Abstract: Designed for use with widescreen TVs or high-end TVs with a mode for accommodating anamorphic programs, an EPG client is equipped with an electronic program guide (EPG) and a letterbox-to-anamorphic converter. The EPG client evaluates EPG data to determine whether programs are in the letterbox format. When a letterboxed program is selected for viewing, the EPG client vertically stretches the program by a ratio of M/N, where M>N (e.g., 4/3), to convert the program from the letterbox format to an anamorphic format prior to delivery to the television. The converted anamorphic program is output to the television, where it is horizontally expanded to fit the screen.

Abstract: Designed for use with widescreen TVs or high-end TVs with a mode for accommodating anamorphic programs, an EPG client is equipped with an electronic program guide (EPG) and a letterbox-to-anamorphic converter. The EPG client evaluates EPG data to determine whether programs are in the letterbox format. When a letterboxed program is selected for viewing, the EPG client vertically stretches the program by a ratio of M/N, where M>N (e.g., 4/3), to convert the program from the letterbox format to an anamorphic format prior to delivery to the television. The converted anamorphic program is output to the television, where it is horizontally expanded to fit the screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a back channel as a feedback system to regulate the quality of broadcast. A signal source transmits a signal corresponding to the broadcast to one or more home entertainment systems. The displaying, recording or utilization of the broadcast is tracked at the individual home entertainment systems. The tracked information is transmitted in either real time or on a deferred basis from home entertainment systems as feedback across a back channel. The quality of the broadcast is regulated and/or optimized as a result of the feedback. As such, the broadcast can be dynamically restructured by modifying the bandwidth of the broadcast, by changing the modulation of the broadcast, by changing the encoding scheme of the broadcast, by varying parameters of the encoding scheme of the broadcast, by redistributing satellite channels to take full advantage of transponders available in a satellite television system, etc.

Abstract: A video on demand system includes a head-end coupled through a proxy server to plural client terminals. The proxy server performs (or cooperates with another component in performing) various functions, including user interface definition, security, system administration (e.g. channel management, load distribution, and failover), and protocol translation.

Abstract: Designed for use with widescreen TVs or high-end TVs with a mode for accommodating anamorphic programs, an EPG client is equipped with an electronic program guide (EPG) and a letterbox-to-anamorphic converter. The EPG client evaluates EPG data to determine whether programs are in the letterbox format. When a letterboxed program is selected for viewing, the EPG client vertically stretches the program by a ratio of M/N, where M>N (e.g., 4/3), to convert the program from the letterbox format to an anamorphic format prior to delivery to the television. The converted anamorphic program is output to the television, where it is horizontally expanded to fit the screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the ability of scripts to access objects defined at the client. The client stores an access control data structure having multiple entries. Each entry is associated with one or more objects for which access is to be controlled. The entries include a source identifier field containing one or more URLs and a permission identifier field containing data defining a permission. When the client receives a script from a script source, such as a web site, the client begins execution of the script until the script requests access to an object. The client identifies a relevant entry of the access control data structure, which is an entry that is associated with the requested object and lists the URL of the script source in the source identifier field. The client applies the permission defined by the permission identifier of the relevant entry to the request, thereby granting or denying access to the script.

Abstract: Designed for use with widescreen TVs or high-end TVs with a mode for accommodating anamorphic programs, an EPG client is equipped with an electronic program guide (EPG) and a letterbox-to-anamorphic converter. The EPG client evaluates EPG data to determine whether programs are in the letterbox format. When a letterboxed program is selected for viewing, the EPG client vertically stretches the program by a ratio of M/N, where M>N (e.g., 4/3), to convert the program from the letterbox format to an anamorphic format prior to delivery to the television. The converted anamorphic program is output to the television, where it is horizontally expanded to fit the screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a back channel as a feedback system to regulate the quality of broadcast. A signal source transmits a signal corresponding to the broadcast to one or more home entertainment systems. The displaying, recording or utilization of the broadcast is tracked at the individual home entertainment systems. The tracked information is transmitted in either real time or on a deferred basis from home entertainment systems as feedback across a back channel. The quality of the broadcast is regulated and/or optimized as a result of the feedback. As such, the broadcast can be dynamically restructured by modifying the bandwidth of the broadcast, by changing the modulation of the broadcast, by changing the encoding scheme of the broadcast, by varying parameters of the encoding scheme of the broadcast, by redistributing satellite channels to take full advantage of transponders available in a satellite television system, etc.

Abstract: A computer system having a shared system memory, and system software in the computer system, are described herein. The computer system has a general purpose, shared system memory that is used for all processing, including video input/output operations, image conversion operations, and rendering operations. In operation, a digital media (DM) Pbuffer is created. The DM Pbuffer is aliased as a DM buffer in the system memory. This is done by storing in a color buffer identifier of the DM Pbuffer an identifier of the DM buffer. Thereafter, all graphical rendering operations directed to the DM Pbuffer are actually performed using the DM buffer.

Abstract: A computer system having a shared system memory, and system software in the computer system, are described herein. One or more user applications execute in the computer system. The computer system has a general purpose, shared system memory that is used for all processing, including video input/output operations and image conversion operations. The computer system also has a multimedia access and control module (MACM), which is the input/output interface between the computer system and the external world. In operation, the MACM receives, at one of its video input ports, video data comprising a video image (such as a frame or a field). The MACM stores the video image in a first buffer contained in a first buffer pool of the system memory. The first buffer pool was previously created by a user application. The user application previously associated the first buffer pool with the MACM's video input port. A video imaging and compression module (VICM) performs image conversion operations.

Abstract: A server to which clients subscribe for on-the fly notice of alterations to files and directories in a computer having an operating and file management system. The server also provides status of the execution state of executable code, alteration detection for multiple requests from multiple clients, and tracks files and directories on a user's local station. In addition, the server monitors network-mounted files on remote computers even though events are only generated for local activity on network files.