Abstract: A tuner is controlled to manage noise and distortion levels in a video signal. The tuner recovers an RF modulated video signal. A video demodulator provides a baseband video signal from the recovered RF modulated video signal. At least one of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and intermodulation distortion (IMD) is determined for the baseband video signal. An AGC attack point of the tuner is dynamically controlled in response to the SNR and/or IMD in order to improve the video quality.

Abstract: A system and method for fine tuned automatic zooming “in” and “out” a video content stream to adjust for Ratio Mismatches and changes in Pillar Bar size is disclosed. The present invention is particularly applicable to 4:3 video content delivered in a 16:9 video content stream. After the Initial Zoom In, the present invention repeatedly analyses the pixels in the Truncated Display for Pillar Bars and determines (i) if the Pillar Bars are still present, (ii) if the Pillar Bars have changed width/size, and (iii) if the amount of the Initial Zoom In (or subsequent zoom prior to an instant fine tune iteration) was correct (within a margin of error), and automatically fine tunes the zooming of the video content stream accordingly, e.g., gradual zooming in, gradual zooming out, or a full zoom out for a full pixel presentation if the Pillar Bars are no longer present.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically zooming “in” and “out” a video content stream to adjust for Ratio Mismatches is disclosed. The present invention is particularly applicable to 4:3 video content delivered in a 16:9 video content stream. The present invention scans for the presence of Pillar Bars. When Pillar Bars are detected by the present invention, after waiting a pre-determined period to confirm the presence and size of the Pillar Bars, the present invention initiates a slow stretching the video content stream to eliminate the Pillar Bars. When the video content stream changes back to without Pillar Bars, the present invention initiates a slow zooming out to a full pixel representation of the video content stream.

Abstract: A system provides improved security in a streaming media decoder includes decryption of encoded media information at the media layer, within a decoder component of a playback device. A content source, such as an MPEG-4 media stream from a network, or a file on a local storage device, etc. that contain packetized content, and supplies encrypted and encoded media information. For example, digital sound and image information can be conveyed for presentation. A reassembler component is used to initiate decryption of a nominal amount of information needed to perform further processing at the QuickTime player. Encrypted access units are sent from the reassembler to the decoder, where the decoder causes decryption of the access unit information. This approach prevents decrypted, encoded information from being transferred from the reassembler to the decoder. Such decrypted and encoded information is especially susceptible to copying.

Abstract: A cable television system automatically locates set-top terminals within the system with respect to the specific equipment through which the set-top terminal communicates with the system controller. This location of the terminal is used to configure the terminal to operate properly within the system and with respect to its physical location and to improve the overall operating efficiency of the system. Identifying the location of terminals can also facilitate better trouble-shooting and characterization of the cable plant by providing logical and physical network topology information. Each terminal's attributes are also registered with the system controller. The controller can also effect automatic configuration of set-top terminals purchased through a retail outlet and installed by consumers.

Abstract: A videophone housing assembly includes a base section and an interconnect, the interconnect having a first end rotationally coupled about a first axis to the base section, and a display support coupled to a second end of the interconnect. In an illustrative embodiment, a swivel hinge connects the display support to the interconnect in such a manner that the display support can rotate about two orthogonal axes.

Abstract: In a multimedia recording and playback network for receiving from a content server a service package of multimedia content, the network including a media server in communication with the content server, a method of securely transmitting a master encryption key from the content server to the media server, including the steps downloading a service package certificate from the content server to the media server, authenticating, in the media server, the received service package certificate, the content server providing to the media server a key server certificate, a public key of the content server, and a client certificate request, the media server authenticating the key server certificate, providing to the content server, upon authentication of the key server certificate by the media server, a client certificate including a challenge signature, and a public key of the media server, the content server authenticating the client certificate including the challenge signature received from the media server, the medi

Abstract: A method is provided for introducing analog loss to an information-bearing signal being transmitted to or from end-user terminal equipment over a communication system such as a cable network The method begins by establishing a communication path to the terminal equipment over the communication system and then introducing a level of loss into the communication path to reduce echo. The level of loss that is introduced is based on the information content of the information-bearing signal.

Abstract: A method and system of transform-based encoding, decoding, and bitstream generation of digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures, slices, or macroblocks which can each be intra, predicted or bi-predicted pictures. The pictures, slices, or macroblocks comprise blocks of pixels. The method comprises scanning frequency coefficients from each of the block's two dimensional array of frequency coefficients in a manner that is vertically biased.

Abstract: An enlargement feature of a graphical user interface (GUI) is disclosed. When a portion of a digital image displayed in the GUI is selected for enlargement, an enlarged version of the selected portion is displayed adjacent to the remaining portion of the original image that was not selected for enlargement. The digital image may include a plurality of image portions (e.g., individual display windows) selectable for enlargement, such as those found in a CATV electronic programming guide (EPG). In one embodiment, hidden supplemental data corresponding to the selected portion is only revealed in the enlarged version of the selected portion, so that it can be more easily viewed. In another embodiment, an enlargement feature application program is downloaded to a local device that controls the GUI, in response to a subscriber accepting an offer presented by a service provider.

Abstract: A technique is described that allows a viewer to eliminate a fixed information band portion of a television image (e.g., a scrolling news “crawl” or fixed advertising band) from a television display by “stretching” the main program portion to fill the screen, effectively pushing the undesired crawl or advertising band off of the display. This eliminates a feature of many television broadcasts that many viewers find distracting and/or annoying, and helps to prevent phosphor burn on phosphor-based display screens.

Abstract: A method and system of transform-based encoding, decoding, and bitstream generation of digital video content. The digital video content comprises a stream of pictures, slices, or macroblocks which can each be intra, predicted or bi-predicted pictures. The pictures, slices, or macroblocks comprise blocks of pixels. The method comprises scanning frequency coefficients from each of the block's two dimensional array of frequency coefficients in a manner that is vertically biased.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for filtering samples in a digital signal is provided. An approximate filtered sample is generated as a function of less than four samples of the digital signal. A correction is generated as a function of the less than four samples, and a filtered sample is generated by modifying the approximate filtered sample with the correction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating a security module in a set-top terminal purchased from a retailer. A set-top terminal, along with a security device, is purchased from a retailer. This security device is a removable module that is inserted into the set-top terminal to permit reception of the services from the system operator. The security device includes a serial number that is registered with the system operator, and a physical layer key. The physical layer key cannot be read if the security device is disassembled. The set-top terminal is provided to the customer. The security device is retrieved by the retailer, who activates the security device by obtaining credit information from the customer, performing a credit check on the customer, establishing an account with the system operator, and retrieving an activation key from a system administrator. The activation key is a key that is downloaded to the security device to permit the reception of premium services from said system operator.

Abstract: A method (200) for verifying a video format supported by a display device (25). The display device (25) is adapted to receive a television signal from a video source (10) via a video interface (15). The method includes: receiving (202) a data structure (75) provided by the display device (25), the data structure (75) specifying a plurality of timing parameters associated with a supported video format; providing (204) a plurality of predetermined value ranges, each of the plurality of predetermined value ranges corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; separating (206) the data structure into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; comparing (208) at least some of the plurality of portions with at least some of the plurality of predetermined value ranges; and based on the comparisons, determining whether the supported video format is verified.