Abstract: A system comprising an input device includes a detector coupled to a processor. The detector detects an orientation of the input device. The input device has multiple modal orientations corresponding to the orientation. The modal orientations correspond to multiple input modes of a gestural control system. The detector is coupled to the gestural control system and automatically controls selection of an input mode in response to the orientation.

Abstract: A system comprising an input device includes a detector coupled to a processor. The detector detects an orientation of the input device. The input device has multiple modal orientations corresponding to the orientation. The modal orientations correspond to multiple input modes of a gestural control system. The detector is coupled to the gestural control system and automatically controls selection of an input mode in response to the orientation.

Abstract: A system comprising an input device includes a detector coupled to a processor. The detector detects an orientation of the input device. The input device has multiple modal orientations corresponding to the orientation. The modal orientations correspond to multiple input modes of a gestural control system. The detector is coupled to the gestural control system and automatically controls selection of an input mode in response to the orientation.

Abstract: Ultra wide band communication systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an ultra wide band communication system includes a first and a second communication device. A lowest common ultra wide band pulse repetition frequency is determined, and data is transmitted between the communication devices using the lowest common ultra wide band pulse repetition frequency. In another embodiment, a first and second slave transceiver communicate with a master transceiver using a time division multiple access frame, with the master transceiver providing transmission synchronization. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided in which a mobile media rendering device such as a video-enabled mobile phone utilizes a graphical user interface (“GUI”) to inform its user as to whether a remote recorder, such as a digital video recorder (“DVR”) disposed in a set top box (“STB”), is recording a media program, such as a television show or movie, that is being simulcast to both the mobile phone and the remote recorder. A service verifies that the mobile phone and STB are associated with a valid service subscription. If so verified, then the service sends a control signal over a network to the STB to activate the DVR to record the selected simulcast media program. Various icons on the GUI are provided to let the user know that the DVR is recording the selected simulcast media program to long term storage, for example, or to indicate that the DVR is recording the program to more temporary storage.

Abstract: A printable or printed content-carrying device, such as, for example, a sheet of photographic paper, has a key device secured to it that is programmed to include or programmable to include information that associates the content-carrying device with content that is related to the content printed on the content-carrying device. A recipient of the content-carrying device may use a key reader to read the information programmed into the key device to access this other related content, which may be stored in electronic form on a storage device at a location designated by the key information.

Abstract: A content-carrying device, such as, for example, a hardcopy of a photograph, a compact disk (CD) containing music selections, a case that contains the CD, a digital video disk (DVD), a case containing a DVD, etc., has a key device of some type in or on it, such as, for example, an electronic, magnetic, or optical key, which associates the content-carrying device with other content not held on the content-carrying device. Dissementation of the content-carrying device to a recipient enables the recipient to access other related content via the information programmed into the key device secured to the content-carrying device.

Abstract: A centralized resource manager for distributed networks manages resources available on the network, such as network bandwidth, CPU allocation, TV tuners, MPEG encoders and decoders, disk bandwidth, and input/output devices. The centralized resource manager also allocates the resources of network clients and a network-associated media server, in response to requests for media services via the distributed network. The centralized resource manager may include means for discovering when devices are added or removed from the network; a current, IR, or electromagnetic field sensing system for determining when video devices are turned off so that resources associated with any device not in use may be reallocated elsewhere; or a power switching system for controlling the ON or OFF state of such devices so that resources associated with any device in the OFF state may be reallocated elsewhere.

Abstract: A system (10), method (60) and apparatus (14) are provided for updating a first advertisement in a video program stream with a second advertisement, based on temporal metadata replacement rules and instructions embedded in or otherwise associated with the advertisements. The system (10) includes a video stream encoder (12) for embedding temporal metadata into the advertisements. The method (60) includes a step (62) of reading the temporal metadata and a step (66) of updating the advertisements based on the temporal metadata. The apparatus (14) includes a recording device (22) for recording (64) portions of the video program stream, including the advertisements. The apparatus (14) also includes an advertisement reader (18) for identifying and locating suitable replacement advertisements based on the temporal metadata, and an advertisement insertion module (24) for replacing advertisements in the stored video program based on the temporal metadata.

Abstract: The present invention is a receiver having a radio frequency (RF) front end, a pulse detector operatively coupled to the RF front end, and a data recovery unit operatively coupled to the pulse detector. The data recovery unit is configured to receive spread spectrum RF signals having different pulse repetition frequencies and using different modulation techniques. The receiver may operate in conjunction with a transmitter as a transceiver. The receiver may also operate in a networked environment in which a network of transceiver node devices comprise a first slave transceiver having a receiver configured to receive spread spectrum signals, and a second slave transceiver configured to communicate with the first slave transceiver. Additionally, a master transceiver is in communication with the first slave transceiver and the second slave transceiver. The master transceiver is configured to manage data transmissions and synchronization between the first slave transceiver and the second slave transceiver.

Abstract: The present invention in embodiments provides a centralized resource manager and resources that are responsive to the centralized resource manager in a Home Area Network that may additionally include resources that are not responsive to the centralized resource manager. In embodiments, the centralized resource manager may control and regulate demands made by the non-responsive resources for access and use of the responsive resources. In other embodiments, the responsive resources may communicate with the centralized resource manager in cases where they are accessed or queried for access by the non-responsive resources. In yet other embodiments, the centralized resource manager may implement differing control protocols for controlling both types of resources.

Abstract: A centralized resource manager for distributed networks manages resources available on the network, such as network bandwidth, CPU allocation, TV tuners, MPEG encoders and decoders, disk bandwidth, and input/output devices. The centralized resource manager also allocates the resources of network clients and a network-associated media server, in response to requests for media services via the distributed network. The centralized resource manager may include means for discovering when devices are added or removed from the network; a current, IR, or electromagnetic field sensing system for determining when video devices are turned off so that resources associated with any device not in use may be reallocated elsewhere; or a power switching system for controlling the ON or OFF state of such devices so that resources associated with any device in the OFF state may be reallocated elsewhere.

Abstract: An ultra wide band communication network is provided. One embodiment ultra wide band network includes an industry standard transceiver and an ultra wide band transceiver communicating with the industry standard transceiver, with both transceivers communicating using at least one Time Division Multiple Access frame. Another embodiment network comprises an industry standard transceiver and an ultra wide band transceiver, wherein one transceiver is structured and configured to manage data transmission between all of the transceivers, with each of the transceivers having a Medium Access Control Unit including a Physical layer interface. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A content resource manager (CRM) in a home area network is configured to determine if a conflict exists between current use of a media pipeline and a requested use of the media pipeline. If a conflict exists, the CRM requests the user to indicate if a current use of a media pipeline should be discontinued and the desired program retrieved. The CRM may provide the user with a plurality of media pipelines to select from to override over which the desired program may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes a network communication system which includes a first slave transceiver configured to communicate a plurality of TDMA data packets at different data rates to a second slave transceiver. The second slave transceiver is also configured to communicate a plurality of TDMA data packets at different data rates to the first slave transceiver. A master transceiver manages data communications between the first slave transceiver and the second slave transceiver. Each transceiver includes a data modulation unit, a transmitter, an antenna, and a receiver. The data modulation unit is configured to generate a plurality of signals having variable pulse repetition frequencies and different modulation techniques. The transmitter is coupled to the data modulation unit and the transmitter is configured to generate a pulse stream according to the data modulation unit.

Abstract: Ultra wide band communication systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an ultra wide band communication system includes an ultra wide band Medium Access Control (MAC) communication method, the communication method comprising the steps of providing a time division multiple access frame comprising a plurality of slots, placing at least one ultra wide band pulse in at least one slot; and varying an ultra wide band pulse repetition frequency between different slots. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An ultra wide band communication network is provided. One embodiment ultra wide band network includes a master device and a plurality of slave devices structured to communicate with the master device using a plurality of ultra wide band pulses. The ultra wide band network also includes a medium access control protocol comprising a time division multiple access frame, the time division multiple access frame comprising a first mode for protocol exchange and a second mode for data exchange. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A transmitter system is provided. In one embodiment, the transmitter system includes a data modulation unit, which generates a stream of data that is synchronized with a master clock. The transmitter system additionally includes a transmitter that transmits the stream of synchronized data by way of an attached antenna. In another embodiment the transmitter system includes a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer that includes a clock synchronization device, a frequency divider, a slot allocation unit, and a multiplexer/demultiplexer. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention describes a network communication system which includes a first slave transceiver configured to communicate a plurality of TDMA data packets at different data rates to a second slave transceiver. The second slave transceiver is also configured to communicate a plurality of TDMA data packets at different data rates to the first slave transceiver. A master transceiver manages data communications between the first slave transceiver and the second slave transceiver. Each transceiver includes a data modulation unit, a transmitter, an antenna, and a receiver. The transmitter is coupled to the data modulation unit and the transmitter is configured to generate a pulse stream according to the data modulation unit. The receiver is configured to detect and demodulate said ultra wide band base band signals operating at variable pulse repetition frequencies and having different modulation methods.

Abstract: A centralized Digital Video Recording (DVR) and reproduction system (100) linking several reproduction and control units (such as television receivers (124, 128, 132), etc.) to a centralized media server (152) allows system users (124, 128, 132) to not only access the same program or programs from different receivers (106, 110), but to pause and resume the same programs from the same marker points (“bookmarks”) established by any system user (124, 128, 132). The program “bookmark” representing the program pause point is conveniently shown via a graphical user interface display with a bookmark icon, including the name of the user (124, 128, 132) who established the bookmark and the exact pause point in the program.