Abstract: A data transmission apparatus has a multiplexing unit that cyclically multiplexes presentation information and navigation information stored in a transmission data storage unit according to control by a multiplexing control unit and a transmission unit that transmits the multiplexed stream. The reception control unit of a data reception apparatus sets filter conditions in a filter condition storage unit of a TS decoder unit in accordance with user operation indications. The presentation information and navigation information separated by the TS decoder unit are outputted via a reproduction unit to a display unit and an audio output unit.

Abstract: An interface for connecting one or more conditional access modules to a receiver, the interface including a plurality of interface sections, each for connection with a respective socket for receiving a conditional access module and each having a plurality of input lines and a plurality of respective output lines for connection to said socket, the interface sections being arranged in series, with the input lines of one interface section being connected to the respective output lines of the next interface section and with each interface section including an electronically controllable switch connecting the output lines of that interface section to the input lines of the same interface section, such that each socket may be selectively by passed.

Abstract: A Web-based video-editing system using a high-performance multimedia software library having a toolkit, the toolkit being a set of reusable, high-performance primitives and abstractions that are at an intermediate level of abstraction between C and conventional libraries. By decomposing common multimedia data types and operations into thin abstractions and primitives, programs written using the toolkit achieve performance competitive with hand-tuned C code, but which are shorter and more reusable. The toolkit programs can employ optimizations that are difficult to exploit in C and are impossible to use in conventional libraries.

Abstract: A system and method for content-based television program selection are provided that allow a viewer to “surf” directly between programs of a desired content category. The system includes a head-end server operable to receive program signals from a programming source, and a viewer input apparatus, such as a remote controller, which is operable to generate an input signal indicating a viewer's desired program content category. The system further includes at least one set-top box, where the set-top box has a program receiver for receiving program signals from the head-end server, and a viewer input receiver for receiving the input signal from the viewer input apparatus. In addition, the set-top box includes a processor that determines whether any channels are currently showing a program of the desired content category at the time the input signal is received.

Abstract: A system is presented for two-way digital multimedia broadcast services, enabling a variety of interactive and other applications. These applications include: navigation from one video program to another by selection of objects in the current video; creation and transmission of records of user viewing selection histories; iterative video-based data search and retrieval; dynamic customization of coordination between video content of the broadcast stream and data embedded therein; and the dynamic creation of “personalized” programs by the user without, through the broadcast and selection of overlapping program segments which are themselves customized for a particular user or group of users.

Abstract: A power control method for a set top box is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting in-band channel bandwidth and out-of-band channel bandwidth to incremental increases or decreases in subscriber populations within a video-on-demand system or digital services provided to subscribers within the video-on-demand system.

Abstract: A method and system for defining and discovering proxy functionality on a distributed audio video network. The present invention operates within a network of consumer electronic media devices (e.g., television, set-top-box, video cassette recorder, compact disc device, personal computer system, etc.) that are coupled together using the IEEE 1394 serial communication standard. Specifically, the present invention enables a consumer electronic media device having increased functionality to act as a proxy device for other consumer electronic media devices. As such, the proxy device is able to provide a wide variety of advantageous proxy services for other consumer electronic media devices thereby increasing their original capabilities. For instance, the proxy device can act as a translator between two devices thereby enabling them to communicate. Additionally, the proxy device can enable Home Audio Video Interoperability (HAVi) devices to have greater control over non-HAVi devices.

Abstract: A near video-on-demand (NVOD) system and method for incorporating and/or updating a commercial (CM) or promotion video program or the like in a video program.

Abstract: A set top terminal for receiving information transmitted from a service provider, for receiving control information transmitted by a service provider, and for transmitting control information from the set top terminal to the service provider to interactively control the services that are being received. The set top terminal receives display images via an information channel carrying both conventional analog cable television signals and digital television signals. Additionally, set top terminal control signals are sent from the service provider via a command channel and the set top terminal sends control signals to the service provider via a back channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving logical address links in advance of a television program and combining such links with those that may be received in real-time during a television broadcast are provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, content associated with a television (TV) program may be automatically displayed by a client system, such as an Internet terminal or a computer equipped with a TV tuner. Prior to broadcast of a TV program, TV listing information is stored in the client system. The TV listing information includes one or more batch mode logical addresses, e.g., Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), that identify content, such as Internet content. The client system alerts the viewer of the existence of an active logical address associated with the current TV program by providing a visual indication. After the visual indication has been selected by the viewer, the client system displays the content identified by the logical address.

Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which local information may be distributed to a television distribution facility for transmission to user television equipment. The local information contain information that is directed toward the particular users in a local area. The local information may be displayed automatically by cycling global information and local information.

Abstract: In an interactive cable system having a plurality of assignable interactive controllers which communicate with subscribers through an information service distribution network, a frame server is provided for interfacing with a plurality of subscribers. A system manager assigns either the frame server or one of the plurality of interactive controllers to subscribers requesting interactive service. The frame server preferably delivers interactive pages which need only be transmitted intermittently, such as still frame images.

Abstract: A CATV transmission center apparatus, a subscriber terminal device, a CATV distribution system, and a method of distributing a program, will solve the problems of the need to change transmission facilities for handling more channels, the costly CATV infrastructure per program, the expensive subscriber terminal devices, and the tedious and time-consuming process of selecting desired programs. When there is a request to view a program which is not being distributed from the subscriber terminal device to the CATV transmission center apparatus, an empty channel is searched for. If an empty channel is found, the requested program is distributed via the empty channel. All subscriber terminal devices are notified that the program which has started to be distributed is being distributed. The CATV transmission center apparatus distributes only those programs which are actually viewed by subscribers.

Abstract: A display monitor (12) operates in a time-multiplexed fashion to display a plurality of viewer-selected video channels on a single display screen. A visual apparatus (22) worn by the viewers is synchronized to the operation of the display monitor for enabling each of the viewers to observe the display screen only at times when the viewer-selected video channel is being displayed.

Abstract: A method for enabling an interactive video experience utilizing the Internet in which entertainment is combined with advertising to create an enhanced advertising experience. The invention utilizes techniques to deliver demographically targeted advertisements at predetermined times while watching a video. In addition, selectable buttons are maintained in a visible stack, which, when selected, cause a window to be opened containing further information. In this manner, a user is able to select an object, and obtain more information about the selected object, while the video stream is still playing, as well as make a purchase decision.

Abstract: A subscriber terminal ms sends a demand including at least information for identifying the demand subscriber terminal, information for identifying the requested information, and information relating to the urgency of the requested information to the information distribution transmission center HE through a going-up line. The information distribution transmission center HE plans and transmits information requested according to the transmission schedule of the information based on the demand, and transmits the transmission schedule information in the going-down control data to the subscriber terminal which sent the demand prior to the actual transmission, and transmits the requested information according to the above-mentioned transmission schedule.

Abstract: A digital television system includes a memory which stores a user profile and computer-executable process steps, and a display processor which receives video data and which outputs the video data as a video sequence. A controller receives video data corresponding to at least two alternative images. The controller executes the process steps stored in the memory so as to select one of the alternative images based on information stored in the user profile, and to cause the display processor to include the selected one of the alternative images within the video sequence.

Abstract: Interactive Program Guide (IPG) data for television is delivered to integrated receiver-decoders (IRDs) in a decoder population via, for example, a satellite network. The IPG data provides scheduling information for global and local programming services which are carried via the satellite network as well as another network such as a CATV network or a terrestrial broadcast network. Each IRD is assigned to an IPG region using unit addressing. At the IRD, IPG data is filtered so that only the global data and the region-specific data for the IRD's IPG region is retained and processed by the IRD. Channel map data is also delivered to the IRDs so that bundles of IRD data can be filtered out using firmware filtering to discard program sources that are not present in the channel map. The IRD data which is retained after filtering is used to provide scheduling information via an on-screen display. A preferred source may be designated when there are duplicative channels on the different networks.

Abstract: An entertainment system (100, 100', 100") is provided which includes a plurality of remote stations (110, 110'). Each of the remote stations includes a microphone (118), a transmit section (112b), a receive section (112a) and at least one audio transducer (116) coupled to the output of the receive section. Signals output from each of the remote stations are received by a respective reception channel (134) of a signal distribution unit (130, 130', 130", 130'"). The received signals are combined and output to each of the remote stations. The audio signals received by the remote stations are altered, utilizing one or more sound effects processors (138) located in the signal distribution unit, or a respective sound effects processor (122) incorporated into each of the remote stations.