Abstract: A communication terminal receives character-based information from a host machine via a communication line. The terminal includes a menu identifying section for identifying menu information from a menu picture received from the host machine, and a menu information storing section for extracting individual information from the menu information identified by the menu identifying section. The individual items on the menu are selectable using input admissible commands, respectively, and the menu information storing section temporarily stores the individual items and the corresponding input admissible commands. The terminal further includes a display output control section for outputting at least the individual information in a manner to match a display fashion of a display unit, and a selecting section for selecting one of the individual information displayed on the display unit by the display output control section.

Abstract: A television receiver with PIP circuitry provides a snapshot feature for freezing the main video display in the PIP display inset by operation of a special key on a remote control keypad. With the television receiver operating normally (PIP deactivated), one operation of the special key switches the main video signal to the PIP input and freezes the PIP display in its largest size and in the position it occupied the last time PIP was activated. A video message informs the viewer that a snapshot feature is operational. A subsequent operation of the special key switches the PIP signal to the PIP circuitry and unfreezes the display as in normal PIP operation. A further operation of the special key deactivates the PIP circuitry.

Abstract: An image processing device for displaying a sub window of second video data on one part of a main screen by switching first video data for the entire screen and the second video data for the sub window includes an analog-to-digital converter for digitizing the second video data and a data sampling circuit for sampling and compressing the digitized video data at a subsampling frequency. The device further includes a memory for reading out and storing the compressed data sampled in the data sampling circuit; a first switching circuit including a data expansion circuit for generating video data for the sub window by expanding the image data read from the memory; a digital-to-analog converter for converting the image data expanded in the data expansion circuit to obtain analog data; and a second switching circuit for switching the video data for a sub window output from the digital-to-analog converter to insert the video data in the sub window into the first video data.

Abstract: Apparatus for combining an auxiliary image and a main image includes a source of a main image signal and a source of samples representing an auxiliary image signal. A subsampler selectively subsamples the auxiliary image samples in either a quincunx subsampling pattern or a rectangular subsampling pattern. A signal combiner combines the main image signal and a signal representing the subsampled auxiliary image samples to generate a combined image signal. A control circuit generates a freeze control signal for the subsampler which conditions it to take samples in the rectangular subsampling pattern during a freeze frame operation, and in the quincunx sampling pattern otherwise.

Abstract: To provide a sub-picture unit generation apparatus for generating a plurality of sub-picture units that compose a sub-picture stream which is interleaved with a video stream into a system stream, each sub-picture unit including a subtitle image that is to be superimposed on moving images reproduced from the video stream.

Abstract: A system processes a video signal that includes a plurality of signal components representing respective ones of a plurality of video programs such as various pay-TV programs. Each of the signal components is processed, e.g., descrambling a pay-TV program, by one of a plurality of series connected high speed signal processing integrated circuit (IC) cards, or "smart" cards. An output signal from the last smart card in the series connection includes a plurality of processed signal components. The plurality of processed signal components are processed further to produce a signal suitable for producing a displayed image that includes multiple image portions, such as a picture-in-picture (PIP) or picture-outside-picture (POP) image in a television system. Each portion of the image is produced in response to one of the processed signal components.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for automatically displaying broadcasting program information in a television receiver which has a microcomputer for controlling the entire system operation, first and second tuners for tuning in to television broadcasting signals corresponding to selected channels under the control of the microprocessor, respectively, first and second tuner decoders for decoding the television broadcasting signals tuned by the first and second tuners, respectively, and a signal processor for processing output signals from the first and second tuner decoders to display them on main and sub cathode ray tubes, respectively.

Abstract: A database consisting of inventive data structures is used to facilitate the creation of electronic program guides when used with a television program schedule system. The database is periodically updated with television program schedule information and is interrogated by a schedule system in order to create program guides.

Abstract: A video display monitor apparatus has a composite input circuit, which receives either a composite TV signal or an additional composite television signal supplied from a video player such as a video cassette recorder, separates horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals, Y and C video signals from the received composite television signal, and transforms the separated Y and C video signals into analog R, G and B video signals. Two video processing circuits and a timing control circuit are provided for the display monitor apparatus. The timing control circuit performs timing control for the video processing circuits, in response to the synchronizing signals and additional horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals applied from a personal computer. The viewing area of the image formed by video signals from the computer is disposed within the viewing area of the image formed by the TV video signals in the form of picture-in-picture.

Abstract: This invention provides a television device in which text data can be continuously and stably obtained even when the switching the reception between a plurality of tuners. Outputs of first and second signals are inputted into and demodulated by video processing circuits. One of the outputs of the video processing circuits is selected by a selector and inputted into a text decoder. In a case where the reception channel of the first tuner is switched to a channel received by the second tuner under a condition that the selector selects the output of the video processing circuit, the selector is switched to select the output of the video processing circuit after the reception state of the first tuner becomes stable.

Abstract: An input processing section reduces the content of an input video signal according to reduction ratio data, and the reduced video signal is stored in field memories. A display processing section reads a reduced video signal from the field memories to execute window display processing thereto according to video size SIZ data and video position data (X, Y). In this event, an input video clock generator, controlling a writing operation to the field memories, computes video size SIZ data from the reduction ratio data, and writes the SIZ data as a header, along with the reduced video signal, into the field memories via the input processing section. The SIZ data is read to be output to the display processing section and a display video clock generator for controlling reading.

Abstract: In order to selectively reduce the size of an auxiliary image, such as may be displayed within main image during a so called "picture-in-picture" or "PIP" mode of operation of a television system, a fixed amount of the auxiliary image is caused to be cropped from the auxiliary image without changing the compression ratio of the compressed auxiliary video signal from which the auxiliary image is derived.

Abstract: In forming a panoramic picture image by compositing picture images dividedly imaged, the invention corrects deviations of images of an object at overlap regions caused by a difference in fields of view of imaging means or movement of an object to be imaged in which a picture image forming apparatus includes a picture image inputting device, a frame memory for storing divided picture images inputted from the picture image inputting device, a picture image position calculating unit for calculating positions of compositing the divided picture images, a picture image parallax sampling and processing unit for sampling parallax information among picture images from picture images including parallaxes in the overlap regions among contiguous divided picture images, an intermediate picture image forming and processing unit for forming a plurality of intermediate picture images from the picture images including the parallaxes and a picture image composition and processing unit for compositing a panoramic picture image

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus provides for blanking main and auxiliary images in a multi-image display, e.g., a PIP or POP display, independently. The blanking may be part of a V-chip feature in which blanking occurs in response to auxiliary information, such as XDS data, that is included in a video signal to indicate the content of television programming. Main image blanking occurs only during active video intervals to prevent corrupting sync information. In a system that produces the main image from various types of video signals, e.g., composite video and s-video, that require separate signal processing paths, main image blanking capability is provided in one signal path only, such as the composite video path. The blanking capability is activated and the associated signal path is selected to provide main picture blanking regardless of which type of signal is providing the main picture.

Abstract: A dual screen displaying device for displaying two NTSC video signals on the left and right sides of a monitor is disclosed. The displaying device comprises two tuners for receiving wireless signals from an antenna and generating two video signals V1 and V2, two digitizing circuits for digitizing the video signals V1 and V2, a control circuit for merging the outputs of the two digitizing circuits, a digital-to-analog converter for converting the merged digitized signals back to a combined video signal, and a display control circuit for displaying the combined video signal. Asynchronous condition may happen when displaying different fields of the two video signals V1 and V2 in the same time. And the control circuit uses a storage method which controls the storage of a specific field of the video signal V2 or a data retrieval method which controls the retrieval of a specific field of the video signal V2 to solve the asynchronous problem.

Abstract: A method for reprogramming a video input device to multiplex video data from at least two different video sources is disclosed. A video input device contains control registers for controlling the behavior of the video input device. At least first video data from a first source and a second video data from a second source are received at the video input device. Information about the video data is sent to a controller which generates reprogramming data based on the information. The reprogramming data is transmitted to the video input device, wherein the reprogramming data reprograms the operation of the control registers. Portions of the first and second video data are outputted based upon how the control registers are reprogrammed.

Abstract: A system and method for altering the appearance of interference in a video signal caused by spurious interference generated by repeated high speed digital memory write operations affecting video processing in analog circuitry in thereceiver. In one particular embodiment, a picture-in-picture television receiver is provided wherein both the main and sub-pictures are processed on a single IC including analog processing circuitry, as well as a small picture memory array to which small picture video samples are repeatedly being written. The visibility of spurious interference in the picture is reduced by periodically altering the clock timing during the repetitive high speed writing operation to redistribute the interference so as to be less noticeable to the television viewer.

Abstract: In a television receiver having a function of picture-in-picture, a character caption on a sub-screen is displayed at an easy-to-see position to enable the content of the sub-screen to be easily understood while looking at the main screen, wherein when either one or multiple sub-screens are displayed in the main screen, the character caption corresponding to the displayed sub-screen is displayed at a proper position to the main screen or on a position displaced from the main screen, it may also be displayed with a character having a shade or displayed with a blanched character or the like, thereby even while watching the main screen, the content of the sub-screen projected may easily be understand through the character caption.

Abstract: An image display system includes a display circuit which displays an image composed of a plurality of sub-images, an input circuit which inputs a certain image signal including at least one sub-image embedded in the certain image signal which is provided by at least one of fields and frames, a designating circuit which designates timings of composition positions of the sub-image on scan lines of the certain image, and one control circuit which controls at least one of an amplitude level and a DC level of image signals corresponding to an area of the sub-image detected by the timing designated by the designating circuit.

Abstract: In a display device equipped with a picture-in-picture function, during controlling of the picture parameters of the main picture, one or several auxiliary pictures are presented on the screen, each having a certain combination of parameter settings. These may be preprogrammed, defined by a user, or automatically determined. The display device is provided with circuitry for transferring the parameter settings of one of the auxiliary pictures to the main picture. In a special embodiment, an auxiliary picture represents the parameter settings at the start of the picture parameter adjustment process. As a result, the old parameter settings may be compared with the new ones and, if so desired, may be reinstated in a simple manner.

Abstract: A video signal apparatus allows multiple pictures to be displayed. A plurality of input video signals are processed to produce a plurality of signals corresponding to a respective plurality of pictures. The plurality of pictures corresponding to the plurality of signals are displayed. At least one of the plurality of pictures which have been displayed is selected. First and second modifications are made to the selected picture. The first modification to the selected picture indicates that the selected picture is being provided with the second modification.

Abstract: An implementation efficient video decoder suitable for use as a picture in picture decoder is described. In one embodiment, the video decoder receives primary and secondary bitstreams with the secondary bitstream including the video data intended to be displayed as inset pictures. The decoder uses many of the same circuit components on a time shared basis to decode both the main and inset pictures reducing the amount of circuitry required to implement the decoder. In one embodiment a preparser discards the majority of DCT coefficients in the secondary bitstream and the remaining data is variable length decoded and then variable length encoded using a non-MPEG compliant coding scheme prior to storing the inset picture data in a coded data buffer. Re-encoding of the selected inset picture data in this manner greatly reduces data storage requirements and simplifies the circuitry required to subsequently decode the inset picture data.

Abstract: According to the preset mode instructions from the operating part 111, data of a plurality of channels to be included in the search screen are input from the operating part 111. These channel data are transferred to the second channel selection controlling part 109 for storage. When preparing, a search screen, these stored channel data are used for constituting a search screen, which is displayed on the displaying part 112. The channels desired or frequently watched by the user alone are searched and their images are displayed on the multiple-division screen as still pictures.

Abstract: An input video signal is reduced according to size reduction ratio data K in an input processing section and written into alternate field memories. The written reduced video signal is alternately read from the field memories in a display processing section and processed for window displaying. Video reduction control sections are provided on the respective input and display sides, so that various signals, such as RHOLD, ADCANS, RACK signals, etc., are exchanged therebetween. When a size reduction ratio data K is changed, on the display side a read memory is fixed on a first field memory and size data is fixed, while on the write side video data is written into a second field memory, based on the new reduction ratio. After updating the size data on the display side, video data is read from the second field memory at the new reduction ratio.

Abstract: A double window processing device for a television system capable of providing a high picture quality of double window pictures displayed on a screen by matching the synchronization of main-channel and sub-channel pictures.

Abstract: A device for displaying image signals received from a plurality of monitoring cameras are displayed on sub-screens, and a method therefor. First, a sub-screen displaying mode is set, and the number of sub-screens to be divided is input. When the number of channels of input image signals is greater than that of sub-screens, the numbers of channels to be displayed in a continuous mode and the locations of sub-screens to be operated in switching mode are input. The channels of the continuous mode are displayed continuously on corresponding sub-screens, and other channels alternately displayed on the rest sub-screens.

Abstract: An improved optional operation control apparatus for a monitor and a control method thereof capable of controlling a function operation of an option card which is detected as being mounted therein after detecting whether a plurality of option cards are provided in the system, which includes a key input unit including a plurality of function keys; a microcomputer for judging whether a plurality of option cards are mounted in the system and for performing a corresponding function of an option card which is mounted therein in accordance with an input signal of the key input unit; a first and second switch unit, switched in accordance with a control of the microcomputer, for outputting a combined video signal outputted from an option card, of which its corresponding operation is performed, and a combined video signal inputted thereto through an external input terminal in accordance with a control of the microcomputer; and a signal processing unit for processing a combined video signal outputted from the first and

Abstract: For use in a set-top box, a relatively small line buffer and a frequency control permit scaling of a video input signal and synchronization between the input signal and a composite output signal. Image data and timing signals derived from the video signal are applied to a video capture engine (VCE). When scaling the input video, the VCE combines an appropriate number of successive lines of the field being processed to produce scaled scan line data for use by a dynamic composition engine (DCE) in producing the composite image. A video odd timing signal is applied to an input odd register, which is monitored by a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls the values in a frequency register and in an output odd register. The value in the frequency register determines the frequency of an output clock. The signal from the output clock is applied to a horizontal timing logic circuit that produces an output horizontal sync signal.

Abstract: A method for removing the background noise during reception of weak electric field intensity signals. If the electric field intensity of television broadcast signals received by a main picture receiving section is weak, a PIP (picture in picture) function is released, and the release is displayed to notify it to the user. The electric field intensity of the received television broadcast signals is determined in accordance with the AGC signals of the television broadcast signals which are received by a main picture receiving section. If the electric field intensity is strong, the amplification gain of an LNA is adjusted to a low level, and a PIP function is executed or released, depending upon the user's selection of the PIP function. If the electric field intensity is weak, the amplification gain of an LNA is adjusted to a high level, and a determination is made as to whether the PIP function is being executed.

Abstract: Two tuner sections are provided in a video receiving apparatus so that a first tuner receives and outputs a television broadcasting signal desired by a user, a second tuner section executes an automatic fine tuning operation at previously set time intervals to discriminate a deviation of the oscillating frequency of the local oscillating section, and when the deviation of the discriminated oscillating frequency is less than a previously set predetermined value, the local oscillating section of the first tuner section is controlled to continuously oscillate at a present oscillating frequency of the second tuner.

Abstract: An electrical program guide system and method by which a desired program can be selected rapidly with certainty, intuitively and directly from among a large number of programs, in which nine reduced screens reduced from nine screens of different programs are arranged in a 3.times.3 matrix to construct one multi-screen as a screen for program selection. Six such screens for program selection are individually produced by multi-screen production circuits and encoded by MPEG video encoders, and then multiplexed by a multiplexer so that they may be transmitted via a single transmission channel. The multiplexed signal is subjected to error correction coding and QPSK modulation by a transmission line coding apparatus and then it is further subjected to frequency conversion by an up converter. The resultant signal is transmitted to an artificial satellite through a mixer and a parabola antenna. Each multi-screen received on the reception side from the satellite is displayed as 3.times.

Abstract: A system for providing a user controllable picture-in-picture formatted signal to a television is provided with a fast modem that interconnects the system with a computer network, such as the Internet. In order to allow a user to interact with the Internet, yet still enjoy video programming, the system has a picture-in-picture selection that a user controls to determine which video source (e.g., digital satellite signal, digital video disk signal, Internet graphics) will form the main picture displayed on the television, and which will form the picture-in-picture. A conventional television may be used with the system to display the signal, since it is already formatted in a picture-in-picture format at the output of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying still video images related to video content in an interactive broadcast television system. The system and method of the present invention may also be used for simulating an Internet home page on an interactive television system. The present invention thus supports hyperlinked web-like navigational capabilities in an interactive television system. According to the method of the present invention, the video delivery system provides or broadcasts one or more audio/video channels each comprising video content and also provides or broadcasts at least one still image channel comprising a plurality of still video images, preferably MPEG-2 compressed still images. The user or viewer can select options displayed on the television screen to view desired information.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical program guide system and method by which a desired program can be rapidly selected directly from among a large number of programs with certainty. A program selection screen as a multi-screen is formed from nine reduced screens reduced to one third in the horizontal and vertical directions from screens of programs broadcast on different broadcasting channels. A plurality of such program selection screens are transmitted to a reception side. On the reception side, the program selection screens are stored into a virtual frame memory so that reduced screens of them may make a single virtual screen. From among the reduced screens of the virtual frame, desired 3.times.3 reduced screens are read out and displayed on a multi-screen of full motion. A viewer finds and directly selects a desired program from within the 3.times.3 reduced screens of full motion displayed as the multi-screen.

Abstract: The invention provides a program selection method and apparatus using a cordless telephone set by which a desired program can be selected from among a large number of programs in a direct rapid and accurate manner. A TEL key changes over a mode of a cordless telephone set between a first mode in which the cordless telephone set is used as a telephone set and a second mode in which the cordless telephone set is used as a remote commander for remotely controlling an electronic apparatus. A monitor apparatus displays a first display corresponding to a function allocated to any of the keys of the cordless telephone set in the first mode and a second display different from the first display and corresponding to another function allocated to any of the keys in the second mode for remotely controlling the electronic apparatus. A transmission circuit generates a signal corresponding to the manually operated key in response to a manual operation of any of the keys.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that automatically scales the channel display area (i.e., thumbnails of the channels) based on the number of channels and displaying characteristics and that provides the user with options to customize the plurality of channels displayed in the multi-channel display is accomplished by determining whether all of the channels in the user's customized list can be displayed within the given display area, which may be the full screen or a portion thereof. If all of the channels can be displayed in the given display area, another determination is made to determine the size of each of channel display areas (i.e., thumbnail). Having made this determination, visual representations of each channel in the user's customized list is displayed. While the multi-channel display is being presented, the user can select one of them for customized editing.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for presentation of images from multiple sources on a monitor or television at the same time. In the preferred embodiment, the system comprises a picture-in-picture display, wherein a main picture has overlayed on it a picture-in-picture (PIP) occupying a minor portion of the main picture. In one mode of operation, called a review mode, the PIP displays the channel which had been displayed on the main picture prior to the channel change. In another mode of operation, called the preview mode, the main picture is selected by operation of a channel selection device, such as an up channel selector, and the PIP contains the next sequential channel in the list associated with that channel selection device. Such a list may be predefined, such as in the case of sequential channel selection either in an up or a down direction, or by use of a favorite channel list.

Abstract: An interface system and method for providing information concerning items available via an interactive system and service is disclosed. In one embodiment of the method of the present invention, the method includes the steps of displaying at least a first menu item to the viewer or user via a screen associated with the interactive system, the first menu item denoting a first item, processing at least a first input from the viewer regarding obtaining information related to the first item and displaying serially to the viewer a plurality of images related to the first item.

Abstract: A television receiver is disclosed which is designed to display two types of input picture signals, for example, an NTSC signal and a VGA signal on at least two display areas of one image screen simultaneously. The television receiver includes an auxiliary coil and a switching circuit. The auxiliary coil is operable in first and second operation modes. The first operation mode is such that an electron beam is scanned in sequence along the scanning lines to reproduce the VGA signal having a horizontal scanning frequency of substantially twice that of the NTSC input signal, while the second operation mode is such that the scanning line intervals are controlled so as to scan the electron beam two times along the same scanning line to reproduce the consecutive two of line signals of the frequency-converted NTSC signal which are formed by the same portion of the NTSC input signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for selecting channels on a television system by theme.

Abstract: A video signal outputting apparatus includes an A/D converter, and video signals Y1-1 and Y3-1 outputted from the A/D converter are written into areas C1 and C3 of a VRAM, and therefore, images according to the video signals are displayed on a monitor. Then, video signals Y1-2 and Y3-2 are outputted from the A/D converter, and written into an area C5 of a further VRAM and the area C1 of the VRAM, respectively. Images according to the video signals Y1-2 and Y3-1 are displayed on the monitor at a timing that writing of the video signal Y1-2 is finished, and images according to the video signals Y1-2 and Y3-2 are displayed at a timing that writing of the video signal Y3-2 is finished.

Abstract: An improved game apparatus for a television and a control method thereof capable of playing a game using a remote controller and an OSD, which includes an operating unit for setting a certain mode and starting a game; an input/output controller for receiving the output signal of the operating unit; a game-exclusive ROM for outputting a game program in accordance with an output signal of the input/output controller; a game-exclusive RAM for storing a currently playing game state; an on-screen controller for outputting original color signals of an on-screen display so as to display a game state; a tuner for receiving a combined picture signal transferred from an antenna; a picture signal processing unit for receiving a combined picture signal outputted from the tuner and for outputting television picture original color signals; a first switch for outputting selectively outputting the original color signals of an on-screen display outputted from the on-screen controller and television picture original signals ou

Abstract: A multi-picture television receiver simultaneously displays side-by-side pictures by first and second video signals of first and second video systems, respectively. The video systems can be PAL, SECAM or NTSC. Discriminating circuitry discriminates the system of the first and second video signals. Controlling circuitry controls a sub-picture video processing circuitry based on the results of the discriminating circuitry, so that, when the number of scanning lines of tie second video signal differs from the number of scanning lines of the first video signal, the main and/or the sub-picture are controlled.

Abstract: A television receiver for searching and displaying pictures from multiple TV channels can display at least two parallel screens. Each screen is capable of simultaneously displaying picture signals from first and second tuners. The receiver includes an interface for receiving a signal from a user to begin a channel-search operation. A memory stores the screen mode existing before the channel search command was received. A multi-window view displays a plurality of pictures such that a user can perform the channel search operation to select a desired channel picture signal. After the channel search operation is completed, a controller coupled with the memory automatically returns the display to the original screen mode view at the time the channel search function was requested.

Abstract: In a television receiver and a display method thereof, the television receiver includes a video signal processing circuit for receiving a video signal, converting the signal into a video display signal, and outputting the signal therefrom; a video signal storage circuit for receiving the video display signal from the processing circuit, recording the signal for a predetermined period of time, writing the video display signal in an overwriting manner after lapse of the predetermined period of time, and repeating the recording operation at an interval of the predetermined period of time; a switch circuit for receiving the video display signals from the video signal processing and storage circuits, combining the signals with each other in a switching fashion, and outputting a resultant signal therefrom; a control circuit for controlling the video signal storage circuit and switch circuit in response to an indication signal supplied from an external device, combining with each other the video display signals from

Abstract: Two MPEG-encoded digital data streams are simultaneously decoded in a digital entertainment terminal to provide Picture-in-Picture (PIP) and Picture-on-Picture (POP) capabilities for a conventional television. A primary MPEG-encoded data stream is decoded using a digital video processor optimized for MPEG2 decoding or a dedicated MPEG2 decoder system. A secondary MPEG-encoded data stream is partially processed by filtering the B frames of the secondary MPEG-encoded data stream and using the corresponding I and P frames in a partial decoding arrangement to obtain decompressed video data providing a limited-resolution representation of a second program. Partial decoding may also be performed using only I frames. The partial decoding may be implemented through execution of software by a general-purpose microprocessor. Alternatively, the media processor may perform the partial decoding during the idle intervals of the dedicated media processor.

Abstract: A television receiver comprises a graphics generator, a video processor, an audio processor, a picture-in-picture processor, and a controller for producing a display of an array of inset images. The controller causes one inset image of the array of inset images to be displayed with an associated graphics image to indicate selection of the one inset image, and causes the reproduction of the audio signal associated with said selected inset image. In one embodiment, all images except the selected one are "frozen", and the selected image is updated in near real time. In another embodiment, a second tuner is tuned to the selected-image channel and is used to provide audio for the selected image, while the first tuner continues to sequentially tune the channels from which all of the images are derived.

Abstract: Average picture levels of a first video signal (for example, a parent picture signal) and a second video signal (for example, a child picture signal) are detected at first and second APL detection circuits, respectively. A compensation voltage sharing circuit inputs a compensation voltage, for example an ABL/ACL compensation voltage, and shares the compensation voltage according to a ratio of the APL values detected at the first and the second APL detection circuits. The shared compensation voltages are added to the first and the second video signals at the first and the second video processing circuits, respectively. The processed video signals are synthesized at a synthesizing circuit and the synthesized video signal is displayed on a screen of a display device as a multipicture, in which the first and the second pictures are independently and properly compensated by the ABL/ACL function. Thus, a good quality multipicture can be seen.

Abstract: A data converter (13) for providing data for secondary images in a video display system (10). One embodiment (FIG. 2) provides data for a staggered pixel array, by using an A/D converter (23) to sample the data at a rate of 2/n(h) times the sample rate of the main image, where 1/n(h) is the horizontal scaling factor. A multiplexer (24) selects between two different sample patterns. Another embodiment (FIG. 3) provides data for progressively scanned secondary images by selecting 2/n(v) times the number of lines per input field, where 1/n(v) is the vertical scaling factor.

Abstract: Magnification/reduction is achieved by a single FIR filter under the control of a Digital Differential Analyzer (DDA) as would be used to simulate a perfectly straight line on a two-dimensional raster. The single FIR filter combines the processes of interpolation, filter, and decimation. The DDA is programmed with the desired magnification/reduction ratio and provides signals that control shifting of input samples into the FIR filter and selection of FIR coefficients for the FIR filter.