Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus, including a program encoded on computer-readable medium, for interactive training or entertainment. Each of multiple platform components interconnects with at least one other platform component and includes visual indicators, a detector substantially adjacent to each indicator for detecting a proximate game accessory, and a detector microcontroller. A main control unit receives data frames from the detectors and determines a quantity of detectors in an interconnected set of platform components based on data contained in the data frames. A memory stores a plurality of routines. The main control unit is adapted to execute a selected routine based at least in part on the determined quantity of detectors. The selected routine defines a sequence of activation of the indicators in the interconnected set of platform components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables legacy NSP and other networks which use ATM switches that lack multicasting capabilities to acquire and distribute IP multicast transmissions to content subscribers on ATM DSL networks. The method and apparatus further provides the ability for insertion of local advertising content into received IP streams for subsequent distribution over an ATM network. An IP ATM Multicaster (IAM) converts IP multicast signals to ATM protocol and replicates the converted IP multicast packets in response to IGMP join requests received from one or more prospective multicast content recipients. The IAM acts as a bridge between IP protocol and ATM protocol environments that handles conversions and encapsulation protocols between environments. An alternate embodiment utilizes an ATM IP Multicast Inserter (AIMI) that embodies similar functions as the IAM but without using multiple virtual circuits.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for inserting national, regional, and/or demographically targeted information content, such as commercial advertisements, into streaming IP multicast program content delivery streams, such as streaming audio, video or other multimedia content, provided to Internet users via a wide area multicast distribution network. One or more IP datagram/packet replication devices accept packets of streaming digital data content from a multicast content distribution network or other streaming digital content generation source to produce a plurality of multicast content streams. Content streams are provided to an advertisement insertion (AI) device that is capable of implementing per-stream insertion of predetermined advertisement content. Multicast content streams containing the inserted advertisement content are distributed to multicast recipients by one or more regional IP service provider networks.