Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for reproducing programs, comprising storage means for storing a plurality of stored programs, for example, a television receiver comprising or controlling a video recorder. The apparatus comprises scheduling means for composing a personal reproduction schedule of a subset of said plurality of stored programs, in accordance with a user profile. If the apparatus is also capable of receiving broadcast programs, the scheduling means are adapted to include said broadcast programs in the reproduction schedule. A user-selectable virtual channel may be provided for easy inspection and execution of the reproduction schedule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coding a document for presentation on a presentation apparatus, comprising a step of defining a body section which specifies a structure of said document in terms of document elements, for example chapters and paragraphs. The method according to the invention also comprises a step of defining a time section including a time constraint which acts upon document elements in the structure section, and a step of linking the time section with the structure section to establish the coding of the document. The time section describes the temporal behavior of the document elements in the body section.

Abstract: A coded presentation comprises a number of sub-presentations, each comprising a number of presentation elements. A presentation element is an elementary part that is to be presented and comprises text, audio, video or an image. A sub-presentation has an interface that provides a reference for the presentation elements in that sub-presentation. This reference can relate to timing aspects and to locations aspects relevant during play out, and to a priority as to whether or not the sub-presentation is to be played out.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus is provided for encoding a wideband digital signal, comprising an input for receiving the wideband digital signal, a splitter unit for splitting the wideband digital signal into a number of M sub signals and a formatting unit for assembling digital information including said data reduced sub signals into a digital output signal having a format suitable for transmission or storage. During a repeated encoding and decoding of a wideband digital signal in a subband encoding/decoding system or a transform encoding/decoding system, signal degradation may occur. In order to avoid this, the apparatus further comprises a variable delay unit coupled between the input and the splitter unit, for realizing a delay, the length of which is controlled by a control signal, and a control signal generator unit for generating said control signal.

Abstract: In a communication system a multimedia signal is encoded in an encoder (1) and subsequently transmitted over a packet switched network (4) to a terminal (6). The terminal (6) comprises a receiver (8) whose output is connected to a receive buffer (210). The output of the receive buffer (210) is applied to the presentation means (214) which comprises a decoder (216) and a presentation device (218).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for receiving programs from a plurality of channels, comprising a tuner for tuning to any of the plurality of channels, and an electronic program guide (EPG) for presenting a schedule of the programs. The apparatus comprises virtual channel means for creating a user selectable virtual channel for reproducing selected programs from various genuine channels. The virtual channel means are adapted to control the tuner to tune to a channel currently broadcasting a selected program. When a user selects the virtual channel, the apparatus takes care of automatically switching between the genuine channels broadcasting the programs viewed on the virtual channel. As a consequence, the user can view the desired programs by simply selecting the virtual channel.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus is provided for encoding a wideband digital signal, comprising an input (1) for receiving the wideband digital signal, a splitter unit (3) for splitting the wideband digital signal into a number of M sub signals and a formatting unit (7) for assembling digital information including said data reduced sub signals into a digital output signal having a format suitable for transmission or storage.

Abstract: An encoding apparatus is provided for encoding a wideband digital signal, including an input for receiving the wideband digital signal, a splitter unit for splitting the wideband digital signal into a number of M sub signals, a data reduction unit for data reducing the sub signals and a formatting unit for assembling digital information including the data reduced sub signals into a digital output signal having a format suitable for transmission or storage. During a repeated encoding and decoding of a wideband digital signal in a subband encoding/decoding system or a transform encoding/decoding system, signal degradation may occur. In order to avoid this, the apparatus further including a variable delay unit coupled between the input and the splitter for realizing a delay, the length of which is controlled by a control signal, and a control signal generator unit for generating the control signal.

Abstract: A method of navigating through television programs is disclosed. A television receiver displays a mosaic image with sub-images representing the available programs. The receiver further receives an electronic program guide with program descriptions. Upon activating a “theme” button (42), the viewer can enter a desired program type, e.g. “movie”. In response thereto, the brightness of the sub-images representing programs that are not desired is reduced. The user is thus assisted in navigating through programs he is interested in, while maintaining the mosaic structure he is familiar with, and without losing the association between channels and their positions on the mosaic screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for encoding a plurality of n digital information signals is provided with at least a first, second and third input terminal (1,2,3) for receiving a first, a second and a third digital information signal (L,R,C). A matrixing unit (10) is provided for generating a first and a second digital composite signal (L.sub.0,R.sub.0) from the at least the first, second and third digital information signals. First and second data compression means (22.1,22.2) are provided for data compressing the first and second composite signal (L.sub.0,R.sub.0) so as to obtain first and second data reduced digital composite signals. A first selection unit (16) is provided for selecting at least one information signal from said plurality of n information signals so as to obtain at least a first auxiliary signal (AUX.sub.1). At least a third data compression means (22.3) is present for data compressing the at least first auxiliary signal so as to obtain a first data reduced auxiliary signal.

Abstract: The apparatus for encoding a plurality of digital information signals, having at least a first input unit for receiving a first digital information signal and a second input unit for receiving a second digital information signal. A signal combination unit combines the first and second digital information signal to generate a first combination signal. First and second data compression units compress the first and second digital information signal so as to obtain first and second data reduced digital information signals. First, second, and third masked threshold determining units determine first, second and third masked thresholds respectively from the first, second digital information signals and the combination signal respectively. A selection unit selects one masked threshold from the first and third masked threshold so as to obtain a first selected masked threshold. Preferably, the first selected masked threshold is the smallest of the first and third masked thresholds.

Abstract: A 3-channel encoder and corresponding decoder is disclosed for encoding a 3-channel signal into a transmission signal which is backwards compatible, so that prior art one channel decoders are capable of decoding the transmission signal into a mono signal and 2-channel decoders are capable of decoding the transmission signal into a compatible stereo signal. Further, a 3-channel decoder is disclosed for decoding the transmission signal into a 3-channel signal. Also a 4-channel encoder is disclosed for encoding the 4-channel signal into a transmission signal which is backwards compatible, so that prior art one channel decoders are capable of decoding the transmission signal into a mono signal and 2-channel decoders are capable of decoding the transmission signal into a compatible stereo signal.

Abstract: A 7-channel encoder and corresponding decoder is disclosed for encoding a 7-channel signal into a transmission signal which is backwards compatible, so that prior art MPEG-1 2-channel decoders are capable of decoding the transmission signal into a compatible stereo signal, prior art MPEG-2 5-channel decoders are capable of decoding the transmission signal into a compatible 5-channel signal. Further, a 7-channel decoder is disclosed for decoding the transmission signal into a 7-channel signal. (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting at least a first and a second main signal component is disclosed, having at least two input terminals for receiving the at least two input signals. The transmitter comprises multiplexer means for multiplexing the at least two input signals to a first input of matrixing means, and to an input of first bitrate reducing means. The first bitrate reducing means is for carrying out a data reduction step on the signal applied to its input and to supply a data reduced version to an output. Expansion means are present, having an input coupled to the first bitrate reducing means, for carrying out a data expansion on the data information applied to its input, so as to obtain a replica of the signal applied to the input of the bitrate reducing means at an output. Said output is coupled to a second input of the matrixing means. An output of the matrixing means is coupled to signal combination means via second bitrate reducing means.

Abstract: System for digital transmission of left and right stereo signals and a center signal through left and right stereo channels and an auxiliary channel, respectively.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting at least a first and a second main signal component is disclosed, having at least two input terminals for receiving the at least two input signals. The transmitter comprises multiplexer means for multiplexing the at least two input signals to a first input of matrixing means, and to an input of first bitrate reducing means. The first bitrate reducing means is for carrying out a data reduction step on the signal applied to its input and to supply a data reduced version to an output. Expansion means are present, having an input coupled to the first bitrate reducing means, for carrying out a data expansion on the data information applied to its input, so as to obtain a replica of the signal applied to the input of the bitrate reducing means at an output. Said output is coupled to a second input of the matrixing means. An output of the matrixing means is coupled to signal combination means via second bitrate reducing means.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting at least two main signal components (L,R) includes a first data compression circuit (BRR1) for performing a data compression of a first of the main signal components, a data expansion circuit (DEQ) for performing a data expansion of the compressed signal component so as to obtain a replica of the first main signal component, and a matrixing circuit for combining the second main signal component with the replica of the first main signal component so as to obtain a combined signal (M'). A second data compression circuit (BRR2) performs a data compression of the combined signal (M') in response to a masking control signal. The output signals of the first and second data compression circuits are combined as a composite signal for transmission via a transmission medium, for example a record carrier. The invention also provide a receiver for such a transmitted composite signal. The transmitter may be adapted to provide for transmission of three individual signal components (L,R,C).