Abstract: A system and method for allowing an end-user to interact with a system in order to execute an application. Multiple application packets are broadcast to a plurality of end-users, such that the upstream transmission of data from end-users is greatly reduced. Each end-ser further receives media packets, whereas visual objects relating to the application can be displayed on an end-user display unit with visual objects originating from the media packets.

Abstract: Method and system for dynamic provision of service conveying packets to groups of end-users, each group of end-users is coupled to the system via a bandwidth limited media, the system including: a router, operative to receive service conveying packets and to provide to each group of end-users group associated service conveying packets; a session manager, coupled to the router, said session manager providing routing instructions to said router, for dynamically selecting group associated service conveying packets out of the received service conveying packets. At least some of the service conveying packets comprise media signals.

Abstract: Broadband multimedia system including a communication bus, a router, connected to the communication bus and further between a plurality of media sources and a plurality of network transmitters, a session manager, connected to communication bus, where the session manager provides routing instructions to the router, for directing data received from the media sources to the network transmitters for transmitting over a broadband network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for defining a compression and reconstruction scheme of a media stream, for generating and transmitting a base media layer and enhancement data layers and for reconstructing compressed representations of the media stream from the base media layer and the enhancement data layers.

Abstract: Broadband multimedia system including a communication bus, a router, connected to the communication bus and further between a plurality of media sources and a plurality of network transmitters, a session manager, connected to communication bus, where the session manager provides routing instructions to the router, for directing data received from the media sources to the network transmitters for transmitting over a broadband network.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for compressing a group of basic media data units, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving the group of basic media data units; (b) for each basic media data unit of the group performing the steps of: (b1) partially decoding the basic media data unit; (b2) determining whether to reduce the size of the basic media data unit of the received block in view of a predefined relationship between a predefined compression ratio (PCRA) and a residual ratio (RR); (b3) reducing the size of the basic media data unit, in view of the determination, such that an optimal reduction to quality degradation of the basic media data block is achieved; and (b4) partially encoding the basic media data unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for providing a multiplexed sequence, the multiplexed sequence including at least one sequence of basic media data units/modified basic media data units, the system and method are responsive to at least one characteristics (such as quality, quality degradation, compression level and the like, a combination of at least two of the characteristics) of at least of some of the basic media data units.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the transmission of compressible packets, the method including the steps of: (a) receiving a packet that belongs to a stream; (b) determining a quality of service level of the stream; (c) scheduling a transmission of the packet during at least one time slot in response to the quality of service level, and (d) determining whether to compress the packet to provide a corresponding compressed packet, in response to at least one characteristic of at least one packet scheduled to be transmitted during the at least one time slot.

Abstract: Broadband multimedia system including a communication bus, a router, connected to the communication bus and further between a plurality of media sources and a plurality of network transmitters, a session manager, connected to communication bus, where the session manager provides routing instructions to the router, for directing data received from the media sources to the network transmitters for transmitting over a broadband network.

Abstract: Method and system for dynamic provision of service conveying packets to groups of end-users, each group of end-users is coupled to the system via a bandwidth limited media, the system including: a router, operative to receive service conveying packets and to provide to each group of end-users group associated service conveying packets; a session manager, coupled to the router, said session manager providing routing instructions to said router, for dynamically selecting group associated service conveying packets out of the received service conveying packets. At least some of the service conveying packets comprise media signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for providing a multiplexed sequence, the multiplexed sequence including at least one sequence of basic media data units/modified basic media data units, the system and method are responsive to at least one characteristics (such as quality, quality degradation, compression level and the like, a combination of at least two of the characteristics) of at least of some of the basic media data units.

Abstract: A method for allocating media unit sequences, such as MPEG compliant programs, among a plurality of output channels, especially in an allocation unit environment. The method including the steps of: (I) Generating previous media unit sequence behavior pattern information. (II) Estimating at least one aspect of a predicted overflow in at least two output channels, in response to (a) at least a portion of the previous media unit sequence behavior pattern information, and (b) at least two potential allocations of media unit sequences, and (III) Selecting a selected allocation out of the at least two potential allocations in response to the at least one aspect of the predicted overflow. Conveniently, the selected allocation is the best allocation in respect of the at least one aspect.

Abstract: Method for re-multiplexing a plurality of streams including the steps of: compressing each of the streams at a plurality of compression rates, generating a base layer and a plurality of supplemental layers for each of the streams and storing each in a level ordered queue array, retrieving data from the base layer queue and retrieving data from subsequent level queues, so as to fill out the available overall bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an end-user to control a display of a media unit sequence by filtering a media unit sequence from a multiplexed sequence comprising a live media unit sequence and a plurality of delayed media unit sequences. The method includes the steps of: (1) Receiving a live media unit sequence. (2) Delaying the live media unit sequence by a plurality of delay periods thereby providing a delayed media unit sequence for each of said plurality of delay periods. (3) Modifying each delayed media unit sequence such that each delayed media unit sequence is distinguishable from another delayed media unit sequence and from the live media unit sequence. (4) Multiplexing the live media unit sequence and the plurality of delayed media unit sequences to generate a multiplexed sequence. (5) Transmitting the multiplexed sequence to at least one end user.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for efficient multiplexing and modifying of media unit sequences. The invention allocates bit rates to media unit sequences and compresses media units in an optimal manner. The invention provides a method the includes calculating a sequence time threshold, for each received media unit sequence and executing modification and media unit replacements in view of the sequence time threshold.

Abstract: Broadband multimedia system including a communication bus, a router, connected to the communication bus and further between a plurality of media sources and a plurality of network transmitters, a session manager, connected to communication bus, where the session manager provides routing instructions to the router, for directing data received from the media sources to the network transmitters for transmitting over a broadband network.