Abstract: A system for transmitting information to a display includes one or more content sources, a network, a content processor, and a display device. The content sources are each capable of transmitting content to a content router in first formats according to packet-based communication protocol. The network selectively couples content sources to the content processor. The content processor requests and receives content from a selected content source. The content processor then modifies the first formats and generates a video stream based on the received content and transmits the video stream to the display device. The display device then displays the video stream.

Abstract: A system for routing media content files having different format characteristics to a plurality of clients over a communication network includes a content translation router. The content translation router is capable of retrieving the content files. In addition, the content translation router includes processing modules for concurrently modifying content files having differing format characteristics to be compatible for transmission over the communication network for viewing at different ones of the clients.

Abstract: A system for communicating telecommunication information includes a memory, packetization modules, and a telecommunication interface module. The memory stores subscriber profiles associating each of several subscribers with a telecommunication interface. The packetization modules receive data packets from a broadband network and extract telecommunication information associated with a subscriber from the data packets. The telecommunication interface module communicates the telecommunication information to a telecommunication network using a telecommunication interface associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: A system for managing media files having different format characteristics includes a transcoder, a content store, and a plurality of clients. The content store is capable of storing a media file in a first format. The clients are each associated with one or more media file formats and capable of playing media files to users. The transcoder is capable of receiving a request identifying a media file from a first client and, in response to receiving the request, retrieving the media file from the content store in a first format. The transcoder is also operable of modifying the media file from the first format to a second format associated with the first client and, while modifying the media file from the first format to the second format, transmitting a modified portion of the media file to the first client.

Abstract: A voice gateway (64) includes an input port (70) that receives a voice signal from an unbundled analog line (62) coupled to a Class 5 switch (52). The voice signal is converted to a digital format by an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converting unit (76). The voice signal is placed into a compressed format by a compressing/de-compressing unit (80) using a selected one of a plurality of compression ratios. The voice signal is placed into a transport frame by a packetizing/de-packetizing unit (84) according to a selected packet format. The voice signal is multiplexed with other voice signals by an output port (88). The output port (88) places the voice signal onto a selected one of a plurality of output lines in order to transport the voice signal in its transport frame to one of an office customer premises (12) and a residence customer premises (14).

Abstract: A system for managing media files having different format characteristics includes a transcoder, a content store, and a plurality of clients. The content store is capable of storing a media file in a first format. The clients are each associated with one or more media file formats and capable of playing media files to users. The transcoder is capable of receiving a request identifying a media file from a first client and, in response to receiving the request, retrieving the media file from the content store in a first format. The transcoder is also operable of modifying the media file from the first format to a second format associated with the first client and, while modifying the media file from the first format to the second format, transmitting a modified portion of the media file to the first client.

Abstract: A system for communicating telecommunication information includes a memory, a telecommunication interface module, and packetization modules. The memory stores subscriber profiles associating each of several subscribers with a data communication protocol. The telecommunication interface module receives telecommunication information for a subscriber from a telecommunication network, and the packetization modules generate data packets communicating the telecommunication information according to a data communication protocol associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: A system for routing media content files having different format characteristics to a plurality of clients over a communication network includes a content translation router. The content translation router is capable of retrieving the content files. In addition, the content translation router includes processing modules for concurrently modifying content files having differing format characteristics to be compatible for transmission over the communication network for viewing at different ones of the clients.

Abstract: A system for communicating telecommunication information includes a memory, packetization modules, and a telecommunication interface module. The memory stores subscriber profiles associating each of several subscribers with a telecommunication interface. The packetization modules receive data packets from a broadband network and extract telecommunication information associated with a subscriber from the data packets. The telecommunication interface module communicates the telecommunication information to a telecommunication network using a telecommunication interface associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: A voice gateway (64) includes an input port (70) that receives a voice signal from an unbundled analog line (62) coupled to a Class 5 switch (52). The voice signal is converted to a digital format by an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converting unit (76). The voice signal is placed into a compressed format by a compressing/decompressing unit (80) using a selected one of a plurality of compression ratios. The voice signal is placed into a transport frame by a packetizing/depacketizing unit (84) according to a selected packet format. The voice signal is multiplexed with other voice signals by an output port (88). The output port (88) places the voice signal onto a selected one of a plurality of output lines in order to transport the voice signal in its transport frame to one of an office customer premises (12) and a residence customer premises (14).

Abstract: A voice gateway (64) includes an input port (70) that receives a voice signal from an unbundled analog line (62) coupled to a Class 5 switch (52). The voice signal is converted to a digital format by an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converting unit (76). The voice signal is placed into a compressed format by a compressing/decompressing unit (80) using a selected one of a plurality of compression ratios. The voice signal is placed into a transport frame by a packetizing/depacketizing unit (84) according to a selected packet format. The voice signal is multiplexed with other voice signals by an output port (88). The output port (88) places the voice signal onto a selected one of a plurality of output lines in order to transport the voice signal in its transport frame to one of an office customer premises (12) and a residence customer premises (14).

Abstract: A system for communicating telecommunication information between a telecommunication switch and multiple local loop circuits includes a telecommunication interface, a data packet service module, an analog service module, and a cross connect. The telecommunication interface receives telecommunication information from a telecommunication switch. The data packet service module receives the telecommunication information from the telecommunication interface and generates data packets for communicating the telecommunication information in a first mode of operation. The analog signal service module receives the telecommunication information from the telecommunication interface and generates an analog telephone signal for communicating the telecommunication information in a second mode of operation. The cross connect communicates the analog telephone signal to a selected one of the local loop circuits.

Abstract: The specification discloses apparatus for allowing movement of a live animal between spaced apart play areas. An endless track extends between a plurality of spaced apart animal play areas. A vehicle is movable along the track to allow access to the play areas. Structure is responsive to the presence of an animal within the vehicle in order to cause the vehicle to move the animal from one of the play areas to another of the play areas. Structure is provided to terminate movement of the vehicle in the vicinity of the play areas in order to allow the animal to exit the vehicle. When the animal again enters the vehicle, the animal is transported to the next play area.