Abstract: The instant invention provides a system and method of broadcasting audio and visual information to a plurality of audio reproduction devices and visual display devices utilizing a plurality of control computers linked thereto by a communications network. The invention employs a plurality of pre-recorded digital audio files and corresponding visual representation thereof to allow a user to construct message sequences for broadcast with a minimum of system input. Furthermore, a user may specify a plurality of broadcast zones to broadcast audio and visual messages.

Abstract: When a failure detection server calculates a measurement average value at every predetermined time with respect to measured values collected in the past, and collects measured values from cable modems, the server sets a failure determination threshold value by adding or subtracting a predetermined difference threshold value to or from the measurement average value so as to determine the presence of failure. A failure analysis server performs a screening process of inputting determined failure information and eliminating logically conflicting failure information, obtains a differential of the screened failure information between this time and previous time so as to extract changed failure information and newly generated failure information, and then, repeats state determination at an upstream connection point, starting from a cable modem having failure information, so as to estimate the failure generated location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for estimating an available bandwidth of a network. A plurality of periodic time-stamp packets are transmitted to a receiving-party communication apparatus, which is connected to the network, through the network at a currently-set test transmission rate, and then a changing tendency of transmission delay time differences between the time-stamp packets is checked on the basis of reception times at which the receiving-party communication apparatus have received the respective time-stamp packets. When the transmission delay time differences are located outside a stable range and show a tendency to increase, the test transmission rate is set to a decreased value and the time-stamp packets are repeatedly transmitted at the decreased rate and when the transmission delay time differences are located outside the stable range and show a tendency to decrease, the test transmission rate is set to be an increased value and the time-stamp packets are repeatedly transmitted at the increased rate.

Abstract: According to the invention, channel surfers are aided by summary frames appearing on the screen along with the regular program. These summary frames are embedded in the broadcast and appear in a small window on the screen at some point in the future as the video is broadcast. The summary frames depict key scenes from the past which aid the viewer in quickly ascertaining the current plot or theme of the video program. In an interactive television environment, a short video segment may be associated with each shot such that when the shot is selected, the past video segment is played in a larger window on the screen complete with sound. Once the segment is viewed, the video program is rejoined in progress with the viewer having a better sense of what is going on in the video. Hence, a when a channel surfer arrives at a new channel, rather than only having what is currently playing to catch the eye, summary frames are also available to catch the surfer's attention and aid in understanding the programming.

Abstract: Described is a system and method of receiving content on a portable mobile communications device from a mobile TV service provider. A mobile pointer record is created and stored within the portable mobile communications device that contains data that identifies content to be delivered from the mobile TV service provider. The mobile pointer record data is sent to a content server maintained by the mobile TV service provider where a corresponding content server pointer record is created and stored such that the mobile TV service provider associates the content server pointer record with stored content. When desired, a request is sent to the mobile TV service provider from the portable mobile communications device by selecting the desired mobile pointer record for the content. The mobile TV service provider identifies the content via the corresponding content server pointer record and delivers the requested stored content to the portable mobile communications device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus with improved operatability in which the user is capable of watching a television program and connecting to the Internet. An index panel shows channel buttons operated to select a desired program, a first site button provides access to site A available on the Internet and a second site button provides access to site B on the Internet. The user is able to watch a television program and can have access to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, which can be connected to the Internet.

Abstract: A device information analysis circuit 108 analyzes type and capability of reception terminal, and in accordance with the result of analysis, a scene/object conversion circuit 1002 refers to object description data 103 and scene description data 104, and determines whether or not display positions and placement (layout of the respective objects in a display screen of the reception terminal) of respective objects must be changed. If it is determined that the display position and placement must be changed, the display positions and the placement of the respective objects described in the scene description data 104 and the object description data 103 are converted in accordance with the result of analysis by the device information analysis circuit 108.

Abstract: A system for controlling viewer access to media content, the system comprising a memory with logic and a processor configured by the logic to provide interactive user interfaces that enable an administrator to positively define media content for access by a user. The processor is further configured by the logic to enable the user to access the media content as defined by the administrator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image reproducing apparatus for updating a channel map, and a method thereof. The image reproducing apparatus includes an identification (ID) detector for detecting the ID of a broadcast information card when a broadcast information card is mounted, a comparing unit for comparing the ID of the broadcast information card detected by the detector with the ID of a existing broadcast information card, the ID being received from a broadcast station and stored in a storage unit, a deleting unit for deleting an existing first channel map when the ID of the detected broadcast information card is different from the ID of the existing broadcast information card, and a receiving unit for receiving data including a new second channel map from the broadcast station in place of the first channel map deleted by the deleting unit. Accordingly, accurate update conditions are proposed, thereby enhancing user convenience and increasing accuracy.

Abstract: A method for selectively and multiply routing a media stream input to a media appliance is provided. The method includes receiving the media stream. Further, the method includes distributing the media stream onto a plurality of individual media paths within the media appliance. Furthermore, the method includes routing the media stream on at least a first one of the media paths to a first media processor within the media appliance, while simultaneously routing the media stream on at least one other of the media paths to at least one additional media processor within the media appliance.

Abstract: Outer code covered synchronous code division multiple access for cable modem (CM) channels. Outer pseudo-noise (PN) code is employed, along with orthogonal codes (OCs), to spread CM signals thereby mitigating inter-code-interference (ICI) effects caused by residual multi-path propagation within CM communication systems. The added and implemented PN sequences have relatively good autocorrelation properties (when compared to the autocorrelation properties of the OCs) that mask the possible bad autocorrelation and/or cross-correlation properties of the OCs. This outer-code covered PN coding, along with the OC coding, enables much better performance in the presence of residual multi-path. The PN code's added complexity is very minimal as the PN may use the same chip rate of the orthogonal code while providing for better performance in the presence of residual multi-path components.

Abstract: Value-added information is created based on favorite information of a content user. The content is processed according to the generated value-added information. Favorite data indicating operations, such as fast-forward, pause, and rewind operations, performed while the content is being played back, and personal user information, such as the age group, the gender, and the life-style, of the content user are transferred to a server via a network. The server performs statistical processing on the user favorite data to generate value-added information according to the attributes of the user, such as the age group, the gender, and the life-style. Accordingly, the user is able to search for popular titles, play back only popular scenes, and skip uninteresting scenes by using a content playback apparatus.

Abstract: A content distribution system, content distribution control apparatus, content distribution control method, content distribution control program and content distribution control program storage medium realizes the distribution of content to much more clients.

Abstract: A content distribution method where a user PC reserves a distribution channel at the live casting server in order to distribute content to the client PCs and requests the live casting server to post program presentation information on the content to be distributed on the distribution channel on the program presentation display screen of the top page screen, and the live casting server executes billing processing in response to the request, sends the top page screen having the program presentation display screen including the program presentation information, to the client PCs, which thereby allows the client users to see the program presentation information on the program presentation display screen of the top page screen first and increases the chances of selecting the program, resulting in distributing the content to much more client users.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for displaying real time auxiliary information from a secondary source or input signal in combination with a program from a separate primary source. The auxiliary information (e.g. textual, graphical or video images) is selectable and is received through a second, integral or stand-alone tuner. The selected information can be displayed (1) continuously, (2) at predefined regular intervals, or (3) as the (defined) event(s) occur either in real time or in memory to provide a short delay time. The auxiliary information may be part of a currently transmitted data stream or as a separate data stream.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an improved transport demultiplexor that can receive and filter different data types before sending the data to system memory. The preferred embodiment provides a string comparator to facilitate real time filtering of continuous incoming data before loading the data into system memory. The string comparator preferably uses a bit-maskable matching filter that filters system data in real time as the data is being delivered to system memory. When data matching the filter is located, the destination address of that data is determined and delivered to the processor. This allows the processor to quickly locate the desired data and thus facilitates the real time processing of that data.

Abstract: A server for providing to a user terminal an additional service on a web page during setting a predetermined service including a determining unit configured to determine whether a request for provision of the additional service is received from the user terminal; a receiving unit configured to receive presentation information for introducing the predetermined service from the user terminal when the determining unit determines the request for provision of the additional service is received; a creating unit configured to create the web page including the presentation information; a posting unit configured to post the web page; and a fee charging unit configured to charge a fee for the additional service.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of receiving audiovisual programs transmitted to terminals. The users of the terminals choose a program from a catalogue and make a proposition to a server to download it to their terminals. The proposition is accompanied by a price and/or deadline. The server analyzes the propositions it receives and, taking account of its profitability constraints, decides whether or not it will transmit the program. Depending on the case, it sends the acceptance to each user who has made a proposition with profitable parameters for the transmission of the program and gives the users the means of receiving the program for viewing. The decision to transmit the program is determined according to various strategies the common criterion of which is profitability. The invention also concerns a terminal and a server for the implementation of the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording a signal received by a home entertainment system that includes multiple consumer electronics devices interconnected to a central electronics device in a hub and spoke configuration. The configuration allows all signals in the home entertainment system to be accessible by the central electronics device. Accordingly, the central electronics device can process, route, or otherwise respond to any signal. By way of example, any signal can be routed to a recording system, where it can be recorded. The signal is coupled with information from an electronic programming guide that details specific programming. An automatic determination is made as to whether or not there exists enough free space on a recording medium to record a specific program. Upon recording the program on the recording medium, an index is updated on the recording medium from the electronic programming guide information and from the location of the program on the recording medium.

Abstract: A method of displaying menus on a screen of a television using a set-top terminal connected to the television is described. The method receives a video signal including video of a plurality of programs transmitted from a source remote from the television and the set-top terminal, generates a submenu that includes a plurality of selectable program listings, each program listing corresponding to one of the plurality of programs, displays the submenu on the screen during broadcast of the plurality of programs, displays the video of one of the plurality of programs on the screen in response to a user selection of the corresponding program listing, generates an overlay menu that includes selectable options, and displays the overlay menu together with the displayed video of the program on the screen.