Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes an input unit, a receiving unit, a control unit, a main memory, a demultiplexer unit, and a decoding unit. When a user switches on or resets the main power by operating the input unit, an operation signal (main-power switching-on signal or reset signal) is supplied to the control unit via a bus. The control unit reads, via the bus, the bit-rate value of transport stream data stored in a program area in a main memory. The control unit computes the optimal size of the FIFO buffer area based on the read bit-rate value and confirms it. The control unit reserves, in the main memory, the FIFO buffer area based on a result of the computation.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for processing information responsive to a broadcast program in a short duration of time. A viewer inputs information responsive to the broadcasting program presented on a display unit using an input module. The viewer may input the image and sound presented on the display unit to an information processing apparatus through an STB, and then process the image and sound by operating the input module 25. The information processing apparatus transmits the processed image or the data input through the input module 25 to a broadcasting station via the Internet any time convenient to the broadcasting station. The broadcasting station receives and gathers data from numerous viewers through a computing unit linked to the Internet.

Abstract: A program table guide control apparatus according to this invention generates program table picture including date and hour information, program title information and genre information to display only title of the program relating to broadcasting channel being received in connection with the title information, and to permit user to arbitrarily register genre information displayed. In addition, programs of high viewing frequency of user are automatically registered, thus permitting registered programs to be included in genre information. Thus, Electronic Program Guide (EPG) extremely easy for user to use can be provided.

Abstract: Program information can be obtained quickly and accurately. An area X1 on which date and day are displayed is disposed at the left end of a screen and an area X2 in which time is displayed is disposed adjacent to the area X1 in the right-hand side. An area Y in which title of program, etc., are displayed is disposed adjacent to the area X2 in the right-hand side. An area Z in which genre is displayed is disposed adjacent to the area Y in the right-hand side. Information displayed on the respective areas are sequentially arranged in the longitudinal direction. A user can select information of a desired program by moving cursors 100X1, 100X2, 100Y, 100Z of the respective areas.

Abstract: A reception apparatus for receiving a broadcast signal which is transmitted from a transmitting side and which includes personalized information comprising data representing information about specific programs targeted for a specific viewer. The reception apparatus comprises: an extraction unit for extracting the data representing the information about the specific programs from the broadcast signal received; and a display unit for displaying the information about the specific programs on the basis of the data representing the information about the specific programs.

Abstract: An interactive display apparatus transmits voting information to a vote receiving center. Prior to voting, all voting items are displayed. A mark or a button is also displayed for each voting item and used for selecting one of a plurality of voting items. After one of the voting items is chosen, only the mark assigned to the selected voting item is displayed, erasing the marks for the other unselected voting items. In this way, the user is capable of recognizing that voting has been completed with ease from a voting screen.

Abstract: A method of performing state transition control in an electronic apparatus in which it is first determined whether a functional transition request has occurred. A main routine is performed if no transition request has occurred and a state transition processing is performed if a transition request has occurred. By calling the main routine as a subroutine during the state transition processing, interrupt processing and separated stack processing are avoided.

Abstract: A mode processing circuit for a multi-operation mode electronic apparatus including a mode stack having a plurality of stages in which an input command signal is stored as an operation mode of the multi-operation mode electronic apparatus, wherein the operation mode inputted to the mode stack is sequentially stored and optimized and the optimized operation mode is read out from the mode stack in the sequential order and then executed after the transition of the operation mode is ended.

Abstract: In an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing an information signal, such as, a PCM (pulse-code modulated) signal and the like, in slant tracks on a recording tape by means of rotary heads, and in which, when an index signal is recorded in, or erased from an area adjacent a part of a slant track in which the PCM signal is recorded, an index area signal which specifies the area for recording or reproducing the index signal is formed on the basis of address data in the reproduced PCM signal. Therefore, the index signal area always has a predetermined positional relation to a recording area of the PCM signal so that when the index signal is recorded in or erased from the index signal area, erasure of the adjacent PCM signal is prevented.