Abstract: A television receiver includes a character generator for generating a character signal suitable for displaying a menu of various processing control choices, such as processing for monaural, stereophonic or second audio program reproduction, "on-the-screen" of a picture tube, and a control unit for dynamically altering the contents of the menu in response to the signal conditions of a received television signal, such as the presence or absence of stereophonic or second audio program information. As a result, confusion to a user in selecting a processing mode which is rendered ineffectual due to a particular signal condition is minimized.

Abstract: The operation of a tuner of a television receiver for tuning nonstandard, as well as standard, frequency RF television signals, requiring a relatively long time for completion, is partitioned into a number of shorter duration sections or "slices" which are individually time-multiplexed with other control operations under the control of a microprocessor. This allows the microprocessor to more frequently respond to new user initiated commands than otherwise possible. An interrupt subroutine of the stored program under which the microprocessor operates establishes time delays, required for the tuning system to settle before new operations are performed, outside the main control loop including the user command processing and tuner control subroutines so as not to slow the response of the microprocessor to user commands.

Abstract: A remote control system for a television receiver includes provisions for delaying a predetermined time duration before responding to a new remote control comman after a previous remote control command to prevent undesired toggling of toggle control functions (e.g., power application and muting) due to momentary interruptions of remote control transmissions which may occur when a user unintentionally points the transmitter away from the television receiver. It also includes provisions for sampling the envelope of the remote control transmission to determine if an interruption corresponds to an intended termination of transmission to provide rapid repeated response (i.e., "machine-gunning") to commands such as "channel up" or "channel down".