Thomson Licensing

Thomson Licensing S.a.

Charles William Worrell

Janghwan Lee

Kevin Lloyd Grimes

Aaron Hal Dinwiddie

Michael Evan Crabb

Charu Aneja

Andrew Kent Flickner

Carlton Jethro Simmons

Yefim Vayl

Wenhua Li

Patrick Joseph Wiegand

A system and a method for modifying a stream of multimedia content to implement trick mode playback functions in MPEG receivers that do not follow general MPEG trick mode implementation recommendations. The system can include a processor that sets a discontinuity indicator in an adaptation field associated with a video frame. A substitute program clock reference (PCR) value also can be set in the adaptation field. The substitute PCR value can be set to a value approximately equal to a presentation time stamp (PTS) of the video frame with which the adaptation field is associated. The processor also can insert an adaptation field with at least one video frame with which an adaptation field was not already associated. The processor also can remove at least one video frame from the stream of multimedia content. Adaptation fields associated with the removed video frame also can be removed.

Exploitation of discontinuity indicator for trick mode operation

There is provided a method for detecting signal conditions for Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) streams. Alternate-mode flags and valid frames within the MPEG streams are detected within a pre-defined search window. An indication that a valid signal is detected is output, when an alternate-mode flag and at least one valid frame are both detected within a same one of the predefined search window.

Method and system for detecting weak or invalid signals in data streams

The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for modifying video signals. The system may comprise at least one decoder that decodes a video signal that comprises embedded picture setting data, and a video processor that is adapted to detect whether the system is operating in an on-screen display ('OSD') mode, apply the embedded picture setting data if the system is not in the OSD mode, and withhold the embedded picture setting data if the system is in the OSD mode. The method may comprise the acts of decoding a video signal that comprises embedded picture setting data, detecting whether a system is operating in the OSD mode, applying the embedded picture setting data if the system is not in the OSD mode, and withholding the embedded picture setting data if the system is in the OSD mode.

System and a method to avoid on-screen fluctuations due to input signal changes while in an OSD or graphic centric mode

An arrangement for maintaining even tube burn-in. The arrangement identifies active and inactive display regions on a display unit when video content is displayed on the display unit. When inactive display regions are identified the arrangement monitors the duration that the active display regions remain active. After the active display regions become inactive and a predetermined time period has passed the arrangement displays a corrective image on the identified inactive regions. The predetermined time period may be set by a user or based on the user's viewing habits.

Method and system for maintaining even tube burn-in

A method and apparatus for implementing an interface for ISO/7816 and NRSS cards with a single connector. The apparatus is a computer controlled device comprising a card reader further comprising an interface controller and a connector. The connector forms the interface between the card reader and the IC card. The interface controller determines whether the IC card inserted into the card reader is an ISO/7816 or NRSS card. Additionally, the interface controller implements the correct interface for the detected IC card. The method comprises the steps of determining whether a IC card is an ISO/7816 or NRSS card and implementing an interface for the identified IC card.

Method and apparatus for supporting two different types of integrated circuit cards with a single connector

Described is a TV system that uses a single pixmap across multiple video rasters having different raster sizes. In general, the TV system uses at least two headers to select different portions of a single pixmap to be displayed based on different raster sizes. Specifically, each of the two headers points to a single pixmap. In the TV system, the size of the central portion is fixed while the size of the sidepanel portion can be adjusted depending on the displaying mode. In response to different displaying modes, the TV system selectively invokes one of the two headers to select a respective portion to be displayed in the pixmap. By doing so, a single pixmap can be used across multiple video rasters having different raster sizes.

Method and system for using single OSD pixmap across multiple video raster sizes by using multiple headers

A user selects a predefined aspect ratio format of an image displayed on a display screen. When a change in an aspect ratio format of an incoming signal occurs, that would, otherwise, produce a distorted image, a format controller automatically overrides the user's predefined aspect ratio for establishing a different image aspect ratio. Thereby, the distortion of the image is prevented.

Aspect ratio control arrangement in a video display

A memory management process for buffering progressive, interlaced, CCIR 601/656 compliant, and MPEG compliant video signals in a video memory that is partitioned into first and second buffers. The process includes identifying the format of a received video signal, buffering the received video signal in the video memory in accordance with a standard buffering mode if the video signal is in an interlaced, CCIR 601/656 compliant, or MPEG compliant format, and buffering the received video signal in the video memory in accordance with an override buffering mode if the video signal is in a progressive format such as a 240p signal generated by a game console, VCR, cable text generator, and the like.

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Carmel, IN, United States of America

Charles William Worrell