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: 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: 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: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention, a reproduction engine for reproducing A/V data stored on an interactive DVD comprises a navigator connected to a temporary data storage unit for loading A/V data from the interactive DVD into a first section of the temporary data storage unit, and for loading enhanced data associated with the A/V data into a second section of the temporary data storage unit; a decoder for decoding the A/V data and the enhanced data loaded into the temporary data storage unit; and a presentation engine for reproducing the decoded A/V data and the enhanced data in accordance with control information stored on the interactive DVD.

Abstract: First rating information, together with a television broadcasting signal, is transmitted, and second rating information, together with electronic program guide information, is transmitted. A controller extracts the first rating information from video data decoded by a video decoder, and extracts the second rating information from EPG data decoded by an EPG processor. At the time of reserving a program, it is judged whether or not the program can be reserved by restricting viewing on the basis of the second rating information, and the result of the judgment is displayed on a program reservation setting guide.

Abstract: A method for downloading and displaying a video program using a mobile terminal that includes a first radio access network having a first data transfer rate and a second radio access network having a second data transfer rate faster than the first data transfer rate. The downloaded video program is displayed at a predetermined playback rate. Excess portions of the downloaded video program that result when a rate at which the video program is downloaded exceeds the predetermined playback rate are buffered. A third data transfer rate that is lower than the first transfer rate is calculated in response to the predetermined playback rate, the buffered excess portions and the time duration of the remainder of the video program. The third data transfer rate is negotiated with the first network for downloading the video program when the difference between the first and third data transfer rates exceeds a threshold level.

Abstract: A method for selecting advertisement in a Set Top Box (STB) of a television network comprises receiving advertisement selection information for one or a plurality of advertisement associations. Each advertisement association associates an advertisement space with an advertisement. The advertisement selection information corresponds for each advertisement association to a value of probability for selecting the advertisement for the advertisement space. A selection of an advertisement for a determined advertisement space is triggered and a random value or a pseudo-random value generated. An advertisement is selected using the random value or the pseudo-random value, by selecting a determined advertisement association that associates an advertisement with the determined advertisement space and for which the corresponding advertisement selection information has a value of probability that relates to the random value or the pseudo-random value.

Abstract: Video presentation timing can match sounding timing with high accuracy. A digital broadcast receiver calculates the presentation delay time dt from the presentation time when video based on the compressed video data is to be presented to the time when the video is presented on the presentation unit, and outputs audio based on the compressed audio data when the calculated presentation delay time dt passes from the sounding time when the audio based on the compressed audio data is to be outputted.

Abstract: A program-selecting apparatus well applied to a broadcast receiving set sets automatic picture-recording by setting program selection conditions comprising a genre, a keyword, and a time zone. A recording medium built in a recording medium unit has a storage region for storing keywords used in this setting. This storage region is comprised of a fixed region in which plural fixed keywords are stored and an alteration region in which plural alterable keywords are stored. A keyword stored in the alteration region is downloaded through a MODEM from a server based on, for example, user's operations. It is possible to set a program selection condition by using a new keyword without providing input means such as a keyboard for inputting keywords to the apparatus, thus making the apparatus inexpensive.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and method to implement a business model for advertising revenue that allows advertising hosts to reliably detect registered audience members who respond to advertisements by coming into close physical proximity of designated locations, so that corresponding advertisers may be billed accordingly. A host system operated by the advertising hosts includes a data processing module, an electronic environment, advertisements, and a data communications network. The electronic environment presents content associated with that environment and the advertisements. Audience members who see the advertisements and respond by coming into close proximity to the designated locations associated with the advertisements are then detected by readers. An embodiment of the system and method utilizes RFID tags placed at the designated locations, and it utilizes RFID readers cared by audience members used to detect the tags when audience members come into close proximity of the tags.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a real-time service system and method using an interactive data communication for implementing a high quality real time interactive service of a DVD class for various contents with by means of smooth interactive communication between a service provider and a user.

Abstract: A TV program distribution system comprises: a TV broadcast signal distribution device for distributing a scrambled pay TV program provided by a TV program provider; an auction management device for managing selling, by auction, of the viewing right of the pay TV program; an account management device for charging winning bidders of the pay TV program determined by the auction; and a conditional access management device for managing conditional access information to make it possible for each STB of each winning bidder of the pay TV program to descramble the scrambled pay TV program. The TV program distribute system sells the pay TV program by auction, limiting the number of STBs allowed to access the pay TV program, so that the TV program distribution system makes it possible for the TV program provider to collect fees of the pay TV program according to market value of the pay TV program.

Abstract: Dynamic rate control can be implemented in a television-based entertainment environment when forwarding coded data. Real-time information flows are encoded, transcoded, compressed, etc. into data streams that may be forwarded to other components within an apparatus or to other apparatuses across a network. In a described implementation, a bitcount accumulation of a data stream is monitored in multiple overlapping windows. The data stream is compared to a data limit in each window of the multiple overlapping windows to determine whether an expected bitcount accumulation has been exceeded. The data stream is modified responsive to the comparison(s). For example, if the bitcount accumulations in each window exceed the expected bit accumulations at the corresponding relative positions of each window, then the bit rate of the data stream can be modified by reducing bit rate consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described which allows multimedia signals received from one or more content providers (e.g., cable television providers, Internet content providers, . . . etc) to be received, processed and retransmitted by an originating node to one or more receiving nodes over a local cable network (e.g., the coaxial cable network within a user's home). One impediment to communication between nodes within the local cable network is the fact that most cable splitters are designed to attenuate signals between the split legs of the splitter. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the invention, a reflector device coupled upstream of the root splitter in a local cable network (or in place of the root splitter) is configured to reflect signals transmitted from the originating node back up into the network to the receiving nodes. Signal attenuation is minimized because the signals propagate from the splitter inputs to the splitter legs (rather than between the splitter legs).

Abstract: The VOIP drop amplifier connects end user equipment to a broadband system, such as that provided by a cable provider. The amplifier includes a splitter for connecting the cable signal to multiple output connectors, and RF amplifiers compensating for losses in the splitter and other passive components in the amplifier. The drop amplifier includes an input connection for accepting a broadband cable signal from a cable system and returning broadband signals to the cable system. The drop amplifier includes an amplification path connecting the input connection to the plurality of output connections through RF amplifiers and a splitter, and a bypass path that bypass the splitter and forward and reverse amplifiers in the amplification path to connect the input connection directly to the output connection for the essential circuits. A sensing circuit monitors the amplifiers and the supply voltages, and selects the bypass path when a failure is detected.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for utilizing a frequency channel determined to be unacceptably noisy by finding a cleaner, narrower bandwidth within the frequency channel. Initially data is received on a frequency channel at a CMTS, specifically an upstream receiver, and by a narrow bandwidth detector, connected to a processor also used by components in the CMTS. The narrow bandwidth detector performs a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the frequency channel thereby creating multiple FFT points within the frequency channel. A clean bandwidth for transmitting data within the frequency channel is identified where the clean bandwidth is derived from a subset of FFT points from the full set of FFT points. The subset of FFT points are contiguous points that have a noise level below a predetermined noise threshold.

Abstract: A broadcasting service system and a delay broadcasting method in broadcasting service using the broadcasting service system, any of audiovisual systems is connected to a broadcasting set when any audiovisual system request a repeater station to view program contents broadcasted by a broadcast station, and advertisement contents stored in a advertisement contents storage are broadcasted to the audiovisual systems connected to the broadcasting set. An advertisement effect measurer measures an advertisement effect on the basis of a number of the connected audiovisual systems viewing the advertisement contents and a broadcasting time of the advertisement contents and allows the broadcasting set to start of the broadcasting of the program contents to the connected audiovisual systems only when the measured advertisement effect meets a predetermined target advertisement effect.

Abstract: A broadcast system composed of a first broadcast apparatus and a second broadcast apparatus. The first broadcast apparatus broadcasts a broadcast program composed of contents stream data and attachment data, and provides the second broadcast apparatus with the broadcast program. The attachment data contains information that indicates timing with which the attachment data is to be reproduced in synchronization with the contents stream data. The image sync information contains PCRs generated by the PCR generating apparatus of the first broadcast apparatus based on the standard time for the first broadcast apparatus. The image sync information replacing apparatus of the second broadcast apparatus replaces the PCRs with other PCRs which are newly generated based on the standard time for the second broadcast apparatus so that it can correctly reproduce the attachment data in synchronization with the encoded contents stream data.

Abstract: A restricted reception device enabling a subscriber receiver to selectively receive broadcasting data transferred via a digital cable broadcasting network, includes: a demultiplexer for receiving broadcasting data and an ECM including a CW from the subscriber receiver, and demultiplexing them, the broadcasting data and the ECM being transferred through an in-band channel; an out-of-band channel signal processor for receiving an EMM from the subscriber receiver, and processing the EMM, the EMM being transferred through an out-of-band channel; a restricted reception processor for descrambling the scrambled broadcasting data using the ECM and the EMM received from the out-of-band channel signal processor; and a remultiplexer for multiplexing the descrambled broadcasting data received from the restricted reception processor, and sending the multiplexed broadcasting data to the subscriber receiver.