Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of remote service transactions. According to the present invention, a smart card includes optics for receiving information from a television channel and a modem for providing real-time two way communication with a remote service provider. To maintain system security, data that is provided to the card may be encrypted. The present invention also includes applications of the smart card such as remote financial services, near video-on-demand with automated order and billing, pay-per-view with automated order and billing, appointment TV, home shopping, real-time market studies and opinion polls and electronic gaming and sweepstakes.

Abstract: A method for providing recording-reservation data to a VCR using a TV, and the TV and VCR adapted to the method are proposed, in which broadcasting signals are received via a receiving section of the TV, and teletext data consisting of plural informations is detected from the received broadcasting signal via a detecting section of the TV. The detected teletext data is stored in a memory of the TV by a controlling section of the TV, and at least one information required for recording reservation of the VCR in the stored teletext data is transmitted to the VCR. A controlling section of the VCR stores transmitted at least one information in a memory of the VCR as the recording reservation information.

Abstract: Program specific information (PSI) is formed suitable for use in recovering data content of a program in the form of a packetized datastream. Packet identifiers (PIDs) that identify individual packetized datastreams constituting the program are renumbered and corresponding packetized datastreams that constitute different programs are given the same PID. A program map table (PMT) is created that associates the renumbered PIDs with the individual packetized datastreams constituting the program. A program association table (PAT) is also created for associating the program with PIDs that identify packets comprising the PMT. A parameter may be employed within the PSI to indicate that the PSI is to be applied in subsequent processing of the program irrespective of a substantive difference between the PSI and previous PSI content. In addition, the PSI may incorporate a version number that is varied between successive occurrences of the PSI irrespective of substantive change in PSI content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus block the reception of television programming which meets specified criteria. Data packets describing television programming are broadcast with the television signal. The data packets include at least packets which contain category information specifying a level in one or more multi-level categories and/or label information specifying labels applied to the program content of the signal. Data packets in an incoming video signal are detected by a blocking apparatus and compared to preferences stored in non-volatile memory in the blocking apparatus. If the contents of the data packets match or exceed the stored preferences then the video signal is blocked. The apparatus is field configurable. Configuration information specifying the rating scheme is transmitted to the apparatus. The methods of the invention are extremely flexible and allow several different rating systems to be used simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically setting the time in a peripheral device (170) in a television system (10). In the preferred embodiment, a datastream (300) with packets of data (310-313) is broadcast to the peripheral device (170). A time value (400) within the received datastream (300) is used to set the time within the peripheral device (170). The data within the received datastream (300) also contains a cyclic redundancy check (410) which is used to determine when an error is present in the received data packet (310). The time is set in the peripheral device (170) only when the cyclic redundancy check has found no errors in the data packet (310). When needed, additional values within the received packet (310) can later be used to correct the time which has been set in the peripheral device (170).

Abstract: A broadcast receiver is disclosed which separates 16-bit binary program labels from a transmitted television signal and applies the television signal to a recorder. The viewer enters, via a keyboard, short program labels which up to three decimal digits in length. These entered short labels are then converted into 16-bit binary program codes by a mapping function processor. Each of the 16-bit codes differs in at least two binary positions from any other 16-bit codes. These codes are stored and compared with received codes and when they agree the video recorder is controlled so as to record the TV signal. Thus, the viewer does not have to enter long codes but can use short labels to identify the programs. The short labels can be obtained by the viewer from a printed TV listing.

Abstract: The invention relates to the classification of such parts of television signals which are commercials so that those parts can be eliminated during recording or playback. Known methods for the detection of commercials during a TV program suffer from the drawbacks that one or two features of the TV signals are observed to decide whether the TV signal is part of a commercial or not. In the present invention of a method and apparatus, a classification of TV signals results on a plurality of information gathered from the TV signals and a plurality of rules using a rule system. Such a rule system permits the modeling of uncertainties so that for the definition of the rules, no strict values or strict limits need be given. In particular, fuzzy rules and linguistic variables are used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to enable a user watching and/or listening to a program to retrieve supplemental information or supplemental entertainment pertaining to an item just seen or words just heard. The apparatus includes a recognition system which recognizes the user's request and causes its satisfaction to be provided. A dynamically changing dictionary is created from items or keywords extracted from the most recently received program portion. The items or keywords may be contained in closed caption text in a TV signal. Particular items or keywords may be assigned a high priority so that they are maintained in the dictionary for a long duration. The user's request is matched against this continually changing dictionary. Upon recognition of the request, a search is initiated to access, import and deliver to the user the information required to satisfy the request.

Abstract: The disclosure is an automatic programming method for a tuner of a television and/or video recorder that makes use of data received by cable or terrestrial or satellite radio, and a device implementing this method. The method involves the transmission of a set of channel tables, each corresponding to a broadcasting station, using the CEEFAX standard. The television or video recorder memorizes the table corresponding to the postal ZIP code previously input by the user, then automatically programs the tuner. The invention is applicable for all types of television standards (PAL, PAL+, SECAM, NTSC, D2MAC, HDMAC, digital standards, etc.) and to all types of signal formats transmitted with the video signals.

Abstract: Television schedule information transmission and utilization systems (50A-50D) transmit TV schedule data and associated network control messages provided by computer (54) as packets via the Video Blanking Interval (VBI) lines in the TV signal from various television program providers (51). This data is acquired by regional data processing systems and forwarded by the regional data processing systems to subscriber units (52) and used to construct an internal database. This internal database can be accessed by the subscriber unit (52) to display a TV schedule for the channels that are received by the user's TV.

Abstract: Multi-media documents, in the form of digital signals, are fed into a multiplexer/coder by several sub-channels, which are time multiplexed. A control signal is added and the combined signal is modulated into a transmission signal at the transmitter side. At the receiver side, the transmission signal is processed up to the output of a tuner like a normal signal for television. After the tuner, the signal is demodulated, digitized, demultiplexed, and the control information of the control signal is extracted from the bit stream so that by monitoring said control information signal provided with the transmission, a transmission channel decoder enables a multi-media player to read a distributed document according to the program of the user.

Abstract: A content based method is used to download/record digital video from networks to client stations and home VCRs. In this manner, the disadvantages associated with conventional time-based downloading of programs to analog video is avoided. The method includes the steps of receiving each of the video programs, identifying one of the programs from those received based upon frame signature matching, pre-loaded pattern searching, annotation signal searching or program bar code searching and saving the desired video program based upon the performed identification. Alternately a storage apparatus is included for storing selected signals. Furthermore, content based filtering is included for identifying selected signals and for transferring the identified selected signals to the storage device.

Abstract: A smart card is disclosed which receives, decodes, and stores encoded data signals comprising redeemable coupons. Encoded data coupons are embedded within television segments and are transmitted along with the normal television segments. The smart card receives the luminescent signals which comprise the encoded data coupons directly from the display. The smart card decodes the data coupons. The coupon is then stored within the smart card for future use. The smart card is equipped with an LCD which enables UPC codes corresponding to each of the stored coupons to be utilized. A scanner reads the UPC codes at the coupon redemption site. Once redeemed, the coupon is erased from the memory in the smart card. Advantageously, all of the functions including receiving, decoding, and storing the data signals are performed by the smart card.

Abstract: An identification code signal is impressed on a carrier to be identified (such as an electronic data signal or a physical medium) in a manner that permits the identification signal later to be discerned and the carrier thereby identified. The method and apparatus are characterized by robustness despite degradation of the encoded carrier, and by holographic permeation of the identification signal throughout the carrier. An exemplary embodiment is a processor that embeds the identification signal onto a carrier signal in real time.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing direct automated access to an online information services provider through an address embedded in a video or audio program, commercial message, or news story. The system operates with video or audio programs which are received through broadcast, cable or pre-recorded media, and which are encoded in either analog or digital formats. The address of an online information provider is encoded in a vertical blanking interval or other non-displayed portion of an electronic signal which represents the video or audio program so as not to interfere with the program as displayed or transduced on a television or audio sound system. The online information provider address is detected and decoded from the electronic signal and used in establishing a direct digital communication link to the online information provider. Upon detecting an online provider address, the system indicates to the user that more information is available.

Abstract: An interactive video system is disclosed that processes a video data stream and an associated data stream corresponding to the video data stream. The interactive video system displays a video image defined by the video data stream on a display device and performs interactive command functions specified by the associated data stream. The interactive command functions include commands that specify placement of a video display window, commands that specify parameters of graphical objects that are associated with the video image and commands that specify pixel data or graphics description for the graphical object and commands for placement of selection windows and that specify interactive functions for the selection windows.

Abstract: A television receiver includes a micro-controller (103) for control of tuning, teletext acquisition, on-screen display, and other functions. It also includes a non-volatile memory (111) in which information regarding the source from which a signal is being received is stored under the control of the micro-controller (103). The micro-controller (103) also enters start and stop times which may be acquired by the teletext acquisition circuit (102). Under control of a user using, for example, a remote control device, the micro-controller (103) reads the information from the non-volatile memory (111) and formats it into information suitable for display to the user to enable the user to monitor the programs received.

Abstract: A system for providing interactive services in a subscription television system includes a system controller for controlling the interactive services, a video signal source for transmitting a video signal and a subscriber terminal for receiving a downstream transaction from the system controller and the video signal. The system controller comprises a memory for storing subscriber terminal address data and transaction data, a processor for generating a downstream transaction including subscriber terminal address data and transaction data, a transmitter for transmitting the downstream transaction, and a receiver for receiving an upstream transaction. The subscriber terminal includes memory for storing the downstream transaction, an on screen display generator for overlaying data in place of or superimposed on the video signal, data input circuitry for generating upstream data, and an upstream transmitter for transmitting the upstream data to the system controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely restricting the viewing of television programs. When a television program has been received along with rating data associated with a rating of the television program; length data associated with a length of the program, a microcomputer determines whether the rating data are higher than a predetermined viewing restricting level. If the rating data have been found higher, a muting circuit mutes the television program until it ends with reference to the television program length data, and the program corresponding to the rating data is outputted from a tuner.

Abstract: An identification code signal is hidden in a carrier signal (such as an electronic data signal or a physical medium) in a manner that permits the identification signal later to be discerned. The carrier signal can thereby be identified, or some machine responsive action can thereby be taken. In one image steganography embodiment, the relative strength of the identification code signal is both perceptually adapted in accordance with psychovisual characteristics of the image, and globally scaled in accordance with a user-set visibility control. The technique can be applied in video imagery embodiments to control associated video equipment, e.g. to serve as a copy control signal.

Abstract: In the present invention, ancillary data is modulated onto a carrier frequency which is within a low energy density portion of a frequency band of a video signal, and the modulated carrier data is combined with the video signal so that the modulated carrier is in an overscan region of the video signal. The ancillary data may be spread over several frequencies and summed at the output of a decoder to enhance the legibility of the ancillary data at the output of the decoder. Frequency-stepping may be used to add the ancillary data at ones of a plurality of selected frequencies within the frequency band of the video signal. The ancillary data may be hierarchically apportioned between respective uniquely specified sequential segments corresponding to many distribution points of the video signal. This hierarchical ancillary data may be frequency-interleaved between harmonics of the horizontal sync frequency of the video signal.

Abstract: A system that displays text and graphic information with vertical blanking interval of a publicly broadcasted video signal. The system also includes a personal computer that has a VBI decoder which can separate the data from the video signal. The separated data contains command and address information, which instruct the personal computer to retrieve text/graphic information from a storage device, and display the retrieved text/graphic information on a computer monitor. The personal computer also contains a NTSC decoder which can decode the video signal and display a television image on the computer monitor. The broadcaster inserts data that retrieves text and graphic information which correspond to the television image displayed by the computer monitor. The retrieved text and graphic information may be stored for later viewing by the user.

Abstract: In order to dispatch a newspaper to subscriber households through satellite communication, a newspaper edit/dispatch system in the head office of a newspaper publishing company electronically creates each paper sheet of national news section as first newspaper data, and transmits the first newspaper data to the branch offices of the company through a communication satellite. In a newspaper edit/broadcast system installed in each of the branch offices, the received first newspaper data and second newspaper data of a local news section are combined and edited into third newspaper data, the third newspaper data are encrypted, and the sort of newspaper and the date of issue thereof are affixed to the encrypted newspaper data. Such newspaper data are broadcast through the communication satellite.

Abstract: An information recording and reproduction apparatus for recording and reproducing the information supplied through the transmission line is capable of protecting the copyright by limiting the reproduction of the recorded information. A main information signal supplied through the transmission line and a deadline signal attached to the main information signal and representing the reproduction deadline of the main information signal are recorded and reproduced by a recording device and a reproduction device respectively. A temporal information signal representing the date and time is acquired. The deadline signal reproduced is compared with the temporal information signal acquired. The reproduction output of the main information signal is cut off in accordance with the comparison signal produced by the comparison. In the case where the temporal information has passed the deadline, the reproduction output of the main information signal is cut off.

Abstract: A plurality of classification items each including a plurality of detailed items for recognizing broadcasting programs per se and program elements included in each of the broadcasting programs are provided wherein the contents of each of the broadcasting programs are represented by the classification items and the detailed items that are respectively represented by the identification data are used to form scheduled program information. The scheduled program information is broadcast together with the corresponding table data for the identification data and the data for character display of the classification items and the detailed items corresponding to the identification data. Program schedules for various kinds of broadcasting programs can be broadcast with a reduced amount of data.

Abstract: Unwanted information, such as commercials, is typically transmitted from a transmission station many times each day. The repetitive nature of such unwanted information is used by the present apparatus/method to distinguish unwanted information from normal programming.

Abstract: A television cable system includes a headend and a decoder coupled by an in-band communication link and an out of band communication link. The headend controller includes conventional transmission systems for providing a plurality of program channels to the decoder via the in-band communication link. In addition, the headend system includes a plurality of controller inputs which provide data to a download executive circuit which in turn organizes data and transfer it to a transmitter coupled to the out of band data link. Within the decoder, a pair of processors are operative via a communication link therebetween. One processor is of predefine capability and is used to operate a user keyboard as well as conventional tuning and signal processing and descrambling systems to provide television display. The remaining processor includes a memory manager coupled to an out of band transmission receiver which receives downloaded interpretive execution data.

Abstract: The video cassette recorder selects channels in succession, determines the presence or absence of additional information included in the broadcast signal for the selected channel, and stores the selected channel regarded as a reception channel for the additional information when detecting the presence of the additional information in the broadcast signal. Further, the recorder extracts station identification information included in the broadcast signal for the selected channel, provides a VCR Plus guide channel corresponding to the station identified by the station identification information, and stores in its memory the relationship between the selected channel and the VCR Plus guide channel. Moreover, the recorder compares a remaining recording time available with the program continuation time extracted from the broadcast signal, and controls a recording speed mode appropriately based on the comparison.

Abstract: Program related data contained in the broadcast signal of an advertisement for a future television show are evaluated and compared with the current TV set tuning when a LEARN button on a remote control is pressed. A VCR tunes to the present TV channel and stores the program related data for the future television show. The apparatus also ensures that a program to be recorded will start and end at the right time and that broadcast advertisements will be skipped during recording, are disclosed.

Abstract: A notification system for television receivers including a visible alarm and/or an audible alarm that is activated when a certain event occurs. An information signal is extracted from a received television signal and is processed to determine the status of an event. If it is determined that the event occurred, then a control signal is sent to the appropriate alarm to activate that alarm, thereby notifying the user of the event's occurrence. The event may include the reception of a text or graphic message, the televising of a certain television program, and the televising of a television program with a specific program rating. The user may also deactivate the alarm. A personal identification number may be used to restrict access to certain features of the notification system.

Abstract: An auxiliary device control for a subscriber terminal includes a four wire ribbon cable defining a bidirectional communication and data interface from the terminal to one or more auxiliary devices. A communication and data protocol for the bidirectional transfer of instructions, status, and data over the interface includes an address field, command or reply field, data length field, and checksum field transmitted at 9600 baud. In a preferred implementation, the auxiliary device to be controlled is an IR peripheral controller which can tune a VCR, and switch it on and off. Several transactions in the communications and data protocol are used to effect the operation where a control VCR command and reply transaction cause the control of the tuning and recording of the VCR. A set-up VCR command and a brand reply transaction is used to provide information to configure the controller with brands and model of the VCRs.

Abstract: A television electronic program guide intelligent memory management system and method automatically deletes the least valuable stored program information at that moment as free memory space is needed by the system. In advance of a program schedule update, the system executes a two-level memory "housekeeping" operation in which the system first scans the memory to identify obsolete schedule information. If, after this sweep, there is insufficient memory available for the next update, the system performs a second-level memory "triage" operation wherein schedule information is automatically prioritized in accordance with pre-defined rules for assessing the current value of the information to each viewer based on program air time, channel and other variables relating to program utility. The system then deletes schedule information in ascending order of value, starting with the least valuable information, and continues until enough space is available in memory to store the schedule update.

Abstract: Verifying that a correct program is being received and displayed on a television set of a consumer. In addition, video quality is checked to assure that transmission has not degraded the video quality. When the consumer requests a program by transmission of a message via a controller in a set top box to a system computer controlling a cable television system, the system computer sends the necessary commands to cause the requested program to be communicated to the consumer site and also transmits to the controller in the set top box a start time of the requested program and information defining the initial video content of that program. At the start time, the controller verifies that the initial video content is being received and that the consumer has the set top box correctly tuned. The controller uses a frame grabber circuit at the consumer site to grab the initial portion of the program and then to analyze the stored portion with respect to the initial video content.

Abstract: A system for processing a television signal including a data component, such as extended data services data, includes a decoder for processing the data component to provide data representing time information. A control device responds to the data for modifying time information, e.g., time of day, that is maintained in the system. The time information decoded from the video signal is compared to the time information maintained in the system to determine a time difference. If the time difference is in a predetermined range, the time difference indicates that the time information from the television signal is invalid. The control device responds to the time difference being in the predetermined range by preventing modification of the time information maintained in the system. A user may provide an input via a device such as a remote control to control the manner in which the control device responds to the time difference.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting an electronic advertisement within the vertical blanking interval of a video signal. The system includes an encoder that formats and inserts an electronic advertisement into the vertical blanking interval of the video signal, a transmitter that transmits the video signal and the electronic advertisement, a receiver that receives the video signal and the electronic advertisement, and a decoder which removes the electronic advertisement from the video signal. The electronic advertisement can be consumed by an end user by printing the ad, or by displaying the ad on a monitor. The printed advertisement can be returned to the advertiser by a carrier service. The advertiser may accredit an account of the end user upon receipt of the returned advertisement to provide an inducement to read the ad. The system may further have a demographic server located within a network of computers.

Abstract: A smart card is disclosed which includes an optical receiver for receiving promotion data encoded in a television signal and transmitted through a cathode ray tube of a television. The smart card also includes circuitry for storing the promotion data and circuitry for executing the promotions associated with the promotion data, including circuitry for displaying a promotion in the form of a UPC code on an LCD display. The smart card further includes circuitry for interacting with a user through the LCD display and a plurality of buttons.

Abstract: A technique for selectively inhibiting television receiving apparatus from displaying those television programs which satisfy predetermined content ratings criteria. Television program information associated with television programs that are receivable by the television receiving apparatus during a selected time interval, such as channel data representing the channels on which the television programs are received and rating data representing the contents of those programs, is stored. A rating code representing the content ratings criteria of those programs which a viewer wishes to inhibit from being displayed also is stored. When a desired channel is selected by the viewer, the stored rating data associated with that channel is compared with the rating code to determine if the television program transmitted on that channel satisfies the predetermined content ratings criteria.

Abstract: A closed caption decoder with a pause function suitable for learning a language comprising: a closed caption decode circuit for decoding closed caption signals included in video signals outputted from a video cassette recorder and for outputting a detection signal when a predetermined control code is decoded; a timer which measures an elapse of time from a time when the predetermined control code is decoded; and a pause control circuit for instructing the caption decode means to perform a pause operation of caption decode and the video cassette recorder to perform a pause of video reproduction when the detection signal is outputted form the closed caption decode circuit and for outputting a pause termination signal of caption decode to the closed caption decoder and a pause termination signal of video reproduction to the video cassette recorder when the timer measures a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A video signal processing system, such as a pay TV system, that includes a smart card access control feature decodes control information from data included in groups of video line intervals that represent data channels. Each channel includes data arranged in packets of data. Each packet includes both descriptor data and application data. The packets of data are extracted from the video lines by a data dispatcher. After receiving a packet from a data channel, the data dispatcher analyses the descriptor data to determine the target for the application data. The data dispatcher transmits the application data contained in the packet, without analyzing the data, to the correct target processor unit, e.g. either a control access processor or a decoder intelligent processor. Information that may be transferred to the decoder processor includes, a specific channel allocation table, data related to the VTR of the customer, and information related to a geographic location.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser having a controllable audio/video program display includes a fuel pump and delivery path, a program media display, and a prerecorded program and a multi-media controller to direct program signals to the program media display. Apparatus is included for recovering multi-media control signals embedded in the program signals in the prerecorded program including a detector for detecting predetermined portions of the program signals having embedded control signals and rerouting means for rerouting the control signals in the program signals to an output. The multi-media controller is coupled to the rerouting means to act on the program signals as directed to the media display.

Abstract: A television receiver includes a decoder for decoding a data component of a television signal, such as extended data services (EDS) data. The data component includes data representative of time of day information. A controller in the receiver processes the time of day information to set the time of day stored in the television receiver to a time value that is accurate to seconds.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding video signals for identification, editing, modifying, cuing, routing, distributing, switching, activating and controlling the video signals. One of the many applications is a television program distribution system including a plurality of units through which the television programs flow, by operating a first signal processing unit connected within the system for adding signal elements to the video signal of a program in order to add patterns of symbols to the television picture such that the symbols are disposed at predetermined locations of the television picture and a plurality of successive patterns constituting a code uniquely identifying the program; and a second signal processing unit connected within the system for detecting signal elements previously added to a video signal and for producing, in response to such detection, an identification of the program which included the video signal.

Abstract: A method and system in which television-program table information is transmitted using teletext formats in a coding transmission system. On the reception side, reservation of video recording with an image recording apparatus is effected by making use of the transmitted television-program table information. Reserving a recording time is accomplished using a program recognition device 9 which detects that the television-program table information has been transmitted. Further, a program update recognition device 10, a channel information processing device 11, a date information processing device 12, a time information processing device 13, a program code information processing device 14, and a title information processing device 15 serve to process their respective information in order to display the television program table on a display unit. Once displayed, a television program desired for video recording is selected by a cursor display device and selection device 19.

Abstract: A multiple input processor includes apparatus for receiving inputs from multiple sources and processing the inputs for transmission to receivers along a television cable network. The processor includes an RF modulator to convert audio signals from signal sources to radio frequency signals for broadcasting through the cable TV system. A microcomputer in the processor processes signals received from multiple sources and selectively transmits the signals through the modulator, The processor includes an audio bus interconnecting the signal-sources and processor to permit receiving, processing, and transmission of audio signals. A telephone interface is connected to the audio bus to permit transmission of signals from a telephone line to the computer, as a separate signal source, and to permit transmission of signals from the audio bus to the telephone line for reporting and other auditing purposes.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser having a controllable audio/video program display includes a fuel pump and delivery path, a program media display, and a prerecorded program and a multi-media controller to direct program signals to the program media display. Apparatus is included for recovering multi-media control signals embedded in the program signals in the prerecorded program including a detector for detecting predetermined portions of the program signals having embedded control signals and rerouting means for rerouting the control signals in the program signals to an output. The multi-media controller is coupled to the rerouting means to act on the program signals as directed to the media display.

Abstract: An interactive video system is disclosed that processes a video data stream and an associated data stream corresponding to the video data stream. The interactive video system displays a video image defined by the video data stream on a display device and performs interactive command functions specified by the associated data stream. The interactive command functions include commands that specify placement of a video display window, commands that specify parameters of graphical objects that are associated with the video image and commands that specify pixel data or graphics description for the graphical object and commands for placement of selection windows and that specify interactive functions for the selection windows.

Abstract: An indexing VCR system which responds to broadcast information to record a program guide which may subsequently be displayed to apprise the user of programs to be broadcast during the next day or week, etc. The program guide enables the user to condition the VCR to record selected programs when they are broadcast. The program guide may also include film clips of selected programs to assist the user in making a decision as to whether he/she desires to record any particular program. The program guide is preferably recorded on the video tape in the VCR in the form of a multi-cell grid and as full frame video so that information concerning each program may be displayed in respective cells in the grid. Other information, such as the PLUSCODE.TM., address of the corresponding clip, etc., may be transmitted to the user during the VBI intervals, or by other means.

Abstract: Decoding of data included in the vertical blanking interval of a television transmission signal and storage of the decoded data on a portable data coupon allows unavailable ease of use of commercial discounts, manufactures coupons, and other cost saving devices. The portable data coupon incorporates a receiver (16) for retransmitted encoded data and a storage device (36) for the received data. A display (22) for viewing the data is present in the storage device and a transmitting device (32) is incorporated for selectively transmitting portions of the encoded data for use such as in redeeming a coupon or discount. Selection of data received in the coupon from the VBI to be saved in storage for later redemption is accomplished through interactive input by the user and automatic timing for expiration of data and deletion of data upon redemption are also provided.

Abstract: A performance recording and playback apparatus is provided between a performance apparatus and a video apparatus in an audio/video recording and playback system. The performance apparatus is capable of producing and reproducing performance data, while the video apparatus is capable of recording and playing back performance data and video data on a single recording medium. Herein, the performance data produced from the performance apparatus is supplied to and recorded by the video apparatus.

Abstract: A method of displaying time of a VCR including steps for checking whether current time data is received, determining states of the received current time data corresponding to a duty cycle at times when the current time data is received and converting the determined logic states of the current time data to current time. The current time is then displayed, The current time is superimposed on a video signal and a resultant superimposed signal is displayed. The resultant superimposed signal is recorded when the user requires recording of the current time together with the video signal.