Abstract: A method for providing adaptive video compression includes encoding a video stream in a first compressed format, storing the video stream in a storage device, retrieving the video stream from the storage device, decoding the video stream, encoding the video stream in a second compressed format, and storing the video stream in the storage device. Systems and other methods for providing adaptive video compression are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing adaptive video compression includes encoding a video stream in a first compressed format, storing the video stream in a storage device, retrieving the video stream from the storage device, decoding the video stream, encoding the video stream in a second compressed format, and storing the video stream in the storage device. Systems and other methods for providing adaptive video compression are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of assembling an elementary stream from an encapsulated multimedia transport stream are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is performed in a digital home communication terminal (DHCT). This method comprises the steps of: receiving a layer-2 packet through a binding to a network interface driver; applying at least one filter to the received packet to determine whether the received packet contains one or more multimedia transport packets meeting criteria associated with the filter; and for each multimedia transport packet meeting the applied filter criteria, copying the respective multimedia transport packet to an elementary stream buffer.

Abstract: A method for providing adaptive video compression includes encoding a video stream in a first compressed format, storing the video stream in a storage device, retrieving the video stream from the storage device, decoding the video stream, encoding the video stream in a second compressed format, and storing the video stream in the storage device. Systems and other methods for providing adaptive video compression are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of assembling an elementary stream from an encapsulated multimedia transport stream are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is performed in a digital home communication terminal (DHCT). This method comprises the steps of: receiving a layer-2 packet through a binding to a network interface driver; applying at least one filter to the received packet to determine whether the received packet contains one or more multimedia transport packets meeting criteria associated with the filter; and for each multimedia transport packet meeting the applied filter criteria, copying the respective multimedia transport packet to an elementary stream buffer.

Abstract: A communications system for the delivery of digital data programs to a remote location includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal having the digital data programs and a communications terminal located at the remote location. The communications terminal includes a control circuit including authorizing circuitry responsive to authorization data for authorizing the communications terminal to access authorized ones of the digital data programs in one of a first and a second authorization mode. For example, automatic authorization modes for game play may comprise an arcade mode and a rental mode, simulating manual access methods i.e. paying for play at a video arcade or for rental of games from a video game store. Moreover, new games may be accessed without charge by the game player if authorized according to a free service authorization map.

Abstract: A display system for the on screen display of information for a subscriber terminal of a subscription television system includes a display processor which can display information in the form of a display screen stored in a display memory. The display processor can be preprogrammed by the control processor with a plurality of display attributes including different symbol sets, different color palettes, whether the screen is to be a text screen, graphic screen or a combination of a text and graphics system, and the size and location of each screen display on the display area. The display processor includes a digital processor and an analog processor. The digital processor controls accessing the display data from the memory and converting it into timed digital pixels. The analog processor includes a digital to analog pixel converter which produces analog pixels from the digital pixels in a timed relation to an input video signal.

Abstract: A headend method and apparatus for a digital transmission system is provided which includes inputs for receiving first and second program information from first and second program sources and inputs for receiving first and second control information from first and second control sources. The first and second program information is applied to a switching circuit and a switch control controls the switching circuit to output channels of program information comprising combinations of the first and second program information for output to a subscriber. Processing circuitry allows for selectively providing the first and second control information to the channels output from the switching circuit.

Abstract: An improved virtual memory computer system comprising a main processing unit for executing application and operating system software without virtual memory code and independently of virtual memory operation. A dedicated second processing unit is provided for maintaining a memory map, which translates addresses in the main processing unit address space into physical memory addressess of a primary memory. A network interface allows pages or segments of data from a secondary memory connected to a communications network to be transferred into the primary memory in a manner transparent to the operation of the main processing unit. A direct memory access (DMA) circuit transfer the header portion of a network-transferred page of data into a separate auxiliary addressable memory for storage of network overhead information, while the useful data portions of the page are stored directly in locations in the primary addressable memory.