Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically allocating wireless channels in a wireless network. At least two client devices are present in the wireless network. Each client device is capable of transceiving wireless data over a wireless channel. In one embodiment, a server capable of a transceiving wireless data over at least one wireless channel determines the number of client devices in the wireless network. The server allocates client devices to different wireless channels. Particularly, client devices that receive data at substantially different data rates are allocated to different wireless channels in order to optimize the total system utility of the wireless network. Furthermore, client devices that receive data at substantially similar data rates are allocated to the same wireless channel.

Abstract: A system for providing multimedia content in accordance with one embodiment comprising an first electronic device for capturing multimedia content; a wireless services network for receiving the multimedia content from the first electronic device upon being sent from the electronic device; a blog database coupled to the wireless services network for storing the multimedia content; and a second electronic device adapted to receive the multimedia content stored in the database.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system and a method for maintaining a first history of strength of a first transmission path between a first wireless node and a second wireless node in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication system, maintaining a second history of strength of a second transmission path between a third wireless node and the second wireless node in the MIMO communication system, performing a spatiotemporal correlation between the first history and the second history to determine if any changes in the strength of the first transmission path is observed, and predicting future changes to strength of the second transmission path between the third wireless node and the second wireless node based on the performed special correlation between the first history and the second history.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for protecting the security of encrypted software. Specifically, the present invention pertains to a method of decrypting only those steps or portions of the software that are written to a processor's internal instruction cache. While in storage in non-volatile memory and in RAM, encrypted software remains in an encrypted state. The invention includes a decryption unit that may be located internal to the processor and performs decryption of the software as it enters the instruction cache. By use of this method, encrypted software is resistant to copying from RAM in a decrypted state for subsequent reverse engineering. Software that is protected by this method could be any intellectual property meant to processed by computer that is delivered to the user by internet, cable, direct satellite, packaged media, or any other means.

Abstract: Configuration information is exchanged between a home entertainment system server and various wireless components by pushing a button on the server and a random button on a remote control device as it is pointed at the devices sought to be authenticated.

Abstract: To reduce latency during channel change, when a user changes the TV channel on a mobile TV device such as a wireless phone, the device leaves the power save mode and enters, for a limited timeout period, a fully energized mode in which the receiver and front end logic of the device remain energized during periods in which content from the old channel, content from the new channel, and content from a “next” channel are interleaved into the broadcast.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain embodiments provides portable delivery of television programs to a portable wireless device (PWD) involves using the PWD to capture a sample of a program being played by a television; transmitting attributes of the captured sample to a service provider so that the service provider can identify the program being played by the television; and receiving the television program at the PWD from the service provider via a wireless transmission. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A wireless communication method consistent with certain embodiments involves, at a first portable wireless device (PWD), receiving a beacon indicating that the first PWD has entered a wireless network's communication range; the first PWD responding to the beacon with a request for authorization on wireless network; receiving authorization for the first PWD to communicate using the wireless network; sending a request for the first PWD to be associated with the wireless network; the first PWD receiving confirmation of association with the wireless network; the first PWD broadcasting a first announcement over the wireless network, the announcement comprising at least an identifier that notifies other PWDs associated with the wireless network of the identity of the first PWD; receiving at least one reply announcement broadcast from a second PWD associated with the wireless network that identifies the second PWD; and at the first PWD providing a first shared public folder with contents that can be accessed by the

Abstract: A method for providing portable delivery of television programs to a portable wireless device (PWD) consistent with certain embodiments involves transmitting a request from the PWD to a television receiver system, the request comprising a request for electronic program guide (EPG) information relating to a television program currently being received by the television receiver system; receiving a response from the television receiver system, wherein the response delivers EPG information to the PWD; identifying a source compatible with the PWD for receipt of the television program using identifying information from the EPG; transmitting an order for the television program from the PWD to the identified source; and receiving a wireless transmission of the television program from the source to the PWD. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An encoder/decoder system usable to decrease the probability of a failed transmission over a lossy wireless network. In one embodiment, data packets unsuccessfully sent over the wireless network may be retransmitted a particular number of times, depending on how important the data in the lost packet is. In another embodiment, the probability of successful decoding at the client side may be done by signaling to the server side that multiple reference frames should be used for subsequent prediction operations.

Abstract: Streaming latency in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system is decreased by providing a separate source of the selected A/V content to the user that is immediately available to the user when the user requests the A/V content, and that can be used until the requested A/V content is received from the service provider. The separate source can be a channel change stream (CCS) channel broadcast or multicast from the service provider to the user or a local user storage containing stored initial segments of the A/V content.

Abstract: In audio-video (A/V) streaming systems, end to end latency is decreased with the goal to improve the user's viewing experience. Buffers in the server and client are flushed when a user initiates a change program signal. The client and server contain control modules to provide a flush buffer command. Latency may be further decreased by streaming initial segments of the data at a lower rate, and increasing the size of the buffers from an initial size to a maximum during streaming.

Abstract: A-priori performance measures of a wireless communication system, combined with channel signal to noise ratio and/or signal to interference and noise ratio (SNR/SINR) measurements, are used to determine transmission modulation rate to help optimize real-time streaming. The method and apparatus minimize packet error rates (PER) without actually measuring packet error rates. Instead the receiver measures SNR/SINR and the transmitter uses this measured SNR/SINR data along with information about PER vs. Modulation vs. SNR/SINR to adjust the transmission rate.

Abstract: In a wireless communication system the receiver includes a first plurality of receive chains and a second plurality of antennas. Each receive chain is selectively connectable to selected antennas. The antennas are selected based on criteria obtained from a received RF signal to produce an antenna configuration connected to the receive chains to reduce RF fading at the receiver. An electronic switch connects the antennas to the receive chains. The receiver is programmed to determine which antenna should be connected to each receive chain by the switch by measuring characteristics of the received signal for each allowed antenna configuration and selecting the best antenna configuration. Transmitters may be similarly configured.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of location-based wireless messaging wireless devices is described. The method includes the receipt of a location-based message request from a user of a wireless device desiring to receive a location-based message. Once the request is received, a spatial location of the wireless device is monitored. Once a current spatial location of the wireless device is identified, as a spatial location of a message delivery location, a location-based message is communicated. In one embodiment, a user, via a location-based message request, may request the delivery of the location-based message to a destination wireless device. In a further embodiment, a wireless device may periodically transmit the current spatial location of the wireless device to a predetermined destination wireless device. In a further embodiment, a wireless device may be notified when a selected wireless device is within a predetermined proximity. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing non-interactive communications with wireless networks for a mobile wireless device such as a telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop, or other mobile device configured for performing data transfers over a wireless network. By way of example, the invention allows a user to send and receive email as well as web updates and other data updates in physical areas and locations of limited signal coverage exists without the user periodically activating the device for updating data. The invention preferably comprises programming configured for awakening the processor in response to time thresholds or the detection of sufficient signal levels from available wireless networks and wireless network devices. The programming establishes a connection with appropriate wireless network devices and communicates selected data, for example data selected by the user, such as emails (to be sent/received), web sites to be refreshed, and other forms of non-interactive data.

Abstract: A system and method for switching data packet traffic distribution across diverse transmission medium according to detected quality of service characteristics for a given data packet rate from server to client. It should be recognized that diverse medium are not interdependent with regard to fading or signal strength considerations. One mode of switching comprises switching all the data packets from transmission on a first medium to transmission over a second diverse medium. In a second mode of switching the distribution is changed according to a media-time coding mechanism in which typically data is being transmitted simultaneously across more than one of the multiple diverse medium. The data packet transmissions preferably comprise audio-video data packet streams, such as MPEG-2 streams. By way of example, the diverse transmission medium may comprise a wireless connection (i.e. WiFi) used in combination with a power-line network connection, such as within a home network.

Abstract: A system and method for switching data packet traffic distribution across diverse transmission medium according to detected quality of service characteristics for a given data packet rate from server to client. It should be recognized that diverse medium are not interdependent with regard to fading or signal strength considerations. Two general modes of switching are described, switching all the data packets, and switching according to a media-time coding mechanism. In one embodiment the data is encoded using Fountain encoding prior to transmission. The data packet transmissions preferably comprise audio-video data packet streams, such as MPEG-2 streams. By way of example, the diverse transmission medium may comprise a wireless connection (i.e., WiFi) used in combination with a power-line network connection, such as within a home network.

Abstract: A system and method for correcting packet error within streaming audio-video packet communication systems (i.e. MPEG-2) instead of disposing of erroneous packets. Information about the packet stream is utilized to estimate corrections which are applied in attempts to correct the packet. In one embodiment corrected packets are sent back through the decoder in an iterative process until the packets are sufficiently corrected or until a limit is reached on the allowable correction time or number of iterations. The estimations can be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software coupled to, or integrated within a streaming packet decoder. The estimations can also be performed in response to packet stream information received from other portions of the decoder or from subsequent driver stages to which the correct packets, or corrected packets, are sent.

Abstract: A system and method of non-interactive communication with wireless networks for a mobile wireless device such as a telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop, or other device configured for performing data transfers with an unreliable network, and the playing back of multimedia received over said network. The invention allows a user to send and receive email, web and other data updates in physical areas and locations of limited signal coverage without the user periodically activating the device for updating data. Furthermore, the invention allows non-interactive receipt of multimedia content for viewing when a network communication outage arises. In one embodiment a second (or subsequent) multimedia stream is received and stored in a data repository for playback when an outage arises. The programming of the device is configured to retrieve the content within the second multimedia stream in response to device programming, user set parameters, learned behaviors and/or non-user based selections.