Abstract: An equalizer and methods for equalizing a cable-borne signal are described. The cable-borne signal includes a digital signal and a baseband analog signal separated by frequency. Distortions are removed from the digital signal and an analog equalizer compensates for attenuations of the analog signal caused by the cable based on equalization settings of a digital equalizer. A baseband analog filter can be selected based on an estimate calculated by the digital equalizer of difference in attenuation at different frequencies.

Abstract: An equalizer and methods for equalizing a cable-borne signal are described. The cable-borne signal includes a digital signal and a baseband analog signal separated by frequency. Distortions are removed from the digital signal and an analog equalizer compensates for attenuations of the analog signal caused by the cable based on equalization settings of a digital equalizer. A baseband analog filter can be selected based on an estimate calculated by the digital equalizer of difference in attenuation at different frequencies.

Abstract: An MPEG on-screen display coder includes a buffer, an MPEG encoder, and a multiplexer. The buffer receives and buffers an MPEG transport data stream containing frames of a selected program and frames of a non-selected program. The MPEG encoder encodes frames of the selected program with an on-screen display. The multiplexer selectively passes to a digital television receiver the frames of the non-selected program, the encoded frames of the selected program, and original frames of the selected program.

Abstract: In an enhanced slice prediction embodiment, an input containing first and second data is received. Each data element of the first data represents a number of bits that is greater than a number of bits represented by each data element of the second data, and the first and second data in the received input are defined by the same n level constellation. The input is decoded with a first decoder to recover both the first and second data. Only the second data is decoded with a second decoder. Enhanced slice prediction is provided based on the decoding of the second decoder.

Abstract: An encoder-modulator for coupling a digital baseband television signal to a VSB digital television receiver that includes filters, equalization circuitry, and forward error correction circuitry for correcting signal impairments that are below a given threshold. The encoder-modulator processes the baseband signal for low power transmission on an RF channel with less-than-nominal bandpass characteristics. A coaxial cable or other low noise communication link directly connects the RF signal to the RF input of the television receiver. Any errors or signal impairments in the transmitted signal that are below the predetermined threshold are corrected by the filters and equalization circuitry built into the VSB digital television receiver.

Abstract: Enhanced slice prediction is based upon ATSC VSB data when robust 8 VSB data are not available and is based upon robust 8 JSB data when robust 8 VSB data are available.

Abstract: A high definition television transmitting system includes a source of high definition analog RGB video signals which are converted to corresponding digitally encoded signals and thereafter compressed by a video encoder to a six megahertz bandwidth. The compressed data is formatted by a transmitter and processed in accordance with a Reed-Solomon error control system for broadcast as an NTSC-type broadcast signal. A high definition television receiver includes a high definition signal receiver coupled to the transmitter by a transmission link. The receiver extracts the compressed video, audio and ancillary data signals and applies a Reed-Solomon error correction thereto. The compressed video data is reconstructed by a video decoder and processed for high definition display.

Abstract: A dual purpose receiver can receive and process either 525-line NTSC signals or 787.5-line HDTV signals without the use of costly interlace-to-progressive scan conversion circuitry. The 525-line signal can either be stored a line at a time and repeated twice to create a 1575-line format, or it can also interpolate values based on the two adjacent received lines to create a form of averaging in the 1575-line format. The invention is not restricted to use with NTSC/HDTV systems.

Abstract: A video decoder includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that has the decoder address and a secure decryption key stored in a one-time-programmable memory. Encrypted messages are received and selectively supplied to a packet decrypter and to a video decrypter based upon the location of bits in the message string. The packet decrypter is responsive to a flag in the packet data for utilizing a secure key or a unsecure key for decryption of the packet data. The information derived from the secure decryption and the secure key itself are never available (or ascertainable) outside of the ASIC. Only information concerning the unsecure key is available outside of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: One version of a microprocessor based auto dialer for a PPV television system includes an IR receiver for receiving impulse "buy" decisions, in the form of one or more key pad entries from a portable IR transmitter, and a number generator for adding the appropriate digits to a partial ANI telephone number stored in memory. In another version, the auto dialer is connected to the serial port of a PM type CATV decoder and a PPV identifier and telephone number may be downloaded to the ANI auto dialer to eliminate the permanent storage of the telephone number and to simplify subscriber interaction. The auto dialer dials the telephone number of the cable head end. Further embodiments include carrier current interfaces between the IR receiver/detector and the auto dialer, and between the decoder and the auto dialer.

Abstract: An adaptive comb filter and interpolator is combined with scan conversion circuitry thereby to reduce requirements for memory storage. Scan rate conversion processing of received television signals is coupled with adaptive comb filtering and interpolating to allow for all of the separate processes to be accomplished utilizing combined circuitry and a single memory using less memory storage space than the sum of the memory that the separate functions would normally require when performed at separate or discrete portions of a television receiver circuitry. A predetermined number of lines are stored in a memory and written out to combing and interpolating arithmetic logic circuitry under the control of a separate control circuit. The control circuit addresses the memory to provide for separately reading in the received digitalized video information and writing out the scan converted information to the logic circuitry for combing and interpolating.

Abstract: A television receiver comprises a television system energized by the powerlines of a commercial power grid, a telephone network access system including a microphone disposed in close proximity with the audio speaker of the television system and a remote control system enabling the receiver to be operated in a television mode or a telephone mode. The television receiver according to the invention is characterized by having an annunciator/intercom enabled for operation by the remote control system. In the annunciator mode, the audio section of the television system is disabled and the microphone is connected through a radio-frequency signal transmitter to the power lines for generating a radio-frequency signal for local transmission. A frequency-modulator is included for modulating the radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A television receiver incorporating telephone interface circuitry permitting the viewer to not only answer incoming calls but also place outgoing calls by means of the television receiver is disclosed. An infrared link is used for remote control telephone answering and dial-out with a tuner-integrated microcomputer used to drive a character generator permitting the number dialed to be displayed on the television receiver's video display and to be provided to a standard telephone line. An automatic re-dial feature is provided by means of the microcomputer's memory whereby the last phone number dialed by the remote transmitter may be stored in memory, recalled by means of a single button selection, presented on the on-screen display and automatically dialed.

Abstract: A televison receiver is disclosed comprising a cabinet which houses a television system having telephone network access means. The television receiver provides both for presentation of television programs and for dialing out and conversing through the talk channel and listen channel of an associated telephone network while viewing a television picture. The receiver has at least one function control means including operational mode selection means for providing a television program mode, and alternately, a two-way telephone; conversation with-television-picture mode, and with numerical keypad for dial out. The television receiver user can initiate a telephone call by dialing through the television receiver telephone network access means. Upon termination of the conversation, the televison receiver user can restore the television program mode.

Abstract: A television receiver is disclosed comprising a cabinet which houses a television system having telephone network access means. The television receiver provides both for presentation of television programs and for conversing through the talk channel and listen channel of an associated telephone network while viewing a television picture. The receiver has at least one function control means including operational mode selection means for providing a television program mode, and alternately, a two-way telephone conversation with-television-picture mode. When the presence of a ringer signal from the telephone network is indicated, the television receiver user can activate the two-way telephone conversation mode and conduct a two-way conversation with the telephone caller through the television receiver while viewing a television picture. Upon termination of the conversation, the television receiver user can restore the television program mode.

Abstract: An optical video disc has a multi-turn spiral track which stores a frequency modulated carrier modulated with program information in accordance with NTSC format. The recording is further characterized by the fact that the phase of the chroma subcarrier at the start of one convolution of the record track is substantially the same as that of the end of the convolution. In the playback process, the disc is rotated at a speed such that the chroma subcarrier is integrally related to the frequency of disc rotation.

Abstract: A video disc reproducing system wobbles the reading beam across the storage track of the disc and the outputs of two photocells are added to develop both the information signal and a radial beam tracking signal employed to maintain tracking registration of the beam and the storage track. The outputs of these cells are also combined differentially to develop a focus tracking signal used to adjust the focal plane of the reading beam to maintain focus registration.A search feature adjusts the focus conditions over a range but is disabled and is superseded by the focus tracking control arrangement once focus conditions are brought within the operating range of the focus tracking arrangement.