Abstract: A system (100) and method (200) for delivering conditional access information to a conditional access controlled device (120) incompatible with the conditional access transmission protocol. The conditional access information is delivered through a conditional access controlled device (110) compatible with the conditional access transmission protocol via a home network connection (130) between the conditional access controlled devices and according to a home network transmission protocol with which both conditional access controlled devices are compatible.

Abstract: A method for transmitting and receiving data over a shared access carrier network with a plurality of user devices is provided. The user devices each have a modem associated therewith and a network interface for communicating over a local network. The method begins by transmitting a query from each one of the user devices over the local network requesting remaining ones of the plurality of user devices to specify available resources pertaining to shared access carrier network connectivity capabilities of the modem associated therewith. A reply is received over the local network in response to the query from each of the remaining user devices. Based on the replies from each of the remaining user devices, at least one of the user devices is selected to serve as a master device that provides connectivity to the shared access carrier system through which the other of the plurality of user devices transmit and receive data.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention creates a method and system for assigning notes to be played by a musical synthesizer to a predetermined number of instrument voices available to be sounded by said musical synthesizer, so that the musical synthesizer may emulate the sound of a live orchestra or other ensemble. The method includes the steps of building an array based on the number of notes to be played and the number of instrument voices available to play such notes, and allocating notes to the voices pursuant to algorithmic determination. As notes are released or newly played, all notes are dynamically reassigned to instrument voices so that, to the extent practicable, all channels play almost all the time. Additional methodology provides for correct assignment of notes across multiple different sections (or types) of instruments for purposes of real time orchestration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recording a program being advertised during a broadcast of another program. The method begins by receiving a user request to record the program being advertised in an advertisement appearing in a broadcast of the other program. The other program is embodied in a video signal received from an external broadcasting source. At least one prescribed keyword is identified in a locally stored segment of the video signal that contains the advertisement. The prescribed keyword(s) pertains to a time at which the program being advertised is to be broadcast. A recording session is established in accordance with the prescribed keyword(s) to record the program being advertised. Finally, the program being advertised is recorded during the established recording session.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program for operating a networked file system client to control transmission over a network of a unitary sequential data object that is larger than an available transmission cache comprises a synchronisation component operable to issue a file synchronisation command at a point intermediate between a transmission cache empty state and a transmission cache full state; and a cache control component operable to reclaim a cache space in the transmission cache for reuse after issuance of the file synchronization command.

Abstract: A method and system for avoiding undesirable portions of a recorded audiovisual program includes generating a data set indicating portions of the audiovisual program avoided by previous viewers and automatically avoiding those portions of the audiovisual program during subsequent replay using the data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber additive composition which contains at least one rubber additive (a), the at least one additive (a) being encased in coating material (b) accompanied by formation of microcapsules. The additive can in particular be sulphur or another vulcanization agent, a vulcanization accelerator and/or activator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rubber additive composition which contains at least one rubber additive (a), the at least one additive (a) being encased in coating material (b) accompanied by formation of microcapsules. The additive can in particular be sulphur or another vulcanization agent, a vulcanization accelerator and/or activator.

Abstract: A method for encoding an audio/video (AV) program for muting on a sink device includes generating or recovering at least one digital transport stream having the AV program, augmenting the at least one digital transport stream with control information, the control information being configured to invoke a muting of at least one component of the AV program by the sink device, and transmitting the augmented digital transport stream over a digital link coupled to the sink device.

Abstract: A method (200) for automatically establishing an isochronous signal for transmission to a signal receiving device includes: using a serial bus (80) responsive to a set-top device (10) and a first signal receiving device (12), the serial bus having an architecture defined by an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”)-1394 specification, discovering (202) a signal receiving capability of the first signal receiving device (12); and without user intervention, based on the discovered signal receiving capability, producing (204) an isochronous signal (14) for transmission to the first signal receiving device (12) over the serial bus (80).

Abstract: A method (200) for verifying a video format supported by a display device (25). The display device (25) is adapted to receive a television signal from a video source (10) via a video interface (15). The method includes: receiving (202) a data structure (75) provided by the display device (25), the data structure (75) specifying a plurality of timing parameters associated with a supported video format; providing (204) a plurality of predetermined value ranges, each of the plurality of predetermined value ranges corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; separating (206) the data structure into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; comparing (208) at least some of the plurality of portions with at least some of the plurality of predetermined value ranges; and based on the comparisons, determining whether the supported video format is verified.

Abstract: A method (300) for providing conditional access to data. A conditional access system (24) is responsive to subscriber devices (14, 20), and the data (52) is stored on a recording medium (50) and encrypted using an encryption key (54) when the recording medium (50) is detachably coupled to a first subscriber device (14). The method includes: based on a request on behalf of a second subscriber device for access to the data, arranging (302) for the conditional access system to authenticate the second subscriber device; and arranging (304) for the conditional access system to transfer the encryption key to the second subscriber device. The encryption key is usable by the second subscriber device to decrypt the data when the recording medium is detachably coupled thereto, and access to the decrypted data by the second subscriber device is restricted in a manner specified by the conditional access system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing a DSG to OOB transcoder in a cable television system comprising a legacy set-top device 102. In the first embodiment, a one-way DSG to OOB transcoder 202 acts as a proxy device for OOB messages to the DSG tunnel 128. Once an OOB message is generated, the OOB message is transmitted to the DSG tunnel 128. The DSG to OOB transcoder 202 of the present invention then captures the OOB message, and communicates the OOB message to the legacy set-top device 102. In a second embodiment of the invention, the legacy set-top device 102 may communicate return communications to the DSG to OOB transcoder 402 by generating a QPSK message. The QPSK message is then translated to an OOB message comprising DOCSIS content.

Abstract: A mechanism for supporting and permitting selected adjustment of the position of a headrest relative to the back of a chair comprises a body, a first pivotable connection, a second pivotable connection and a selectively releasable locking mechanism. The first pivotable connection is near the first end of the body, adapted to connect to the chair and to allow pivoting of the body relative to the chair. The second pivotable connection is near the second end of the body, adapted to connect to the headrest and to allow pivoting of the headrest relative to the body. The selectively releasable locking mechanism is configured to retain the body in selected angular positions relative to the chair and relative to the headrest by clamping together interleaved plate members in frictional contact and to allow for one-handed actuation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for recording a broadcast program. The method begins by receiving a transport packet stream (200) in which the program is embodied. The transport packet stream (200) includes an indicator denoting a time at which the program ends. The transport packet is electronically stored and the indicator from the transport packet stream is extracted. The extracted indicator is decoded and the step of electronically storing the transport packet stream (200) is terminated in accordance with the time denoted by the indicator.

Abstract: A method (400) for managing a data stream (30) encoded according to a digital transmission protocol and configured for broadcasting to a consumer network device (14) within a broadband communications network (10). A message relating to the data stream is encapsulated (402) within a transport layer data packet (502). The packet has a destination port number field. A value associated with a predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol is created (404) within the field. Based on the value, the packet is forwarded (406) to the consumer network device according to a network layer protocol. When the forwarded message is received by the consumer network device, the consumer network device processes the data stream based on the message, and establishes an application layer communication socket based on the destination port number value. The socket is usable to receive further messages associated with the predetermined parameter of the digital transmission protocol.

Abstract: The present invention enables software and firmware downloads to high definition television (HDTV) appliances via a television terminal. A download control message received at the terminal may comprise: (i) a first version identifier identifying a version of an available software or firmware download; (ii) a first type identifier identifying a particular type of HDTV appliance for which the download is intended; and (iii) a download object containing the software or firmware to be downloaded. The terminal obtains a second type identifier from the HDTV appliance that identifies a type of the HDTV appliance. If the type identifiers correspond, the terminal obtains a second version identifier from the HDTV appliance, which identifies a current version of software or firmware of the HDTV appliance. If the version identifiers do not correspond, the terminal may pass the download object to the HDTV appliance.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-device distributed digital video recording systems and methods. The present invention enables digital recording devices on a cable plant to share resources. A plurality of networked digital video recorders are provided. A requesting digital video recorder (DVR) on the network may be capable of broadcasting a request to a plurality of DVRs seeking resources of a dormant DVR. At least one dormant DVR on the network may be capable of providing a response to the requesting DVR indicating its availability of resources. The requesting DVR may then select a granting DVR from the dormant DVRs with available resources (i.e., those DVRs that responded to the request). A session may then be established between the requesting DVR and the granting DVR. Once the session is established, the resources of the granting DVR may be made available for use by the requesting DVR.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for passing an on-screen display (OSD) from a source device, such as a television terminal, to a sink device, such as a high definition television (HDTV), over a serial interface, such as an IEEE-1394 interface. The source device includes a tuner adapted for receiving an active isochronous MPEG data stream and graphic data for an OSD. A serial interface at the source device enables communication with a sink device. A processor at the source device detects an action requiring an OSD at the sink device. The source device also includes an MPEG encoder adapted for encoding the graphic data as an isochronous MPEG data stream carrying the OSD. The isochronous MPEG data stream carrying the OSD may then be passed to the sink device via the serial interface.

Abstract: Simultaneous display of multiple audio/video (AV) programs transmitted over a digital link is described. At a source device, at least one non-composited digital transport stream is generated from the plurality of AV programs. The at least one non-composited digital transport stream is augmented with control information. The control information is operative to invoke simultaneous display of the plurality of AV programs on a display device. The at least one non-composited digital transport stream is then transmitted as augmented over the digital link. At a sink device, at least one non-composited digital transport stream having the plurality of AV programs is received over the digital link. Control information is extracted from the at least one non-composited digital transport stream. The plurality of AV programs are identified within said non-composited digital transport stream in response to the control information. The identified AV programs are then simultaneously displayed on the display device.