Abstract: An improved video recorder/transceiver with expanded functionality ("VCR-ET") including a capability for storing video and video programs in digital format, editing such programs, transferring such programs onto a hard copy magnetic media, and transmitting such programs to a remote location using a second VCR-ET. The increased functionality is realized through the use of analog to digital conversion, signal compression and intermediate storage in an integrated circuit, random access memory. The recorder/transmitter has capabilities to transmit and receive program information in either a compressed or decompressed format over fiber optic lines, conventional phone lines or microwaves.

Abstract: A system and method to efficiently deliver multimedia interactive and linear programming on a large-scale network is disclosed. The system is designed to be hierarchical in nature in order to avoid the huge processing and storage requirements of a system utilizing centralized storage and system control. The stored program material is segmented into portions and each program segment is transmitted to the receiving system component in less than real-time on an as-needed basis. Methods for efficiently using system resources such as bandwidth, storage and processing time to maintain an optimally-performing system that results in minimal latency for the end-user's interaction with the system are disclosed.

Abstract: The video distribution network system includes client configuration data, a client video buffer for storing video information, a client video driver coupled to the client video buffer for presenting a portion of the video information on a display device, a current status manager for determining current client status information indicative of the portion of video information presented, a computations engine coupled to the client video buffer and to the current status manager for forwarding a burst of video information to the client video buffer based on the client configuration data and on the client status information, and a video buffer controller coupled to the client video buffer for controlling storage of the burst in the client video buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for broadcast burst transmission of compressed audio/video programs from a stored library to a multiplicity of subscribers. The stored programs are burst transmitted repeatedly in a predetermined sequence of entire programs or segments thereof to a receiver at each subscriber's location. Each receiver is operative for accessing the predetermined broadcast schedule, Inputting a subscriber's order for one or more programs, monitoring the broadcast burst transmissions for the one or more ordered programs, receiving the one or more ordered programs in a burst time period corresponding to the time period of the burst transmission, and storing the one or more ordered programs. The subscriber then enjoys full VCR-like control over playback at his convenience of the ordered, stored programs, that are then decompressed by the receiver for viewing in real time.

Abstract: An audio/video file server includes a storage unit for centrally storing compressed digital audio/video program information, a transceiver for receiving compressed digital audio/video program information from an external source over a less-than-real-time period to update the stored audio/video program information, a plurality of playback units, each associated with an external playback line and an external playback station and each including a decompression unit, for receiving selected compressed digital audio/video program information from the storage unit, for decompressing the selected compressed digital audio/video program information received from the storage unit, and for playing it in real time over the associated playback line to the associated playback station, a network interface unit for receiving playback requests from the playback units, and a processor for controlling the storage and playback units to play the decompressed selected audio/video program information in real time for viewing by user