Abstract: A stream of multicast messages is forwarded through a network to a plurality of subscriber devices (18). The stream is inverse multiplexed and transmitted distributed over a plurality of communication channels (14). A plurality of inverse demultiplexers (16) is provided, to reassemble a plurality of copies of the stream from the multiplexed streams from the communication channels at different locations. Preferably, the final communication channels to a plurality of subscribers (e.g. telephone lines to different homes) are used as communication channels for said inverse multiplexing and the inversely multiplexed data is communicated locally (17) between the subscribers to enable reassembly of copies of the stream.

Abstract: Throughput between personal computers and the Internet is increased by using inverse multiplexing over local loop telephone lines of different users. The different personal computers share the multiple intersubnetwork connections with each other, so that the efficiency of the use of the intersubnetwork connections is increased. Each of the computers is capable of receiving and/or transmitting inverse-multiplexed data signals over the same plurality of intersubnetwork connections. Preferably, at each computer, use is made of a separate connecting device locally coupled to the computer and an intersubnetwork connection and remotely coupled to one or more other such connecting devices. The connecting devices are placed in different housings, each having a regular connection with a local computer and a wireless transmission connection to corresponding connecting devices in neighboring housings.

Abstract: A stream of multicast messages is forwarded through a network to a plurality of subscriber devices (18). The stream is inverse multiplexed and transmitted distributed over a plurality of communication channels (14). A plurality of inverse demultiplexers (16) is provided, to reassemble a plurality of copies of the stream from the multiplexed streams from different locations. Preferably, the final communication channels to a plurality of subscribers (e.g. telephone lines to different homes) are used as communication channels for said inverse multiplexing and the inversely multiplexed data is communicated locally (17) between the subscribers to enable reassembly of copies of the stream.

Abstract: System for personalized information distribution (PID) from an information source server (1) to several user terminals (2) via an information distribution network (3) comprising several active nodes (4), forming a PID-tree (5). The active nodes comprise distribution control means (6) setting the information distribution process in the relevant active node in accordance with local distribution parameters (parm). The distribution parameters are manageable via said network by distribution control codes (dcc) originated by said user terminals or by other active nodes in the PID-tree.

Abstract: System for personalized information distribution (PID) from an information source server (1) to several user terminals (2) via an information distribution network (3) comprising several active nodes (4), forming a PID-tree (5). The active nodes comprise distribution control means (6) setting the information distribution process in the relevant active node in accordance with local distribution parameters (parm). The distribution parameters are manageable via said network by distribution control codes (dcc) originated by said user terminals or by other active nodes in the PID-tree.