Abstract: A digital camera equipped with a processor for authentication of images produced from an image file taken by the digital camera is provided. The digital camera processor has embedded therein a private key unique to it, and the camera housing has a public key that is so uniquely related to the private key that digital data encrypted with the private key may be decrypted using the public key. The digital camera processor comprises means for calculating a hash of the image file using a predetermined algorithm, and second means for encrypting the image hash with the private key, thereby producing a digital signature. The image file and the digital signature are stored in suitable recording means so they will be available together. Apparatus for authenticating the image file as being free of any alteration uses the public key for decrypting the digital signature, thereby deriving a secure image hash identical to the image hash produced by the digital camera and used to produce the digital signature.

Abstract: Redeemable shopping coupons for products or information printouts in categories preferred by a consumer are printed in the consumer's premises when made available by a manufacturer or advertiser through the coupon and information service. Data identifying either or both product and information category and printout content are broadcast in conjunction with regular television programs and received in decoder-printer units in the homes of consumers subscribing to the service. If received product or information category data matches pre-programmed category data stored in the subscriber's unit, a printer in the unit is activated to generate a printout containing the received coupon data or other information. Operation of the subscriber's unit requires no interaction through the unit with the broadcasting service nor does operation of the unit affect operation of the subscriber's television set.

Abstract: A central station monitors television broadcasts and issues control and informational broadcasts to receivers located in the homes of users. The information broadcasts include a TV program schedule table and recorder control data. In response to the control broadcasts, processors receiving the broadcast will pause and resume recording of the identified broadcasts. A user can phone into the central station to have the user's recorder programmed to record a particular broadcast.

Abstract: An audio signal discrimination apparatus for use in a recording and reproducing apparatus, in which an identification code is inserted into a video signal and a mode of audio signal is discriminated. The audio signal discrimination apparatus includes a sync separator for separating a horizontal sync signal and a vertical sync signal from the video signal, an identification code insertion circuit for receiving the separated horizontal and vertical sync signals so as to insert an identification code for discriminating a processing mode of the audio signal into a predetermined region of the video signal when recording, and an identification code detection circuit for detecting the identification code inserted into the predetermined region of the video signal so as to determine the processing mode of the audio signal.

Abstract: In an audio/video transmission system, a method of forming program guide information conducive to selective display at respective receivers includes arranging program guide information in different data blocks according to types of guide information. One such data block contains channel information (CSSM.sub.i) describing the respective channels. Respective CSSM.sub.i in this block include a channel information customer service system byte (CI.sub.-- CSS) which contains conditional access information related to a channel associated with a CSSM.sub.i. In a receiver embodiment, a subscriber specific byte (CA.sub.-- CSS) is stored and accessible to program guide processing apparatus. Prior to displaying received program guide information for a particular channel, the subscriber byte CA.sub.-- CSS is compared with the channel information byte CI.sub.-- CSS in the program guide.

Abstract: A method of labelling a broadcast signal in which a predetermined pattern of special labels, preferably, a label for the next following program is transmitted repeatedly but irregularly at predetermined intervals prior to the program change to indicate that an event is to occur after a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A television transmitter for transmitting a television signal representing a series of scenes, the series of scenes having a non-program-content characteristic. The transmitter includes a processor for processing the series of scenes so as to retain a non-program-content characteristic of the series of scenes, means for inserting identification information into the television signal, the identification information being indicative of the non-program-content characteristic retained in the processed series of scenes, and a signal transmitter for broadcasting the television signal. Also disclosed is an advanced video system for receiving, processing and displaying received source material having non-program-content characteristics.

Abstract: Recording of a weekly serial TV program which is broadcast at least two times or more a week at designated times in a video cassette recorder having a system controller, wherein the system controller is provided with a memory and a timer for expressing a current time, a current day of the week and a current day/month, is carried out by way of: (a) setting at the memory a recording start date and a recording end date to fix the overall term of recording the weekly serial TV program; two or more days of the week on which the weekly serial TV program is broadcast; a recording start time and a recording end time to designate the duration of recording each segment of the weekly serial TV program; (b) comparing the current day/month with the recording start day/month set at the memory to determine if the current day/month has reached the recording start day/month; (c) comparing the current day of the week with each of the two or more days of the week set at the memory to determine if the current day of the week has

Abstract: Apparatus and method for encoding and decoding video signals to facilitate identification of, editing, modifying, queuing, routing, distributing, switching, activating and controlling the video signals.Within a television program distribution system containing a plurality of units through which the television programs flow, the flow of television programs is tracked 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: Television programs interupted by non-program material, such as commercials, are broadcasted by the disclosed system over standard TV channels. An ecrypted indicating signal is also broadcasted by the system such that the ecrypted signal can be received and decrypted at authorized viewer locations to provide program identifying information. Each of the authorized viewer locations includes a credit store for storing data representing an available credit. Each authorized location also includes means for editing the viewing/recording of received program signals based on the provided program identifying information when the data in said credit store indicates that credit is available. The available credit represented by the stored data is consumed in response to the usage the means for editing program signals.

Abstract: A circuit and method for performing a specific function at a receiving side if a video signal in which a code is inserted is transmitted. A transmitting side of a broadcasting system transmits a video signal in which a given code relating to a specific function like a time correction or a program reservation of a receiving side is inserted. The receiving side detects the code and then transmits the detected code to a circuit for performing the specific function by inputting a one touch key. Without the key input of a user, the corresponding time correction function is automatically controlled according to the code detected from a received video signal.

Abstract: A television receiver includes structure for receiving video and audio signals in addition to a transmission section for converting a composite signal in which a video signal and a smell signal are mixed. The smell signal is generated at an amplifier of a TV camera. The television receiver includes a detection circuit for sensing the smell signal. Upon sensing the smell signal, the smell signal can be used for actuating a plurality of smells located in separate smell emitting devices. These emitting devices include, for example, a heating plate and a fan which upon actuation causes perfume in the emitting device to be emitted. This device is then defused into, for example, a room and the smell matches a picture shown on the CRT. This enables a viewer to not only hear and see the picture from a television but also to sense smell related to the contents of the displayed picture.

Abstract: A compatible special effect signal can be produced without using an encoder or a special signal processor. Each of EDTV signals is divided into a main screen signal and a compensation screen signal. Compensation screen modification circuits modify the special position and size of the compensation screen signals such that the compensation screen signals match with the main screen signals in spacial position and size. The modified signals and the main screen signals are multiplexed in a frequency domain. The multiplexed signals are gated in response to a wipe signal and the gated signals are mixed with each other. The mixed signal is separated into the main screen signal and the compensation screen signal in the frequency domain. A compensation screen signal restorer circuit converts the frequency separated compensation screen signal into the original compensation signal which is mixed with the main screen signal to generate the wiped wide screen EDTV signal.