Abstract: A system for transmitting digital programming includes a program source providing digital information, circuitry for modulating the digital information onto a visual carrier modulated with analog television programming, and a visual transmitter coupled to the modulating circuitry. Using a phase modulation method, the system phase modulates the digital information onto a visual carrier, reduces the baseband frequencies of the phase modulated visual carrier, and amplitude modulates the phase-modulated video carrier onto a video signal. The amplified and encoded video signal are combined with an amplified sound signal and transmitted. Using an additive method, the system modulates the sidebands of the video carrier with the digital information and amplitude modulates the video signal onto the video carrier. The data-modulated sidebands are phase-shifted such that they will be in quadrature with the amplitude-modulated video signal.

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital programming includes a program source providing digital information, circuitry for modulating the digital information onto a visual carrier modulated with analog television programming, and a visual transmitter coupled to the modulating circuitry. Using a phase modulation method, the system phase modulates the digital information onto a visual carrier, reduces the baseband frequencies of the phase modulated visual carrier, and amplitude modulates the phase-modulated video carrier onto a video signal. The amplified and encoded video signal are combined with an amplified sound signal and transmitted. Using an additive method, the system modulates the sidebands of the video carrier with the digital information and amplitude modulates the video signal onto the video carrier. The data-modulated sidebands are phase-shifted such that they will be in quadrature with the amplitude-modulated video signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, methods, and systems for effectuating an increase in the effective bandwidth of a cable television distribution plant in a manner compatible with most common cable television systems. By using methods and systems for simultaneously transmitting a standard analog television signal and a digital data signal in a manner that minimizes interference of each with the other, one or more data carriers may be embedded within one or more analog television channels in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. These combined signals can be transmitted transparently over the existing cable television distribution plant to a location at or near the subscribers so that, among other things, that the subscriber may “pause and resume” much in the way Personal Video Recorders work.

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital programming includes a program source providing digital information, circuitry for modulating the digital information onto a visual carrier modulated with analog television programming, and a visual transmitter coupled to the modulating circuitry. Using a phase modulation method, the system phase modulates the digital information onto a visual carrier, reduces the baseband frequencies of the phase modulated visual carrier, and amplitude modulates the phase-modulated video carrier onto a video signal. The amplified and encoded video signal are combined with an amplified sound signal and transmitted. Using an additive method, the system modulates the sidebands of the video carrier with the digital information and amplitude modulates the video signal onto the video carrier. The data-modulated sidebands are phase-shifted such that they will be in quadrature with the amplitude-modulated video signal.

Abstract: A system and method for targeting TV advertisements to individual consumers delivering a plurality of advertisements to a display site. A command signal is sent to the display site commanding the display of a selected advertisement suited for the individual consumer. In another embodiment, a predetermined advertisement is delivered upon command from a control center to a viewing site intended for the particular consumer.

Abstract: A control unit provides unified control of various consumer electronic appliances such as a television, video cassette recorder, and home stereo system through remote control (e.g., infrared) signals. A receiver portion of an interface module positioned over the built-in remote control signal receiver of the appliance intercepts signals from a hand-held remote control operated by a user. The signals are routed to a control unit (such as a set-top television converter) where control logic determines a desired control action. A corresponding control action signal is routed back to a transmitter portion of the interface module and is received by the built-in remote control signal receiver of the appliance to be controlled, thereby resulting in the desired control action. The apparatus provides additional functions and increases user convenience and access to video, audio, and data signals provided via a cable television, direct satellite broadcast or similar service provider.

Abstract: A satellite uplink/studio system has timing means coupled therewith for precise commercial timing such that prerecorded commercials are simultaneously started with sufficient precision to appear simultaneously to viewers changing channels.

Abstract: This invention enhances television (and radio) advertising by targeting, delivering and displaying electronic advertising messages (commercials) within specified programming in one or more pre-determined households (or on specific display devices) while simultaneously preventing a commercial from being displayed in other households or on other displays for which it is not intended. Commercials can be delivered to specified homes or displays via either over-the-air or wired delivery systems.

Abstract: In a cable television system in which one or more tap-off devices deliver television signals to an associated subscriber via drop cables connecting the tap-off devices at the subscribers' premises, and in which the tap-off devices receive electrical power from the subscribers via the drop cables, a power safety apparatus and method interrupts the application of power to the drop cable when the drop cable becomes cut, broken or disconnected to prevent individuals from receiving hazardous electrical shocks.

Abstract: An equalizer and decoder system compensating for multipath distortion in digital format signals sent by teletext, for example. The system loads demodulated data signals and a received reference signal into a charge coupled device clocked in real time by a clock circuit. Later, the reference pulse is clocked to a microprocessor which determines tap coefficients for a transversal filter to correct the multipath distortion in the reference signal. The data signals are then applied to a transversal filter weighted with the calculated tap weights. After filtering, signals are decoded by the microprocessor.In another embodiment a charge coupled device with tapped stages is used at one time for receiving the data signals in real time, and at a later time for part of a transversal filter.In a simplest embodiment, distortions are removed by the microprocessor itself, without any separate transversal filter.

Abstract: An equalizer and decoder system compensating for multipath distortion in digital format signals sent by teletext, for example. The system loads demodulated data signals and a received reference signal into a charge coupled device clocked in real time by a clock circuit. Later, the reference pulse is clocked to a microprocessor which determines tap coefficients for a transversal filter to correct the multipath distortion in the reference signal. The data signals are then applied to a transversal filter weighted with the calculated tap weights. After filtering, signals are decoded by the microprocessor.In another embodiment a charge coupled device with tapped stages is used at one time for receiving the data signals in real time, and at a later time for part of a transversal filter.In a simplest embodiment, distortions are removed by the microprocessor itself, without any separate transversal filter.

Abstract: A television receiver is disclosed for selectively displaying either a 525 line NTSC video signal or a 625 line European teletext or Viewdata signal. The receiver includes two vertical countdown circuits: a 525 line countdown circuit for use in generating an NTSC type raster, and a 625 line countdown circuit for use in generating a 625 line raster. Switch means are provided for selecting between the two signals generated by the countdown circuits. The receiver CRT uses self-converging, in-line guns.

Abstract: A Teletext equipped NTSC television receiver system includes means for compressing the raster in the vertical direction in response to 625-line formatted Teletext signals to display normally overscanned horizontal lines on the television viewing screen. Thus 625-line formatted Teletext material may be used directly with NTSC receivers.

Abstract: An automatic channel equalization system for use with a television receiver includes a control section for automatically operating a transversal equalizer according to the distortion exhibited by a reference signal transmitted through the channel. The television line including the transmitted reference signal is supplied to the control section through a time base expander enabling the implementation of a relatively fast sampling rate for achieving full bandwidth equalization of the channel with relatively slow-speed signal processing technology.

Abstract: Patterns indicative of the characteristics of contrast, brightness, color and tint are displayed on the picture tube of the television receiver. A plurality of photocells develop corresponding electrical signals responsive to the patterns. The signals drive peak detectors, the outputs of which are sampled at a regular rate. A neutral density filter is between the brightness pattern and its photocell, and when the sampled contrast and brightness outputs are subtracted in a subtractor, a null is obtained at the desired ratio. Color filters are interposed between the tint and color patterns and photocells and at the desired settings, subtraction of their outputs in a subtractor yields zero. A plurality of bi-directional motors are engageable with the receiver contrast, tint, brightness and color level adjustable elements.