Thomson Licensing

Thomson Licensing S.a.

Interdigital Ce Patent Holdings, Sas

Interdigital Madison Patent Holdings, Sas

Scott Edward Klopfenstein

Aaron Hal Dinwiddie

Daniel Richard Schneidewend

Matthew Thomas Mayer

Chad Andrew Lefevre

Gene Harlow Johnson

Rejimon Gnanammal Varghese

Steven True

Harold Gene Roberts

Srinivasa Ramani

A system and method for setting time and date in a device (e.g., a set top box (), or similar client device) through a network connection when a network time standard server () (e.g., a NTP server) is unavailable (e.g., blocked or blacklisted) are provided. The system and method of the present disclosure involves sending () a request over a network from a device for information from an Internet address (), receiving () a packet () from the Internet address () in response to the request, extracting () time and date information from a header () in the packet (), and using the extracted time and date information to set () the current time and date for the device.

System and method for setting time and date in a device without access to network time protocol

The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus () and method () for controlling a filter circuit () in a signal communication device (). The apparatus () and method () of the present disclosure receives () an indication of a plurality of channels used to transmit upstream communication signals in an upstream communication portion of a frequency range. Furthermore, the apparatus () and method () of the present disclosure determines () a maximum frequency value among all frequencies used by the plurality of channels based on the indication and adjusts () a filter response in a filter circuit () used to separate the upstream communication signals from the downstream communication signals in a communication device () based on the determined uppermost frequency value.

Method and apparatus for controlling a filter circuit in a signal communication device

A processing system decodes packetized program information including ancillary program specific information comprising a plurality of hierarchically ordered information tables. The ancillary information is used in acquiring and decoding packetized program information to provide a video program for display. The processing system employs a method involving detection of a mismatch between a version number of a first table of the program specific information (e.g. a virtual channel table (VCT), or channel information table (CIT)) and a corresponding version number of the first table conveyed in a second table (e.g. a master guide table (MGT)). If a mismatch is detected, the first and second tables are forced to contain a compatible first table version number. The packetized program information is decoded to provide a video program for display using the program specific information including the first and second tables including the forced compatible version number. A detected mismatch may also be disregarded to enable the decoding of the packetized program information and a User's channel line-up may be edited to remove channels associated with a detected mismatch or other program specific information error condition.

System for program specific information error management in a video decoder

A television, such as an HDTV receiver, includes a plurality of signal inputs each of which is adapted to receive television signals comprising a plurality of channels and communicate the received television signals to a processor/tuner for selection of the various channels by a user for viewing on a display of the television. A channel search routine for the detection of channels in the television signal is accomplished on the currently designated signal input rather than on all signal inputs of the television. The channels detected during the search of the currently designated signal input are included in a channel list that is stored in memory of the television. A GUI is preferably used to initiate the channel search and is capable of displaying the detected channels relating to the currently selected signal input. Channel lists for each signal input are updated as the channels are detected. A complete channel list may be maintained for all signal inputs as well as individual channel lists for each signal input.

Method and apparatus for performing a channel search in a television

An HDTV receiver coupled to a terrestrial antenna displays real-time signal strength of terrestrial digital television signals. A graphical user interface preferably displays various data relating to all terrestrial television signals in a scrollable grid format. The grid is displayed within an active video display of a selected television signal from the grid. Audio for the selected channel is also active. A list of all channels tuned or selected is maintained to aid in searching. Channel lists are updated during certain channel searches.

Real-time signal strength measurement and display of digital television signals

A system for acquiring program guide information conveyed on one of a plurality of broadcast channels involves identifying an individual broadcast channel in response to user entry of either of, (a) a first channel identification number (e.g. a virtual channel identification number) and (b) a different second channel identification number (e.g. a transmission channel identification number). The system is tuned to receive the identified individual broadcast channel and packetized program information is acquired comprising a program conveyed on the individual broadcast channel using an acquired program guide. The packetized program information is processed to be suitable for display. The system also supports navigating within a first list of broadcast channels and a second list of sub-channels associated with individual broadcast channels in response to user activation of first and second navigation controls respectively.

System for acquiring and processing broadcast programs, program guide and channel identification data

An HDTV receiver coupled to a terrestrial antenna displays real-time signal strength of terrestrial digital television signals. A graphical user interface preferably displays various data relating to all terrestrial television signals in a scrollable grid format. The grid is displayed within an active video display of a selected television signal from the grid. Audio for the selected channel is also active.

Real-time signal strength display of terrestrial digital television signals

Decoder system initialization involves scanning to associate a particular program guide with individual channels. A similar procedure is also performed upon introduction of a new channel. A system for acquiring program guide information conveyed on one of a plurality of broadcast channels involves scanning through received broadcast channels to identify program guides available on individual channels. A program guide of a selected program guide type (e.g. analog-VBI type, MPEG PSI type or ATSC PSIP type) is associated with a broadcast channel by updating a video decoder database. The program guide of the selected program guide type is acquired and used in capturing packetized program information comprising a program conveyed on an individual broadcast channel. In another feature, data received on an individual broadcast channel is examined to identify program guides of particular type in a predetermined order.

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Fishers, IN, United States of America

Scott Edward Klopfenstein