Abstract: A power line communication (PLC) bridge circuit consistent with certain embodiments has a first coupler that couples data signals to and from the first power line circuit and a second coupler that couples data signals to and from the second power line circuit. The first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from separate legs of a distribution transformer, and share a single neutral connection. A first communication transceiver is connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler. A second communication transceiver is connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler. A controller examines data signals from the first transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the second transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the second transceiver is considered local data.

Abstract: A method for near real time quality analysis consistent with certain embodiments passively samples packets (616) from a stream of Internet Protocol (IP) packets that represent a communication session between a pair of end points carrying signals being transmitted over a transmission path in an IP network, and determines (620) in near real time at least two metrics from the sampled packets for the communication session. The at least two metrics include at least one metric that measures a quantity of lost packets, and at least one metric that measures a characteristic of packet timing. The method further involves calculating (632) a quality score in near real time using a quality formula that combines the at least two metrics. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A beacon method for use in a wireless communication network involves populating a beacon frame's channel identification data with accurate data associated with use of a particular channel for wireless communication; populating the beacon frame's network identification data with data including at least one false data element, where the beacon network identification data are intended to identify the network using the particular channel; storing the beacon frame in a computer readable storage medium; and transmitting the beacon frame over a channel to be reserved. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In an OFDM-TDMA power line communication system, time slot and carrier frequencies are assigned in a manner that reallocates time slots and carrier frequencies to enhance the efficiency of utilization of bandwidth. The reassignments are communicated between transmitting and receiving stations by transmitting tone maps that designate the reassignment of the time slots and carriers. Several variations are presented depending upon the circumstances of channel use and prior assignment of time slots and channels.

Abstract: A method of identifying programs in a digital video communication system, consistent with certain embodiment of the present invention involve generating an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT), wherein the auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT relate at least one program identifier (PID) to a program. The auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT are packetized and identified using a designated PID. The designated PID is encoded as private descriptor in a network information table (NIT) that is transmitted to the Set-top boxes (STB) over an out of band channel. The STBs have an out of band modem that receives a network information table (NIT). A NIT parser parses the NIT to obtain a designated program identifier (PID) for packets containing an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT).

Abstract: A pin and base plate construction within an HDMI connector that guards against pin damage or misalignment that results in the disruption of electrical signals within the HDMI connector. A hooked end of a pin is inserted into an inset hole aligned with a channel within the base plate. While the body of the pin lies flat within the channel, the pin end hooked into the hole in the base plate resists push or pull forces on the pin, thus limiting damage and eliminating misalignment of the pins. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A selective encryption encoder and method of dual selective encryption. The selective encryption encoder has a packet identifier that identifies packets of at least one specified packet type, the at least one specified packet type being any of a plurality of packet types including packets containing a video slice headers or packets carrying data appearing in an active area of the image. A packet duplicator duplicates the identified packets to produce first and second sets of the identified packets. The packets are sent to and from a primary encryption encoder to encrypt the first set of identified packets under a first encryption method. A secondary encrypter encrypts the second set of identified packets under a second encryption method.

Abstract: A wireless home entertainment system consistent with certain embodiments has at least one server, wherein the server includes a cradle having a first authentication switch forming a part thereof, wherein the first authentication switch is not a general purpose data entry element. At least one component is in wireless communication with the server, the component having a cradle mating portion that mates in the cradle. A second authentication switch resides at the cradle mating portion, wherein a person can cause the server to regard the component as being authenticated by mating the cradle mating portion with the cradle in a manner that causes actuation of said first and second switches. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of upgrading an encryption process for encryption of video information from an old encryption process to a new encryption process, consistent with certain embodiments involves selecting a portion of video content for selective encryption. The selected portion is duplicated to produce first and second copies of the selected portion. The first copy is encrypted using the old encryption process and the second copy is encrypted using the new encryption process to produce a dual partially encrypted segment of video information that can either be broadcast over a cable or satellite system or stored in a package medium as two program chains.

Abstract: A power spectrum estimator consistent with certain embodiments has a pulse extraction circuit that compares a digital input signal with a delayed version of the digital input signal to produce an output signal containing extracted pulses. An averaging circuit receives the output pulse and produces therefrom an averaged signal representing the averaged value of the output signal. A subtracter subtracts a reference signal from the averaged signal to produce a difference signal. An absolute value circuit converts the difference signal to an error signal by taking the absolute value of the difference signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments consistent with the present invention, a method of processing digital video content, wherein the digital video content comprises intra-coded frames and inter-coded frames, involves selecting a plurality of the intra-coded frames for encryption to produce selected frames; encrypting the selected frames under a first encryption algorithm to produce first encrypted frames; storing the inter-coded frames in a first file; and storing the intra-coded frames, whether encrypted under the first encryption algorithm or unencrypted, in a second file. For a multiple encryption embodiment consistent with the present invention, the method further involves duplicating the intra-coded frames; encrypting duplicates of the selected frames under a second encryption algorithm to produce second encrypted frames; storing the intra-coded frames, whether encrypted under the second encryption algorithm or unencrypted, in a third file.

Abstract: A method for providing portable delivery of television programs to a portable wireless device (PWD) consistent with certain embodiments involves transmitting a request from the PWD to a television receiver system, the request comprising a request for electronic program guide (EPG) information relating to a television program currently being received by the television receiver system; receiving a response from the television receiver system, wherein the response delivers EPG information to the PWD; identifying a source compatible with the PWD for receipt of the television program using identifying information from the EPG; transmitting an order for the television program from the PWD to the identified source; and receiving a wireless transmission of the television program from the source to the PWD. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A Video On Demand (VOD) method consistent with certain embodiments involves processing content by selecting first portions of the content for encryption under a selective encryption system and selecting second portions of the content to remain unencrypted. The first and second portions are stored on the VOD server. If a request is received from the a device having decryption capabilities associated with a first decryption method only the first portions are routed to the encryption device and the second portions are routed around it. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An encryption arrangement for multiple encryption of television programs. A system according to embodiments of the present invention multiple encrypts only a portion of the data required for full presentation of a television program to permit coexistence of multiple conditional access encryption systems associated with multiple manufacturer's set-top boxes within a single system. In one embodiment, only critical packets such as those carrying a payload incorporating packetized elementary stream header information is encrypted. By only encrypting a portion of the program, dramatically less bandwidth is consumed than the alternative of multiple encryption of all program data, thus permitting a larger number of programs to be carried over the same bandwidth while permitting coexistence of multiple conditional access systems in a single cable television system.

Abstract: A method of selecting data for multiple carriage partial encryption consistent with certain embodiments involves examining unencrypted packets of data in a digital audio/video data stream to identify a packet type; and selecting packets of the identified packet type for multiple partial encryption, wherein the amount of data to be encrypted is sufficient to render a portion of an entire frame unviewable. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A video apparatus consistent with certain embodiments has a receiver that receives a data stream containing video data and video overlay data, wherein the video data includes a censored region having boundaries. A video plane receives the video data in order to render a video frame for display, the video data including the censored region. A video overlay plane receives the video overlay data in order to render a frame of overlay video data for display. The overlay data has boundaries that overlay the censored region. An alpha plane defines overlay boundaries for the overlay data to determine how much of the overlay video data overlays the censored region when rendering the video frame. The alpha plane defines boundaries that are smaller than the boundaries of the overlay data and larger than the boundaries of the censored region. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In a pairing arrangement, a first half-disc and a second half-disc of an optical disc are bonded together by dispensing a bonding material onto the second half-disc and the first half-disc and second half-disc are placed in a chamber. The pressure within the chamber is reduced to a pressure below an ambient pressure and the first half-disc and the second half-disc are brought together within the chamber to distribute the bonding material between a surface of the second half-disc and a corresponding surface of the first half-disc and thereby form a paired disc. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain embodiments carried out at a television provider headend involves receiving a feed of scrambled television content in the form of a stream of packets; descrambling the scrambled television content to produce a stream of clear packets; selecting a packet for multiple encryption; duplicating the packet to provide first and second packets; re-mapping the first and second packets to first and second packet identifiers; encrypting the first packet under a first encryption algorithm to produce a first encrypted packet; encrypting the second packet under a second encryption algorithm to produce a second encrypted packet; and re-mapping clear packets to the first packet identifier. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A selective encryption encoder consistent with certain embodiments of the invention has a packet identifier that identifies packets of a specified packet type, the specified packet type being defined by packets occurring in a star pattern approximately situated at an upper center of an image which contain intra-coded macroblocks. A packet duplicator duplicates the identified packets to produce first and second sets of the identified packets. The packets are sent to and from a primary encryption encoder to encrypt the first set of identified packets under a first encryption method. A secondary encrypter encrypts the second set of identified packets under a second encryption method.

Abstract: A selective encryption encoder and method of dual selective encryption and detection of intra-coded slices in video content. The selective encryption encoder has a packet identifier that identifies packets of at least one specified packet type, the at least one specified packet type being packets in a set of N consecutive slices in a frame wherein the a second byte after a slice start code is identical in all N consecutive slices. A packet duplicator duplicates the identified packets to produce first and second sets of the identified packets. The packets are sent to and from a primary encryption encoder to encrypt the first set of identified packets under a first encryption method. A secondary encrypter encrypts the second set of identified packets under a second encryption method.