Abstract: A pair of processing modules and methods that enable low latency communications between a data processing system and devices located at a remote graphic user interface across a standard shared network in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus for communicating a raster video signal comprises a receiver enabled to receive the raster video signal from a graphics processor and obtain display control parameters of the raster video signal, the display control parameters comprising frequency and resolution information for the raster video signal; a raster encoder, coupled to the receiver, enabled to encode a plurality of scan lines of the raster video signal to generate a plurality of encoded scan lines; and a network controller, coupled to the raster encoder, enabled to transmit the plurality of encoded scan lines and the display control parameters as packets via an IP/Ethernet network.

Abstract: To provide an AV data recording and reproducing apparatus capable of easily carrying out real-time recording and reproducing via a 1394 interface, and method thereof. Input time information relating to one or a plurality of transport packets are stored in the different transport packet; the transport packets and the different transport packet having input time information relating to the transport packets are recorded; and at the same time the transport packet recorded in the recording medium and the different transport packet are read; the different transport packet corresponding to one of a plurality of the recorded transport packets are extracted and the input time is specified; and based on the input time information, the corresponding transport packet is output.

Abstract: Text data is extracted from image data read by an image reader. Log data containing the extracted text data is generated. The generated log data is stored in a log management server.

Abstract: The system for receiving broadcast digital data (in particular pay television services) comprises a master digital terminal (1), and at least one slave digital terminal (2) connected to the master terminal by a link (3) and able to receive protected digital data. The slave digital terminal can access the protected data only if information necessary for accessing the data and received by the master digital terminal is sent by way of link (3) to the slave digital terminal within a predetermined deadline. This information is in particular access entitlements to television services or keys for descrambling the service.

Abstract: A method for modifying a video image of a display apparatus, the method including dividing received broadcast signals into a video signal, an audio signal, and supplementary information, converting the video signal to a video image and displaying the converted video image, displaying a video image modifying menu for allowing a user to remotely change a size or aspect ratio for the displayed video image, and adjusting at least one of the size and aspect ratio of the displayed video image based on the supplementary information.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting broadcasting content including a control signal in a broadcasting network, the apparatus includes: a modulator configured to modulate broadcasting content by a predetermined modulation method; a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal for remote control of infrastructure; an adder configured to add the control signal to the modulated broadcasting content; and a DTV transmitter configured to convert the added signal to a DTV broadcasting signal and transmit the DTV broadcasting signal.

Abstract: A method for displaying a video signal and a display system using the same are provided. According to the method for displaying a video signal, the display system provides a setting menu through which a user can set an output resolution according to an occupancy level of a control means, and adjusts a resolution of video to be output to a display means according to the occupancy level of the control means. If video is not transmitted to the display means, the display system may display a warning message, so that a user can know the reason therefor. Therefore, it is possible to always provide a user with video optimized according to an occupancy level of a control means.

Abstract: A pair of processing modules and methods that enable low latency communications between a data processing system and devices located at a remote graphic user interface across a standard shared network in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The present invention provides a method for communicating graphics data in a synchronous manner from the data processing system to the user. This method is used in conjunction with a feedback error recovery method to provide lossless, low-latency communications of graphics data across the network.

Abstract: Provided are a data transmission device, a data reception device, a method for transmitting data, a method for receiving data, and a method for controlling audio-visual environment that carry out the control of peripheral devices in consistence with contents producer's intention, thereby realizing the listening/viewing of the contents with a realistic sensation. The data transmission device is comprised of a video coding unit (101), an audio coding unit (102), an audio-visual environment control data coding unit (103), an audio-visual environment control data input unit (104), a data multiplexing unit (105) and a transmission unit (106).

Abstract: A method for receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. Even when a cell is changed while an emergency alert is output, the emergency alert can be continuously output using emergency alert table information included in the broadcasting signal and channel information of the cell. The emergency alert table information may include a cell identifier and the channel information of the cell may include virtual channel information of the cell.

Abstract: A kind of device to transfer photo images into digital data includes a body wherein photo taking mechanisms are set inside and insert-fit grooves and positioning mechanisms are set with internal lighting printed circuit boards at the other side. A reflecting shield is provided in the body. The integrated photo clamps for clamping photos are put in the interior of the body through insert-fit grooves. By usage of simple operations, the images on the taken photos by photo taking mechanisms can be transferred into digital data for convenient storage, modification, or copying then printing the new photos. Thus, the present invention is rich of convenience and advancement.

Abstract: A multimedia interface cable for achieving complete interoperability between different types of multimedia display interfaces. The cable comprises a first multimedia connector including a plurality of contact pins of at least high-speed multimedia signals and control signals; a second multimedia connector including a plurality of contact pins of least high-speed multimedia signals and control signals; a plurality of un-crossing conducting wires for coupling the plurality of contact pins of the high-speed multimedia signals in the first multimedia connector to the plurality of contact pins of the high-speed multimedia signals in the second multimedia connector; and a plurality of conducting wires for coupling the plurality of contact pins of the control signals in the first multimedia connector to the plurality of contact pins of the control signals in the second multimedia connector.

Abstract: A method for receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. Even when a cell is changed while an emergency alert is output, the emergency alert can be continuously output using emergency alert table information included in the broadcasting signal and channel information of the cell. The emergency alert table information may include a cell identifier and the channel information of the cell may include virtual channel information of the cell.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an end-user to interact with a system in order to execute an application. Multiple digital service packets are broadcast to a plurality of end-users, such that the upstream transmission of data from end-users is greatly reduced. Each end-ser further receives media packets, whereas visual objects relating to the application can be displayed on an end-user display unit with visual objects originating from the media packets.

Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for constructing and broadcasting a multi-screen broadcasting program by using a transport stream in a digital broadcasting, and for decoding the constructed transport stream to restore image and voice signals. The method includes the steps of analyzing a program access table (PAT) of broadcasting data to determine whether there are at least two image packets, performing signal decoding when the input broadcasting data is a single screen program having one image packet, performing a multi-decoding when the input broadcasting data is a multi-screen program having at least two image packets.

Abstract: A plurality of processing portions sequentially performs a plurality of processing operation on an information signal. In this case, the plurality of processing portions is provided with a control-command-added information signal to which control commands are added for controlling the processing piece to be performed by some or all of the plurality of processing portions, for each predetermined unit of the information signal. The processing portions respectively separate the control command and the information signal from the control-command-added information signal. The information signal thus separated is then processed on the basis of the separated control command for controlling the processing to be performed by this processing portion. The separated control command is added to the post-processing information signal for each predetermined unit thereof, thereby determining a control-command-added information signal to be output.

Abstract: An encoded bit stream having a frame rate of 24 Hz or 23.976 Hz and a progressive format for both NTSC and PAL is recorded on a recording medium. An encoded stream reproduced from the recording medium is supplied to a decoder 20. In the decoder 20, the encoded stream is decoded and 24 p or 23.976 p video is obtained. A video converting portion 25 converts the reproduced video into a display video in accordance with the display format of a monitor 26. For the NTSC range, 29.97 i or 59.94 p display format can be used. For the PAL range, 25 i or 50 p display format can be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the dynamic multiplexing of digital streams which are transmitted in the form of stream units in one channel, each of said stream units bearing a stream identifier which can be used to associate same with the corresponding digital stream. The allocation of an identifier to a digital stream is defined by an allocation table and can vary over time, in such a way as to enable dynamic multiplexing. The aforementioned allocation table bears a version number and, in order to indicate that a change in the version of the allocation table applies to a given digital stream, a burst is transmitted with at least one version change stream unit comprising the current identifier of said digital stream, an indicator which can be used to determine if the stream unit is a version change stream unit and the version number becoming applicable to said digital stream.

Abstract: A video data reception apparatus is provided including a position information detection unit configured to detect position information on a frame/field of a video data signal with reference to a synchronizing signal synchronous with the video data signal inputted thereto with information superposed on the video data signal, the information being specific data of at least one of an effective video data area, a frame/field frequency and a parameter for video process; and an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information on the specific data from the video data signal using the position information. The information acquisition unit can start at least one of signal processing such as the extraction of an effective video data area in the video data signal using the information on the specific data, by the following frame or field where the information acquisition unit acquires information on the specific data.

Abstract: A system as described herein enables a user to access auxiliary information when viewing an enhanced performance television signal or program. Particularly, a television signal system is operative, configured, and/or enabled to allow a user to access and/or utilize auxiliary information when viewing a high definition or progressive-scan television signal. Briefly, an exemplary television signal system receives the auxiliary information/data (e.g. closed caption data) on a selected interlaced standard definition input, processes the auxiliary data, and combines or overlays the auxiliary data with a television (video) signal received on a selected input that does not have its own embedded auxiliary information/data.

Abstract: A pair of processing modules and methods that enable low latency communications between a data processing system and devices located at a remote graphic user interface across a standard shared network in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The present invention provides a method for communicating graphics data in a synchronous manner from the data processing system to the user. This method is used in conjunction with a feedback error recovery method to provide lossless, low-latency communications of graphics data across the network.

Abstract: A user enters control settings into a content receiver whereby the control settings correspond to a particular viewer or a particular time-of-day. The content receiver receives a media signal and metadata that includes censorship level information. The content receiver uses the control settings to identify an applicable censorship level and uses the metadata to de-scramble the media signal to a censorship level corresponding to the identified applicable censorship level. The content receiver provides the de-scrambled media signal to a viewer's display.

Abstract: A first set of display information is received at a device driver. The first set of display information indicates a portion of the video image to be displayed in a first window of a first monitor. An aspect ratio of the video image is determined based on the first set of display information. Based on the determined aspect ratio, the display driver determines a location on a second display device where the video image is to also be displayed.

Abstract: A method mines unknown content of a video by first selecting one or more low-level features of the video. For each selected feature, or combination of features, time series data is generated. The time series data is then self-correlated to identify similar segments of the video according to the low-level features. The similar segments are grouped into clusters to discover high-level patterns in the unknown content of video.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable image monitoring and identifying device suitable for monitoring an activity in the image and/or identifying image contents and when an image activity and/or an identified image content triggers certain preset event, a command or trigger signal can be sent out for controlling other external devices to act and/or send out a message to the user. The portable device includes an image input unit for inputting an input video, a main processor unit for executing functions of processing image data, detecting activity and triggering event, a memory unit for storing an operation data of the main processor, an input port for connecting with an input device so as to support the necessary operation by the user, and a control output port for outputting the command or trigger signal described above so as to control other external devices connected to the control output port to act.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating program changes. The apparatus and method include a controller for detecting a change program request and for outputting change event data when a change event is detected. A non-active video information replacement module is coupled to the controller for receiving non-active video information and the change event data. When the replacement module receives change event data, a clear code generator generates clear code data that replaces non-active video information, and the non-active video information replacement module generates modified non-active video information. The modified non-active video information is provided to an output stage, whereupon the clear code data resets a non-active video information field within a display device, thereby preventing the display of erroneous information by a display within the output stage. Thereupon, clear code data is synthetically inserted within non-active video information upon the occurrence of a change event.

Abstract: A device and method for modifying a video image of a display apparatus method, for efficiently modifying a size and aspect ratio of a video image, is disclosed. The device includes an on-screen display (OSD) generator providing an on-screen display (OSD) on a display for programming a size and an aspect ratio of a video image, and a video processor modifying a displayed video image in accordance with the size and aspect ratio of the displayed video image programmed by a user. Herein, the video processor modifies the video image from a center point of the video image.

Abstract: In a picture signal processing method, an analog picture signal (APS1, APS2) is processed (PSP) in dependence on a quality indication (QI1, Q12) relating to the analog picture signal (APS1, APS2) and received together with the analog picture signal (APS1, APS2). Preferably, the analog picture signal (APS1, APS2) has been obtained from a digital picture signal that has been encoded at a bit-rate and/or at a compression ratio and/or at a quantization level, wherein the quality indication (QI1, QI2) is the bit-rate and/or the compression ratio and/or the quantization level.

Abstract: A digital TV and a method of switching a channel automatically thereof provides a viewer with advance notice of an automatic channel switch using linkage descriptor information on HD broadcasting. Providing the viewer with notice of the switched channel reduces viewer confusion. The method includes the steps of determining whether a linkage descriptor is included in additional information regarding a broadcast program whether the broadcast program regardless of whether the broadcast program is selected by a viewer, checking the remaining time of the broadcast program if the linkage descriptor is included in the additional information, displaying a channel switch notice message on a screen, determining whether or not the broadcast program has ended, switching a channel of the broadcast program to a designated channel when the broadcast program ends, and displaying a channel switch confirmation message on the screen.

Abstract: Viewing of a program is enabled at optimum image quality. A correspondence table of an image signal processing parameter and a combination of TMCC information and transmission errors is stored in a RAM. A CPU reads out an image signal processing parameter corresponding to a combination of TMCC information supplied from an IF demodulator and transmission errors supplied from the IF demodulator, a demultiplexer and an MPEG video decoder from the correspondence table stored in the RAM, and controls signal processing in an image signal processing portion and display processing in an image display portion based on the image signal processing parameter.

Abstract: A data transmitter for detecting a reference time stamp for use in reproducing a system clock from a transport packet data of a first transport stream, adding the detected reference time stamp as a header information to the transport packet data, converting the transport packet data and the header information into a second transport stream, and transmitting the second transport stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sub picture control apparatus and method for a TV that can achieve an effective viewing of the sub picture. The apparatus includes a region data extracting section (52) for extracting region data included in a broadcasting signal tuned by a second tuner (43), a second luminance/chrominance (Y/C) separating section (45) for separating a chrominance signal and a luminance signal from the broadcasting signal selected by the second tuner (43), a region extracting section/scaler (46) for extracting a video signal of a region corresponding to a specified region information and performing a picture size adjustment with respect to the extracted video signal, and a control section (53) for controlling a region extracting section/scaler (46) to extract the video signal corresponding to a region information extracted from the region extracting section/scaler (46) and controlling a video processing section (48) to process an output signal of the region extracting section/scaler (46).

Abstract: An information processing apparatus supplies time information by a real-time-clock (RTC) that is corrected and a correction history is recorded. When a signal representing a correct-time indication is received, a correction processing section corrects a setting time provided from the RTC using the signal and a result of the correction is recorded into a log memory. When a signal representing a correct-time indication is not received or detected, the correction processing section records failure of correction of the setting time of the RTC into a log memory. The correction processing section is also capable of reading a history of correction information from the log memory and correcting the setting time provided by the RTC based on the correction history.

Abstract: A method and system for processing video signals is disclosed. The system receives a video signal, a first audio signal containing an annotation and a second audio signal containing environmental sounds corresponding to the video signal. In one embodiment the system generates searchable annotations corresponding to the video and second audio signals via the first audio signal.

Abstract: A CPU carries out such control as to display a received image on the whole of a screen even when a command to acquire program information is issued by a user. In the display of the received image on the whole of the screen in this case, an icon button meaning that an operation for acquiring program information is continued is displayed in a non-central portion of the screen by an OSD circuit. When the icon button is operated by the user, a genre retrieval table is displayed on the screen by the OSD circuit. When a predetermined number of program information can be acquired, the display is automatically switched to the display of the genre retrieval table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving conditional access information (CAI) on one or more of a plurality of tuners receiving the CAI from a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining if the CAI is of a first type that is transmitted by all of a plurality of transponders or of a second type that is transmitted by fewer than all of the plurality of transponders; passing, to a conditional access module, only CAI from the first tuner and rejecting CAI from any other tuner if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by all transponders; and passing, to the conditional access module, all CAI from any of the plurality of tuners if the CAI is of a type that is transmitted by fewer than all transponders.

Abstract: Viewing of a program at optimum image quality is realized. A correspondence table of combinations of MPEG video encoding parameters and image signal processing parameters is stored in a RAM. A CPU reads out from the RAM an image signal processing parameter corresponding to a combination of MPEG video encoding parameters supplied from a demultiplexer, and on the basis of the image signal processing parameter, controls image signal processing in an image signal processor.

Abstract: A method of transmitting blocks of data, in which, for at least one of the blocks of data, at least one parameter associated with this block of data is transmitted, the parameter representing the relative importance of the block of data associated with this parameter within the message transmitted by all the blocks of data. The data is coded by a channel coding method which does not take into account the parameter. Correlatively, the invention also concerns a decoding method associated with this transmission method. This way, data judged to be more important than other data may benefit from a channel decoding of higher quality. The methods described herein have application to devices and appliances implementing these methods.

Abstract: A separating device and method and a signal receiving device and method are presented. The separating device and method receive plural data streams and then separate and extract at least a portion of data from the received data streams. The signal receiving device and method receive plural data streams and then select, separate and extract at least a portion of the data from the data streams. Then the signal receiving device and method apply signal processing to the portion of the data that has been selected, separated and extracted.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus obtains a first image and display timing information of the first image via a first channel, and a second image via a second channel different from the first channel. The information processing apparatus includes a main CPU for processing the obtained second image in accordance with the contents of the first image, and a CRTC for outputting the obtained first image, the processed second image and the display timing information to a predetermined display unit to display a combined image obtained by combining the first and second images on the display unit.

Abstract: An information handling system controls a signal processing device by providing a control signal to the signal processing device. The control signal may be transmitted to the signal processing device as an infrared or R/F signal that is received and decoded by the signal processing device. The signal processing device is capable of receiving and processing an input signal, and is further capable of providing an output signal to the information handling system. In response to the control signal, the signal processing device encodes data onto the output signal provided to the information handling system, and the information handling system is capable of decoding the data from the output signal. The data encoded onto the output signal may include status information from the signal processing device, including the status of execution of the control signal.

Abstract: A method of formatting data to maximize the readability of song identification (ID) information displayed on a monitor screen and a method of formatting data to maximize the amount of song ID information displayed on a limited number of lines on the monitor screen. The monitor screen is used to view in-band audio broadcast channel song ID information and out-of-band audio broadcast channel song ID information. The in-band ID information is associated with a song that is currently being played on a selected one of a plurality of channels. The out-of-band ID information is associated with all of the plurality of channels. To maximize readability, in-band ID information is abbreviated if the amount of information exceeds a maximum number of lines determined for the in-band ID information. To maximize the amount of in-band ID information, wraparound and abbreviation techniques are performed.

Abstract: An IR camera and a DV processing unit are disclosed which enable a user to use a standard DV recorder to record an IR film sequence and be able to play it back at a later time, and edit it, without using dedicated software. At the same time, the user has access to calibration data, enabling him the selection of data and processing of the film using dedicated software. This is achieved by including additional data related to the image processing in the signal, preferably in the part of the signal normally reserved for audio information.

Abstract: A video and graphics system includes a video decoding system for processing compressed video data. The compressed video data includes MPEG-2 video data containing SDTV video data or HDTV video data. The video decoding system includes a video decoder for processing the compressed video data to generate displayable video, and a memory controller for transferring the compressed video data to and from an external memory. The video decoder requests to the memory controller to transfer the compressed video data using one of predetermined addressing patterns. The predetermined addressing patterns allow for more efficient transferring of the compressed video data to and from the external memory when compared to sequentially transferring a fixed number of data bytes starting at a fixed address. The use of the predetermined addressing patterns results in reading the compressed video data from the external memory in a predetermined order in a less number of clock cycles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for effectuating simultaneous transmission of a standard analog television video signal and a data signal. A transmitter system comprises an analog video signal path and a data signal path. The data signal path produces a data signal that is added to, combined with, or otherwise imposed on the video signal, so as to be substantially in quadrature with the video signal as sensed by television receivers in the broadcast region. An abatement signal is generated and applied to the video signal in order to correct for effects of the data on the video signal. The abatement signal is generated based on feedback control metric signals obtained from receiver emulation which uses as input a signal corresponding to the television signal as transmitted. The feedback control metric signals can also used to control the modulation of the data, for example, by adjusting the interpolation of the data based on the amplitude and frequency responses of the data signal.

Abstract: A video system is disclosed that processes OSD images and displays the OSD images on a display. At least some of the OSD images are represented by data sets that do not include a color palette. Each OSD data set includes a header comprising multiple bits of status and control information. One of the control bits indicates whether the OSD data set includes a color palette. Preferably that control bit is set to indicate no color palette in present and cleared to indicate the inclusion of a color palette in the OSD data set. By not including a color palette in an OSD data set, the corresponding OSD image can be represented with a smaller data set and can be transferred across a bus with a smaller bandwidth. If the control bit is set, indicating the absence of a color palette in the OSD data set, a color palette included in another OSD data set is used instead to draw the desired OSD image.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital video processor to continuously demultiplex, store and decode audio and video data streams and play back corresponding frames of audio and video. The processor further continuously demultiplexes, stores and decodes a first subpicture data stream and plays back first subpicture data in synchronization with the playback of frames of video data. PTS values associated with SPU's in the first subpicture data stream are continuously stored. The processor then detects a command instructing a transition from a first subpicture data stream to a second subpicture data stream and stores a PTS value associated with a first complete SPU of the second subpicture data stream so that it follows a PTS value associated with a last complete SPU in the first subpicture data stream. The processor then continuously stores PTS values associated with the SPU's in the second subpicture data stream.

Abstract: A number of novel watermarking applications, and improvements to watermarking methods, are disclosed. Included are techniques for selectively incorporating promotional messages into rendered video content, monitoring whether promotional messages are rendered or skipped, permitting payment for content upon rendering rather than receipt, controlling rendering of video to include or omit adult-themed sections, confirming a person's age by reference to a watermarked identification document, and watermarking digital cinema projections.

Abstract: A processor (403) is provided for processing identifiers of video and/or audio material. The processor is for use with a video and/or audio material processing device. The device has a plurality of inputs (IN) for receiving respective pieces of material to be processed, the pieces having respective identifiers, and an output (OUT) at which is output processed material, which is a combination of the input material, and a state output at which data defining the state of the device is output.