for simultaneously supporting multiple data formats having different switch reconfiguration timing requirements, comprising; a configurable switch section for selectively connecting outputs thereof to receive data from respective inputs thereof in response to operational switch data; and a configuration section operatively connected to provide the operational switch data to the switch section, the configuration section storing switch configuration data supporting multiple different configurations of the switch section, the configuration section being operative to receive different operational update commands each associated with a different configuration for the switch section and update the operational switch data from the stored switch configuration data to reconfigure the switch section in dependence on which of the different operational update commands is received.

Abstract: A video processing system and method are provided for generating clock and timing signals from an incoming video signal. The system includes a timing reference circuit for generating a reference clock signal, a video format detector coupled to the reference clock signal and to synchronization data derived from the incoming video signal for generating a format signal indicating the format of the incoming video signal, and a clock and timing generator circuit coupled to the format signal and the reference clock signal for generating clock and timing signals that emulate the incoming video signal, and may be locked to the incoming video signal.

Abstract: A color frame identifier circuit generates a pseudo-subcarrier signal and compares the pseudo-subcarrier signal to a sliced color burst of at least one selected line in a video frame. Based on this comparison, a processing circuit determines the color frame.

Abstract: A subscription television system for distributing program material protected by copyright to subscribers comprises a transmitter including a data insertion circuit for inserting a control bit in a transmitted signal comprising other control data and the protected program material. A receiver of the system includes a memory for storing a pre-assigned subscriber identification. Upon receipt and identification of the control bit at the receiver, the receiver inserts the subscriber identification into the program material so that any unauthorized copy made of the program material may be found to include the subscriber identification.

Abstract: A subscription television system in which individual decoders are enabled to receive individually addressed messages is disclosed. The composite signal, including video and teletext, also comprises addressed packets which are detected by decoders and which indicate that a message addressed to a particular subscriber is forthcoming, and system control data. In a preferred embodiment, both addressed packets and teletext are encrypted. The addressed packet is decrypted using a decoder-specific code and a transmitted code, while the teletext message is decrypted using a decryption key contained in the system control data. The teletext message cannot be received until the addressed packet has been decrypted. Therefore, redundant levels of security are provided to the system. Messages for display to the user can be selected in response to user initiated commands, in response to decoder initiation, or in response to the transmitter.

Abstract: A communication system enabling transmission of individual subscriber teletext messages, audio and video to individual subscribers and permitting group communications of audio, video, teletext and data information from a single central subscriber location, such as a corporate head office to a plurality of satellite offices, such as field or sales offices of the corporation, is disclosed. A composite signal including the information to be transmitted as well as system wide, individual decoder and group decoder control signals is transmitted. The system-wide control signals include data germane to operation of each of the decoders of this system, including key information needed to decode the composite signal. The system-wide control data is transmitted at a first relatively high frequency. The group decoder information includes information permitting individual groups of decoders to receive information portion of the composite signal being transmitted at a given time.

Abstract: A subscription television system in which individual decoders are enabled to receive individually addressed messages is disclosed. The composite signal, including video and teletext, also comprises addressed packets, which are detected by decoders and which indicate that a message addressed to a particular subscriber is forthcoming, and system control data. The decoder detects an addressed packet addressed to itself, whereby it is enabled to select the appropriate teletext message and to display the same. In a preferred embodiment, both address packets and teletext are encrypted. The addressed packet is decrypted using a decoder-specific code and a system key transmitted as part of the system control data, while the teletext packet is decrypted using the system key, but cannot be received until the addressed packet has been decrypted. Therefore, redundant levels of security are provided to the system.