Abstract: Another aspect of the present invention is directed to system and a method that encodes a single input media stream into two or more output media streams having one or more different encoding characteristics. In one embodiment, one of the encoding characteristics which is different in the two or more output streams is the bandwidth of the encoding. In another embodiment, the different characteristic is the format of the encoding. In yet another embodiment the different characteristic is the computational complexity of the encoding. In a further development, computations which are common to the encoding process in each format may be found. The common computations may be performed only once. Once the common computations are performed in the context of encoding a media stream to a first format, the results of the common computations may be saved and used for encoding the media stream in other formats.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling and distributing program is disclosed. The schedule utilized in the system and method preferably comprises a source field and one or more corresponding content data fields. The source field lists program providers and the content fields lists programs that are available from the program providers. The schedule is preferably configured to list programs having different start times and/or different ranges of duration times within entries of the same column. In the preferred method of the instant invention, the schedule is generated from user preferences that include selected program providers. In the system of the instant invention, the schedule is a displayable electronic schedule, wherein a user can select programs listed within the schedule with a suitable control device in order to initiate the distribution of the selected program to a user location over a network.

Abstract: The current invention provides a system for distributing content data to user locations. The content data preferably includes digital video data that is available on demand from a requesting location. A system server stores user accounts and generated customized program schedules for the user account based on user criteria which includes user preferences. Authorized users access their accounts to modify user criteria and to select program transmissions. Preferably, a computer and a television set receive program transmissions from a system network, wherein the computer provides a logical interface between the television set and content data transmitted over the system network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of distributing media content from a hardware input device to a hardware output device, located remotely from each other, in a home network, is disclosed. A control unit receives a user input and converts it to a control signal. An encoder device is coupled to the input device and a decoder device is coupled to the output device. The encoder device and the decoder device each receive the control signal. The encoder device digitally encodes an analog signal from the input device and transmits the encoded signal over the network to the decoder device. The decoder device translates the encoded signal into a decoded signal suitable for the output device.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of distributing and reproducing infrared signals within a digital network is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a control unit for digitizing a received infrared signal command from a wireless remote and transmitting the digitized signal over the digital network. The apparatus also-comprises at least one transceiver device coupled to the network and identified by the control unit to receive the digitized signal and reproduce the infrared signal as originally received. The transceiver device can provide the reproduced infrared signal to at least one electronic device located within a vicinity of the transceiver device.

Abstract: An electronic content guide is disclosed. The electronic content guide preferably includes a source field for listing content sources and output devices. The electronic content guide also includes a first content field for listing schedule data corresponding to first content data presently available for viewing from each one of the content sources and for listing display information corresponding to the first content data being displayed for viewing at a present time by each one of the output devices. Preferably, the source field and the first content field are displayable in parallel columns. The electronic content guide can also include a second content field, displayable in a column parallel to the source field and the first content field, corresponding to a second content data. In one embodiment, the first content data from each content source can be displayed simultaneously on more than one of the output devices.

Abstract: A media content distribution system comprising a media source unit for transmitting media content, a media destination unit for receiving media content, and a media management unit for accepting inputs from the media source unit and outputting to the media destination unit. The system allows for redirecting media content directly from the media source unit to the media destination unit by an alternating path when the media management unit fails. The distribution system further includes a set of protocols and behaviors in the media source unit and the media destination unit to insure that in the case of failure by the media management unit, the media source unit and the media destination unit will become aware of the failure and redirect the media content along an alternate path to the user.