Abstract: A content server consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention has a mechanism for receiving a picture-in-picture communication to initiate a picture-in-picture function. A video image scaler, responsive to the picture-in-picture communication, scales a secondary video image to produce a reduced size secondary video image. A secondary video image embedder embeds the reduced size secondary video image into a main video image to produce a picture-in-picture video image. A video encoder encodes the analog picture-in-picture video image into a digital video format to produce a digital picture-in-picture video image. A packetizer and streamer packetizes the digital picture-in-picture video image into Internet protocol (IP) packets to form a packetized data stream and addresses the Internet protocol packets to the target networked device prior to transmitting.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and system for changing programs in a digital transport stream carrying multiple channels which comprises receiving a digital television transport stream that has a plurality of multiplexed channels, de-multiplexing the plurality of channels, detecting I-frames of each channel and storing the most recent I-frame from each channel in a buffer. When a channel change is desired, the stored I-frame associated with the desired channel is obtained and decoded so that subordinate P-frames and B-frames in the desired channel can be immediately decoded in reference to the I-frame. By presenting the stored I-frame, there is no delay while waiting for a next transmitted I-frame in order to commence decoding and immediately presenting the selected channel to the display.

Abstract: A PVR is selectively granted access to a hard disk drive. The HDD generates a random number, encrypts it with a key known to the PVR, and sends it to the PVR, which decrypts the number and increments it by one to render a new number. The new number is encrypted with the key and sent back to the HDD, which decrypts the new number, decrements it by one, and compares the result to the original number, granting the PVR access only when a match occurs.

Abstract: A system for switching television channels provides a first tuner by which a first television channel is received and a second tuner by which a second television channel is received once a channel selection is made while the first channel is being viewed. The current channel being viewed is immediately switched to the selected second channel once the second tuner has acquired that channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an encoded signal with an encoder. The encoder includes an encoding stage and a selection stage. The encoder receives a first external encoded signal, a first external unencoded signal and an external selection signal. The encoding stage encodes the first external unencoded signal to generate a first internal encoded signal. The selection stage internally routes within the encoder one of the first external encoded signal and the first internal encoded signal to an output of the encoder in response to the external selection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of columns bound together, configured to display a single row of pixels scanned out from top to bottom. It also comprises a timing control unit to synchronize between the columns to allow all pixels of a single row to be lit at the same time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid channel change in a personal video recorder (PVR). Immediately after a channel change command is received, the PVR directs video directly to its output for display on a television display, bypassing the normal process of storing the video to the hard disk drive and then retrieving the video for display. This permits channel change speed to be limited only by the speed that a tuner's channel can be changed and not by the speed of the disk drive and associated processes for storage and retrieval of programming from the new channel. Output from the hard disk drive is used when special effects such as live pause are desired.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an encoded signal with an encoder. The encoder includes an encoding stage and a selection stage. The encoder receives a first external encoded signal, a first external unencoded signal and an external selection signal. The encoding stage encodes the first external unencoded signal to generate a first internal encoded signal. The selection stage internally routes within the encoder one of the first external encoded signal and the first internal encoded signal to an output of the encoder in response to the external selection signal.

Abstract: A packetized voice telephony system including a set top box including a cable modem front end for supporting cable television services to be provided to a television coupled to the set top box. Also included is a voice peripheral coupled to the set top box for supporting packetized voice telephony services provided via a cable link and through the set top box. In one variation, the voice peripheral supports Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The voice peripheral is external to the set top box and couples to the subscriber's telephone equipment. In some variations, the voice peripheral includes a power source to provide backup power to the set top box and the subscriber's telephone equipment.

Abstract: A private video telephony system or individual telephone set in which a predetermined video program is transmitted over the telephonic connection to another telephone set to which the first telephone set is connected over the telephone lines when the first telephone set is placed in hold mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to selectively post process decompressed image data to minimize blocking effects. Each pair of pixels across a block boundary is examined to determine whether the boundary pixels should be filtered. In one embodiment, if the difference between boundary pixels is less than a first predetermined threshold and the energy along the boundary is less than a second predetermined threshold, the boundary pixels are filtered to produce an output image having minimized blocking effects along block boundaries.