Abstract: Technology which facilitates a reduction in time of the presentation of video content after a viewer changes channels is described. Frames of a video stream associated with a channel are analyzed to identify locations of access points in the video stream prior to relaying the video stream to a presentation device. Information indicating the locations of access points is stored. The video stream is then time shifted on a continuous basis and is transmitted to the presentation device which made the request for as long as the presentation device remains tuned to the channel corresponding to the request. A first available frame on or before an access point of the time shifted video stream is selected based on the stored information, which is used to commence the transmission of the time shifted video to the presentation device, which facilitates a more immediate presentation of video content.

Abstract: In an internet protocol television (IPTV) system, fast channel change (FCC) transactions that experience late multicast joins are handled specially, thereby allowing the system to be provisioned for the vast majority of multicast joins that are within an expected range. During an FCC transaction, the subscriber interface device, such as a set-top box (STB), can determine how long it can wait to join the multicast stream of the new channel before a gap can be predicted to occur in the handover from the FCC unicast to the multicast. If the STB has not joined the multicast stream by the determined time, a recovery procedure is invoked in which the STB sends a RESTART request to the FCC server which, in turn, increases the rate of the FCC unicast as if the FCC transaction were restarted, thus allowing the handover to occur seamlessly. This solution reduces the demands of each FCC transaction, allowing for greater scalability and reduced cost.

Abstract: In an internet protocol television (IPTV) system, fast channel change (FCC) transactions that experience late multicast joins are handled specially, thereby allowing the system to be provisioned for the vast majority of multicast joins that are within an expected range. During an FCC transaction, the subscriber interface device, such as a set-top box (STB), can determine how long it can wait to join the multicast stream of the new channel before a gap can be predicted to occur in the handover from the FCC unicast to the multicast. If the STB has not joined the multicast stream by the determined time, a recovery procedure is invoked in which the STB sends a RESTART request to the FCC server which, in turn, increases the rate of the FCC unicast as if the FCC transaction were restarted, thus allowing the handover to occur seamlessly. This solution reduces the demands of each FCC transaction, allowing for greater scalability and reduced cost.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of multicasting video streams. The method includes accessing, at a base station, a first packet from a video stream that includes a plurality of packets. Each packet in the video stream is assigned to either a base layer or at least one enhancement layer. The method also includes encoding the first packet using a coding scheme selected based on whether the first packet is assigned to the base layer or an enhancement layer.

Abstract: Technology which facilitates a reduction in time of the presentation of video content after a viewer changes channels is described. Frames of a video stream associated with a channel are analyzed to identify locations of access points in the video stream prior to relaying the video stream to a presentation device. Information indicating the locations of access points is stored. The video stream is then time shifted on a continuous basis and is transmitted to the presentation device which made the request for as long as the presentation device remains tuned to the channel corresponding to the request. A first available frame on or before an access point of the time shifted video stream is selected based on the stored information, which is used to commence the transmission of the time shifted video to the presentation device, which facilitates a more immediate presentation of video content.

Abstract: The payloads of IP packets are checked to actually determine if a packet contains MPEG-2 video rather than using predefined streams or priority levels that are assumed to contain such information as is done in the prior art. More specifically, the “sync” bytes of the MPEG-2 stream are searched for within the IP packet payload, and when a pattern indicative of the sync bytes is found the sync bytes are identified and the packet is determined to contain MPEG-2 video. The sync byte was defined in MPEG-2 for over-the-air broadcasting in order that a television receiver be able to synchronize the MPEG-2 transport stream packets. Note that the MPEG-2 video, e.g., the MPEG-2 transport stream packets, may or may not be incorporated within real time protocol (RTP) packets before being incorporated into the IP packets.

Abstract: In vitro incubation of primate embryos in the presence of added exogenous gonadotrophin releasor hormone (GnRH), results in enhanced chorionic gonadotrophin production associated with increased survival and attachment of the embryos. Treatment of in vitro fertilized embryos with GnRH can be used to improve implantation. Agonists of GnRH reduce attachment competence of embryos and are thereby useful as post-fertilization contraceptives.

Abstract: Invitro incubation of primate embryos in the presence of gonadotrophin releasor hormone (GnRH) results in enhanced chorionic gonadotrophin production associated with increased survival and attachment of the embryos. Treatment of invitro fertilized embryos with GnRH can be used to improve implantation. Agonists of GnRH reduce attachment competence of embryos and are thereby useful as post-fertilization contraceptives.