Abstract: A satellite signal receiver includes a downconverter, a GPS chip and a transmission controller. The downconverter downconverts satellite signal of digital television into baseband signal for output to the transmission controller. The GPS chip scrambles and encrypts GPS signal into address data and outputs address data to the transmission controller for enabling the transmission controller to convert address data into analog signal for output with the baseband signal to a set-top-box, which converts analog address data into digital GPS signal and compares it with an authorization address carried in the satellite signal and then outputs authorized digital television satellite signal when the comparison is matched.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing system, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium and program, adapted to exchange picture-recording schedule information between the terminals. A user apparatus 3-2 registers generated picture-recording schedule information to a server 2-1 through a network 1, together with the information representative of a providing destination. The server 2-1, when registering the picture-recording schedule information, makes a notification to a user apparatus 3-1 as a providing destination thereof. The video recording/reproducing apparatus 11 of the user apparatus 3-1 accesses the server 2-1 through the network 1, and designates a picture-recording schedule program desired for scheduling of picture-recording of among the programs registered in the picture-recording schedule information. The server 2-1 sends the schedule information on a designated program to the video recording/reproducing apparatus 11 through the network 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to an information delivery system and method, an information transmission apparatus and method, and an information receiving apparatus and method for delivering a digital multi-channel service signal through a satellite and a cable network. A QPSK demodulation circuit demodulates an inputted TS and outputs it to an error correction circuit. The error correction circuit corrects the inputted signal and outputs it to a network information (NIT) conversion circuit. The NIT conversion circuit replaces the NIT for CS waves with NIT for cable TV and outputs it to a QAM demodulation circuit. The QAM demodulation circuit demodulates the inputted signal and pouts it to a frequency conversion circuit. The frequency conversion circuit converts the frequency of the inputted signal into a predetermined value and outputs the signal to a signal mixer.

Abstract: A variety of meta data based enhancements to media content viewing are described, including making meta data corresponding to media content available for user searching and using meta data to identify highlight portions of the media content so that only the highlight portions need to be stored. Additionally, comments made to media content can be shared with other viewers of the content, even when viewing the content at different times and even when viewing different versions of the content. Furthermore, a synchronization point can be established for the media content and used by the client systems as a common reference location. In addition, advertisements for media content can be rendered based on how much time has been spent rendering the media content, as well as the amount of a fee paid by the user of the client system.

Abstract: An audiovisual system is provided for a facility having a facility distribution system with a plurality of channels receivable throughout the facility. A plurality of digital media storage devices store digital content files and each reproduce a respective digital content file as respective analog output signals. Each of the respective analog output signals is coupled to respective channels of the facility distribution system. A main server system is coupled to a LAN and provides a directory of subscribed content items in a content library accessible over a WAN. The main server system maintains respective listings of downloaded content items corresponding to each of the digital media storage devices, wherein the main server system is accessible to a user for initiating reproduction of a selected subscribed content item at a selected time.

Abstract: Assets, such as content and related data are packaged, transmitted, received and managed in a digital cable television system to standardize the distribution of content and services from a content/service provider to subscribers in the system. The standardized format for packaging content enables the digital cable system to package, transmit, receive and manage diverse types of content, such as MPEGs, executable files, HTML pages, and the like, using standard system components without requiring reprogramming of the system to deploy new services. Service and content providers are freed from having to develop custom formats for delivering content and data to the cable system. Moreover, the standardized bundling of content and related data that is enabled by the invention allows the cable system operator to automate the deployment of services based on specific content and data to select subscribers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital television system where access rights to a programme or channel are received analyzed by the decoder in determining whether to permit or prohibit full audio and visual access by the user to that programme or channel when displayed in respective windows of a mosaic formation.

Abstract: A terrestrial digital television receiver includes a tuner, a demodulator, a demultiplexer, a decoder, and a controller. The tuner receives a terrestrial television signal having an emergency alert table which contains text representing an emergency alert message. The demodulator demodulates the television signal and the demultiplexer demultiplexes the emergency alert table from the demodulated signal. The decoder parses the text data representing the emergency alert message, and the controller control operation of a display device such that the emergency alert message is scrolled across a predetermined portion of a video screen.

Abstract: A system for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The system includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decoding and processing back-to-back transactions for an addressable cable television tap. The addressable tap includes an input port for receiving an input signal and output ports for providing outgoing signals to receiving equipment and a controller for providing addressable per port (RF) switching. The controller is adapted to communicate with multiple addressable ports. The controller also includes storage for storing the remaining portions of partially processed commands. Further, the addressable tap includes a relay for enabling or disabling signals to the addressable output ports. Processing commands in the addressable tap includes receiving continuous commands having back-to-back transactions, from a headend and forwarding signals to receiving equipment.

Abstract: A system for communicating content streams (e.g., voice, video, data) between a content server connected to a network and a remote electronic device. In one implementation, the network is a power-line communication (PLC) network and the remote device is configured for ultra-wide band connectivity with an interface module. The interface module is a power-line communication/ultra-wide band (PLC/UWB) module preferably connected to a conventional power outlet on the network. The interface module converts the power-line signals from the server to ultra-wide band signals which are broadcast for reception by the wireless electronic device. Return communications with the server from the wireless electronic device are also preferably supported. The power-line communication and/or ultra-wide band signal can also be encrypted for improved security.

Abstract: A system is described comprising: a local node to distribute multimedia content to a plurality of remote nodes; a power detection module to detect power usage of a multimedia device coupled to a first one of the remote nodes; a power analysis module to determine, based on the detected power usage, whether the multimedia device is in a first power state or a second power state; and a transmitter to transmit an indication of the detected state to the local node, the indication usable by the node to allocate multimedia processing resources across the plurality of remote nodes.

Abstract: The invention consists of a method for controlling the use of a device for viewing audiovisual transmissions, aiming to limit the duration of viewing audiovisual transmissions during determined time periods. The method comprises steps of inserting and displaying a first and a second duration, which define a maximum viewing time. The method also comprises a step of displaying values of binary indicators associated with determined time periods, and a step of inserting a binary indicator value for each time period, the binary value allocating the first or the second duration at this time period in order to define the viewing duration authorized during this time period. The invention also relates to the viewing device for implementing the method and a graphics interface for presenting parameters of the method.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for using location information to manage spillover in an audience monitoring system are disclosed. In particular, the example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture detect spillover to generate media monitoring information. Initially, a first sensor located in a first location and a second sensor located in a second location receive a portable metering device signal. First location information is associated with receiving the portable metering device signal via the first sensor and second location information is associated with receiving the portable metering device signal via the second sensor. Media monitoring information is generated based on one of the first location information or the second location information.

Abstract: Provided are a method of and an apparatus for automatically setting a channel to achieve channel synchronization between a transmitter and a receiver in a wireless transceiver system. The transmitter stores information about a channel tuned according to an initial channel number, transmits a message indicating a completion of the channel information storage to a receiver, and transmits a next channel number in response to a message confirming the completion of a channel information storage performed in the receiver. The receiver receives a tuned channel number and the message indicating the completion of the channel information storage in sequence from the transmitter, stores channel information corresponding to the received tuned channel number, transmits the message confirming the completion of the channel information storage to the transmitter, and waits for the next channel number to be received from the transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program storage medium. The user of a personal computer selects a television program to be preset recorded from a program guide stored in an EPG server and downloads the corresponding preset recording data. When, from the downloaded preset recording data, a recording start time is found reached, the personal computer selects commands for starting recording a channel to be recorded and transmits the selected commands from a video mouse as infrared signals. Receiving the recording start command, a VCR starts recording.

Abstract: A method of providing a broadcast, method of reproducing the same, terminal for the same, and system thereof are disclosed, by which recorded broadcast data can be summarized and reproduced according to contents or priority of the broadcast. The present invention includes a broadcasting station inserting a summary reproduction information in broadcast data, transmitting the broadcast data; and a broadcast terminal storing the broadcast data received from the broadcasting station, reproducing a summary of the broadcast data using the summary reproduction information.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus includes: a display control section which controls to generate a table with days of the week allocated in one of first and second directions and time zones of a day in the other direction and displays the table on a specified display device for showing setting status of recording reservation on a specified tuner; an acquiring section which acquires first information, second information, and third information, respectively indicating a specified broadcast station, a specified day of the week, a specified time zone of a day, inputted by a user; and an setting section which makes reservation for recording the contents that the broadcasted contents specified with the first to third information acquired by the acquiring section are received by the specified tuner and the received contents are recorded as data in a specified recording medium.

Abstract: A method for abstracting a TV hardware component to a service class to facilitate providing services through a TV.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling entertainment systems are described. In accordance with one embodiment, one or more conditional directives are developed and injected from externally of an entertainment system into the system. The conditional directives direct the entertainment system to conditionally perform some action that is directed to enhancing the user's experience. Typically, the conditional directives come from an external third party. A conditional directive comprises one or more conditions and one or more actions. The conditions define conditions that are to be met before an action is performed. The actions define actions that are to be performed in the event that one or more associated conditions are met.