Abstract: A television set having the option of displaying main and one or more auxiliary pictures, ratings control capability which includes means for an authorized person to limit the display of programs having ratings beyond a selected level, closed captioning capability which includes means for a viewer to choose to display closed captioning along with a picture, and a single stripper for slicing data from the vertical blanking information (VBI) portion of one or more broadcasts wherein the single stripper processes ratings control information for both main picture and auxiliary picture when the ratings control option has been invoked by cycling between main and auxiliary; and the auxiliary picture capability is disabled when the closed captioning option has been invoked.

Abstract: Prior art methods of decoding a vertical blanking interval (VBI) scan line decoded each scan line within a given VBI using the same operational parameters, such as filter coefficients and run-in clock recovery parameters. The problem with these prior art methods is that each scan line was treated the same, even though certain scan lines within a given VBI typically exhibit different signal and content characteristics. The present invention provides for line-specific decoding of VBI scan lines. As such, each scan line within a given VBI is decoded using a set of operational parameters unique to that scan line number. These operational parameters are adjusted and maintained on a scan line by scan line basis.

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: An apparatus and method is provided for generating VBI data coding waveforms. The present invention utilizes a single look-up table that stores sampled values of sine waves in direct waveform synthesis for both color burst processing and VBI data coding processing. Furthermore, the present invention utilizes a 2T pulse as a signalling waveform in direct synthesis to overcome the problem of overlap for conventional unit pulse durations.

Abstract: The PN code generation controlling means 15 produces a PN code generation clock signal PNCLK to generate the PN code of one chip to one vertical section and supplies this clock signal to an SS duplication preventing control signal generating means 16. The SS duplication preventing control signal generating means 16 generates the PN code of one chip to one vertical section depending on the PN code generation clock signal PNCLK and executes the spectrum spread to the duplication preventing control signal S3 using this PN code to form the SS duplication preventing control signal S5. The SS duplication preventing control signal S5 is superimposed to the image signal and is then output. Thereby, elimination and deterioration of the additional information which has been spectrum spread and is then superimposed into the image signal can be prevented to surely provide the additional information superimposed to the image signal.

Abstract: A frame conversion device for switching between a plurality of image signals that are not synchronous and outputting each image signal continuously and synchronously. In addition, a desired signal is extracted from the continuous image signals and then output in parallel with the continuous image signals. The frame conversion device utilizes a frame conversion unit for recording an image signal optionally selected from a plurality of input image signals. A frame unit is utilized for reproducing a recorded signal outputted from the frame conversion unit independent of the operation of the frame conversion unit. The frame conversion unit includes an identification signal assigning part which assigns an identification signal to a non-image region of an image signal selected from a plurality of input signals. Frame-converting storage parts store the selected image signal. A signal output part selectively reads the image signal stored in each frame-converting storage device.

Abstract: In a system for transferring an analog video signal which contains command information and the like in vertical blanking interval VBI between master and slave devices via an analog line, information (bits 1 to 20) having a word configuration (words 0 to 2+CRCC) consisting of a predetermined number of bits (variable within the range from 5 bits to 80 bits) is superposed in a predetermined period (49.1 &mgr;s) of a predetermined VBI line (line number 10) at a predetermined clock (fsc/32 to fsc/2). In this manner, device which are interconnected via an analog video signal line can transfer information having various contents/lengths that can be changed in correspondence with a partner connected using vertical blanking interval VBI.

Abstract: The analog-to-digital converter device (24) provided for processing teletext signals is used for two purposes. In time slots in which no sync signal or teletext signal is separated from the video input signal (CVBS), the analog-to-digital converter device (24) is used for other tasks, e.g. for interrogating keypad inputs of an operator control unit (30).

Abstract: The PN code generation controlling means 15 produces a PN code generation clock signal PNCLK to generate the PN code of one chip to one vertical section and supplies this clock signal to an SS duplication preventing control signal generating means 16. The SS duplication preventing control signal generating means 16 generates the PN code of one chip to one vertical section depending on the PN code generation clock signal PNCLK and executes the spectrum spread to the duplication preventing control signal S3 using this PN code to form the SS duplication preventing control signal S5. The SS duplication preventing control signal S5 is superimposed on the image signal and is then output. Thereby, elimination and deterioration of the additional information which has been spectrum spread and is then superimposed on the image signal can be prevented to surely provide the additional information superimposed on the image signal.

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 caption data processing circuit in a decoder is provided for decoding a transport stream (TS). The caption data processing circuit extracts presentation information and caption data from an input transport stream and generates a control signal when the caption data of a one-picture unit has been extracted. A caption decoding portion of the circuit decodes the extracted caption data in response to the control signal. A buffer in the circuit stores the decoded caption data so that the presentation timing of the decoded caption data may be controlled based on the presentation information. As a result, the presentation timing of the picture data and caption data are exactly synchronized, thereby displaying the picture along with its correct caption.

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: Multiple channel maps are embedded in a television transmission and the appropriate channel map (68) corresponding to the particular television service used by the viewer is downloaded for use with the television receiver. Each channel map (68) is accompanied by a channel map identifier (66) which identifies the source of the television transmission and geographic identifier. The source of a television transmission is automatically detected by monitoring the radio-frequency spectrum allocations of telecast stations. The geographic area identifier is determined by comparison with a user inputted geographic area identifier. The channel map (68) having a channel map identifier (66) corresponding to the detected television transmission source and the user inputted geographic area identifier is downloaded and stored for future use.

Abstract: A system for finding URLs for sites having information related to topics in a video presentation has an extractor extracting closed-caption (CC) text from the video presentation, a parser parsing the CC text for topic language, and a search function using the topic language from the parser as a search criteria. The search function searches for WEB sites having information matching the topic language, returns URLs for WEB sites found, and associates the URLs with the topic language. In some cases there is a hyperlink generator for creating hyperlinks to the WEB sites returned, and the system displays the hyperlinks with a display of the video presentation. In a preferred embodiment the video presentation is provided in a first window in the display, thumbnails are displayed in a second window, each thumbnail representing a new topic, and the hyperlinks are displayed in a third window.

Abstract: A television receiver for receiving data signals, particularly teletext, associated with a television signal, has a page memory (13) for storing a plurality of pages for display on a display screen. In order to use the memory with maximum effectiveness, a queue is formed in order of priority of requests for allocation of memory locations for storing pages. Various features, such as FASTEXT, TOP, EPG, WST level 2.5, each require a certain minimum number of pages to allow the feature to be achieved. Each feature has a dedicated page request generator (PG-1 to PG-n) which each provide an ordered list of page requests. These page requests are fed to priority setter (P) which allocates for each of the page request generators, a given priority based on a priority scheme (PS) and a list of connected page request generators (PGL). The page request generators (PG-1 to PG-n) react to system events source (S1), broadcast event sources (S2), and/or user event sources (S3).

Abstract: A decoding system comprises a software-oriented implementation of the decoding process for extracting binary teletext and closed caption data from a signal. The decoder system according to one embodiment includes a processing unit which implements both a closed caption module and a teletext module. The decoder system calls the closed caption module to detect a clock synchronization signal associated with closed caption data. Upon finding the clock synchronization signal, the closed caption module synchronizes to the signal, identifies a framing code, and extracts the closed caption data. Similarly, the decoder system may call the teletext module for the teletext lines, which also synchronizes using a teletext clock synchronization signal. When the clock synchronization signal is detected, the teletext module interpolates the incoming data to reconstruct the data signal.

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: An interactive sporting event monitoring system includes a determiner for determining whether video blanking interval data is present in a selected television channel, and a decoder for decoding video blanking interval data from the selected television channel. The video blanking interval data from the selected television channel comprises a number of channels of sporting-event audio information, and the decoder associates each of the plurality of channels of sporting-event audio information with a corresponding channel identifier. Each channel identifier distinguishes a corresponding channel of sporting-event audio information from other channels of sporting-event audio information. The interactive sporting event monitoring system further includes a user input for accepting a user-specified channel identifier from a user, and a monitor for placing the channel of sporting-event audio information that the user desires to monitor in a format to facilitate monitoring thereof by a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a broadcast signal receiving device and method thereof in which genre data of a broadcast signal is detected to thereby automatically be converted to an appropriate video and audio signal. According to the present invention a broadcast signal including genre data is processed for being converted into an appropriate signal according to a control signal previously stored in a memory thereby to provide a best condition for the video and audio. Furthermore, the televiewer can change data for the video and audio established to fit the genre data at the time of manufacturing the set, and can adjust the current program being broadcasted to a certain data.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to realize a frame converter which successively can output an image signal in synchronous situation with a switching of asynchronous image signals by using a frame memory of which a number is smaller than of the inputted image signal. A frame converter according to the invention characterized by comprising, signal inputting means 11 and 12 for receiving image signals, identification signal assigning means 14 and 24 for assigning an identification signal to non-image area of the image signal from the signal inputting means for identifying the image signal, storing means 16 and 25 for storing the image signal form the signal inputting means for each frame, and signal outputting means 31 for outputting the image signal which is stored in the storing means by reading alternatively.

Abstract: A digital waveform generator complies with different vertical blanking interval (VBI) standards, and is inserted into VBI portions of a digital component video signal. A buffer receives symbols carrying VBI data for a particular VBI service according to a user data syntax, which identifies a television line into which the VBI data is to be inserted. A symbol processor is responsive to information provided by the syntax. This information indicates the number of pixels represented per symbol, a symbol transition time, and the number of symbols carrying data to be inserted into the VBI portion. The symbol processor provides the VBI data in a format according to the particular VBI service. A timing circuit is responsive to a start time provided by the syntax for inserting the VBI data. A level control circuit adjusts the level of the VBI data prior to insertion into the VBI portion in response amplitude values provided by the syntax.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the television presentation of an object at a sporting event includes one or more sensors which are used to determine the location of the object. Based on the location of the object and the field of view of a broadcast camera, a processor determines the position of the object in a video frame of the broadcast camera. Once knowing where the object is positioned within the video frame, the television signal can be edited or augmented to enhance the presentation of the object.

Abstract: The network system has a configuration so that information supplier address data transmitted together with character broadcast data is extracted and stored in the Internet address memory. Furthermore, the Web site addresses once accessed by the user or selected on a character broadcast display can be registered in an address list as being stored in the address list area, and a desired Web site can be accessed by the Internet browser 9 according to an address selected from the address list.

Abstract: A censoring assembly is adapted for use with a television tuner outputting a signal having a closed caption component signal. A closed caption decoding device produces a video signal having no closed caption component and converts the closed caption component into an uncensored text data signal. A censor device deletes words contained within the uncensored text data signal found in a list of offensive words, creating a censored text data signal, and may also turn off the audio signal for a timed period. The list of offensive words is generally pre-loaded with such words and phrases, but the censor device typically contains support for allowing the user to add objectionable words and for the down-loading of objectionable words from a remote location. A closed caption generator inputs the video signal having no closed caption component and the censored text data signal and generates a video signal having a censored closed caption component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating and de-manipulating Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) data having any one of a plurality of formats, comprising an encoder, a transmission medium and a decoder. The encoder receives the VBI data having an original data format and manipulates the format of the VBI data into a general VBI format. This signal is transferred to the decoder where the decoder de-manipulate the general VBI format of the VBI data into the original VBI format.

Abstract: Additional information is superimposed consistently while the disturbance of a picture due to excessive superimposition is suppressed. The device superimposes a spectrally spread additional information on a video signal. Inverse spread processing is performed on the video signal, and an SS additional information detection circuit detects whether additional information is superimposed already on the video signal. Based on the detection result performed by the additional information detection circuit, superimposition of the spectrally spread signal supplied from the spectrally spread signal generator on the video signal is controlled. A superimposition control method such as superimposition ON/OFF control, superimposition level control, or spread code string control is performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing host-based anti-ghosting of teletext data in a television signal using non-oversampled data. Teletext data is first encoded within a television signal using multi-level error correction encoding, including the use of an inner correction code and an outer correction code. The television signal is then transmitted using multiple signal level modulation encoding, while adhering to the standard teletext timing. A remote computer system receives the television signal containing the encoded teletext data. A tuner/capture subsystem of the computer system oversamples the teletext data and uses the oversampled data to reconstruct the bit peaks of the teletext data. The teletext data are then provided to a main memory of the computer system via a host interface as non-oversampled data. The host processor performs anti-ghosting, data slicing, and multi-level decoding of the teletext data based on the non-oversampled data.

Abstract: An improved data inserter for inserting data into selected lines, including the vertical blanking interval, of a television or video signal. The data inserter includes a parallel interface for receiving data and a digital signal processor (DSP) for controlling the insertion of that data. A dual port memory structure is used to temporarily store data to be inserted. The dual port memory is associated with and connected to an autobuffer unit. Each video signal received by the inserter is provided to a switch which is also coupled to the autobuffer unit so that the switch may receive data stored in the dual port memory devices. When a selected line in a given video signal is detected by the DSP, it triggers the respective autobuffer unit which, in turn, transfers the data out of the dual port memory to the respective switch for insertion into the selected line of the video signal.

Abstract: A method for encoding a network data packet, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet, into a format for transmission as part of the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) of a broadcast video signal is described. The method includes receiving a network data packet from a data network. The network data packet has a data block and header information. The network data packet is then encoded into a variable-length data group packet having a variable-length data block and header information. The network data packet is inserted in its entirety into the data block of the data group packet. In one implementation, the header information for the data group packet includes a 2-byte type header indicating a type of network data contained in the data block of the data group packet and a 6-byte reserved space header that is reserved for future definition by the developer. One potential use of the reserved space header is for a MAC address.

Abstract: Methods and devices for incorporating additional information, such as HDTV side strips, into the blanking intervals of a previous frame. These may be used in conjunction with Inventor's time-varying STS techniques or otherwise. The information thus incorporated may be used, in addition to HDTV side strips, for the incorporation of data that may represent: additional definition; information that may be used to convert a monoscopic image into a left and right pair, or the second of a pair; various area maps which may be used to apply a multiplicity of algorithms to separate areas of an image; motion analysis information; interactive or gaming information; multimedia or hypermedia information; or, otherwise. Off-line computation and recording may be used to advantage at the encoding end of the process, as well as pipelined architecture at the reception end.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting variable sampling rates when decoding vertical blanking interval data receives an indication of a sampling rate being used to sample a signal received during the vertical blanking interval. The sampled signal is also received and the data embedded in the vertical blanking interval is recovered based on the sampling rate.

Abstract: A home-based television system has a set top box that receives from a cable operator television programs for broadcast on many channels. The set top box also receives additional information for display and an application. In response to user input, the application filters data in a first data stream, uses the filtered data to identify data in a second data stream, and causes the thus-identified data to be displayed.

Abstract: A hardware system is programmed with a common vertical blanking interval (VBI) scan line decoder to support capture hardware of multiple vendors. The common decoder includes a first and a second function for a capture driver associated with a capture hardware to describe to the common decoder, the sample rate and the line pitch employed by the capture hardware respectively. The common decoder further includes additional functions for the capture driver to confirm the common decoder's presence, register a call back function, specify a channel, and request decoding for a field.

Abstract: A digital broadcast station is configured to turn around and add interactive programming to a television signal originally conveyed by a remote network. The remote network inserts trigger commands within the vertical blanking intervals (VBIs) of the television signal to control the loading and playing of the interactive program at the broadcast station. The protocol associated with the trigger commands allows commands to be repeated to thereby ensure that the interactive program is controlled correctly, even in the event that an original command was not received or was corrupted in the transmission. If a repeated trigger command is received by the broadcast station and the original command was not properly received, the interactive program source enters an error recovery state to determine the appropriate action for the interactive program source. For certain commands, such as continue, pause and stop, the interactive program source responds to the repeated command without further error compensation.

Abstract: A method and system for broadcasting digital audio signals is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of processing at least a first audio signal from a first audio source, inserting at least the first audio signal onto the vertical blanking intervals of at least a first television broadcast signal, and transmitting at least the first television broadcast signal having at least the first audio signal inserted therein to customers.

Abstract: In a video signal transmitting apparatus which edits video data by a plurality of editing units, after the video data made in a shooting unit is stored in a video data storing unit, attendant information is added to the video data. The attendant information is subsequently extracted and used as a keyword in a database in the video data storing unit, thereby facilitating editing of the video data. Therefore, construction of a database and editing of video data can be performed easily and correctly.

Abstract: A method and device for inserting data onto one or more lines of one or more vertical blanking intervals of a television video signal, and in particular a television signal conforming to the NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) format.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus of the invention has an image pickup unit for picking up an image of an object and generating a video signal corresponding to the picked-up object image, a signal processing unit for executing various kinds of signal processes to the video signal which is generated from the image pickup unit, and a cable for electrically connecting the image pickup unit and the signal processing unit. In order to transmit and receive a data signal between the image pickup unit and the signal processing unit through the cable, for a predetermined period of time of the video signal which is transmitted from the image pickup unit to the signal processing unit through the cable, a plurality of kinds of video signals of different DC potentials are switched and outputted in accordance with the data signal, thereby multiplexing the data signal to the video signal.

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: Conventional teletext decoders only respond to teletext data lines in the vertical blanking interval of a television signal. The decoders erroneously respond to conventional full-channel teletext transmissions in which all lines of the television signal are used for teletext. The method in accordance with the invention transmits teletext pages in the vertical blanking interval of the television signal in a conventional manner. Additionally, pages are also transmitted in the active video interval. A supplemental page header in each active video interval is provided to prevent teletext rows in the vertical blanking interval from being interpreted as rows of a page which is transmitted in the active video interval.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for communicating VBI 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 VBI portion of an analog television signal. A pixel generator is used to insert VBI lines 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 frame line number on which to insert the data.

Abstract: A hardware system is programmed with a vertical blanking interval (VBI) scan line run-in clock recovery function, preferably noise tolerant that optimizes the starting point for recovering the leading run-in clock of a VBI scan line by maintaining at least one average starting position for VBI scan lines, and using the at least one average starting position to establish the starting point. The at least one average starting position is updated continuously with the actual locations where first rising edges in the run-in clocks of various scan lines are found.

Abstract: In a video signal transmitting apparatus which edits video data by a plurality of editing units, after the video data made in a shooting unit is stored in a video data storing unit, attendant information is added in making the video data, and the attendant information is extracted to be used as a keyword in a database in the video data storing unit, thereby editing the video data. Therefore, construction of a database and editing of video data can be performed easily and correctly.

Abstract: An image processing camera which picks up an image of an object by a pick-up device and outputs a converted electric signal, generates the operational information of the image processing camera synchronized during a vertical fly-back time of the video signal and outputs the operational information generated from the generating device superposed during a vertical fly-back time of the video signal. In order to provide a method for outputting a video signal, an image processing camera and an image processing system using the afore-mentioned method can perform image processing of a video signal using the operational information of an image processing camera on a video signal output from an image processing camera, therefore reducing the cable necessary between an image processing camera and an image processing apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting variable oversampling ratios when decoding vertical blanking interval data receives an indication of an oversampling ratio being used to sample a signal received during the vertical blanking interval. The sampled signal is also received. Then, based on the indication of the oversampling ratio being used, the data embedded in the vertical blanking interval is identified.

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 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: An enhanced video data compressor has a composite video signal decoder that changes the state of a field identification signal in response to a vertical interval indicator in composite video data which is in a digital video format. Thereafter a vertical timing pulse is generated to prepare a compression encoder to acquire data. By counting lines from the vertical timing pulse the decoder sets a horizontal timing signal at a one macroblock line interval prior to active video data so that the compression encoder acquires video data from the vertical interval as well as active video data. At the end of each field the acquired data is processed by the compression encoder to produce compressed video data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for communicating VBI user information for digital television. A syntax is provided which allows the transport of closed captions, non-realtime video, sampled video and AMOL. Non-realtime video can be used to transport various types of data, such as a vertical interval test signal (VITS) through the system at full resolution. The provision in the syntax of a count for each type of VBI user information enables the adjustment of a digital television data stream to accommodate variable amounts and types of such information without space being reserved in advance. The provision of a priority number in the syntax enables decoders to discard VBI user information priorities which are not supported by the particular decoder.