An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation that may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a video cassette recorder (VCR), medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Adaptive pattern recognition based control system and method

An electronic program schedule system with access to both stored television program schedule information and data feeds containing status information for live programs such as sporting events. The system includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs and data feeds containing status information for certain of the programs, and a video display generator for generating a display signal simultaneously comprising information from both the stored schedule information and the received data feed. The system is further provided with user control means such as a remote controller for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto so as to control the content of the display signal. The display signal may be displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. In addition, the program schedule system of the present invention utilizes category-specific user interfaces providing access to multiple services including television programs, received data feeds, home shopping services, and video games as well as the stored program schedule information.

Electronic television program guide schedule system and method with data feed access

The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

Systems and methods for linking television viewers with advertisers and broadcasters

A client-server interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide client is implemented on user television equipment. The interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to define expressions that are processed by the program guide server. The program guide server may provide program guide data, schedules reminders, schedules program recordings, and parentally locks programs based on the expressions. Users' viewing histories may be tracked. The program guide server may analyze the viewing histories and generates viewing recommendations, targets advertising, and collects program ratings information based on the viewing histories.

Client-server electronic program guide

The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information

An audio-visual control apparatus displays in a picture-in-picture window on a CRT an image corresponding to video signals outputted from one of a plurality of VTRs, making it possible to easily confirm the connection of appliances controlled by a control section, namely appliances connected to a TV set.

Audio-visual control apparatus for determining a connection of appliances and controlling functions of appliances

An audiovisual system allows a plurality of audiovisual devices to be interconnected for convenient operation from a single set of function keys. The system includes a first AV device and other connected AV devices connected so as to bidirectionally transfer data. Control data from connected devices are read by a CPU of the first device and written to a RAM memory portion of the first device. When a function key of the first device is operated, a connected device is operated according to the control data read therefrom and stored in the first device. A memory card incorporating control data for the external devices may further be accessed by the first AV device for reading control data for the external devices. A particular function key may control as many functions as there are connected devices in the AV system.

Audio-visual system with two-way communication between devices

There is disclosed a communication system using a bi-directional bus, which includes a plurality of devices (e.g., TV image receiver or video tape recorder, etc.) connected to each other. Each device includes a transmit signal formation unit having a frame structure including an address field for specifying addresses of devices between which communication is carried out, a control field for specifying whether communication is carried out in the state where device on the receiving side is locked or in the state where that device is unlocked, and a data field for specifying data to be transmitted. For transmitting data having a data quantity greater than data capacity of the data field, the data is divided into a plurality of frames, an indication to lock device on the receiving side is given to control field of a frame transmitted first, and an indication to unlock that device is given to control field of a frame transmitted last. The transmit signal thus indicated is transmitted through the bi-directional bus by a bus output unit. In addition, there are also disclosed a transmitting method, a receiving method and a communication method, which can be applied to such a bi-directional bus system.

Bi-directional communication system

A remote control method for an audio/visual system which can perform protection during execution of a system feature and is convenient in use is applied to an audio/visual system wherein each of a plurality of units of audio/visual equipment includes a microcomputer for controlling operation of the audio/visual equipment. The microcomputers of the audio/visual equipment are connected to each other by way of a bus system. One unit of the audio/visual equipment is set as an audio/visual center equipment. The audio/visual center equipment controls the entire system in a concentrated manner. The audio/visual center equipment receives remote control signals in a concentrated manner without causing remote controller receiver sections of the audio/visual equipment other than the audio/visual center equipment to function and transfers necessary commands to the other audio/visual equipment.

Remote controlling method and system feature starting method and controlling method for audio/visual system

In an AV system constituted of a plurality of AV devices, a ROM (5A) stores a plurality of preset connections of the AV devices in order to reduce its capacity required. In addition, an SIP (system information pointer) memory (6) temporarily stores an SIP which designates one of the connections stored in the ROM (5A). The SIP is finally stored in a nonvolatile memory (7) so that it is retained even after the power supply to the AV system is turned off.

Shigeo Tanaka

Papers

Audio-visual control apparatus for determining a connection of appliances and controlling functions of appliances

Audio-visual system with two-way communication between devices

Bi-directional communication system

Remote controlling method and system feature starting method and controlling method for audio/visual system

Method for connecting av equipment to av system