Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for creating a multi-media stream (e.g., video, voice, audio, etc. . . . ) Super-MAC frame in a physical protocol data unit, including inserting a physical layer header into a channel time allocation and generating the multi-media stream SuperMAC frame further including, appending a media access control header after the physical layer header, calculating a header correction code, appending the header correction code after the media access control header, appending a media access control multi-media stream payload from a transmit queue, calculating a frame check sequence, appending the frame check sequence after the media access control multi-media stream payload and repeating the above acts, after inserting the physical layer header, until one of the channel time allocation is full or all transmit queues are empty.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly re-distributing multi-media streams, including receiving multi-media streams at a master device from a source, adaptively determining channel time allocations in response to status information for transmit queues and transmission channel conditions, constructing a superframe from said multi-media streams for insertion into said downstream channel time allocations and wireless transmitting the channel time allocations to effect re-distribution of said multi-media streams to a remote device, are described. Also described is a method for wirelessly receiving re-distributed a multi-media stream including receiving a beacon signal and a channel time allocation and receiving said re-distributed multi-media stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of electronic devices, such as consumer electronic devices, or the like, via a digital bus. In particular, the present invention provides for improved interoperability of such devices over the digital bus. In one embodiment, the present invention transfers identifying information from a peripheral device to a display device during a discovery mode for providing a device selection screen having a plurality of device icons displayed thereon. The device icons are generated by the display, or controlling device, in response to identifying information, such as keywords stored in a configuration ROM of the peripheral device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for managing service traffic in a communications network capable of providing voice, data, and A/V services to a plurality of customers. In particular, the present invention is a digital subscriber line system (DSL), preferably based on ADSL, having a plurality of customer premise equipment (CPEs) coupled to voice, data and A/V services via network system equipment comprising a DSLAM, an ATM switch and a DSL terminator for connecting the system to the internet. The invention provides a network control system that includes a plurality of databases including a provisioning database and a real time database indicative of the actual bandwidth being utilized.

Abstract: There are described apparatus and methods for adaptive forward error correction (FEC), one use being for video streaming over a wireless network. The apparatus includes an FEC encoder and an adaptive FEC device. The FEC encoder is for encoding k packets of source data into n packets, where n>k, and the n packets include redundant packets. The adaptive FEC device is for adaptively determining a number of the redundant packets to transmit with the encoded k packets, based upon receiving one or more feedback messages. The one or more feedback messages indicate a condition of the wireless network over which the encoded video is to be transmitted.

Abstract: Interoperability for exchanging on-screen display menus and associated control between common consumer electronic (CE) devices is provided. This interoperability is based on the IEEE 1394 serial bus for the physical and link layers and makes use of AV/C or CAL as the control language. This invention provides for transferring a bit-mapped on-screen display menu constructed by a target device (e.g., digital VCR) to display device (e.g., digital TV).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling distribution of digital content from an device attached to a network to another device outside the network. The device receives a digital signal containing content, the digital signal having an authorization field indicative of a first transport mode authorizing the content for distribution outside the network, and of a second transport mode wherein the content is not authorized for transmission outside the network.

Abstract: A method for automatically defining or learning the configuration of a television interconnected with a plurality of peripheral devices utilizes a digital control channel to define the analog interconnections. This method does not require the consumer to know the specific configuration of the system. The system functions properly whether peripheral devices are in the video chain path or not. This method enables a suser to simply connect peripheral devices to any one of the multiple inputs of the video processing apparatus. The video processing apparatus employs a systematic process of (1) commanding each of said peripheral devices via a digital bus, such as an IEEE 1394 serial bus, to transmit a signal from its analog output, (2) monitoring the analog inputs of the video processing apparatus to determine which of the inputs receives the transmitted signal, and (3) constructing a map of the analog interconnectivity of each peripheral device connected to said video processing device.

Abstract: Managing interoperability of digital devices such as a digital video disc player and a digital television interconnected via a digital bus is provided. This interoperability is based on the IEEE 1394 serial bus for the physical and link layers and makes use of AV/C or CAL as the control language. This invention provides for transferring a DVD subpicture that has been transformed into a bit-mapped on-screen display (OSD) format via an asynchronous channel of the interconnecting serial bus.

Abstract: A digital device, such as a digital VTR, receives and records an MPEG compatible datastream. On play back, the DVTR inserts packetized auxiliary information, such as on-screen display information, into the transport datastream for transmission to another digital device, such as a television receiver. Time stamps in the MPEG compatible datastream are unaffected by the insertion of the auxiliary information. The DVTR VSB modulates the datastream to provide sufficient bandwidth for the auxiliary information in the datastream.

Abstract: A system for deriving multiple channels from four-wire residential telephone wiring. The invention provides two voice channels and two, or more, data channels on common residential telephone wiring. The voice channels occupy a normal telephone bandwidth, in the range of approximately zero Hz to 3500 Hz. With this channel placement, ordinary telephonic devices can use the channels, without a requirement of frequency-shifting. Above these voice-channel frequencies, data channels are provided, for internal communication within the residence.

Abstract: A method of delivering video over a network includes separating the digitally compressed video signal into multiple sub-signals, coding each of the sub-signals, transmitting each of the sub-signals over asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) paths, receiving each of the sub-signals, and selecting certain said sub-signals according to a bandwidth suitable for subsequent reception over a digital subscriber line (DSL) path. Preferably, the step of combining selective ones of the sub-signals is based on a data rate capacity of the digital subscriber line (DSL) path for subsequent transmission. The bandwidth of the sub-signals selected is supported by the data rate of the digital subscriber line (DSL) path.

Abstract: A minimal level of interoperability for exchanging audio/video (A/V) content and associated control between common consumer electronic (CE) devices is defined. This interoperability is based on the IEEE 1394 serial bus for the physical and link layers and makes use of AV/C or CAL as the control language. This invention provides for reducing the number of remote controls that the user might need by allowing remote control commands to always be received by a controlling device (e.g., digital television) and then routed to the appropriate peripheral device (e.g. digital VCR) after translation into a universal format.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of electronic devices, such as consumer electronic device, or the like, via a digital bus. In particular, the present invention provides for improved interpretability of such devices over the digital bus. In one embodiment, the present invention transfers identifying information from a pheripheral device to a display device during a discovery mode for providing a device selection screen having a plurality of device icons displayed thereon. The device icons are generated by the display, or controlling device, in response to identifying information, such as keywords stored in a configuration ROM of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A controller for residential telephone wiring. Apparatus associated with the controller provides multiple communication channels on ordinary residential telephone wiring. The controller (1) routes incoming calls to a selected telephonic device within the residence, (2) routes outgoing calls to a free external line servicing the residence, and (3) routes calls within the residence from one telephonic device to another.

Abstract: A method and system for providing rollover service from a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) is disclosed. A routing table is provided which includes call reference values stored within a local bypass system. An incoming call is checked against the call reference values to determine if a call reference value of the incoming call is associated with a grouping of call reference values. The call is connected to a destination associated with a next available call reference value in the grouping using a network control system located within the local bypass system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining service on a digital subscriber line are described. An analog service system, which provides analog service with a battery back-up capable of delivering power during a power outage and a digital service unit coupled to the analog service system are included. The digital service system provides digital service to a user. A relay is coupled to the analog service system and the digital service unit to selectively enable a service line with analog service or digital service responsive to a power outage event. Service is switched digital to analog during the power outage event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed in which a buffer receives a first content stream carrying a content channel signal. The first content stream carries the content channel signal at a rate substantially greater than the streaming content playout rate, for initially loading the buffer. The buffer switches its reception of the content channel signal from the first content stream to a second content stream. The second content stream is at a rate substantially the same as the streaming content playout rate. Generally, this switch occurs when some predefined threshold of the content channel signal is buffered.

Abstract: The present method provides a fixed bandwidth for communicating information by way of a DSL service over a circuit switched telephone network. It includes the steps of setting a transmission bandwidth at a transmitting end of a DSL service over a circuit switched telephone network; dividing out the desired transmission bandwidth into multiple data connections each corresponding to an available voice connection in the circuit switched telephone network; delivering information at the desired transmission bandwidth by way of the multiple data rate connections; and combining the multiple data connections at a receiving end of the DSL service to provide the information at the desired transmission bandwidth.

Abstract: A controller for residential telephone wiring. Apparatus associated with the controller provides multiple communication channels on ordinary residential telephone wiring. The controller (1) routes incoming calls to a selected telephonic device within the residence, (2) routes outgoing calls to a free external line servicing the residence, and (3) routes calls within the residence from one telephonic device to another.