Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: A method to transmit streamed information at a wireless tele- and data communication network by transmitting streamed high prioritized information via a secure medium, whereas low prioritized data are transmitted over a standard channel. The method combines two technologies, MMS and Streaming, to guarantee that a video client in a mobile terminal has access to high prioritized data on the right occasion. By using MMS as an initial notification for the medium, in a message just any amount of high prioritized information can be enclosed, for instance any number of I-frames. The video client in this way has a lead at the video decoding, and the streaming protocol will have more time to secure that the rest of data actually will get through.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices;, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: A video clip is captured from a television broadcast on each of a plurality of channels. The captured video clips are provided to a display interface, which successively displays the captured video clips within a focus area of a user interface in response to an initiating action by a user. The display interface then discontinues the successive display of video clips to show a particular video clip corresponding to a selected channel in response to a terminating action by the user.

Abstract: According to the invention, in the method of receiving broadcast television signals: a main component (C1) is received (E6) in a multimedia receiver terminal (T); a secondary component (C2) is acquired (E5) in the multimedia receiver terminal (T) via a remote computer network (R), main time stamps (TSFCS1) referenced to a predetermined reference time (TSFCS10) being inserted beforehand into the main component (C1), and secondary time stamps (TSFCS2) referenced to said predetermined reference time (TSFCS10) being inserted into the secondary component (C2) prior to reproduction, the time stamps marking content reproduction advance; and the received main component (C1) and the acquired secondary component (C2) are reproduced (E6) on the multimedia receiver terminal (T) in compliance with the chronology of the secondary time stamps and the main time stamps, to reproduce for the user a coherent audiovisual content made up both of the main component (C1) and of the secondary component (C2).

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 plurality of messages from a remotely located network control system and implementing one of a plurality of communication modes responsive to the plurality of messages.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for processing audio-visual broadcasts to display a summary thereof. The method comprises a prior step which consists in recording an audio-visual broadcast, and a step which consists in searching within the recorded broadcasts slow-motion sequences and a step which consists in displaying the sequences found. User controls enable to browse among the found sequences. The invention also a receiver set for audio-visual broadcasts provided with a storage unit for storing the slow-motion sequences of an audio-visual broadcast. The apparatus also includes controls enabling the user to display the stored sequences.

Abstract: An interactive program guide system is provided. The program guide system has a logically flat navigator menu structure made up of program guide categories and selectable program guide options. Program guide categories correspond to fairly broad groups of program guide features. Selectable program guide options correspond to more specific program guide features. Each program guide category has associated selectable program guide options. Program guide categories may be displayed in a row across the top of the display screen. Selectable program guide options may be displayed in the same column as the program guide category with which they are associated. A highlight region may be positioned on one of the selectable program guide options. The selectable program guide options may be scrolled using a pair of vertical cursors.

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 plurality of messages from a remotely located network control system and implementing one of a plurality of communication modes responsive to the plurality of messages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (1) for transmission of signal units to at least one receiver (3), comprising a receiving means being arranged to receive a number of signal units within a frequency range, whereby each signal unit includes at least one signal, and a forwarding means being arranged to make possible for at least a portion of said signal units to be forwarded or at least partially be blocked with respect to said receiver (3). The arrangement is intended to be arranged between a receiver antenna (2) and said receiver (3). The arrangement (1) is further connected to a central computer (6) via an interface unit (8a) and at least one communications network (7a). The central computer (6) can thus control the contents of a register in the arrangement (1), which denotes those of the signal units being received via the receiver antenna (2) that are allowed to be forwarded to the receiver (3).

Abstract: A system and method enables a set-top box to share the processing, communications, and storage resources of another local device, such as a personal computer, other set-top box, or an electronic appliance. The set-top box is interconnected with the other local devices using a “transmission medium such as wire, concentric cable, or a wireless medium. The interconnected devices form a resource sharing group that includes a control member. The control member receives a request for a resource from a requesting member, and then determines whether the resource is available from a set-top box that is a member of the resource sharing group. If the resource is available, the set-top box shares the resource, and uses the shared resource to perform a task. The system and method also enables members of the resource sharing group to share video, audio, and related content.