Abstract: A design for reducing the power dissipation in an integrated circuit for an image pickup device. Placing a circuit block (2), such as for generating a driving signal to an image pickup apparatus, in a standby state within a vertical blanking period or horizontal blanking period reduces the power dissipation at the circuit block (2). Since the blanking period is short, it is necessary to rapidly restore normal operation from standby so as to ensure the standby time. A switch (6) is provided between a terminal of the circuit block (2) and a capacitor (4) that is provided for voltage regulation at the terminal. A controller (8) turns off the switch (6) and disconnects the capacitor (4) from the circuit block (2) in a period where the circuit block (2) is placed in a standby state.

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: An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a display device at the output of a video driver utilizes a terminating resistance connected between the output of the video driver and a ground level. A current is driven by the video driver, resulting in a voltage level at the output. A comparator compares the resultant voltage to a reference voltage signal to determine whether the resultant voltage is above or below a predefined threshold. The threshold is chosen as lying between an anticipated resultant voltage for a video driver having a display device connected thereto and an anticipated resultant voltage for a video driver without a display device connected thereto.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for transmitting data with a graphics engine are presented herein. The graphics engine encodes pixels in a frame with values that are a function of samples for a signal. The signal represents the transmitted data.

Abstract: TeleWeb services are currently being developed, in which HTML-encoded images are transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of a conventional analog television signal. For special applications, such as subtitling and targeted advertising, the relevant TeleWeb images must be displayed substantially in synchronism with given video frames of the television signal. This is achieved by transmitting the encoded images in advance and provide them with a time stamp (33) which specifies the display time in terms of a reference clock. The reference clock is preferably derived from the teletext clock time (31,32). A possible display time stamp format is hh:mm:ss′ff, where ff specifies a frame within a second. At the receiver end, the teletext clock is interpolated to reconstruct the reference clock, and the subtitles are buffered until the display time stamp matches the actual clock time.

Abstract: The adaptive timing module is configured for recovering data encoded in a field of a video signal, and further configured for counteracting horizontal phase or picture shift. An adaptive timing processor defines a timing window where the expected prescan portion video signal is expected to be in an encoded video signal. The timing window is divided into sub-portions with a set of sampling points. The adaptive timing processor conducts a sweeping operation over each sub-portion of the prescan portion of the encoded video signal for the presence of a pre-data encoding zone. When a pre-data encoding zone is detected, the adaptive timing processor stores the position of the sub-portion with the pre-data encoding zone, or sets a flag to indicate the presence of a pre-data encoding zone for that particular sub-portion in a particular field.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for generating a video signal having an auxiliary data payload complying with a data payload protocol selectable from at least two available data payload protocols is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the method comprises the steps of generating a data reference signal (which describes an auxiliary data payload protocol including an auxiliary data payload clock speed) at a baseline clock speed compliant with both of the two data protocols; appending the auxiliary data payload signal at the auxiliary data payload clock speed to the data reference signal; and inserting the data reference signal and the appended auxiliary data payload signal in a portion of at least one line of a video frame. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatus comprises a generator, for generating at least one line of a video frame having a data reference signal at a baseline clock speed compliant with two data protocols and an appended auxiliary data payload.

Abstract: A method of transmitting digital data, which comprises the steps of obtaining first and second 8-bit word sequence data respectively based on luminance signal information data and chrominance signal information data which constitute a digital video signal, causing each of the first and second 8-bit word sequence data to be subjected to 8 bits to 10 bits conversion to produce first and second 10-bit word sequence data, obtaining third and fourth 8-bit word sequence data based on the first and second 10-bit word sequence data, respectively, inserting an additional word data group including 8-bit word synchronous data allotted a predetermined specific code into each of the third and fourth 8-bit word sequence data at predetermined word intervals to produce first and second composite 8-bit word sequence data, converting the first and second composite 8-bit word sequence data into first and second serial data, respectively, and transmitting the first and second serial data through first and second transmission lin

Abstract: In a baseband video transmission system (BTS1) for transmission of a video signal (SV) at a baseband based on the DVI standard, a transmitting device (100) multiplexes a data signal (SD) representing data other than video during at least one blanking period of component video signals (SB, SG, SR) of the video signal (SV) to generate a DVI signal (Sdvi). A receiving device (104) receives the DVI signal (Sdvi), and extracts the data signal (SD) from the received DVI signal (Sdvi).

Abstract: A transmitting method serializes two series of signals into one series of signals, and transmits thereof. The two series of signals are produced through this way: a total number of bits of a luminance signal of an HDTV signal to be transmitted within a frame is divided into units corresponding to a total number of scanning lines ‘K’ per frame of one channel of an SDTV signal. Then K pcs. of transmission units per frame including a luminance signal and a color signal are produced in two series. Among the transmission units, at least the following data are inserted into the units corresponding to active scanning lines: (a) a given word of the control signal, (b) a signal comprising samples of N timed by a number of words of luminance signal within a given period of one horizontal scanning period of the SDTV, which includes a luminance signal and color signal of the SDTV, and (c) words corresponding to a given level. A transmitter realizing this method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a leakage tagging signal includes inserting a tagging signal into a CATV television signal only during portions of the television signal in which control information is present. A method according to the present invention is a method of transmitting a tagging signal in a communication system, the communication system transmitting television signals comprising control information and program information. One step of the method includes generating a tagging signal that is detectable by corresponding leakage detecting equipment. The method also includes the step of identifying a portion of a television signal in which control information is present. Finally, the method of the present invention encompasses inserting the tagging signal into the television signal only during the portion of the television signal in which control information is present.

Abstract: The present invention relate to method and apparatus for processing a video signal to decode data previously encoded into the video signal. One aspect of the invention relates to a method for detecting a first line of a data sequence encoded in a digital video signal by scanning a digital video signal by line to look for an intelligent signal detect word. If the detect word is not found, a counter is incremented. Scanning continues until the intelligent signal detect word is found, and once found flagging that line as a first data line. Another aspect of the invention is a decoding apparatus that searches the plurality of horizontal scan lines in a video signal for the presence of a data start key, and when such a data start key is found, the line containing the data start key is identified as the first line of the encoded data.

Abstract: A television receiver which is coupled to a digital VCR to receive an ATSC-encoded multi-program stream containing video, audio and data programs. The receiver recognizes one of the data programs as containing computer software for the digital television receiver, extracts the data program from the multi-program stream into a memory area which is separate from the memory areas used to decode the audio and video programs and then uses data in the extracted data program to update information which controls the operation of the television receiver. The television receiver includes a microprocessor which is coupled to a video processor via an IC bus. The video processor includes registers which are coupled to the IC bus. The microprocessor updates these values from the information in the extracted data program. The extracted data program may include a program image for the operational software for the microprocessor and may replace the operational software to update the operation of the television receiver.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus and a camera system for multiplexing serial data into horizontal blanking portions of video data for transmission between a CHU (1) and a CCU (2). On the transmitting side, resampled data is obtained by sampling the serial data using a clock signal of a frequency higher than that of the transmission rate of the serial data. A predetermined number of resampled data items are selected as multiplexing data from the resampled data obtained in each of the horizontal periods of the video data. The multiplexing data is multiplexed into the horizontal blanking portions of the video data for transmission. On the transmitting side, the multiplexing data is separated from the received video data. The separated multiplexing data is decoded so as to extract successively definite data constituting the initial serial data.

Abstract: A communication data format conveys digital ancillary data in a vertical blanking interval of a video signal. The format employs a reference symbol including a plurality of digital pulses for indicating the start of the ancillary data and also includes a header byte following the reference symbol. The header byte contains an identifier identifying a destination service for a payload of the ancillary data or an address identifying a destination of the payload. The format also conveys multiple payload bytes, following the reference symbol in which individual bits have a period substantially comprising, a first integral multiple of a first clock period associated with a first data format, and a different second integral multiple of a second clock period associated with a second data format.

Abstract: Dynamic adjustment techniques for aligning video images in cathode ray tube (CRT) devices are disclosed. A host computer stores correction factor data and video image data in video graphics controller RAM. The host computer processes and transmits the correction factor data, representative of the cathode ray tube distortion characteristics, to the CRT device during the retrace time of the electron beam and video image data during the trace time. The correction factor data may be generated by a vision system, a gain matrix table, interpolation engine or manual methods. Circuitry, within the CRT device, for separating the correction factor data from the video signal is disclosed along with the methods and apparatus used to decode correction data. Data can also be transferred from the monitor back to the host computer over the video connector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for communicating HBI user information in digital television data streams via a generic syntax. The syntax allows the digital transport of virtually any type of user data that may be carried in the HBI or overscan portion of an analog television signal. A pixel generator is used to insert HBI data into a digital video signal using information provided in the user portion of the digital data stream. The syntax provides the pixel generator with the start time of the first symbol, the number of pixels per symbol, the high and low levels to insert, the fraction of the symbol time that is transition time, the number of symbols to insert and the first frame line number on which to insert the data.

Abstract: A system and method employs a single port digital video and/or audio capture circuit that is responsive to digitized uncompressed digital video and/or audio data and vertical blanking interval (VBI) data. In one embodiment, the single port capture circuit employs a parsing circuit that parses received VBI data along with any other received data such as video data and/or audio data and serves as a memory control signal generator that generates a VBI memory control signal and at least one of a video memory control signal and/or audio memory control signal to facilitate storage of the parsed VBI data, video data and audio data (if present) into predefined distinct locations within a memory, such as a frame buffer. A write FIFO memory receives the video data, VBI data, video memory address data and VBI memory address data (and audio information if present) as a storage hold prior to being stored in the frame buffer.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a leakage tagging signal includes inserting a tagging signal into a CATV television signal only during portions of the television signal in which control information is present. A method according to the present invention is a method of transmitting a tagging signal in a communication system, the communication system transmitting television signals comprising control information and program information. One step of the method includes generating a tagging signal that is detectable by corresponding leakage detecting equipment. The method also includes the step of identifying a portion of a television signal in which control information is present. Finally, the method of the present invention encompasses inserting the tagging signal into the television signal only during the portion of the television signal in which control information is present.

Abstract: A display apparatus in which a marker signal created by combining primary color signals of predetermined levels in an arbitrary pattern and designating a specified area of a screen is detected, the screen is divided into a plurality of areas and a display formed of an image different in picture quality is present at each one of the plurality of areas, a control signal for suppressing the luminance of the marker signal is generated, to thereby make the marker signal inconspicuous.

Abstract: For a method of encoding digital data of arbitrary data rates of at least one data signal for jointly transmitting the encoded data with a digital picture signal, as well as a data encoder for such data, a flexible adaptation to different data formats is provided in which, in the encoding of data, at least parts of the edges of data bits of the data signal are replaced by synthetically generated amplitude values constitutes edges which are within the bandwidth limitations predetermined for the encoded data bits.

Abstract: A video signal processing system including a scaler and a VBI decoder is provided. The video signal processing system includes a control signal generator for generating a mode select signal for selecting one of a normal mode for reading or writing the active video data from or to the memory, and a VBI mode for reading or writing the VBI data from or to the memory. A control signal is also generated for enabling data to be read or written from or to the memory in each of the modes. A multiplexer multiplexes active video data and VBI data in accordance with the mode select signal.

Abstract: A closed-caption broadcasting and receiving method and apparatus. According to the closed-caption broadcasting method and apparatus, additional information is inputted and the input of word information is checked. If the word information is inputted, it is selected, while if not, the additional information is selected. Thereafter, character information and control information of the selected information are inputted. A control code of 2 words is obtained by combining the control information with a mode control bit and a parity bit, and the character code of 2 words including a syllable character completion type code is obtained by combining the character information with a mode control bit and a parity bit. A digital-modulated caption signal is produced by inputting the control code and the character code, and is coded in a scanning line which does not affect a television video signal to be transmitted.

Abstract: To present a broadcasting system of data broadcast capable of changing the screen display in a receiver, by displaying selectively the broadcast contents of plural channels on a receiving screen of digital satellite broadcasting of one channel, and selecting desired broadcast contents from plural on-air channels by viewer's local command operation. It is realized by broadcasting a reception screen 1 and a program Pr for controlling the sound suited to this screen 1 to a receiver Tv by using data broadcasting band in television broadcasting, and also broadcasting images of one channel of program and broadcast contents of plural programs used in data broadcast in the sound broadcasting band usually in combination to the receiver Tv, and, at the receiver Tv, selecting one desired program from the combined image and sound mixed signals of plural programs by the program Pr already received, and displaying on the screen 1 of the receiver Tv and delivering the sound of this screen.

Abstract: An improved integrated circuit including decryption functions employs a method for determining if its environment has been modified, by providing a first VCXO as part of the integrated circuit, providing a second VCXO, adjusting one of the VCXOs in a first preselected manner, determining a first frequency count of the adjusted VCXO during a first preselected time interval using the other VCXO, adjusting the one of the VCXOs in a second preselected manner, determining a second frequency count of the adjusted VCXO during the first preselected time interval using the other VCXO, averaging the first and second frequency count to provide an average frequency count, adjusting the average frequency count in a predetermined manner, and comparing the adjusted average frequency count to a previously stored, determined, or provided average frequency count to determine if the environment of the integrated circuit has been modified.

Abstract: A color encoder is incorporated in an apparatus for reproducing a signal recorded on a disk for a video-CD, CD-G, or similar system. The color encoder serves as an interface between such an apparatus and a television receiver. The color encoder converts R, G, and B signals reproduced from a disk into a color television signal. The color encoder is provided with a circuit for generating a blanking interval control signal that is used to switch between blanking intervals of different duration in accordance with a select signal, so that the duration of the time interval during which video signals are suppressed can be selectively varied. The color encoder has, in the input paths for the R, G, and B signals, switches for enabling and disabling the passage of those signals, and these switches are controlled by the blanking control signal.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of the vertical blanking interval (“VBI”) to broadband communications including digital data transmission on the VBI or for a dual VBI/PCS System Capable of enhancing rapid deployment of wireless VBI communications or PCS services to a remote transceiver where no or marginally profitable infrastructure exists. Specifically, the present invention provides a wireless digital communication system having a broadcast interface for encoding message information on the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a video signal, the message information is encoded to a VBI format so as to form a pre-formatted signal. A broadcast device for transmitting an out-going signal having the pre-formatted signal modulated or otherwise embedded in the VBI of the video signal. The pre-formatted signal is received from the broadcast interface and is transmitted on a carrier of the out-going signal.

Abstract: A receiver which receives two-channel multiplex broadcasting by using television sub audio. Two-channel data and/or facsimile data which are multiplexed on the broadcasting sub audio band of the television broadcasting wave including a video band, a main audio band and a sub audio band are displayed, printed and output. The receiver may have a device for displaying and printing data multiplexed on the sub audio band of the FM broadcasting wave, and further may have a device for displaying a television picture. The receiver may perform only one, some or all of the functions of displaying, printing and outputting multiplexed data.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing apparatus which comprises an inputting part for inputting an image signal, an attenuating part for attenuating a predetermined frequency portion of the image signal inputted by the inputting part, and a controlling part for controlling an attenuation characteristic of the attenuating part for attenuating the predetermined frequency portion, in accordance with a compression ratio of the image signal inputted by the inputting part. There is also provided an image processing apparatus which comprises an inputting part for inputting an image signal, an enhancing part for enhancing a high frequency band of the image signal inputted by the inputting part, and a controlling part for controlling a high-frequency-band enhancement characteristic of the enhancing part in accordance with a compression ratio of the image signal inputted by the inputting part.

Abstract: Therefore, the object of the invention is to utilize the unused channel capacity of the television channel even more optimally for additional signals. Both on the transmitting, as well as the receiving side, the clock pulses for video and audio data to be additionally transmitted are generated from the FBAS useful signal by counting, weighting and decision-making, both signals being separately digitized, buffered, and compressed before being superimposed upon on the useful video signal. Subsequent to the same clock pulse generation, the steps follow in the reverse order on the receiver side. The implementation can be carried out on the transmitter side using additional equipment, on the receiver side by computer software or additional devices installed in the conventional TV set. The application can be carried out for any additional video and sound signals. A preferred special application is a community picture broadcast similar to a slide presentation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for encoding secondary signals, such as audio signals, within a television signal in a manner such that the signal may be either recorded on a video cassette or broadcast. The audio samples are encoded only on selected lines of each video frame which do not interfere with dedicated broadcast and cable lines and are not affected by head switching of a video cassette recorder. The audio samples are encoded only within an overscan portion of the selected lines such that the encoded samples do not interfere with other portions of the video signal. However, by encoding the samples within the overscan portion, the samples do not affect the displayed image. The secondary audio signal is sampled during equally spaced intervals throughout the video frame, then compressed and encoded only within selected horizontal lines.

Abstract: A cable modem provides upstream data signals in a cable system on a return channel. The upstream data signals are provided in a 50-550 MHz frequency range and yet do not affect the picture quality associated with conventional cable television signals. The data is provided on vestigial sidebands associated with the cable television signals or during black periods associated with the cable television signals. The data can be modulated in accordance with quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) techniques.

Abstract: A transport stream decoder/demultiplexer is provided which includes a program clock recovery circuit for recovering a program clock from program clock reference (PCR) values contained in selected transport packets. A processor is provided for extracting elementary stream data from transport packets labeled with packet identification codes (PIDs) that are specified by a host processor. The processor separately stores the elementary stream data of each stream. A host processor interface is also provided for transferring data between an external host processor and the program clock recovery circuit. A memory manager may be provided for storing the data extracted by the processor for each elementary stream in a corresponding queue. The queues may be maintained by the memory manager in an external RAM. A descrambler interface may be provided for transferring scrambled data and data derived from conditional access information between the processor and an external descrambler.

Abstract: A data transmission apparatus and a camera system for multiplexing serial data into horizontal blanking portions of video data for transmission between a CHU (1) and a CCU (2). On the transmitting side, resampled data is obtained by sampling the serial data using a clock signal of a frequency higher than that of the transmission rate of the serial data. A predetermined number of resampled data items are selected as multiplexing data from the resampled data obtained in each of the horizontal periods of the video data. The multiplexing data is multiplexed into the horizontal blanking portions of the video data for transmission. On the transmitting side, the multiplexing data is separated from the received video data. The separated multiplexing data is decoded so as to extract successively definite data constituting the initial serial data.

Abstract: A time code generator is provided and contains a detector, a serial-to-parallel (S/P) converter, a selector, a latch, a line window signal generator, a clock generator, and an interface. The detector detects serial time code information by comparing a composite video information having a digital conversion level with a selected reference level. The S/P converter converts the serial time code information into parallel time code information. The selector selectively outputs the composite video information or the parallel time code information as selected information. The latch latches the selected information as latched information in accordance with a predetermined transmission rate and outputs the latched information as an output signal. Also, the latch latches the selected information in response a time code clock signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for encoding secondary signals, such as audio signals, within a television signal in a manner such that the signal may be either recorded on a video cassette or broadcast. The audio samples are encoded only on selected lines of each video frame which do not interfere with dedicated broadcast and cable lines and are not affected by head switching of a video cassette recorder. The audio samples are encoded only within an overscan portion of the selected lines such that the encoded samples do not interfere with other portions of the video signal. However, by encoding the samples within the overscan portion, the samples do not affect the displayed image. The secondary audio signal is sampled during equally spaced intervals throughout the video frame, then compressed and encoded only within selected horizontal lines. During decoding, the audio samples are decompressed and played back at the original sampling rate to provide audio playback.

Abstract: A system provides for simultaneous collection, storage and analysis of an analog signal and video signal. Multiplexes of up to 240 low bandwidth analog channels with a camera video signal is effective. The output is a standard composite video signal containing analog and video data. The combined signals can be stored on videotape, or can be digitized by a framegrabber. The circuitry separates horizontal synchronizing pulses from a camera output. The signal is then multiplexed with the video signal, such that a portion of each video horizontal line represents the analog data. The combined output is stored together, providing a means for synchronizing the two signals during analysis. The design allows easy coordination of animate and inanimate events with video images from a standard video camera. The system also provides for interleaving digitized physiological signals and video images of subjects onto digital media in a standard file format.

Abstract: A video coding apparatus receives a video signal containing moving-picture information, together with other information present in certain horizontal scanning lines in the vertical blanking intervals. The video coding apparatus compresses the moving-picture information into a compressed digital video data stream, assembles the other information into packets, and multiplexes the packets with the compressed digital video data stream to generate an output signal. A video decoding apparatus demultiplexes this signal to separate the packets from the compressed digital video data stream, decompresses the compressed digital video data, and outputs a video signal having information obtained from the packets in certain horizontal scanning lines in the vertical blanking intervals, and decompressed moving-picture information in other horizontal scanning lines.

Abstract: The BASEBAND VIDEO/AUDIO/DATA TRANSCEIVER invention simultaneously transmits and receives baseband video signals, audio signals, and associated digital data and control signals within a single continuous signal over a single physical transmission line. The device is a single cohesive module, best embodied as an integrated circuit. The audio signals are sampled, and subsequently reconstructed. Audio samples and digital signals are multiplexed, then fed to a multirate elastic buffer. The multiplexed signals are extracted from the elastic buffer coincidentally with the video signal horizontal synchronization pulses and applied to these same pulses, then placed on a channel having a similar transceiver at the other end. The transceiver invention separates the received signals from the transmission line by canceling out its own transmitted signal. The received audio and digital data bursts are culled and reshaped.

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 World Wide Web terminal appliance utilizes a disk drive for local storage of Web pages previously downloaded and rendered for display during the course of a Web surfing session. The disk drive rotates at a rate substantially in synchronization with a display refresh time interval of a display device, preferably a raster refresh cycle time of a video monitor. Therefore, the image being displayed need not occupy random-access memory, but rather is sent directly from the disk to a display interface for coupling to the display device. Little or no RAM buffering is required, so the appliance need not include a large quantity of video RAM storage. A relatively inexpensive disk is used instead, thereby bringing about advantageous cost savings.

Abstract: The apparatus and method is shown for transmitting one or more audio frequency signals on a television video signal including an encoder comprised of a pulse modulator responsive to the audio frequency signals and a combiner to combine modulated pulses from the modulator with the video signal. Also shown is a decoder for use with video signals output from above encoding apparatus and method for decoding the modulated pulses to recover the audio frequency signals.

Abstract: A system for processing auxiliary video signals provides for decoding an extended data services signal in line 21 of field 2. Extended data services provide a general purpose video system information and control capability in addition to basic closed caption operation. Extended data services information is arranged in packets of data. Each packet provides information regarding current of future video programs, the source of the video program, and miscellaneous information such as time of day. The extended data services data may be decoded to control the operation of a video system including a videocassette recorder (VCR) and a television receiver.

Abstract: A video signal is modified to include a supplemental burst signal on at least some of the scan lines for each frame. The supplemental burst signals are used to prevent a pirate decoder from descrambling horizontally sync suppressed scrambled signals by deriving a synchronization timing reference from the color burst signal. The supplemental burst signals can also or alternatively be used to carry data in an otherwise conventional analog video signal.

Abstract: A device for identifying and memorizing television stations which respectively transmit television signals is provided. The device includes a receiver for selectively receiving the television signals and a control circuit for evaluating the television signals to automatically identify the television stations which transmit the signals. Furthermore, the control circuit enables the television stations to be memorized in an established order which is independent from a transmission frequency of the television stations. Also, the device contains a memory for memorizing a plurality of different rules for identifying the television stations. In order to identify the stations, the control circuit executes a first identification attempt to identify the television stations, and the first identification attempt is executed according to one the plurality of different rules.

Abstract: A signal processing device has a memory in which a digital image signal is stored, and a data bus including a plurality of signal liens is connected to the memory. A pull-up resistance is connected to a predetermined signal line, and the other signal lines are connected to the ground through pull-down resistances. A blanking signal BLK3 at a low level is inputted into an output enable terminal of the memory, so that the output terminal of the memory becomes high-impedance, and thus a digital signal corresponding to a pedestal level is outputted through the data bus and a blanking period is formed. The pedestal level is determined by the position of the pull-up resistance.

Abstract: A data controller which manages the flow of text and electronic program guide (EPG) information to a cable television viewer. The data controller of the invention receives text and EPG information from one or a plurality of authorized data sources via a communications link, processes the received data in its internal database manager to perform data compression and the like, and then provides this text information to the viewer under control of the head end controller. In a preferred embodiment, the text data is formatted on a screen basis into transactions of a predetermined length and the EPG data is formatted on a program basis into transactions of the same length. The transaction are then inserted into the vertical blanking interval of a channel to which the corresponding text or electronic program data has been assigned.

Abstract: A digital signal decoder system for receiving compressed encoded digitized video signals and transmitting decompressed decoded digital video signals includes a FIFO Data Buffer, a RAM having (1) a compressed, encoded Data Buffer and (2) a data portion for storing decompressed digital video buffer data. A Memory Management Unit is provided for managing the RAM.

Abstract: An auxiliary video data slicer for extracting auxiliary video information from a video signal includes a peak detector. The peak detector determines a peak amplitude of horizontal sync pulses that are included in the video signal and a peak amplitude of a run-in-clock (RIC) waveform that is included in an auxiliary information component of the video signal. A variable threshold level for the peak detector is varied in a first range to detect the peak amplitude of the sync pulses. A threshold voltage for detecting the leading edge of sync pulses is derived from the peak amplitude of the sync pulses. The location of the RIC waveform within a video line interval is determined in response to detection of a sync pulse edge. The variable threshold level of the peak detector is varied in a second range to detect the peak amplitude of the RIC signal. A data slicing threshold level for extracting auxiliary video information is derived from the peak value of the RIC signal.

Abstract: An NTSC television signal transmitter also transmits through the same transmission channel a suppressed data carrier having a frequency differing from that of video carrier, having a symbol rate that is a multiple of horizontal scanning rate of video signal, having data frames occurring at a data frame rate that is the same as the video frame rate, and transmitting the symbols transmitted in each of alternate data frames in opposite phase during the next data frame. The data carrier has no image on the other side of the video carrier and preferably its modulation spectrum overlaps the video carrier. A digital-signal receiver can recover data from such a data carrier buried in an NTSC television signal, using frame-comb filtering to separate data from interfering video signal.