Abstract: A power control device (18), for use with a WPAN host device (10), and a method (30) for supporting seamless mobility in transferring content between a WPAN-enabled device and the host device, such as between a Bluetooth-enabled information source and a Bluetooth-enabled host device. The host device includes a WPAN module (14), an on/off control module (16) and the power control device or module (18). The power control module (18) includes a power source (24) for powering a controller (22) that instructs the on/off control module to turn on the host device if the host device is turned off and if a WPAN information source has a WPAN master/slave relationship with the host device. The controller also can instruct the on/off control module to turn off the host device if the WPAN information source no longer has a WPAN master/slave relationship with the host device.

Abstract: A method for authorizing a computer program having a number of features for use with a product includes: receiving license data generated using a first key, the license data specifying a unique identifier associated with the product and specifying at least one feature authorized for use with the product; using a second key associated with the first key, obtaining the unique identifier from the license data; retrieving a product identifier from the product; determining whether the unique identifier corresponds to the product identifier; and based on the determination, authorizing use of the at least one feature with the product.

Abstract: A method for increasing transfer quality between a content requestor and a content source on a content distribution system. The method involves determining transfer quality between the requestor and various content sources. The determination is made from the requestor's perspective. After determining transfer qualities for the various content sources, the requester provides the transfer qualities to a selector on the content distribution system. The selector uses the determined transfer qualities select a content source to supply the requestor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing transport stream packets received from a network for distribution to user terminals is described. In one embodiment, a pair of clock reference packets in the transport stream packets is identified. The pair of clock reference packets includes a first clock reference packet having an output time stamp and a second clock reference packet. A difference between a time value of the second clock reference packet and a time value of the first clock reference packet is computed. An output time stamp for the second clock reference packet is calculated in response to the output time stamp of the first clock reference packet and the difference.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for improving or optimizing the frequency at which the keep-alive messages are exchanged between a network device (e.g., network server) and a remote device (e.g., a PC) behind a router or gateway. By improving or optimizing the frequency at which these messages are exchanged, the amount of network bandwidth that is consumed as a result of the exchange of keep-alive messages can be reduced. This allows a network device to remotely access a remote device in a very efficient manner in terms of the number of keep-alive messages that are generated and processed and in terms of bandwidth consumption.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for improving or optimizing the frequency at which the keep-alive messages are sent to a network device (e.g., an Internet service platform) from a set top box (STB) connected to a router or gateway. By improving or optimizing the frequency at which these messages are sent by the STB to the network device, the amount of network bandwidth that is consumed as a result of sending keep-alive messages can be reduced. This allows a network device to remotely and asynchronously access a STB in a very efficient manner in terms of bandwidth consumption.

Abstract: A multichannel television access control system is disclosed wherein processing of the broadband signal is performed by gated coherent RF injection on a plurality of channels, thereby effecting selective descrambling of an arbitrary subset of channels in a channel group. The system provides for a closed loop injection signal phasor control so as to maintain substantially constant relationship between the television signals and the injected signals. The combined signals are supplied to subscribers enabling the use of their cable ready equipment.

Abstract: A software interface (26) is provided to enable television settop middleware (14) and operating system (OS) software (16) to control and interact with core settop system software (20) in a subscriber television terminal to facilitate the provision of desirable digital television services, including authentication and authorization.

Abstract: A method (30) and apparatus (10) for bundling and partitioning access rights to network services and applications. The method includes providing communication devices and paired smart cards that are configured to access network services and applications when a smart card paired with a communication device is inserted in or coupled to the communication device. The method also includes transferring a portion of access rights to authorized network services and applications between associated owner smart cards and borrower smart cards using one or more paired communication devices. The method also includes transferring a portion of network service and application access rights between communication devices using one or more paired smart cards. The use of access rights can be limited by duration or in such a way that only one device/smart card pair can access the associated service or application at a given time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a bitstream in a digital video transcoder is described. In one example, an adjustment factor is determined that relates a number of bits representing a selected frame defined by the bitstream to a target number of bits for the selected frame. An average spatial activity value among sets of video data is associated with the selected frame. A spatial activity value for a selected set of the sets of video data is determined. A normalized spatial, activity value for the selected set of frequency video data is then computed in response to the average spatial activity value, the spatial activity value, and a function of the adjustment factor. Target bit reduction for each of the sets of video data may be computed using a function of the normalized spatial activity value and the adjustment factor.

Abstract: A privately addressed home network bridge is provided for each of two privately addressed home networks. These bridges couple to corresponding gateways for each of the networks. A network tunnel connection is established between the two bridges via the gateways and an intervening publicly addressed network. At least one, and preferably both, of the home network bridges then serve as a proxy/router to facilitate an exchange of messages as between network devices of the two privately addressed home networks. Pursuant to a preferred approach the home network bridges use a mapping technique to correlate private addresses as used in the two privately addressed networks.

Abstract: A method for transmitting and receiving data over a shared access carrier network with a plurality of user devices is provided. The user devices each have a modem associated therewith and a network interface for communicating over a local network. The method begins by transmitting a query from each one of the user devices over the local network requesting remaining ones of the plurality of user devices to specify available resources pertaining to shared access carrier network connectivity capabilities of the modem associated therewith. A reply is received over the local network in response to the query from each of the remaining user devices. Based on the replies from each of the remaining user devices, at least one of the user devices is selected to serve as a master device that provides connectivity to the shared access carrier system through which the other of the plurality of user devices transmit and receive data.

Abstract: A system to change security levels is used to change the level of security used in a secured processing system. The system uses a status indicator to designate the security level being implemented. The security level can be upgraded to allow a higher level of security to be implemented with relative ease. However, in order to change from a higher level of security to a lower level of security, an authorization code is utilized to confirm that the change in security is authorized.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encoding video is described. In one example, average of motion vectors for each of a plurality of blocks is maintained over a threshold number of inter-coded frames in the video. The running average of motion vectors for each of the plurality of blocks is compared to a threshold value. Each of the plurality of blocks the running average of which does not satisfy the threshold value is encoded using a first quantization parameter. Each of the plurality of blocks the running average of which satisfies the threshold value is encoded using a second quantization parameter. The second quantization parameter results in a coarser quantization of transformed coefficients than the first quantization parameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a multiplexed data stream which is reduced to carry fewer services for cable-side transmission in a cable television plant or the like. More particularly, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for reconfiguring protocol data for a desired combination of data streams contained within an incoming high data rate multiplexed data stream, such as a high data rate Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) modulated multiplexed data stream, when the incoming multiplexed data stream is reduced.

Abstract: A method and device prevent a set-top terminal from accepting a download of new programming or data over a cable network when the download would be redundant of information already possessed by the set-top terminal or would cause an inconvenience to subscribers. When the set-top terminal is signaled that a new download is being offered, the set-top terminal checks to see if the download in fact contains a newer version of data or programming than is currently resident in the set-top terminal. The set-top terminal also checks whether criteria for accepting a download are met. The criteria are conditions that tend to indicate that an interruption of service to accept a download would not inconvenience the subscriber at that time. When the criteria are met, the download is accepted. Otherwise, the download is not accepted or is not accepted until the criteria are satisfied.

Abstract: A security system is provided that uses two or more object-locating systems to determine whether a sensed object is a household member or an intruder. One of the object-locating systems locates “cooperative” objects, which are household members that wear or carry a device that communicates with the system to allow the system to determine the locations of the household members. Another of the object-locating systems locates non-cooperative objects, such as intruders, and typically also locates the cooperative objects. When an object is located by the second object-locating system, the security system of the invention determines whether the object location corresponds to a location of a cooperative object as determined by the first object-locating system. If so, the security system decides that the object is a household member and does not trigger the alarm. If not, the security system decides that the object is an intruder and may trigger the alarm.

Abstract: A set top box includes a mobile phone receiving bay disposed in a housing of the set top box. The receiving bay includes a device connector coupled to circuitry in the set top box and a receiving bay opening that is arranged to provide access to the device connector. The device connector is configured for removable engagement with an accessory connector disposed in a mobile phone. The device connector and accessory connector are coupled when the mobile phone is docked in the receiving bay in the set top box to thereby provide a communication interface between the set top box and mobile telephone that enables data transmission therethrough. Users interact with an electronic program guide hosted by the set top box to download media content such a music, ring tones and video to the mobile phone from a network source coupled to the set top box.