Abstract: A method for loading a user interface in a television system comprising a decoder and a removable smart card cooperating with the decoder, the decoder comprising a main user interface, the method comprising the steps of loading and storing by the decoder of the totality of a user interface module stored-on the smart card, the user interface module comprising data structures making reference to information destined to a user, the information being stored on the smart card, establishing by the decoder a relation between the main user interface and the stored user interface module in order to enable access by a user to the user interface module, and subsequently exchanging between the decoder and the smart card parts of the information upon commands issued by the user through the user interface module.

Abstract: A device for generating audiovisual display signals, including a first input terminal receiving content signals representative of an audiovisual event, the signals including insertion points indicating the output of an advertisement, a second input terminal receiving ad signals representative of an advertisement, a first buffer storing the ad signals, and a processor converting the content signals into display signals of the event and converting ad signals stored in the first buffer into display signals of an advertisement upon detection of an insertion point.

Abstract: In a system for delivering and receiving information that includes a presentation device (600) for presenting the information to a user and for receiving embedded data. The presentation device (600) also includes a data port (635) for providing the embedded data to an external printer upon command and a command port for receiving commands from a remote control unit (500). The remote control unit (500) includes a transmitter (540) for providing the commands to the presentation device (600) and input means for receiving control signals from the user, wherein, upon reception of a print control signal from the user, the remote control unit (500) transmits a print command to the presentation device (600). The presentation device (600) then provides the embedded data to the data port (635) for printing.

Abstract: A software system for use with a Digital Television set-top box. The system uses a software bus application programming interface (API) that is specially designed to make the set-top box compatible with two standard DASE architectures: (1) the architecture wherein the procedural application engine contains the declarative application engine, and (2) the architecture wherein the declarative application engine contains the procedural. An application engine manager uses a function call router to intercept all DASE infrastructure APIs incoming from software applications downloaded by the set-top box from a DTV broadcast. All APIs are routed through the application manager, and all application engines are required to implement the software bus API. A specially-designed software interface also enables the convenient installation of additional applications by simply changing one line of software code.

Abstract: A channel map in an electronic television program guide system that includes channel numbers and alphanumeric channel labels is updated. The tuner in the system is tuned to a channel number of a television channel that is included in the channel map. Data is extracted from the television signal that includes an alphanumeric label for the tuned television channel. The channel mapis revised according to the alphanumeric label for the tuned television channel if the alphanumeric label in the extracted data for the tuned television channel does not correspond with the alphanumeric channel label stored in the channel map for the tuned television channel.

Abstract: A cable communication system makes use of a download control message to indicate whether a code object should be downloaded to a set top box via an in-band channel or via an out-of-band channel. In one version, the system includes means for adaptively determining whether to use an in-band channel or an out-of-band channel. The related method includes the steps of receiving a message designating whether to tune to an in-band or an out-of-band channel in order to receive the code object, tuning to the designated channel, and receiving the code object from the designated channel.

Abstract: A receiving device used in a digital television includes an automatic storage section obtains the channel information on physical channels at which a program is broadcast, when the channel information contains any other physical channels therein, registers the physical channels thereof in a channel map, decides whether the physical channel which is switched has been registered in the channel map, and if the physical channel has been registered, not to detect whether a program is broadcast at the other physical channels. In this case, information of any other physical channel is present in a VCT, this other physical channel is registered in the channel map without detecting whether a program is broadcast at the channel. Therefore, the total number of the channels to be detected on whether a program is broadcast can be decreased, thus reducing the time for performing the automatic storage function.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for accessing data that is periodically transmitted by a broadcaster. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a receiver capable of reception of data is disclosed. The data is transmitted by a broadcaster in a broadcasting system. The receiver reduces the delay conventionally encountered in accessing periodically transmitted data in a broadcasting system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating viewer and/or listener interaction, including a receiver for receiving a broadcast of a program, an event, a game, and information, from a broadcasting system, or a transmission of information from a central processing computer, a communication device for facilitating communication between a viewer or listener and a participant in, or an individual located at a venue of, the program, event, or game, an input device for inputting viewer or listener interactive information or viewer or listener participation information, a processor for processing the viewer or listener interactive information or viewer or listener participation information, and a transmitter for transmitting the viewer or listener interactive information or viewer or listener participation information to the central processing computer.

Abstract: A television set-top box incorporates a swipe card reader for reading credit cards, debit cards or automated teller cards or the like. A credit card can be activated by swiping the credit card through the set-top box credit card reader to automatically initiate a process of activation of the card with a remote server serving as an activation center or clearing house. Moreover, the card reader can be used to simplify on-line purchases from merchants over the Internet or for interfacing with a credit card authority to manage the user's credit card account.

Abstract: For use in a video display system capable of displaying a video program, there is disclosed a system and method for accessing a multimedia summary of a video program. The system is capable of displaying information on a display page that identifies the topics and the subtopics of the video program and an entry point for each of the topics and subtopics. In response to a viewer selection of an entry point the system displays the corresponding portion of the video program. The system also comprises a speaker visualization display unit that is capable of displaying information on a speaker visualization display page that identifies each speaker in a video program and a plurality of time segments that show when each speaker in the video program is speaking. In response to a viewer selection of a time segment the system displays the corresponding portion of the video program. The system also locates additional information of interest to the viewer and notifies the viewer when the additional information is located.

Abstract: A universal media player designed to improve a user's online media experience that is preferably embedded in an Internet browser is disclosed. The universal media player allows a user to navigate between different sources of media without requiring the downloading of the media player associated with the format of the media source. The universal media player includes an interface with user-actuable control buttons, the universal media player determining whether incoming media is playable by the universal media player. If the incoming media is playable by the universal media player, the media is intercepted as the media is downloaded and redirected to the universal media player. Determining if the media is playable is accomplished by identifying the type of incoming media and searching a table of MIME media types.

Abstract: A data receiving apparatus comprises a receiving unit which receives data, a storage unit which stores received data, and a CPU which secures in the storage unit an exclusive memory area exclusively usable by a service provider or a broadcasting provider.

Abstract: An interactive video system transmits a composite digital information signal consisting of a winnowed generic information signal and a local information signal manipulated to produce an output signal including both data code and object code. This output signal is formatted and transmitted via modulator cards at the system head end to decoders located at the individual users' television sets. Each card uses a dynamic gate array having a configuration sequence determined by a resident configuration EPROM which can be changed in the field. Data is fed to the configured array under the control of a control data EPROM also resident in the modulator card. A transmission modulator in the modulator card receives the data from the dynamic gate array for transmission via any selected medium to the user's location.

Abstract: A receiver, such as that used in broadcasting, is provided with a simplified structure for storing and updating the receiver's control program and for preventing a loss of the control program because of a power outage during such updating. The structure includes a first storage means comprising an erasable, non-volatile memory and a second storage means comprising a volatile memory. The control program is stored in the first storage means and is executed to download and store a second program in the second storage means. The second program then is executed to download and store an updated version of the control program in the first storage means.

Abstract: A worldwide television tuning system is configurable to the television standards and channel frequencies of multiple different countries based on a country's ITU long-distance country code. The television tuning system is architected in parallel hardware and software components. The hardware components include tuner circuitry to tune to various television frequencies carrying television video signals and video decoder circuitry coupled to receive a television video signal from the tuner circuitry and to convert the television video signal to digital video data. The software components include a tuner module coupled to adjust the tuner circuitry to a particular television frequency and a video decoder module to decode the digital video data according to a particular video standard. A driver interface layer interfaces the software layer and the hardware circuitry.

Abstract: A data receiving-processing apparatus including a receiver for receiving an extended function program or data transmitted thereto, a processor for processing the received data, a first storage such as a read-only memory for storing a basic program used to execute the data processing and an ID code to identify the apparatus and having a branch for the extended function program, a second storage such as a nonvolatile memory for storing the extended function program in a compressed state, a third storage such as a volatile memory for storing the extended function program in an decompressed state, and a decision maker for making a decision as to whether the ID code has predetermined content. The received data is processed in accordance with the basic program stored in the first storage and, after the extended function program stored in the second storage is read out at the branch in the basic program, the data is processed in accordance with the extended function program.

Abstract: A method of broadcasting controlling data streams and remote receiving apparatus for using the same are disclosed. A viewer-channel-to-broadcast channel (VCBC) map is employed to map one or more controlling data streams to one or more channels. The VCBC map is stored in memory. When a user tunes to a channel, the VCBC map is checked to determine if a controlling data stream is associated with the tuned channel. The VCBC map is periodically updated and broadcasted.

Abstract: An ON-timer channel setting apparatus of a digital broadcast receiver in which a user sets an ON-timer channel and a TV receiver is turned on at a pre-set time, includes: a tuner for tuning a received signal through an antenna; a TP demux unit for separating the signal tuned by the tuner into an audio, a video and a data signals and outputting the same; an A/V decoding unit for converting the signal received from the TP demux unit into an audio and a video signals; a display unit for displaying the audio and the video signals outputted from the A/V decoding unit on a screen; and a controlling unit for parsing the data signal received from the TP demux comparing and controlling the detected data information and the channel information set by a user, and outputting data information of an active channel in a form suitable to be displayed to the display unit.

Abstract: A data transmitting method comprising the steps of generating parameter setting data for various items of hardware, embedding the parameter setting data into a control code and transmitting that control code. The parameter setting data sets parameters for a plurality of hardware versions and includes parameter setting data common to at least first and second hardware versions, parameter setting data limited to a first hardware version, and parameter setting data limited to a second hardware version. Thus, the first version of hardware utilizes parameter setting data intended for it while the second version of hardware utilizes parameter setting data intended for it.

Abstract: A reprogrammable subscriber terminal of a subscription television service which can have the control program code of its control processor modified by downloading new program code from the headend. The control processor stores a boot program in an internal read only memory. Upon start up and resets, the boot program determines whether the control program should be changed from a command sent from the headend. The command, termed a parameters transactions, includes the number of expected download program code transactions required to complete the control code modification, the memory space areas where the code is to be loaded, and the channel over which the download program code transactions are to be transmitted. The channel is tuned and when the boot program receives all the download program code transactions accurately and stores them, the boot program will cause the control program to be restarted at a selected address of the new or modified control program code which has been downloaded.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for transmitting a video signal and picture correction information therefor via a satelite or like transmission system. Mechanisms for, receiving a transmitted video signal and correction information and for processing a received video signal based on the correction information before display are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data display control apparatus receives a digital broadcast and compares the present time with a time indicated in a Time_Event_Part provided in navigation information used to control the display of the multimedia data composing a broadcast program. When the indicated time has been reached, the data display control apparatus executes instructions to control the display of the multimedia data.

Abstract: A TV cable system having one set-top per user. The set-top's VCR recording functions are automatically adjusted in a manner to accommodate the occurrence of a program-delay event or a program-cancel event by the TV cable system. The expected begin/stop time-slot during which a program is projected to occur is broadcast by the system's head end to each set-top, and this IPG data is stored in each set-top. Within each set-top, the currently stored IPG-data is periodically compared to IPG-data that was recorded in the set-top's VCR-record-timers at an earlier time. When the recorded IPG-data does not compare to the current IPG-data, the IPG-data that is recorded in the VCR-record-timer is automatically updated to the current IPG-data. When this automatic updating of one VCR-record-timer produces a time-slot conflict with a different VCR-record-timer, the conflict is resolved, either automatically or by a user-alert-message that enables user intervention to resolve the conflict.