Abstract: This invention pertains to a method by which the frequency and the modulation characteristics of a wire or wirelessly transmitted signal can be identified in a matter of milliseconds with significantly higher speed and accuracy than with existing or prior art receivers and spectrum analyzers, without erroneous image signals. Such signals can be then demodulated and decisions made based upon the demodulated data. The system then can be reconfigured to act as a transmit-receive module, with the transmit frequency enabled to address many different applications. This has applications in, terrestrial and satellite communications, and defense.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which the frequency and the modulation characteristics of a wire or wirelessly transmitted signal can be identified in a matter of milliseconds with significantly higher speed and accuracy than with existing or prior art receivers and spectrum analyzers, without erroneous image signals. Such signals can be then demodulated and decisions made based upon the demodulated data. The system then can be reconfigured to act as a transmit-receive module, with the transmit frequency enabled to address many different applications. This has applications in, terrestrial and satellite communications, and defense.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which Broadband Spectrum Analysis can be performed in the RF and Microwave frequency range with significantly higher speed, accuracy, and flexibility than existing RF and Microwave Spectrum Analyzers. This is done by eliminating the need for the filtering of the incoming signal, a process called preselection that needs to track in frequency with the scanning local oscillator in the instrument. By eliminating this requirement, this invention makes possible the identification and analysis of very broadband signals in a single sweep using an Adaptive Sweep Methodology and a Simultaneous Sweep capability that the present invention makes possible.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which Broadband Spectrum Analysis can be performed in the Rh and Microwave frequency range with significantly higher speed, accuracy, and flexibility than existing RF and Microwave Spectrum Analyzers. This is done by eliminating the need for the filtering of the incoming signal, a process called preselection that needs to track in frequency with the scanning local oscillator in the instrument. By eliminating this requirement, this invention makes possible the identification and analysis of very broadband signals in a single sweep using an Adaptive Sweep Methodology and a Simultaneous Sweep capability that the present invention makes possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for receiving a program by a user location that is sent from a content distributor is described. In one step, a first portion of the program is received and stored at the user location. A user request for the program is detected after storage of the first portion. A second portion of the program is received in response to the detecting the user request.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which a low cost low phase noise Phase Locked Loop or Phase Locked Loop based Frequency Synthesizer can be realized. The new method, called a Translational Phase Lock Loop or TPLL, allows the conversion of a traditional voltage controlled oscillator or VCO signal so that the phase noise of the VCO signal is substantially identical to the noise that the loop is aimed to correct via comparison to a low noise reference oscillator. It overcomes additional problems associated with traditional and prior art phase lock loops in terms of unwanted spurious signals, complexity, and cost.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which a low cost low phase noise Phase Locked Loop or Phase Locked Loop based. Frequency Synthesizer can be realized. The new method, called a Translational Phase Lock Loop or TPLL, allows the conversion of a traditional voltage controlled oscillator or VCO signal so that the phase noise of the VCO signal is substantially identical to the noise that the loop is aimed to correct via comparison to a low noise reference oscillator. It overcomes additional problems associated with traditional and prior art phase lock loops in terms of unwanted spurious signals, complexity, and cost.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which the output power of a circuit or system at any point can be efficiently and cost effectively sampled in a simple and broadband fashion for processing in a closed loop system for applications such as power level control in very broadband circuits. A divider circuit consisting of a selection of passive lumped elements is used to create a very broadband means of sampling the RF power level at any point in a transmission line. Unlike prior art schemes of this nature, this circuit does not rely upon extremely accurate element values and minimization of parasitic reactances. Used in conjunction with a balanced detector-logarithmic or other amplifier combination this invention result in a very broadband low cost simplified realization of the traditional costly bandwidth limited directional coupler-detector combination.

Abstract: This invention describes a method by which the output power of a circuit or system at any point can be efficiently and cost effectively sampled in a simple and broadband fashion for processing in a closed loop system for applications such as power level control in very broadband circuits. A divider circuit consisting of a selection of passive lumped elements is used to create a very broadband means of sampling the RF power level at any point in a transmission line. Unlike prior art schemes of this nature, this circuit does not rely upon extremely accurate element values and minimization of parasitic reactances. Used in conjunction with a balanced detector-logarithmic or other amplifier combination this invention result in a very broadband low cost simplified realization of the traditional costly bandwidth limited directional coupler-detector combination.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for distributing a program sent by a content distributor to a user location is described. A command from the content distributor is received and processed that requests storage of the program at the user location. The user location receives the program and stores the program. The storing is performed in response to at least the processing of the command. A user action related to the program is detected after storage of the program.

Abstract: A cable distribution system with distributed architecture that can accommodate both digital and analog subscribers. Each home has at least one Room Interface Unit (RIU), one for each television. There is a local service module associated with a group of RIUs (e.g., one for every ten RIUs). There is also a local headend in the vicinity. The local headend has a block of integrated tuner/receiver/decoders that can be controlled to tune in a selected video channel. The selected video channels and a group of standard channels are multiplexed and sent to the local service modules where a group of programmable converters (one for each RIU) place the channel selected by its corresponding RIU at a predetermined frequency. Each of the RIUs associated with a particular local service module receive the corresponding channel. Depending upon whether the subscriber has subscribed to digital or analog service, they will have either a digital or an analog RIU.

Abstract: This invention integrates functionality to prior-art meeting system infrastructures that cannot be achieved by existing designs. The system allows for the creation of a meeting enabling multiple end user device combinations of varying compatibility—each device containing multiple different peripherals—to seamlessly two-way communicate and manage incoming and outgoing communications. An advantage is the ability to translate any feed data into a device compatible format. The invention enables end user context-independent subscription to an arbitrary number of data feeds originating from an arbitrary number of connected end users. Finally, the invention defines a meeting replay system using the invention infrastructure that has the ability to record any combinations of data feeds from any combinations of end users and replay any part of the meeting through the same invention-infrastructure.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, each of which is configured to be played for a user under the user's control. At least one of the first set of programs has a counterpart in the second set of programs. A notification signal is transmitted to distinguish at least one of the second set of programs on the server from programs not on the server.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for pre-storing a portion of a program distributed on a plurality of distribution conduits and in a linear schedule with staggered start times is described. A first start time of the program is determined for a first distribution conduit, and a second start time of the program is determined for a second distribution conduit. A stagger time between the first start time and the second start time is also determined. A segment of the program equal in length to the stagger time is stored.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for distributing programming. A first set of program segments is transmitted according to a schedule of programming. A second set of program segments is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of program segments having a counterpart in the second set of program segments. User authorizations to program segments on the server are maintained. Such user authorizations may include a record of the number of times a user has previously been given program control over a particular program segment from the server and a limit on the number of times the user is authorized to have program control over the particular program segment from the server. A request from the user for program control over the particular program segment is detected and a determination is made whether to grant program control over that program segment in accordance with the user authorizations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for distributing programming. A first set of program segments is transmitted according to a schedule of programming. A second set of program segments is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of program segments having a counterpart in the second set of program segments. A database is maintained that records user authorizations to program segments on the server. A request from a user for program control of a particular program segment is detected and a determination is made whether to grant program control to the user.