Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using a single tuner and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode. These operations also include selecting an even based on actor, actress, director, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low shrinkage multi functionalized silsesquioxane (SSQ) derivatives, to nanocomposite materials comprising these SSQ's and to the use of the nanocomposite material as a polymerizable resin in biologically compatible materials.

Abstract: The audio-video synchronization process ensures continuity of displayed AV data. To initialize the process, a transport processor determines whether an occupancy criterion of a buffer storing received audio and video frames has been met. If the criterion is met, the transport processor obtains an initial time stamp value from an initial frame, and a subsequent time stamp value from a subsequent frame. Initial and subsequent parameters are computed from these respective time stamp values, and are compared against each other. If the parameters coincide, the frame is valid, and corresponding audio or video frames may be decoded and displayed. If the parameters do not coincide, a recovery process is initiated. In either event, the invention makes it possible to achieve audio-video synchronization for both live and playback modes of a digital video recorder (DVR).

Abstract: A method and device for performing enhanced recording, editing and management features for content in a communication system. The device may be a set top box (STB) for example, and preferably a STB equipped with digital video recording (DVR) capabilities. The method offers users an ability to select, record and manipulate desired program content using mutually exclusive menus, or directly from an electronic program guide (EPG). This is done by displaying various parameter menus of selectable parameters for recording operations, so as to select one or more parameters via a suitable user interface in order to effect a desired recording feature or function.

Abstract: In a digital video recording system (DVR), a method of identifying the MPEG picture coding type of individual pictures of a GOP that is contained within a DSS transport packet, without parsing and evaluating each DSS transport packet. The picture coding type identifies whether a picture is an intra-coded (I) picture, predictive-coded (P) picture or bi-directionally predictive-coded (B) picture. The method facilitates implementation of DVR system playback modes, and especially trick modes by identifying and indexing the transport packet payload containing the I-picture (frame or field).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing recorded coded audiovisual data to facilitate reverse playback permits the user to play back recorded material in a temporally reversed manner at speeds of at least 1X or greater by storing the decoded frames in a graphics accelerator memory of a recording system. By storing decoded MPEG video frames representing the audiovisual data in the graphics accelerator's memory, it is possible to display all the frames of a group of pictures GOP in reverse order. Instead of using the memory of a graphics accelerator, the apparatus may also be configured to have sufficient space available in memory to store the decoded MPEG video frames. In either configuration, reverse playback may be effectuated with a much finer temporal granularity than what is currently achievable by conventional video recording apparatuses.

Abstract: A set top box (STB) includes multiple processors that handle either real time or non-real time functions within the STB. One of the processors may perform substantially all of the real time operations, such as control of a data pipeline to the STB, conditional access, and control of a program guide stored within the DVR. The other processor may control substantially all non-real time functions that are executed within the STB, such as graphics user interface and browser functions. The STB may be embodied as a digital video recorder (DVR). The additional processor(s) provide for increased overall system bandwidth, improved system security and greater system stability for an STB and/or DVR configured with these multiple processors, as compared to a conventional STB having a single micro-controller or processor.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling devices with digitally stored content. Devices such as home electronic appliances, lighting systems, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, home security systems and home entertainment systems are controlled from a single, centralized device. A set top box (STB) stores scripts that include program content for controlling the operation of a plurality of these devices from the STB. A user of the STB selects the desired scripts, and the STB accesses the selected scripts from storage based on a triggering mechanism such as time, content, event, etc. The STB selectively controls operation of certain devices designated in the script. The method provides ease of control over multiple and diverse devices, applications and media within a user's own home environment, with more functionality and flexibility than currently available.

Abstract: The audio-video synchronization process ensures continuity of displayed AV data. To initialize the process, a transport processor determines whether an occupancy criterion of a buffer storing received audio and video frames has been met. If the criterion is met, the transport processor obtains an initial time stamp value from an initial frame, and a subsequent time stamp value from a subsequent frame. Initial and subsequent parameters are computed from these respective time stamp values, and are compared against each other. If the parameters coincide, the frame is valid, and corresponding audio or video frames may be decoded and displayed. If the parameters do not coincide, a recovery process is initiated. In either event, the invention makes it possible to achieve audio-video synchronization for both live and playback modes of a digital video recorder (DVR).

Abstract: In a digital video recording system (DVR), a method of identifying the MPEG picture coding type of individual pictures of a GOP that is contained within a DSS transport packet, without parsing and evaluating each DSS transport packet. The picture coding type identifies whether a picture is an intra-coded (I) picture, predictive-coded (P) picture or bi-directionally predictive-coded (B) picture. The method facilitates implementation of DVR system playback modes, and especially trick modes by indentifying and indexing the transport packet payload containing the I-picture (frame or field).

Abstract: A digital videophone answering device (DVAD) that utilizes the functionality of a device such as a set top box (STB) equipped with a digital video recorder (DVR). The system includes an exemplary DVAD operatively connected to or integral with an STB equipped with DVR. A memory within the DVR is used by the DVAD for storing a plurality of parameters and data associated with the DVAD; and a processor within the DVR controls DVAD functionality and display of parameters associated with DVAD.

Abstract: A method and device for performing enhanced recording, editing and management features for content in a communication system. The device may be a set top box (STB) for example, and preferably a STB equipped with digital video recording (DVR) capabilities. The method offers users an ability to select, record and manipulate desired program content using mutually exclusive menus, or directly from an electronic program guide (EPG). This is done by displaying various parameter menus of selectable parameters for recording operations, so as to select one or more parameters via a suitable user interface in order to effect a desired recording feature or function.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for displaying the status of a recording device such as a set top box (STB) equipped with a digital video recorder (DVR) includes a memory that stores status parameters indicating functionality of the STB-equipped with DVR, and a processor for controlling the display of these status parameters based on receiving user commands to access the memory and display at least a selected one of the status parameters for review. A suitable user command interface may be used in order to transmit a command to display desired status parameter(s). Status parameters displayed include the time that a recording is behind a live feed, whether a program being viewed is live or recorded, available storage capacity for recording, visual/audiovisual alerts indicating various levels of storage available for recording, and other file attributes associated with the functionality and operation of the STB-equipped with DVR.

Abstract: A digital video recorder (DVR) and method of recording including a tuner for receiving available content, a memory for storing selectable status parameters indicating functionality of the digital video recorder, a telephone answering device for receiving voice signals and caller ID signals representing a telephone message from a caller and converting the voice signals and caller ID signals into digital signals, and a processor, which performs operations on the available content from the tuner, which directs storage of the digital signals to a storage device and controls playback of the storage signals of the telephone message to be output at a display device and controls a display of a plurality of status parameters based on received commands to access a memory so as to display one or more of the plurality of status parameters. The DVR of the present invention may include one or more tuners and one or more processors.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling devices with digitally stored content. Devices such as home electronic appliances, lighting systems, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, home security systems and home entertainment systems are controlled from a single, centralized device. A set top box (STB) stores scripts that include program content for controlling the operation of a plurality of these devices from the STB. A user of the STB selects the desired scripts, and the STB accesses the selected scripts from storage based on a triggering mechanism such as time, content, event, etc. The STB selectively controls operation of certain devices designated in the script. The method provides ease of control over multiple and diverse devices, applications and media within a user's own home environment, with more functionality and flexibility than currently available.

Abstract: A set top box (STB) includes multiple processors that handle either real time or non-real time functions within the STB. One of the processors may perform substantially all of the real time operations, such as control of a data pipeline to the STB, conditional access, and control of a program guide stored within the DVR. The other processor may control substantially all non-real time functions that are executed within the STB, such as graphics user interface and browser functions. The STB may be embodied as a digital video recorder (DVR). The additional processor(s) provide for increased overall system bandwidth, improved system security and greater system stability for an STB and/or DVR configured with these multiple processors, as compared to a conventional STB having a single micro-controller or processor.

Abstract: A digital telephone answering device DTAD) that utilizes the functionality of a device such as a set top box (STB) equipped with a digital video recorder (DVR). The system includes a DTAD operatively connected to an STB equipped with DVR, or DVR TAD. A memory of the STB equipped with DVR is used by the DVR TAD for storing a plurality of parameters and data such as telephone messages and caller ID signals typically associated with the DVR TAD. A microprocessor within the STB equipped with DVR controls DVR TAD functionality and display of parameters associated with the DVR TAD. Control is based on receiving user commands to access the memory and to display at least a selected one of DVR TAD associated parameters for review and/or manipulation by the viewer or user on a display device operatively connected to the STB equipped with DVR.

Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using at least two tuners and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode. These operations also include selecting an even based on actor, actress, director, etc.,.