Abstract: A method includes integrating information regarding receiving, transmitting and converting capabilities of each device in a network with regard to signal formats, so that a pertinent transmission path can be determined. Such possible transmission paths can be specified in terms of the order of devices involved in the transmission paths and a signal format between these devices involved. One of the possible transmission paths that match the transmitting device and the transmitted signal format is selected as a pertinent transmission path. The method displays the selected transmission path on a monitor (305), to assist a user to manually establish a pertinent transmission path. According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a means for storing device capability information. Also included is a memory (306) for storing capability information of other devices. An analog input terminal (302) and a digital input/output terminal (300) are included.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for impulse purchasing of services over a communication network, such as a cable or satellite television network. Such services can include games or information accompanying television programming, home-shopping, e-mail services, streaming media and the like. Security is provided through entitlements generated by the access controller 14 and entitlement tokens generated by a secure processor. The secure processor is located at a subscriber terminal 16 through which a subscriber orders and obtains the services. A token is generated when the subscriber either selects the service, if pre-authorized, or when the service is purchased on impulse. The token is secure and signed, and may be used by a policy/proxy server 18 subtending to the Network Operator's ISP and associated services to further facilitate offering these services to the subscribers.

Abstract: A digital television translator includes a digital television receiver for receiving a first digital television signal at a first frequency and generating a digital transport stream from the first digital television signal. The digital transport stream can include original Program and System Information (PSIP) data having RX channel data that is indicative of the first frequency, the first major channel number, and/or the first minor channel number. The digital television translator also includes a PSIP update module for updating the original PSIP data in the digital transport stream by replacing the RX channel data with TX channel data. The TX data is indicative of a second frequency, a second major channel number, and/or a second minor channel number.

Abstract: The present invention is a vehicular wireless audio/video record/playback unit, wherein the unit detects satellite, AM/FM radio and television broadcasts including new music release and live music and entertainment events and upon detection of a commercial break, station break, distortion or satellite interruptions, the unit pauses a recording function until the commercial or station break, distortion or satellite interruptions are eliminated. The unit supports internet access, on-line banking, stock market trading, commodity and precious stone/metal trading.

Abstract: In a cable modem system, a method and apparatus is provided to reduce the time to ascertain modem failure by sensing ranging nonresponses and increasing the frequency of the ranging invitations upon detection of a predetermined number of nonresponses. The increased frequency of ranging invitations decreases the time required to ascertain modem failure, modem failure being defined to be a predetermined number of nonresponses, for instance 16. In so doing, a system is provided which minimizes the bandwidth necessary for rapid modem failure detection.

Abstract: A method for installing and operating an aircraft in-flight entertainment system preferably includes installing an entertainment source on the aircraft; installing spaced apart signal distribution devices, each generating audio signals for at least one passenger in an audio-only mode, and generating audio and video signals to at least one passenger in an audio/video mode; installing a cable network connecting the entertainment source to the signal distribution devices; and operating the aircraft in-flight entertainment system with at least one predetermined signal distribution device in the audio-only mode. In addition, the method preferably includes later upgrading the aircraft in-flight entertainment system by connecting at least one passenger video display to the at least one predetermined signal distribution device to operate in the audio/video mode and while leaving the cable network unchanged.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a video stream from a server to a client over a network include a memory for storing a forward-encoded bit-stream and a reverse-encoded bit-stream for a video data. The forward-encoded bit-stream includes I-frames encoded without inter-frame dependencies and P-frames encoded depending on forward-direction preceding frames, and the reverse-encoded bit-stream includes I-frames and P-frames encoded depending on reverse-direction preceding frames. When the server receives a request with a video cassette recording (VCR) function from the client, the server reads out and transmits frames selectively from among the first, second, third, and fourth frames in accordance with the request. The server can select the closest I-frame to a requested frame in either bit-stream for a fast-mode play or a random-access play, and switch the bit-streams to use subsequent P-frames in a different direction than that of the closest I-frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of enhancing communications in a set-top box having a high speed modem and a lower speed modem. A selected one of the modems can be used, depending upon noise and speed considerations, to receive a response packet by selectively substituting the appropriate IP address as the source address in a request message.

Abstract: A broadband telecommunication network (such as a cable television distribution system) includes a plurality of switching units (such as taps) controlling subscriber access to the network. The switching units are controlled from a central location (such as a head end) using minimal network transmission medium power. A repeating sequence of switching unit control messages is sent from the central location across the network. Each of the messages is addressed to an individual one of the switching units. Each switching unit is periodically powered up from a low power sleep state to a higher power operational wake state in synchronization with a corresponding one of the control messages being sent from the central location. After a switching unit's corresponding control message is processed, the switching unit is returned to the lower power sleep state.

Abstract: A multimedia system is described that is capable of presenting multimedia segments including television broadcasts, radio broadcasts, stored video information, stored audio information, and Web pages. The multimedia system includes a conditional access manager which is a common interface between the multimedia system and a number of conditional access providers even if the conditional access providers follow different interface standards. In order to access a multimedia segment such as a television program, a radio program, or Web page, the multimedia system receives a request to access the multimedia segment. While accessing the multimedia segment, each of the conditional access providers is notified of the request through the conditional access manager. Each conditional access provider then determines whether permission to access the multimedia segment should be denied, or whether the conditional access provider does not know of any reason why permission to access the multimedia segment should be denied.