Thomson Licensing

Thomson Multimedia S.a.

Thomson Consumer Electronics S.a.

Chiew Mun Chang

Kwong Heng Kwok

Hong Yu Li

Cheng Tao

Swee Swee Tang

Chow Sung Wee

Boon Tsong Tan

The present invention relates to a method for play back a digitized video streams at different fast forward speed levels, wherein at least one speed level is adapted so that a remaining portion of the stream is played back within a predefined time interval, and to a playback device for playing back a digitized video streams at different speed levels.

Play back device with adaptive trick play function

The method according to the invention for adjusting the tuning of a receiver circuit for receiving modulated a high frequency signal within a frequency range, the high frequency signal comprising a sync signal, uses the steps of shifting a frequency of a local oscillator within the frequency range and looking for the sync signal, and storing the value of a first frequency, when a sync signal is recognized. Then, the frequency of the local oscillator is continuously shifted in the same frequency direction across the bandwidth of the modulated high frequency signal by controlling the presence of the sync signal. The frequency, at which the sync signal is lost, is stored as a second frequency. From the first and the second frequency in a further step an optimum tuning frequency, located between the first and second frequency, is calculated for the reception for the high frequency signal. The receiver circuit comprises in particular a sync signal detector coupled to an output of an intermediate frequency filter and a controller circuit coupled to the sync signal detector and a local oscillator for performing the method.

Method and apparatus for automatic fine tuning based on sync detection

The programming of a broadcast receiver is selected from the display and the mapping of the required numbers is fully automatic. The user enters a code and the VCR decodes the entered code to determine the corresponding channel. The VCR then checks to determine if this channel is mapped. If not, the VCR prompts the user to identify which program one wishes to record. A picture on the TV, in a mixed mode, can be used for this, i.e., the TV program selected is shown on the background behind the text. The user uses keys on the remote control to scroll through the list of channels to find the program one wants to record. Once determined, the VCR will automatically map the correct three digit numbers for the program selected. In this way, the user need not know what the selection number represents.

Method for programming a broadcast receiver

A VCR or other microcomputer controlled equipment may be subjected to AC supply interruption resulting from many causes, such as, plugging or unplugging the AC supply with the unit switched on, contact bounce on the AC power switch, AC supply drop outs caused by heavy load switching, lightning etc. Short term AC disconnects should not result in the VCR user settings being lost or the user having to manually reset the control system to restore operability. To gain the earliest indication of imminent supply interruption, the AC supply is monitored and a control signal (STOP) is produced that instructs the microcomputer system to save current parameters and assume a low power dissipation mode. With the reappearance of the supply, a RESET signal is generated which enables commencement of the microcomputer system. AC interruptions as short as two cycles are detected and STOP and RESET signals are produced.

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Chiew Mun Chang