The present invention is an improvement over previous Electronic Programming Guides (“EPG”) in that it provides, among other things: Improved viewer interaction capabilities with the EPG; improved viewer control of video recording of future-scheduled programming; improved features to the EPG display and navigation; parental control of the EPG display; improved television program information access by the viewer; improved opportunities for the commercial advertiser to reach the viewer; improved product information access by the viewer; creation of a viewer's profile; utilization of viewer profile information to customize various aspects of the EPG; and utilization of viewer profile information to provide customized presentation of advertising to the viewer.

Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interface with television programs, videos, advertising information and program scheduling information

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

An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a portion of the program schedule information in overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a television channel in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands, to display program schedule information for any chosen one of the plurality of television programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of channels on the television receiver.

Electronic television program guide schedule system and method

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

A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with others users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications. The television chat system may also allow users to send chat requests to ask other users to enter a chat group. The system also permits users to establish chat groups that television viewers are permitted to join. The television chat system may be based on an interactive television program guide or set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.

Television chat system

PCT No. PCT/JP93/01600 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 6, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 6, 1994 PCT Filed Nov. 4, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/11896 PCT Pub. Date May 26, 1994It is an object of the present invention to provide an image display apparatus which is light and thin and is manufactured with reduced cost and which assures a clear image with no luminance unevenness over the entire screen. The image display apparatus includes: a string like hot cathode for emitting electrons; a perforated cover electrode for leading out and accelerating the electrons emitted from the cathode; a control electrode disposed substantially parallel with the cathode and having an electron-pass aperture permitting an electron beam to pass therethrough, the control electrode being adapted to control the electron beam; a luminous element which emits light when irradiated with the electron beam and is disposed on a curved surface; and a focusing electrode disposed between the control electrode and the luminous element, the focusing electrode being divided into focusing electrodes. Where the luminous element, the focusing electrode and the control electrode comprise respective curved surfaces and the string like hot cathode and the perforated cover electrode are formed on a flat plane, a second grid is provided between the control electrode and the perforated cover electrode.

Image display apparatus

A method and apparatus for detecting and regulating a focused condition of an electron beam emitted from an electron gun of an electron beam welding apparatus. An electron beam of a low intensity is first directed onto the workpiece. The coil current of an electromagnetic condenser lens used to focus the electron beam is then varied linearly. The resulting electrons and other radiation produced from the workpiece as a result of this irradiation is then sensed and a signal corresponding to the intensity thereof is produced. The focus position of the electron beam is determined in accordance with variations in this signal.

Method and apparatus for detecting and regulating position of welding electron beam

A charged-particle distribution measuring apparatus includes a particle passing member having a plurality of through-holes through which portions of a beam of charged particles can pass, a particle trapping member for trapping charged particles that have passed through the through-holes, a recoil particle trapping member disposed between the particle passing member and the particle trapping member, and a mechanism for moving the members to measure the spatial distribution of the charged particle beam. Preferably, the through-holes in the particle passing member are uniformly distributed in a checkerboard pattern. The movement of the members permits measurement of the currents produced by the charged particle beam at various intervals between the locations of the through-holes at the beginning of the measurement. The measurement of the charged particle beam intensity at positions across through the beam, rather than at fixed locations within the beam, improves the resolution of the measured distribution. The apparatus can be employed with positively and negatively charged beams and is useful in ion implantation.

Charged-particle distribution measuring apparatus

An inspection method and an inspection apparatus for the component members of the cathode-ray tube are disclosed. An inspection apparatus composed of normal members other than an object of inspection is prepared at the time of inspecting the phosphor screen of the screen panel, the electron gun or the shadow-mask constituting the cathode-ray tube. In advanced to assembling the cathode-ray tube, the object of inspection is mounted on the inspection apparatus, so that the conformance or rejection of the object of inspection is decided from the illuminated condition of the phosphor screen by irradiating electron beams thereon.

Method of inspection for cathode-ray tube component members and apparatus used for embodying the same

PURPOSE:To attain the piercing with a high position accuracy of a working hole by correcting a misalignment of the working hole caused by a thermal expansion of a work generated due to piercing by a computer CONSTITUTION:An electron beam 2 generated from an electron gun 1 is focused by using a focusin lens 5 in the vicinity of the surface of a sample 3 Its energy beam is focused to high power density, therefore, the sample 3 of the part irradiated by the beam 2 is melted and evaporated instantaneously, and piercing is executed A deflection lens 6 is deflected to a piercing position in accordance with a control signal of a computer 7 In that case, even if a position sensor signal is not fed back, a thermal expansion by energy beam machining is predicted in advance by an experience or a thermal rating, etc, from the number of working holes, surface density, etc, by which working hole position data of an energy beam machine is corrected by the computer 7, piercing is executed in accordance with its data and the piercing can be executed easily

Yamane Yoshio

Papers

Image display apparatus

Method and apparatus for detecting and regulating position of welding electron beam

Charged-particle distribution measuring apparatus

Method of inspection for cathode-ray tube component members and apparatus used for embodying the same

Method and device for piercing by energy beam