Abstract: An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is reproduced simultaneously with the display of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, the sound bite is embedded in a television signal that contains audio component and a video component. The television signal is transmitted to a plurality of television receivers and intercepted at one of the receivers. The video component is displayed on a monitor and the audio component is reproduced. On command the sound bite is reproduced instead of the audio component. An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is also reproduced simultaneously with the display of a program listing of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, when the program listing is marked with an on-screen cursor, the sound bite is reproduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for commonly using an antenna for a call signal and a television (TV) broadcasting signal in a radio communication terminal including an antenna, a phone duplexer, a TV tuner, an LC parallel circuit, connected between the antenna and the phone duplexer, for forming an LC resonance circuit for a call signal frequency band, an LC series circuit connected to a connected point of the LC parallel circuit and the antenna and to a DC power supply terminal, a stub for impedance matching one terminal of which is connected between a capacitor and an inductor of the LC series circuit and the other terminal of which is connected to the TV tuner, and a path providing section for providing a path between a connected point of the stub and the TV tuner and a ground terminal in accordance with a switching control signal provided according to a TV or call operating mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for receiving digital television signals where the receiver is capable of demodulating and demultiplexing the digital television signals from multiple, independent transmission channels. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides for a Dual Channel Digital TV Receiver which receives signals from two independent transmission channels. In order to address each of the digital television signals from the two independent transmission channels, the Dual Channel Digital TV Receiver of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes two independent paths for channel demodulation and transport stream demultiplexing. Thus, within the Dual Channel Digital TV Receiver of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a signal from each of the transmission channels are received, decoded and sent for further processing or viewing, as desired by the user.

Abstract: A schedule is reliably reported at a scheduled time. Information such as a date, a work and the like of a schedule is input through a remote controller. It is monitored whether a set scheduled time comes or not. When the scheduled time comes, an alarm is turned ON to produce a sound from a speaker, thereby drawing a user's attention. An icon representing the work is displayed on a screen projecting a video. After the user carries out an operation for an OFF instruction or one minute passes, the alarm is turned OFF and the display of the icon is ended.

Abstract: A receiver is constructed so that it detects a short-break of a digital broadcasting wave by the absence of a synchronizing code or by a transmission control signal multiplexed with the broadcasting wave and, according to the short-break detection signal, holds data and state information (program arrangement, and reference time information) obtained by an antenna and converter (1), tuner and digital decoding portion (2), an error correction code decoding portion (3), a stream multiplexed signal separating portion (4), an audio/video decoding portion (5) and the other components and performs a process for optimally changing characteristics of closed loops for establishing synchronization.

Abstract: A television receiver, or some other display device, includes a display, a video signal processing circuit, a display driving circuit, and a control unit for controlling the video signal processing circuit and the display driving circuit. In order to reduce power consumption by the television receiver when the television receiver is not being viewed, the television receiver includes a presence detector for detecting the presence of a person in a room containing the television receiver. When the presence detector does not detect the presence of a person, the control unit disables the display by turning off either the video signal processing circuit or the display driving circuit, or both. When the person re-enters the room, the presence detector indicate this to the controller which then re-enables the display by turning on the video signal processing circuit and/or the display driving circuit.

Abstract: A method for the storage of sub-pages of a teletext service comprises a page (Y0) to be stored, said page (Y0) to be stored comprising at least one sub-page. A desired sub-page is stored (E2, E4) and, as the case may be, sub-pages neighboring the desired sub-page are stored (E5) until a maximum number of stored sub-pages (MAXY0) is reached or until a limit number (NB_LIMY0) of sub-pages of the page to be stored is reached. In one example, the desired sub-page is the rank 1 sub-page of the page to be stored, and the neighboring sub-pages, if any, are the following sub-pages. A user thus has direct access to the start of the information contained in the page to be stored. In another example, the desired page is a rank X0 sub-page requested by a user, and the sub-pages neighboring the desired sub-pages are pages with ranks 1, X0+1, X0−1, etc.

Abstract: A combined terrestrial wave/cable broadcast receiver is disclosed which identifies if a cable broadcast program being carried and received or a cable broadcast program to be received is a HD broadcast and receives a HD broadcast from a terrestrial wave broadcasting station in the form of a HD terrestrial wave broadcast automatically or according to a user's selection, and a program information processing method therefor which processes program information such that it can identify a cable broadcast program as a HD broadcast in an EIT.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for post-synchronizing an information stream. Original lip-objects (lo) are obtained (2) from a video signal (V). These original lip-objects (lo) are replaced (3,4) with new lip-objects (lo*), which correspond to a translated audio signal (A*). Lip-objects (lo) can be obtained from the video signal (V) by using an object-oriented coding technique, e.g. MPEG-4. The coding standard MPEG-4 offers the facilities to manipulate the lip-objects (lo). Several configurations are presented. The new lip-objects (lo*) can be obtained by tracking a further video signal or by using a database with visemes or lip-parameters. The invention is suitable for a communication network, e.g. for video-conferencing. A multi-language information stream comprises a plurality of audio signals (A,A*) and a plurality of lip-objects (lo,lo*) that are each linked to one of the audio signals (A,A*). This gives the possibility to select at the receiver a desired language.

Abstract: An improved television control system includes a tuner (15), a memory (13), a keyboard (14) and a controller (11). The tuner (15) selects one channel from a multi-channel television signal based upon a channel selection input. The multi-channel television signal carries the signals for a set of received television channels. The memory (13) contains a favorite channel list that includes a list of channel identifiers, each channel identifier corresponding to one of a subset of the set of channels received by the tuner (15). The keyboard (14) includes a favorite channel button (16) and a favorite program button (16) as well as a numeric keypad (30) and channel up/down keys (28).

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for commonly using an antenna for a call signal and a television (TV) broadcasting signal in a radio communication terminal including a phone duplexer, a TV tuner, a single antenna for commonly receiving the call signal and the TV broadcasting signal, a phone LC resonance section, provided on a front end of the phone duplexer, for forming an LC resonance circuit for a call signal frequency band, a TV LC resonance section, provided on a front end of the TV tuner, for forming an LC resonance circuit for a TV broadcasting signal frequency band, and a switching section for connecting the antenna to the phone LC resonance section or to the TV LC resonance section in accordance with a switching control signal provided according to a TV or call operating mode.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver has a GPS reception section for clocking, a TV tuner for receiving a broadcast wave of TV broadcast, and a display for displaying video information of a program transmitted by a broadcast wave, and displays video information of a plurality of programs received on a single screen of the display at the same time every hour on the hour. Accordingly, the user (viewer) can check the program contents of channels that can be received at the time of day.

Abstract: System and method for obscuring a portion of a displayed image. A method includes displaying a menu which allows a viewer to specify screen blocking criteria. The screen blocking criteria are received, and a portion of a viewable screen image that typically includes crawling text is obscured or blocked from view based on the screen blocking criteria. The method may be implemented in a television, set top box or similar device.

Abstract: A method and system for notifying a viewer of the arrival or presence of one or more video input signals in a video display system, such as a personal computer (PC) or television (TV) system. If a video signal is already present, the system may optionally notify a viewer of the termination or absence of the video signal. The invention further provides the viewer with the opportunity to dynamically select the video source to view. Upon sensing the presence of a new video signal, the system alerts the viewer who may then select whether to view the new video signal or maintain prior viewing status.

Abstract: A television receiving apparatus capable of notifying a user away from home of a message stored in the apparatus includes a memory for storing various data, a clock circuit for counting a current time, a modem for establishing connection with a public switched network, and a control circuit. When the clock circuit reaches a time stored previously in the memory, the control circuit causes a message held in the memory to be transmitted via the modem to an address designated by data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A system for reprogramming a consumer electronic device includes a consumer electronic device (CED) having a CED processor and a CED memory and a CED serial port connected to the processor, the memory storing CED processor instructions and CED data. The system also includes a download module having a download processor and a download memory and a download serial port connected to the download processor. The CED processor periodically applies a signal to the CED serial port. When the download serial port is connected to the CED serial port to make a serial connection and the download processor receives one of the periodic signals from the CED processor, the download processor initiates the download of one or more of download instructions and download data from the download memory to the CED memory over the serial connection.

Abstract: There is provided a TV automatic control apparatus and method for adaptively optimizing TV viewing conditions in accordance with a type of TV program. The automatic control apparatus includes a memory storing information on a TV viewing condition in a corresponding area of a control mode table, categorized by programs; a TV signal receiving unit receiving TV signals; a demultiplexer separating video signals, audio signals, and additional information signals from the received TV signals; a controller determining the type of the current program, reading the information on TV viewing conditions, which corresponds to the type of the current program from the memory, and setting up TV viewing conditions according to the information read from the memory; and a signal processor processing the video signals and the audio signals output from the demultiplexer in accordance with the TV viewing conditions.

Abstract: The present invention enables automatic setting a natural language default selection in a video presentation device and facilitates easy manufacturing adjustments to accommodate a variety of possible natural language preferences that exist among different geographical areas. A video tuner natural language default selection system of the present invention facilitates reception of video communication signals (e.g., a television broadcast signal) and tuning into particular geographical default natural language information included in the video communication signal. A tuner controller provides instructions to a tuner on the selection of the geographical default natural language information for communication to downstream components. A memory stores information for the tuner controller, including a geographical default natural language indicator for referring to a geographical natural language table comprising natural language selections.

Abstract: A circuit for freezing a video frame having a first field interlaced with a second field. The circuit generally comprises a memory and a filter. The memory may be configured to present a plurality of coefficient signals that define (i) a first coefficient set for the first field and (ii) a second coefficient set for the second field. The filter may be configured to present a new frame in place of the video frame. The new frame may be generated from either (i) the first field and the first coefficient set in response to freezing on the first field or (ii) the second field and the second coefficient set in response to freezing on the second field.

Abstract: A video processor card stores tap generation information for determining a predetermined tap coefficient when the tap generation information is used together with tap generation information stored in another video processor card, and supplies a video processing interface with the tap generation information. The video processing interface generates the tap coefficient from the tap generation information of the one video processor card and the other video processor card loaded therein. The video processing interface extracts video data having a predictive tap used to predict a target pixel and video data having a class tap used to classify the target data, and class classifies the target data based on the class tap. The video processing interface determine the target pixel based on the tap coefficient and the predictive tap of the class of the target pixel.

Abstract: A command and control architecture for a compressed digital television broadcast studio. The architecture includes provisions for session management, real-time control of studio activities, the use of proxy objects to establish communications with objects not providing a high level of control, control of studio filter devices and stream management. The invention includes an object architecture particularly suited to a digital studio.

Abstract: The invention relates to the ability to connect items of electrical apparatus and to allow the transfer of data signals between them. In particular, the invention relates to the connection of at least three items of electrical apparatus via scart connections and, the transfer of data signals between the first and third items of apparatus via the second item of apparatus such that even if the second item of apparatus is switched off from its mains power supply, a circuit within the apparatus still be powered via power supply provided via the scart connection to allow the passage of the data signal between the first and third items through the second item. This therefore allows savings in electricity and overcomes the need for the second item of apparatus to be kept connected to a mains power supply at all times which is conventionally the case.

Abstract: A receiver for detecting a predetermined SD broadcast program transmitted at a high speed using an HD broadcast channel, storing the detected predetermined program in a storage, and reproducing a broadcast signal of the predetermined program stored in the storage at a speed faster than the normal reproduction speed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus identifies selected broadcast segments, such as commercial advertisements, of a television signal in real-time for the purpose of muting the video and audio portions of the television signal during each unwanted segment. A signature pattern associated with each segment of the television signal is detected and compared to stored signature patterns representative of selected segments such as commercial advertisement segments. If the signature pattern matches one of the stored signature patterns, the segment is thereby immediately identified as being one of the selected segments and is processed in real-time to mute the audio and video portions of the television signal during the segment. If the signature pattern of the segment does not match any of the stored signature patterns, the segment is analyzed to determine whether the segment is nevertheless a selected segment and, if so, its signature pattern is stored along with the stored signature patterns.

Abstract: A method of returning to a program that is being received on a first channel is disclosed. The method includes storing data that characterizes at least one portion of the program. After storing this data, the user is free to change channels. The system automatically switches back to the first channel when data that characterizes a subsequent portion of the program matches the stored data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for switching input terminals based on a transmitted signal format are disclosed. The method includes issuing a command to a receiver (12) when a format of the signal has changed from digital to analog. The receiver (12) switches to an analog input terminal (122) according to the command. The apparatus includes a transmitter (10) and a receiver (12) connected with each other with a digital interface (14) and an analog interface (16). The transmitter (10) has a command generator (106) that issues the command. The receiver (12) includes a switch (128) to select an input terminal, and a selector to control the switch according to the command provided from the transmitter. The receiver also includes a digital signal processor (124) coupled to the digital interface to decode digital signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for changing a channel or a varying a volume level of a television receiver having a normal screen mode function and a multiple screen mode function. According to the method, it is first checked whether or not a control signal for the channel or volume level conversions of the main picture or sub-picture is input from a remote controller having plurality of channel changing keys and plurality of volume level changing keys. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the input control signal is a signal corresponding to either the plurality of channel changing keys or the plurality of volume level changing keys. Afterwards, it is determined whether or not the television is in the multiple screen mode when the input control signal is the signal corresponding to either the plurality of channel changing keys or the plurality of volume level changing keys.

Abstract: A method and system for notifying a viewer of the arrival or presence of one or more video input signals in a video display system, such as a personal computer (PC) or television (TV) system. If a video signal is already present, the system may optionally notify a viewer of the termination or absence of the video signal. The invention further provides the viewer with the opportunity to dynamically select the video source to view. Upon sensing the presence of a new video signal, the system alerts the viewer who may then select whether to view the new video signal or maintain prior viewing status.

Abstract: The present invention refers to musical television systems. The transmitting device comprises an audio signals control processor, a video signals control processor, a voice signals processor, permanent memory devices for data storage of musical accompaniment and background images, cartridges with musical accompaniment and background images, a matrix of switches, a liquid crystal display, an audio card, internal and external microphones, a mixer; a modulated high-frequency radio signals generator and a low-frequency television signals generator. Television receivers are capable of reception of the modulated high-frequency radio signals at an aerial input, and of low-frequency television signals at a video input. The system possesses the expanded functional characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring and installing devices of a home entertainment system includes a portable memory media that can be installed in a memory slot of a television. The portable memory media can be preprogrammed with set-up instructions that are displayed at the television. A user can follow these instructions step-by-step in order to properly install and configure a television and any peripheral entertainment devices.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing TV audio/video/closed captioning, based on time/date/geographic location/location of the TV within the home.

Abstract: In a recording and reproducing apparatus, and in a time calibration method of the recording and reproducing apparatus, first and second clock units are provided for counting time. A time extraction unit extracts time information included in a received broadcast signal. Also included in the recording and reproducing apparatus is a time setting unit for manually setting the time of the first clock unit. From the extracted time information, the time of the second clock unit is calibrated. And if the time information is extracted within a specific interval, manual time setting of the time setting unit is prohibited, and the time of the first clock unit is calibrated by the time of the second clock unit. But if the time information is not extracted within the specific interval, manual time setting by the time setting unit is allowed, and the time of the second clock unit is calibrated by the time of the first clock unit.

Abstract: An improved remote control that includes a manual alert mechanism for alerting and providing channel information to television viewer when a regularly viewed television program is about to begin. The improved remote control preferably includes an alerting mechanism having an automatic alert mode whereby, in addition to providing the audible and visual alerting alarms and the channel information of the manual alert mechanism, the automatic alert mode causes the remote control to turn on the television if it is not currently on and to tune the television to the channel of the desired program.

Abstract: A control apparatus and method for processing a signal, and more particularly, a control apparatus and method for preventing a signal from being processed repeatedly by transmitting and receiving information related to a signal processing in a composite signal processing system that contains a television and a peripheral device. A signal providing device transmits enhancer information related to the signal processing by means of a wired or wireless communication. A signal receiving device uses the enhancer information and controls a signal processing block. Therefore, since the signal receiving device prevents the enhancer signal from being processed repeatedly, distortion of the signal can be avoided and an optimum signal can be output.

Abstract: A high definition display unit which demodulates, decodes, and processes in relation to chroma and displays a television signal in which a PI (picture) signal and an SI (service information) signal are mixed. A changeover switch 13 connected to an image quality adjusting circuit in a video chroma processing circuit 7 is opened or closed according to an on-off signal SI showing the superposed period of both signals detected by a decoder 4. If the above on-off signal SI is on, the changeover switch 13 is opened and the adjustment of image quality is disabled. Therefore, SI display never disappears due to the adjustment of image quality, and the quality of an image can be also adjusted according to an ambient status. Other approaches are also disclosed from preventing image quality adjustment of at least portions of a displayed image containing an information image.

Abstract: In a video system in which a video signal source transmits a video signal to a receiver over a transmission line, a method of maintaining a desired voltage level from the video signal source includes the steps of monitoring the level of voltage at the output of the video signal source, and adjusting an input to the video signal source as necessary in order to maintain a desired level of voltage. Thus, when the impedance of the transmission line and receiver change, the output voltage from the video signal source is maintained at a desired level without clipping of the signal when the video signal source is overdriven.

Abstract: A device used with a conventional television set that permits both hearing impaired and non hearing impaired individuals to view television audio voice signals in a text format on the television screen without the requirement of a closed/open caption broadcast signal or a closed/open caption enabled television. The device also can utilize an FM audio input, an audio line input, and a microphone or impedance input for conversion into a text format. The system may use on-board or remote displays, wireless or wired, for also providing the text format representative of human speech. The system includes audio filters for filtering a television audio signal and filtering out human speech audio signals for processing and conversion by a speech-to-text converter.

Abstract: A device for receiving, storing and displaying television images. The device comprises a buffer (2) for storing television images. Television images having a first frame frequency are received at an input (4). Television images having a second frame frequency are supplied at an output (6). The buffer is adapted to store and read television images. A number of X consecutive television images stored in the buffer lie between a television image read at a given instant from the buffer and a television image stored at substantially the same instant. In a first state, X increases with time. In a second state, X decreases with time. The device further comprises a control device (12) for generating a first control signal (14) for bringing the device from the first to the second state, and a second control signal (16) for bringing the device from the second to the first state.

Abstract: The combination of an appliance with an INTERNET mode of operation which is capable of being connected to the Internet and of displaying a web page with at least one link identified by a number. Access to the corresponding links is accomplished through an input device having a user-actuatable control with a number corresponding to each link on the web page.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for customizing a digital broadcast receiver. Video and audio clips may be captured from a broadcast signal after receiving commands from a user. Live and captured video and audio clips may then be used to provide background images and sounds while a user plays a video game.

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 cost-efficient digital CATV network to improve signal quality, provide reliability, and offer the ability to meet demands for interactive services is described. Analog or digital video downstream channels are converted to a digital format by a digital headend transmitter. Relatively costly error-encoding for digital video channels is also part of the digital headend transmitter. Downstream analog and digital video channels in the digital format are transmitted using time-division multiplex technology from a headend to nodes using standard network protocols, such as SONET. Standard network protocols provide error-monitoring and status indication of transmit data, thus ensuring high signal quality and reliability. Time-division multiplexing facilitates easy adding or dropping of information to a transmit path. Flexibility to add or drop information is critical in providing interactive services. Data from interactive services can be added or dropped at points of presence throughout the digital CATV network.

Abstract: The invention includes an image processing unit in an image display apparatus. The image processing unit includes a setting unit comprising controls that are configured to be set to an acceptable level. The acceptable level is a function of at least one affecting factor that affects a biological unit. The image processing unit also includes a converting unit coupled to the setting unit. The converting unit is configured to receive input image information and an extracted value. The extracted value is a function of the input image information. The converting unit further includes components that process the input image information, the extracted value, and the acceptable level to produce a display signal.

Abstract: A video signal processor includes a receiver unit receiving a broadcasted wave, an identify unit identifying a broadcasting system according to a signal received by the receiver unit, and a plurality of data driven processors processing a video signal received by the receiver unit according to the broadcasting system identified by the identify unit. Since the plurality of data driven processors process a video signal received by the receiver unit according to the broadcasting system identified by the identify unit, video data corresponding to the broadcasting system can be generated.

Abstract: An architecture for convergence systems is disclosed. The architecture includes a hardware component providing a convergence environment. A channel map services component includes a listing of receivers of programming associated with the convergence environment and a listing of channels associated with the receivers. A content services component includes a listing of programming events associated with the channels of the receivers. The content services component also includes a listing of the times of programming events. A TV services component uses the channel map services component, and the content services component to control the hardware component of the convergence environment to manage the hardware component of the convergence environment. The TV services component controls the audio/video multiplexer to reroute programing signals from receivers to outputs of the audio/video multiplexer and various devices attached to the outputs, at various times.

Abstract: Video signals of a plurality of personal computers are displayed on the same screen. In addition, using one set of input devices, a plurality of personal computers are operated. Two personal computers are connected to a monitor. In addition, input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse are connected to the monitor. Video signals supplied from the two personal computers are written to a memory that stores video signals for a plurality of screens through respective buffers. From the read start address, the address range for one screen is designated and a corresponding video signal is read. A plurality of video signals are displayed in different display areas of a display portion at a time. In addition, corresponding to a display area at which a cursor is positioned using a switch operation and an input device operation, a corresponding personal computer is selected. An output of an input device is supplied to the selected personal computer.

Abstract: A method of displaying program-related information while the user views a program video mainly and a broadcasting program displaying device to implement the method without making the user's operation complicated and confusing. A picture plane is constructed by two picture planes having a television picture plane (picture plane 1) for displaying the program video which is outputted from a broadcasting program displaying device and further a property state picture plane as another picture plane (picture plane 2). The program video is displayed to the picture plane 1 and an operation picture plane of the broadcasting program displaying device and the program related-information are displayed to the picture plane 2. A broadcasting program displaying device for two-screen construction has functions for display, recording, replay, reservation recording, and the like in response to an instruction from a device which the user operates.

Abstract: A digital/analog broadcast signal processing unit is provided by which a video/audio signal can be processed by receiving an analog broadcast signal and a digital broadcast signal and switching a signal processing block which is used in common for digital broadcast signal processing and analog broadcast signal processing.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of increasing the storage capacity of service information data (SI) in a receiver for digital TV transmissions, such as e.g. in accordance with the MPEG 2 and the DVB standard. The increase takes place to enable keeping a larger quantity of service information data ready for recall, which is used to create the display of an interactive electronic program guide that is shown as an “On Screen Display” (OSD) on the screen. Such a program guide is designed to make the transmission choice easier and to automate the adjustment of the receiver for the desired transmission. The object of the invention is to provide a solution which makes it possible to expand the storage capacity, especially the mentioned cache area, without additional hardware. To achieve the object the unoccupied area of the image memory (MPEG-RAM) is used as a cache area by the video decoder (V-DEC) while graphic displays are shown on the full screen surface as a “Full Screen OSD”.

Abstract: An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is reproduced simultaneously with the display of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, the sound bite is embedded in a television signal that contains audio component and a video component. The television signal is transmitted to a plurality of television receivers and intercepted at one of the receivers. The video component is displayed on a monitor and the audio component is reproduced. On command the sound bite is reproduced instead of the audio component. An audio description of a television program, i.e., a sound bite, is also reproduced simultaneously with the display of a program listing of the program at a television receiver. Specifically, when the program listing is marked with an on-screen cursor, the sound bite is reproduced.