Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method are provided for encoding video signal data by applying an adaptive quantizer parameter responsive to bit-rate; where a video encoder for encoding video signal data for an image block relative to at least one reference picture includes an adaptive quantizer for applying an adaptive quantizer parameter responsive to a current bit-rate; and where a corresponding method includes initializing an adaptive quantizer, calculating the bits used by the video signal data with the adaptive quantizer, assigning bits to each of a plurality of picture types, calculating a difference in adaptive quantizer responsive to the assigned bits from the previous number of bits used by the group of pictures and obtaining an updated adaptive quantizer for the video signal data, calculating an adaptive quantizer for a portion of the video signal data, encoding the portion of the video signal data, and obtaining the actual number of bits used for the encoded portion of the video signal data.

Abstract: A video system including a sequential color liquid crystal display with a panel of pixels arranged in rows and columns, including a mechanism that controls unit brightness levels on each pixel in the panel called grey levels, each grey level corresponding to a video information received at the input. The grey level controlled on a pixel is achieved with an analog voltage that varies monotonously depending on the row associated with the pixel and/or a color to be displayed.

Abstract: An organic light-emitting display screen includes n×m picture dots organized in a matrix with m rows and n columns. Each picture dot includes an organic diode and first and second driver circuits for the diode. Each of the first and second driver circuits includes a driving transistor connected between a reference voltage and one electrode of the diode, a switching transistor for switching a gate voltage onto a gate of the driving transistor, and a capacitor connected to the gate of the driving transistor. A circuit for addressing each of the n×m picture dots, to control alternately and simultaneously a recovery phase on one driver circuit and a display phase on the other driver circuit of a picture dot, includes as row select lines, only m row select lines, one per row of picture dots, and/or as data lines, only n data lines, one per column of picture dots.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method for performing communication on a bus structured network between master device and slave devices using a bi-directional data stream DSA for secure communication and a unidirectional data stream DSI for real-time communication. According to the invention the unidirectional data stream DSI is used for a certain type of secure communication between a master device and at least one slave device.

Abstract: A method for compressing video operates by first deleting one or more video packets from binary train to provide a reduced binary train. Thereafter, error masking is performed on the reduced binary train to yield a corrected degraded local decoded image which is the image reconstructed on the basis of the reduced binary train and of the masking algorithm. The reduction in the binary train is validated as a function of the quality of the corrected degraded local decoded image. Lastly one of the reduced binary train or of the binary train, is selected depending on whether or not there is validation.

Abstract: A content server maintains a database of different content files, these files being scrambled by control words that are stored in a database. The control words are necessary for descrambling the content files. When a device requests a content file, it sends a public key to the content server, along with the request. The content server encrypts the control words with the public key and transmits both the ciphered control words and the scrambled content file to the device. In one embodiment, the device decrypts the control words, and, when a further device on the home network requests a content file, sends the scrambled content file, along with the necessary control words encrypted with a local key that may have been provided by the further device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for displaying a video image on a digital display device during a video frame comprising at least two distinct time segments for displaying a grey level. The cells of the device are able to take selectively an on state or an off state. The cells are able moreover to change state several times during a video frame. According to the invention, the cells change state at most once during each time segment of the video frame. The invention makes it possible to attenuate or suppress disturbances related to the temporal integration and to the sequential displaying of the R, G, B components of the video image.

Abstract: A receiver is disclosed, comprising means for receiving a program stream, and means for replacing portions of the program stream with a locally stored program. Other aspects of the invention are also presented.

Abstract: A video processing technique is performed on a video media service to identify video segments of interest. The video processing technique (200) is supplemented by a text extraction technique (245, 255, 270), as well. The resulting video segments of interest (289) can be stored as to produce a version of the media service which is shorter in time length than the original video media service.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a control device (1) provided for smart card readers (SCR), a smart card reading activation device (2) and associated products including a set-top box and a daisy chain. The control device comprises means for communicating (11) with at least two smart card reading devices (SCR3, SCR4, SCR5), means for processing (12) information received from those reading devices and means for activating (13) at least one of those reading devices for a current communication. The activating means are intended to send selection data (SD) towards all those reading devices, those selection data enabling each of the reading devices to determine if it is selected or not for the current communication.

Abstract: A method of transmission of application data (97) in a digital transport stream characterized in providing an application data table (110) containing information regarding the applications (97) carried in each service (91, 92) within the transport stream. The application data table (110) may conveniently be designated by a fixed PID value and a TID extension value varying in dependence on the bouquet of services chosen. The use of a single application data table to provide information across all services within a bouquet provides a number of advantages, in particular when deciding whether or not to maintain certain applications when switching between services.

Abstract: This application describes a method of referencing content in an application. The method comprises, for a content element, creating a reference to the content element and associating that reference with the content element. This enables the content element (for example, text or images) to be dissociated from other features related to content; for example, its presentation on the screen. In this way, control over presentation may be achieved separately from control of the content itself. In an example, a Content Provider provides referenced content to an Operator. A Program Provider sends referenced scenarios to the Operator. The Operator resolves the reference and sends data for broadcast by the Broadcaster.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.

Abstract: An improved interactive network system is provided that allows the Network Operator to control the transfer of information to and from the network end users, the system preferably using triggers or markers embedded within the programming broadcast to users via the network. As a consequence of this system, the Network Operator is able to efficiently garner revenues from third parties transacting business over the network and to control the look and feel of programming offered to network users. Additionally the system can be used as a means of limiting network access, filtering programming, providing on-screen graphics or audible signals for particular programming types or providers, bookmarking programming, profiling network users, targeting advertising, and simplifying network transactions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.

Abstract: An apparatus and an associated methodology is provided to select and run an image of an executable software, the method including the steps of: starting a self executable boot and load software stored in the apparatus configured to run an executable software image; reading a table stored internally in the apparatus by the self executable boot and load software, referencing an executable software images that are stored in the apparatus; selecting an uncorrupted executable software image from one of the executable software images that are referenced in the table; and starting the image chosen by said selecting.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing digital audio-visual data including a module class manager configured to evaluate code to determine an interpretative language in which the code is written, wherein the interpretative language is selected from a plurality of interpretative languages, and an interpreter specific to the interpretative language, wherein the interpreter is configured to interpret and execute the code.

Abstract: A receiver is disclosed, comprising means for receiving a programme stream, and means for replacing portions of the programme stream with a locally stored programme. Other aspects of the invention are also presented.

Abstract: A method that provides for multicast delivery of information in a DSL network includes creating transmission paths between a single source port and multiple destination ports in a DSL network; receiving information at the source port; determining which of the destination ports is to receive the information; and distributing the information from the source port to selective ones of the destination ports based on the prior referencing step. A DSL system for providing multicast delivery of information includes an ATM network layer for sending information, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) coupled to the ATM network layer for receiving the information, and a network control system for controlling selective multiplexing of the information through the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM).

Abstract: In a method for managing a Certificate Revocation List (CRL), a first device (31, 61) receives the CRL (33, 67) which comprises at least one revoked certificate identifier (SNi). An integrity field (MACi) associated to an entry of the CRL (371, . . . , 37p) is calculated using a secret data (KCRL), wherein an entry comprises at least one revoked certificate identifier of the CRL. The entry and its associated calculated integrity field are transmitted to a second device (32, 62), distinct from the first device and are stored into the second device. The method further comprises checking a validity of a certificate.