Abstract: Selective encryption is provided in a process which includes: determining whether a predetermined criterion is satisfied; setting a selective encryption status field if the predetermined criterion is satisfied; and encrypting an unencrypted payload to generate an encrypted payload, and constructing a packet with the encrypted payload, if the predetermined criterion is satisfied. The predetermined criterion may be one of several criteria, each of which reduce the required amount of encryption and decryption while maintaining a high level of security.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining video frame sequences with a video display of an interactive program guide (IPG). The apparatus comprises a plurality of compositors that combine background information, video frame sequences and program guide graphics into a single video frame sequence. The sequence is then digitally encoded to form an MPEG-like bitstream. The same background information and video advertising is composited with a different program guide graphic to form another video sequence that is also encoded. A plurality of such sequences are produced with each sequence having a different program guide graphic. Each sequence is encoded and then multiplexed into a transport stream such that all the encoded sequences are transmitted to a subscriber's terminal using a single transport stream. As such, the subscriber can scroll from one program guide to the next without interruption of the background or video display as the program guide graphic is changed. Each graphic contains a set of programs (e.

Abstract: Techniques to monitor operation of an information distribution system and delivery of programming, guide data, and other information by the system. These techniques may be used for diagnostics, quality control, and other purposes, and for various types of systems. In accordance with one method, a directive is received to monitor a particular channel at a particular terminal. In response to the received directive, a command is sent (e.g., via a remote control unit) to the terminal. Contents are then received from the terminal, captured, and reported. The reported contents may be used to visually verify the contents being delivered to the terminals, check what the viewers may observe, mimic and test interactive experiences of the viewers, observe actual viewing conditions at the terminals, and perform other tests and diagnostics. The received contents may be captured as one or more video frames, as a video sequence, or in some other format.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for programming a remote programmable logic device. The apparatus comprises a processing system having a first file to second file conversion program stored therein. The processing system receives the first file from a first communications medium and transmits the converted second file through a second communications medium in a format native to the remote programmable logic device. The method comprises sending a first file to a processing system via a first communications medium, converting the first file to a second file in a format native to the remote programmable logic device, and sending the second file in a format native to the remote programmable logic device to the remote programmable logic device via a second communications medium.

Abstract: An “all-in-one” encoder that simultaneously produces an MPEG-2 compliant fast forward, fast reverse and play bitstreams from a sequence of video frames, e.g., 601-format video. The encoder subsamples the video sequence, extracting a plurality of frames from the video sequence and buffering the subsampled frames. Simultaneous with the subsampling and buffering, the source frames are encoded within a real-time encoder, e.g., an MPEG-2 encoder. The buffered frames are recalled from the buffer and coupled to a second real-time encoder. The second encoder forms both the fast forward and fast reverse bitstreams using a time multiplexing technique wherein a group of pictures (GOP) for the fast forward stream can be formed, followed by the compression of the same GOP having the frames organized in reverse order. As such, the compressed GOPs are represented by the fast forward and fast reverse bitstreams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an information stream comprising a plurality of compressed information frames having an associated original or source timecast parameter to produce an information sub-stream having a substantially constant timecast parameter. The invention generates an information substream having a timecast parameter that is held substantially constant, even though the timecast parameter of the input stream may vary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preprocessing and preprocessing content in an interactive information distribution system. Content is retrieved from a storage medium and encapsulated in accordance to an Internet Protocol (IP) format. The encapsulated content is then uploaded for storage in a stream caching server and for future streaming of content to different types of access networks.

Abstract: A queuing architecture and method for scheduling disk drive access requests in a video server. The queuing architecture employs at least two access request queues for each disk drive within a disk drive array, and a queue selector for selecting the first and second queues. The first queue is for disk access requests by steady-state users requesting new data streams who are currently viewing a program from the video server. The second queue is for all other types of disk access requests, including requests by new users, requests for loading content, disk maintenance, meta-data synchronizing, and the like. Steady-state disk access requests are serviced in order of ascending time deadlines. The queue selector gives highest priority to requests in the first queue, and requests from the second queue are serviced only upon a guarantee that all of the steady-state requests in the first queue will meet their time deadlines in the worst case access times for the disk drives.

Abstract: A method and concomitant apparatus for adapting a logic threshold level in response to a background noise level in an information signal. Information signal excursions beyond the logic threshold are indicative of the presence of an information packet in the information signal. In this manner, a relatively low dynamic range information packet processor may reliably receive information packets.

Abstract: A method for delivering customized navigation or interactive program guide imagery to a user by digitally splicing bitstreams bearing graphics or video imagery and bitstreams bearing navigation or IPG imagery. The resulting combined bitstream is delivered to a user or viewer.

Abstract: A method of data management for efficiently storing and retrieving data in response to user access requests.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an image to produce an encoded video information stream comprising a sequence of replicated group of picture (GOP) information structures, each GOP including an intra-coded frame (I-frame) and a plurality of forward predictive coded frames (P-frames), wherein the I-frame of the initial GOP is formed by intra-coding the still image. Optionally, the encoded video information stream is multiplexed with an encoded audio information stream to produce a system stream suitable for use in an MPEG-like information processing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services, dependent subscription services and contingent services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service.

Abstract: An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment. The service provider equipment contains two geographically distributed components: central server equipment and a remote video session manager. The central server equipment provides information streams to the remote video session manager in response to information manipulation commands.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing both link and disk bandwidth utilization within the context of a multiple subscriber or user information distribution system by selectively providing variable bitrate and constant low bitrate information streams to one or more subscribers.

Abstract: A method of defining extent for storing a plurality data streams having different bit rates. The method calculates the size of the extent for a given data stream then periodically inserts at least one null packet into the extents to enable any bit rate to be able to be stored using a fixed extent size for the stream.

Abstract: An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment.

Abstract: An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting in-band channel bandwidth and out-of-band channel bandwidth to incremental increases or decreases in subscriber populations within a video-on-demand system or digital services provided to subscribers within the video-on-demand system.