Abstract: A system and method for system and method for video distribution over a range of devices over Internet Protocol (IP) networks are provided. The system and method provide for connecting to the network at least one additional content source, communicating a first request over the network, the request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the content sources provides content, and selecting a channel not being used by the content sources to provide content. The method and system may also provide for connecting at least one client to the network, communicating a second request over the network, the second request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the plurality of content sources provides content, selecting an identified channel by the at least one client, and providing content to the at least one client on the selected identified channel.

Abstract: A system and method for searching content and user interface for presenting results of the search are provided, wherein visual elements representing the content are distributed in three dimensions on a display, with the various axes representing criteria that relate to a central starting point of the search and the proximity to the central point indicating the degree of relevance. The outer bounds of the display contain a large amount of varied material of various types to allow a user to select content of a different type, with the content at the periphery of the display being essentially random and representing little or no link to the starting point of the search. Any displayed element may be selected, as a source for a next level search, in which case content relationships will be re-drawn, with the selected content used as the center point for a next level search.

Abstract: Automatic determination of the complexity associated with converting image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions commences by first determining how many different scenes exist within the image content. Each scene then undergoes analysis to determine its complexity based on the motion, texture and occlusion within the scene. The scene complexities are added to the scene transition complexity and the total gets weighted to yield an overall indication of the complexity of converting of image content from 2-dimensions to 3-dimensions.

Abstract: Video display capabilities for use in the home continue to evolve. A method is described including receiving a video signal in a first format, determining at least one parameter associated with the signal and a display device, converting the signal to a signal in a second format based on the signal and display device parameters, and converting the second signal to a display signal based on the display device parameter. An apparatus is described including an input stream processor that decodes and separates a received signal, a controller that determines at least one characteristic of the signal and a display device, a video signal processor circuit that converts the signal to a second signal based on the characteristics and further converts the second signal to an output signal based on a characteristic of the display device, and an interface circuit that provides the output signal to the display device.

Abstract: A set top box is provided that has a low profile modular configuration that enables the control unit and storage unit to function independently from each other or as a combined unit. The set top box includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a connector positioned there between. The storage unit includes a housing and a plurality of storage bays for receiving storage modules having two parallel broad sides. The connector is positioned between the control unit and the storage unit and secures the control and storage units together. The connector has a vertical peripheral cross section substantially the same as a vertical peripheral cross section of the control unit and the storage unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing the recording of digital content are provided. The method (300) includes receiving (310) a data stream, recording (320) the stream, receiving (330) a notification identifying a change in at least a portion of the data stream, and outputting (370) a subset of the recorded data stream based on the notification. The apparatus (200) includes a receiver (202) that receives a data stream, a storage device (212) that records the stream, a controller (214) that creates a subset of the recorded stream based on a notification received by the signal receiver and identifying a change in at least a portion of the data stream, the notification received separate from the data stream, and a display interface (218) that outputs the subset of the recorded stream.

Abstract: A transformable enclosure enabling increased functionality, such as storage capacity, is provided. The apparatus enables modular units to be attached to increase capacity without compromising the integrity of the overall structure. The apparatus includes a housing that contains a signal processing circuit, the housing including interfaces for coupling a plurality of removable modules to the circuit, a base coupled to the housing that supports the housing in at least two orientations. The apparatus operates in a first mechanical orientation without the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces and operates in a second mechanical orientation with the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces. A cooling device provides cooling for the circuit in the first mechanical orientation and the plurality of removable modules in the second mechanical orientation.

Abstract: A system, method and user interface (1300) for providing media or content recommendations are provided. More specifically, the system, method and user interface provide media recommendations including enabling a user to select a first media object, the first media object having a first set of characteristics, enabling the user to select a second media object, the second media object having a second set of characteristics, and recommending a plurality of additional media objects, each of the plurality of additional media objects having at least one characteristic in common with the first set of characteristics and at least one characteristic in common with the second set of characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method for system and method for video distribution over a range of devices over Internet Protocol (IP) networks are provided. The system and method provide for connecting to the network at least one additional content source, communicating a first request over the network, the request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the content sources provides content, and selecting a channel not being used by the content sources to provide content. The method and system may also provide for connecting at least one client to the network, communicating a second request over the network, the second request requiring each of the plurality of content sources to identify channels on which each of the plurality of content sources provides content, selecting an identified channel by the at least one client, and providing content to the at least one client on the selected identified channel.

Abstract: A set top box is provided that has a low profile modular configuration that enables the control unit and storage unit to function independently from each other or as a combined unit. The set top box includes a control unit, a storage unit, and a connector positioned there between. The storage unit includes a housing and a plurality of storage bays for receiving storage modules having two parallel broad sides. The connector is positioned between the control unit and the storage unit and secures the control and storage units together. The connector has a vertical peripheral cross section substantially the same as a vertical peripheral cross section of the control unit and the storage unit.

Abstract: A system and method for searching content and user interface for presenting results of the search are provided, wherein visual elements representing the content are distributed in three dimensions on a display, with the various axes representing criteria that relate to a central starting point of the search and the proximity to the central point indicating the degree of relevance. The outer bounds of the display contain a large amount of varied material of various types to allow a user to select content of a different type, with the content at the periphery of the display being essentially random and representing little or no link to the starting point of the search. Any displayed element may be selected, as a source for a next level search, in which case content relationships will be re-drawn, with the selected content used as the center point for a next level search.

Abstract: A transformable enclosure enabling increased functionality, such as storage capacity, is provided. The apparatus enables modular units to be attached to increase capacity without compromising the integrity of the overall structure. The apparatus includes a housing that contains a signal processing circuit, the housing including interfaces for coupling a plurality of removable modules to the circuit, a base coupled to the housing that supports the housing in at least two orientations. The apparatus operates in a first mechanical orientation without the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces and operates in a second mechanical orientation with the plurality of removable modules coupled to the interfaces. A cooling device provides cooling for the circuit in the first mechanical orientation and the plurality of removable modules in the second mechanical orientation.

Abstract: Video display capabilities for use in the home continue to evolve. A method is described including receiving a video signal in a first format, determining at least one parameter associated with the signal and a display device, converting the signal to a signal in a second format based on the signal and display device parameters, and converting the second signal to a display signal based on the display device parameter. An apparatus is described including an input stream processor that decodes and separates a received signal, a controller that determines at least one characteristic of the signal and a display device, a video signal processor circuit that converts the signal to a second signal based on the characteristics and further converts the second signal to an output signal based on a characteristic of the display device, and an interface circuit that provides the output signal to the display device.

Abstract: To authenticate a digital medium for a given title, an authentication server selects a number of challenges corresponding to the title from an authentication database, clears an error counter and sends the challenges sequentially to an authentication application in a media reader in which the digital medium is inserted. Upon reception of a response, it is verified if the answer is correct. If this is the case, then the next challenge is sent; otherwise, it is first verified if a correct answer was mandatory and if so, it is deduced that the digital medium is not genuine. If an incorrect may be accepted, then the error counter is incremented and the next challenge is sent. When there are no more challenges to send, it is verified if the error counter is above an acceptable limit. If so, the digital medium is deemed as not genuine. The invention may be used to allow an owner of a digital medium to access further information or content.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling rapid media stream channel changes in conjunction with increasing network resource utilization efficiency. A media stream is multicast for reception by a plurality of requesting decoders. The media stream includes packets containing groups of pictures (GOPs), which are stored in a buffer of an access node. At least a portion of the packets are unicast from the access node for reception by a new requesting decoder in response to receiving from the new requesting decoder a request for reception designating a media stream identifier corresponding to the media stream. Thereafter, the media stream is multicast to the new decoder after bringing packet transmission of the unicast media stream into alignment with packet transmission of the multicast media stream.

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus and methods are disclosed. An access termination terminates an access communication link that operatively couples a video service customer site to a communication network in which communication signals comprising video signals are distributed to video service customer sites. A video signal processor is co-located with the access termination and is operable to receive communication signals from the access termination, to extract a video signal from the received communication signals, and to output the extracted video signal for transfer to a display system at the video service customer site. Control signals may be received by the video signal processor from the display system over the same connection used to transfer video signals to the display system, or through a different connection such as a wireless connection. Video functions including video recording and other functions normally associated with set top video decoders may also be supported.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating error recovery of media stream packets in an access node. The method comprises storing a plurality of data transmission units of a media stream in a buffer of an access node, receiving a request for retransmission of at least one designated data transmission unit for reception by a designated subscriber media decoder apparatus, accessing the at least one designated data transmission unit within the buffer in response to receiving the request for retransmission and transmitting the at least one designated data transmission unit from the access node for reception by the designated subscriber media decoder apparatus in response to successfully accessing the at least one designated data transmission unit.