US6160587A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Waveform generator for insertion of data into digital television signals
Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
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Filing: 1997-07-02
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Granted: 2000-12-12
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Expires: 2017-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A digital waveform generator complies with different vertical blanking interval (VBI) standards, and is inserted into VBI portions of a digital component video signal. A buffer receives symbols carrying VBI data for a particular VBI service according to a user data syntax, which identifies a television line into which the VBI data is to be inserted. A symbol processor is responsive to information provided by the syntax. This information indicates the number of pixels represented per symbol, a symbol transition time, and the number of symbols carrying data to be inserted into the VBI portion. The symbol processor provides the VBI data in a format according to the particular VBI service. A timing circuit is responsive to a start time provided by the syntax for inserting the VBI data. A level control circuit adjusts the level of the VBI data prior to insertion into the VBI portion in response amplitude values provided by the syntax.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Kent Walker
- 👤 Ray Nuber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:51
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/015; H04N7/08; H04N7/087; H04N7/088; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/235; H04N21/40; H04N21/43; H04N21/435
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for generating a digital waveform according to a user data syntax of a vertical blanking interval (VBI) service for insertion into VBI portions of a digital video signal, said apparatus comprising: a symbol processor for receiving VBI data from said VBI service and providing said VBI data in a format which is compatible with said VBI service according to said user data syntax; said syntax providing a start time for a first symbol of a plurality of symbols which carry said VBI data and indicating (i) a number of pixels represented per symbol, (ii) a transition time for said symbols, and (iii) the number of symbols carrying said VBI data; and a timing circuit for effecting the insertion of said VBI data into a VBI portion of a television line identified by said syntax according to said start time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for generating a digital waveform according to a user data syntax of a vertical blanking interval (VBI) service for insertion into VBI portions of a digital video signal, said apparatus comprising: a symbol processor for receiving VBI data from said VBI service and providing said VBI data in a format which is compatible with said VBI service according to said user data syntax; said syntax providing a start time for a first symbol of a plurality of symbols which carry said VBI data and indicating (i) a number of pixels represented per symbol, (ii) a transition time for said symbols, and (iii) the number of symbols carrying said VBI data; and a timing circuit for effecting the insertion of said VBI data into a VBI portion of a television line identified by said syntax according to said start time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a buffer coupled to said symbol processor for temporarily storing said VBI data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a level control circuit for adjusting the level of said VBI data prior to insertion into said VBI portion in response to at least one amplitude value provided by said syntax.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein: said level control circuit provides M-level amplitude modulation of said VBI data, with M>2.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said level control circuit provides non-return-to-zero amplitude modulation of said VBI data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said VBI data of said VBI service has a single symbol impulse response; said symbol processor comprises a transition processor for detecting a transition in said VBI data and generating a transition waveform in response to the detected transition which is compatible with said VBI service; and said apparatus further comprises means for combining said transition waveform with the VBI data to provide said digital waveform for insertion into said VBI portion of the television line identified by said syntax.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said transition processor further comprises: means for generating a transition function for said VBI service according to a transition type thereof defined by said syntax; said transition waveform being generated according to said transition function.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said transition processor further comprises: a memory for storing transition data for generating said transition function; said means for generating being responsive to said stored data for generating said transition function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said VBI data has a multisymbol impulse response, said symbol processor comprising: means for implementing an impulse response function to generate a data symbol sequence representing the VBI data for said VBI service.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a memory for storing impulse response data for said VBI service according to a transition type thereof defined by said syntax; said means for implementing being responsive to said stored impulse response data for implementing said impulse response function for said VBI service.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said impulse response data is downloaded to said memory for storing impulse response data.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for generating a digital waveform according to a user data syntax of a vertical blanking interval (VBI) service for insertion into VBI portions of a digital video signal, said method comprising the steps of: receiving VBI data from said VBI service; providing said VBI data in a format which is compatible with said VEI service according to said user data syntax; said syntax providing a start time for a first symbol of a plurality of symbols which carry said VBI data and indicating (i) a number of pixels represented per symbol, (ii) a transition time for said symbols, and (iii) the number of symbols carrying said VBI data; and inserting said VBI data into a VBI portion of a television line identified by said syntax according to said start time.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
132 words
A method for generating a digital waveform according to a user data syntax of a vertical blanking interval (VBI) service for insertion into VBI portions of a digital video signal, said method comprising the steps of: receiving VBI data from said VBI service; providing said VBI data in a format which is compatible with said VEI service according to said user data syntax; said syntax providing a start time for a first symbol of a plurality of symbols which carry said VBI data and indicating (i) a number of pixels represented per symbol, (ii) a transition time for said symbols, and (iii) the number of symbols carrying said VBI data; and inserting said VBI data into a VBI portion of a television line identified by said syntax according to said start time.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12, comprising the further step of: buffering said VBI data prior to said providing step.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12, comprising the further step of: adjusting the level of said VBI data prior to insertion into said VBI portion in response to at least one amplitude value provided by said syntax.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14, wherein: said level control circuit provides M-level amplitude modulation of said VBI data, with M>2.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 12, wherein: said level control circuit provides non-return-to-zero amplitude modulation of said VBI data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said VBI data of said VBI service has a single symbol impulse response, said method comprising the further steps of: detecting a transition in said VBI data and generating a transition waveform in response to the detected transition which is compatible with said VBI service; and combining said transition waveform with the VBI data to provide said digital waveform for insertion into said VBI portion of the television line identified by said syntax.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17, comprising the further step of: generating a transition function for said VBI service according to a transition type thereof defined by said syntax; said transition waveform being generated according to said transition function.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 18, comprising the further step of: storing transition data for generating said transition function; said generating step being responsive to said stored data for generating said transition function.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said VBI data has a multisymbol impulse response, comprising the further step of: implementing an impulse response function to generate a data symbol sequence representing the VBI data for said VBI service.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 20, comprising the further step of: storing impulse response data for said VBI service according to a transition type thereof defined by said syntax; said implementing step being responsive to said stored impulse response data for implementing said impulse response function for said VBI service.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 21, comprising the further step of: downloading said impulse response data; wherein said storing step is responsive to said downloading step.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-06-12 | 2004-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | 2008-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-12 | 2012-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |