Method and apparatus for updating a computer system clock from a real time television signal

Abstract

The system for updating a clock in an electronic device, such as a personal computer, has a receiver system having an input for receiving a real time signal and having an output on which is provided digital information representative of the real time signal. An extraction module is operatively coupled to the receiver system, the extraction module extracting at least a current time value from the display data. An update module is operatively coupled to the extraction module, the update module updating the clock in the computer when the current time value of the digital information differs from a current value of the clock in the computer. In one embodiment a validating unit is operatively coupled between the extraction module and the update module. The validating unit compares channel identification data derived from the display data to time zone data in the computer, the time zone data being indicative of a time zone in which the computer is currently located.