Abstract: A server in a subscriber television network receives service instances from a headend of the subscriber television network. The server is adapted to encrypt according to an encryption scheme and re-transmit service instances to a client-receiver. The server reformats the service instance from a first format into a second format the client-receiver can access the service instance.

Abstract: A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users (86) includes the step of allocating network access for each user for a future time interval (102). Features include forecasting network access (1100) of the users in a future time interval, and prioritizing the users for allocating network access to the users. The network access allocations represent network access allowances available to the users during the future time interval, and further may represent network access usage. Classes of users can be allocated network access first (1114), and then each user allocated network access from the class allocation.

Abstract: Video processing systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, includes a video compression engine configured to provide reconstructed pictures corresponding to a real-time presentation of a video program and a compressed version of the real-time presentation, a display buffer of the video compression engine, the display buffer configured to store the reconstructed pictures, and a persistent storage device, wherein the video compression engine is further configured to store the compressed version of the real-time presentation to the persistent storage device while simultaneously providing the real-time presentation of the video program.

Abstract: Systems and methods of secure content key distribution using multiple distinct methods are disclosed herein. Example embodiments include receiving multiple distinct control words from multiple conditional access systems and encrypting packets or a group of packets using the multiple distinct control words.

Abstract: A rate controller in run-level domain transcoder, which receives a stream of compressed frames carried in a bit stream, selectively determines whether to quantize and/or threshold portions of a frame carried in the stream of frames. The rate controller determines the input size of the frame and based at least in part upon at least a desired size, requantizes and/or thresholds the frame such that the output size of the frame is approximately the desired size.

Abstract: A system for providing interactive services in a subscription television system includes a system controller for controlling the interactive services, a video signal source for transmitting a video signal and a subscriber terminal for receiving a downstream transaction from the system controller and the video signal. The system controller comprises a memory for storing subscriber terminal address data and transaction data, a processor for generating a downstream transaction including subscriber terminal address data and transaction data, a transmitter for transmitting the downstream transaction, and a receiver for receiving an upstream transaction. The subscriber terminal includes memory for storing the downstream transaction, an on screen display generator for overlaying data in place of or superimposed on the video signal, data input circuitry for generating upstream data, and an upstream transmitter for transmitting the upstream data to the system controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a communication mode for a communication terminal are provided. An embodiment of a method for implementing a communication mode includes receiving a message from a remotely located network control system and implementing one of a plurality of communication modes responsive to the message.

Abstract: An electronics module assembly for detachably retaining a pair of electronic sub-modules in a single slot of a chassis. A host module of the electronics module assembly is configured to be detachably received and retained in a slot of the chassis. The host module has a height corresponding with a height of the slot of the chassis. A pair of sub-modules are configured to be detachably received and retained in the host module. The combined height of the sub-modules is no greater than the height dimension of the slot of the chassis. Therefore, where there was once only room for one electronics module in a single slot of the chassis, a pair of sub-modules with the host module may now be utilized in the single slot of the chassis.

Abstract: A system is provided that resources media content of multiple display channels. The system includes a memory with logic, tuning resources to receive media content of a plurality of display channels, buffering resources for buffering the media content, display resources for displaying the media content from at least one of the display channels, and a processor configured with the logic to determine when the resources are unavailable to receive media content of a newly requested display channel. The processor is further configured with the logic to, responsive to a determination of insufficient resources, determine the lowest priority display channel using at least one user configurable rule, wherein the processor is further configured with the logic to effect discontinuing the receipt of media content of a display channel designated as having the lowest priority among a plurality of received display channels.

Abstract: A method of motion vector prediction for use in differential motion vector coding within a block motion-compensation-based video coder. The video coder employs a generalized multiple reference picture buffer which may contain multiple reference pictures in both the forward and backward temporal direction from the current picture. For the purpose of coding selections of reference pictures within the buffer, the pictures are organized into two, potentially overlapping, lists of reference pictures. The prediction of a motion vector that selects a reference picture using a given reference picture list is not dependent upon any motion vectors that select their reference pictures using the other reference picture list. The values of spatially neighbouring motion vectors that use the same list of reference pictures as the notion vector being predicted are used for prediction, regardless of the relative temporal direction of the current and neighbouring motion vectors.

Abstract: A transport stream transmitter receives a jittered stream of network frames carrying a stream of transport packets. The transport stream transmitter de-encapsulates the stream of transport packets from the network frames and dejitters and transmits the stream of network frames.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching to a back-up power supply are provided. One such system includes a threshold detector circuit; a first switching circuit for enabling access to a first power source, the first switching circuit comprising at least a first transistor; and a second switching circuit for enabling access to a second power source, the second switching circuit comprising at least a second transistor; wherein the threshold detector is configured to cause the second switching circuit to enable access to the second power supply responsive to a voltage provided by the first power supply dropping below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A media system including memory to store media information that characterizes the media and a processor configured by the memory to provide a user interface to enable a user to define a media presentation from the media information. The processor is configured by the memory to continually and automatically segue media stream changes among a plurality of the media streams containing the media to present the user defined media presentation.

Abstract: A device in a subscriber television system receives a stream of frames of information, and each frame of information is carried in at least one network packet that is formatted according to a first protocol. Each network packet carries an application packet that is formatted according to a second protocol, which is a protocol for an application. The device includes application awareness that enables the device to selectively modify the application packets.

Abstract: A cable television system (100) having forward and reverse paths includes, in the reverse path, a digital optical transmitter (200) for receiving an RF signal, converting it to a digital signal, and adding a digital pilot tone thereto. A laser is driven in accordance with the summed digital signal to generate a digital optical signal representative of the pilot tone and the RF signal. The cable television system (100) also includes an optical receiver (305) for receiving the digital optical signal and recovering therefrom the RF signal and the pilot tone. The optical transmitter (200) and receiver (305) are coupled by fiber optic communication media (110).

Abstract: A file allocation system for a hard disk drive includes a memory with driver logic and a processor configured with the driver logic to receive a request to allocate hard disk space of a defined size for a buffer file. In some embodiments, the processor is configured with the driver logic to allocate clusters for the buffer file from a plurality of clusters on the hard disk, wherein the clusters for the buffer file store media content instances. In some embodiments, the processor is configured with the driver logic to designate a portion of the clusters of the buffer file for at least one non-buffer file such that the non-buffer file is permitted to share the portion of the clusters of the buffer file with the buffer file.

Abstract: A system and method for guaranteeing an upper bound on output jitter while maintaining maximum loop bandwidth. At least a portion of a plurality of transport packets stored in a buffer include a first timestamp value. A first phase locked loop receives a stream of first timestamp values and generates a variable rate timing signal stream that conveys a variation rate and a phase accumulation rate of the stream of first timestamp values to the first loop. A second phase locked loop receives the variable rate timing signal stream and generates a stable rate timing signal stream conveying the average rate of the variable rate timing signal stream. A interval timer is responsive to the stable rate timing signal stream in order to release the transport packets from the buffer.

Abstract: In one embodiment the invention provides a method for outputting auxiliary information for use in playing back a video sequence, the method comprising obtaining a measure of usefulness of a particular picture for playing back the video sequence, wherein the measure of usefulness indicates a performance of playing back the video sequence if the particular picture is available in a decoded state at a time of playback versus the particular picture not being available in a decoded state at a time of playback; determining a position in a data stream that includes the video sequence; and storing the auxiliary information at the determined position in the data stream.

Abstract: A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users pursuant to SLAs of the users includes the steps of: (a) monitoring network access usage by each user during a time interval; (b) comparing the monitored network access usage by each user with a predetermined threshold value; and (c) soliciting a user to modify the user's SLA if the user's monitored network access usage varies from the predetermined value by a predetermined tolerance. The solicitation is conducted via email, instant messaging, redirection of a web browser of the user to a solicitation web page, generation and mailing of literature, telephonic communication, or other communication avenue.

Abstract: A protective cable guide and separator assembly. A first handle is coupled to first ends of a plurality of RF cables and a second end is coupled to second ends of the plurality of RF cables. At least one resilient portion is between the first and second handle portions for receiving and retaining the plurality of RF cables. The resilient portion protects the RF cables and maintains consistent spacing between each RF cable relative one another.