Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting multimedia data to a set-top box for distribution to a headend of a cable television. The apparatus includes an input for a signal containing multimedia data. The apparatus has a module for compressing the multimedia data and also a packetizing module. The packetizing module adds a header. Since the headend is the only destination of the multimedia data, a destination address is unnecessary in the header, but the header does include an indicator as to source and an order identifier for each of the packets. The headend can then receive the packets, re-order the packets and decompress the multimedia data. The data may then be processed by a processor at the headend that is assigned at the beginning of an interactive session.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide apparatus, methods, and systems for effectuating an increase in the effective bandwidth of a cable television distribution plant in a manner compatible with most common cable television systems. By using methods and systems for simultaneously transmitting a standard analog television signal and a digital data signal in a manner that minimizes interference of each with the other, one or more data carriers may be embedded within one or more analog television channels in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. These combined signals can be transmitted transparently over the existing cable television distribution plant to a location at or near the subscribers so that, among other things, that the subscriber may “pause and resume” much in the way Personal Video Recorders work.

Abstract: In an interactive cable system having at least one processor at a headend in communication with subscribers through an information service distribution network, a frame grabber is provided for grabbing a frame of video and storing the frame in a storage medium. A video frame may be requested from the storage medium in response to control data received from a subscriber selection device, wherein a processor retrieves the video frame from the storage medium, transforms the frame into a television information signal and sends the frame to the subscriber's home interface controller for display on the subscriber's television.

Abstract: In an interactive cable system having a plurality of assignable interactive controllers which communicate with subscribers through an information service distribution network, a frame server is provided for interfacing with a plurality of subscribers. A system manager assigns either the frame server or one of the plurality of interactive controllers to subscribers requesting interactive service. The frame server preferably delivers interactive pages which need only be transmitted intermittently, such as still frame images.

Abstract: An interactive television information system coupled to a cable television system having a headend for supplying information services and an information service distribution network for delivering information services to subscriber televisions. Each subscriber television is associated with a home interface controller. The home interface controllers receive the television information signals and include a data transceiver for data communications. A subscriber selection device associated with a home interface controller permits subscriber interaction through the data transceiver with an assigned interactive controller from a plurality of interactive controllers. The assigned interactive controller is in communication with the information sources and in television communication with its assigned home interface controller. Selection of an information source nay be made through channel selection of an apparent channel from any of a first group of apparent channels and a second group of apparent channels.

Abstract: An interactive television information system coupled to a cable television system having a headend for supplying information services and an information service distribution network for delivering information services to subscriber televisions. Each subscriber television is associated with a home interface controller. The home interface controllers receive the television information signals and include a data transceiver for data communications. A subscriber selection device associated with a home interface controller permits subscriber interaction through the data transceiver with an assigned interactive controller from a plurality of interactive controllers. The assigned interactive controller is in communication with the information sources and in television communication with its assigned home interface controller. Selection of an information source nay be made through channel selection of an apparent channel from any of a first group of apparent channels and a second group of apparent channels.

Abstract: A television information system for distributing television information services, including interactive service, to subscribers divided among a plurality of service areas. A system manager receives requests for service from subscribers and assigns each requesting subscriber to one of a plurality of video provider elements. The video provider element provides a television information service to the requesting subscriber. An rf processing unit associated with the video provider element places the television information service on a carrier frequency assigned to the subscriber by the system manager. An rf switch controlled by the system manager directs each carrier frequency to the service area of the corresponding requesting subscriber.

Abstract: A switching apparatus and method for routing RF scrambled signals. One of a plurality of scrambled RF television information signals is selected. A processor assigns an output carrier frequency. The selected scrambled television information signal is output by the switching apparatus on the assigned output carrier frequency.The plurality of scrambled RF television information signals is carried on an RF bus in the switching apparatus. The bus may consist of a plurality of cables. An RF switch connects a tuner to one of the cables. An amplifier is connected to the tuner. An amplitude information signal is decoded off the RF bus and is used for controlling gain of the amplifier. An up converter applies the output of the amplifier onto the assigned carrier frequency.

Abstract: A controller, in accordance with a preferred embodiment provides, in a specified region of first television picture generated by a first digitally compressed video signal, an overlay of a second picture embodied in a second video signal. The controller includes an I-frame buffer for storing updated macroblock pixel data in I-frame format derived from the second signal. The controller also has a matte mask storage register for storing data that identifies the specified region by means of macroblocks. A matte substitution processor is in communication with the matte mask storage register and has as an input the first signal and provides an overlayed output; the controller inhibits transmission to the output of any macroblock, of the first signal's data stream, lying in the specified region. It also functions to substitute for such macroblock a corresponding macroblock from the I-frame buffer.

Abstract: A cable system in which a plurality of non-interactive channels occupy a first group of carrier frequencies and a plurality of pseudo-channels, each assigned to an information service from a plurality of information services, are carried by a second group of carrier frequencies. A tuner is controlled by a processor in response to a channel selector. If the selected channel number represents a non-interactive channel the tuner is set to that channel. If the selected channel number is a pseudo-channel representing an interactive service, the tuner is set to an assigned carrier frequency in the second group of carrier frequencies. The assigned carrier frequency is provided from a cable control mode to a data receiver at the subscriber's television interface controller. Channels are selected from a single numerical sequence of channel numbers.

Abstract: An interactive television information system having a node in television communication between a source of television information services and a plurality of home interface controllers. Each subscriber television is associated with a home interface controller. The home interface controllers receive the television information signals and include a data transceiver for data communications with the node. Express trunks deliver television information services to groups of subscribers. Each trunk includes a first bandwidth portion for carrying broadcast television signals in the same manner on each trunk. A second bandwidth portion carries television information services on a demand basis. The node responds to subscriber requests by selecting television information services for delivery over the second bandwidth portion of the express trunk coupled to the requesting home interface controller.

Abstract: An interactive television information system coupled to a cable television system having a headend for supplying information services and an information service distribution network for delivering information services to subscriber televisions. Each subscriber television is associated with a home interface controller. The home interface controllers receive the television information signals and include a data transceiver for data communications. A subscriber selection device associated with a home interface controller permits subscriber interaction through the data transceiver with an assigned interactive controller from a plurality of interactive controllers. The assigned interactive controller is in communication with the information sources and in television communication with its assigned home interface controller. Selection of an information source nay be made through channel selection of an apparent channel from any of a first group of apparent channels and a second group of apparent channels.

Abstract: An interactive home information system having a node in television communication and data communication with a group of home interface controllers. At each home interface controller, there is a signal input for receiving television signals from the node over a cable television distribution network and a data transceiver for conducting data communications with the node. The node determines whether a home interface controller is requesting interactive service. For each interface controller requesting interactive service, the node assigns a television information signal to the requesting home interface controller. Thus, signal assignment is accomplished on a demand basis for those interface controllers determined to be placed in an interactive mode. Signal assignment may involve selection of a given carrier frequency. Alternatively, signal assignment may involve selection of a time slice.

Abstract: An interactive home information system is described for providing interactive cable television services to a plurality of subscribers. The system includes a "node" which is in communication with the headend of the system and a group of subscriber home interface terminals. The node operates to selectively distribute information services obtained from the headend to ones of the terminals. The system includes circuitry for generating a display of a carousel on a subscriber's television. The displayed carousel includes a plurality of faces wherein an established one of the faces lists at least one available choice which can be selected by the subscriber via a displayed cursor. The system further includes circuitry for causing an apparent rotation of the displayed carousel in order to display additional choices on the established face.

Abstract: An interactive cable television system having a plurality of feeder servers, a plurality of home interface controllers and a feeder port. Home interface controllers are each equipped with a radio frequency input and a data communications link with a receiver and transmitter in the feeder port. A node control in communication with the feeder port determines whether a home interface controller is active and then assigns a feeder server to it. The feeder server provides one of a plurality of information signals from a headend depending on a selection input. Digitally compressed video signals are provided at the headend. The digitally compressed video signals can be provided by a modulator means at a carrier frequency greater than the upper frequency limit for carrying analog television signals with acceptable quality on the cable system.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia system with distributed processing and storage of video picture information and associated data and sound in nodes disposed throughout a cable television distribution system. The nodes are coupled to the feeder cable of the cable distribution system. Each node in the system receives a substantially identical copy of the interactive video picture information and related data from a regional processing center. The nodes can receive the Video picture information through the cable television distribution system or externally of the cable system. The users at home televisions associated with a particular node interact directly with the video picture information in that node, rather than with the information stored in the regional processing center or some other remote location, which enables the system to quickly display photographic quality images and complex graphics, as well as sound, at the users' televisions in response to commands received by the users.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia system with distributed processing and storage of video picture information and associated data and sound in nodes disposed throughout a cable television distribution system. The nodes are coupled to the feeder cable of the cable distribution system. Each node in the system receives a substantially identical copy of the interactive video picture information and related data from a regional processing center. The users at home televisions associated with a particular node interact directly with the video picture information in that node, rather than with the information stored in the regional processing center or some other remote location, which enables the system to quickly display photographic quality images and complex graphics, as well as sound, at the users' televisions in response to commands received by the users.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia system with distributed processing and storage of video picture information and associated data and sound in nodes disposed throughout a cable television distribution system. The nodes are coupled to the feeder cable of the cable distribution system. Each node in the system receives a substantially identical copy of the interactive video picture information and related data from a regional processing center. The users at home televisions associated with a particular node interact directly with the video picture information in that node, rather than with the information stored in the regional processing center or some other remote location, which enables the system to quickly display photographic quality images and complex graphics, as well as sound, at the users' televisions in response to commands received by the users.

Abstract: An interactive videotex system with distributed processing and storage of video picture information in nodes disposed throughout a cable television distribution system. The nodes are coupled to the feeder cable of the cable distribution system. Each node in the system receives a substantially identical copy of the interactive video picture information and related data from a regional processing center. The users at home televisions associated with a particular node interact directly with the video picture information in that node, rather than with the information stored in the regional processing center or some other remote location, which enables the system to quickly display photographic quality images and complex graphics, as well as sound, at the user's televisions in response to commands received by the users.