Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a system and method for selecting the sources of at least two shows capable of being received and displayed by an entertainment system. The user selects for viewing, a first show associated with a first channel from a first source. The first show is then displayed. The user also selects for viewing, a second show associated with a second channel from any one of the first and a second sources. The second show is then displayed. A second aspect of the present invention relates to a system and method for selecting the sources of at least two shows capable of being received and displayed by an entertainment system. The user selects for viewing, a first show associated with a first channel from a first source. The first show is displayed on a first portion of a display screen. The user also selects for viewing, a second show associated with a second channel from any one of the first and a second sources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically allocating wireless channels in a wireless network. At least two client devices are present in the wireless network. Each client device is capable of transceiving wireless data over a wireless channel. In one embodiment, a server capable of a transceiving wireless data over at least one wireless channel determines the number of client devices in the wireless network. The server allocates client devices to different wireless channels. Particularly, client devices that receive data at substantially different data rates are allocated to different wireless channels in order to optimize the total system utility of the wireless network. Furthermore, client devices that receive data at substantially similar data rates are allocated to the same wireless channel.

Abstract: A wireless component is authenticated to an in-home wireless entertainment system server by simultaneously or near-simultaneously holding down buttons on the component and server and transmitting a component ID (or encryption results generated from the key) to the server. The server then indicates “authenticated”, and the component can subsequently access the system using its ID.

Abstract: Digital Visual Interface (DVI), or High Definition Multi-media Interface (HDMI), data is received from a source and sent to a transmitter chip that includes a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) receiver that outputs a 3-data and 1-clock physical signaling stream representing the DVI or HDMI data. This stream is rendered into I and Q data by an ASIC or FPGA and sent to a wireless transmitter for modulation, upconverting, and transmission to, e.g., a nearby display device without ever rendering the data into baseband video on the transmitter chip. The display device has a receiver chip that is essentially the inverse of the transmitter chip.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for communicating with multiple devices. In one embodiment, a plurality of wireless devices in close proximity are able to transmit data at a high rate using a secure connection. While in one embodiment this data is transmitted using a high speed, directional signal at a 60 GHz frequency. In a further embodiment, data is transmitted at a 60 GHz frequency between a personal computing device and a plurality of consumer electronic devices that are in relative close proximity to one another. The directional nature of this high frequency signal permits a large number of devices in a close proximity to communicate without interfering with each other. Moreover, the directional nature of such a high frequency signal provides added communications security since the receiver will typically be in the line of sight of the transmitter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically estimating the bandwidth of a network link in a wireless network. The system includes at least one client device capable of receiving data over the wireless network and a server capable of transceiving data over a link of a wireless channel of the wireless network. The server identifies the at least one client device in the wireless network and identifies applications that are being utilized in the wireless network by the at least one client device, in which each application has an associated link between the server and the client device and an associated data stream transmitted over the link. The server passively estimates the bandwidth being used by an application over the link based upon measuring the throughput of the associated data stream and based upon determining channel utilization of the link.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a plurality of columns bound together, configured to display a single row of pixels scanned out from top to bottom. It also comprises a timing control unit to synchronize between the columns to allow all pixels of a single row to be lit at the same time.

Abstract: Digital Visual Interface (DVI), or High Definition Multi-media Interface (HDMI), data is received from a source and sent to a transmitter chip that includes a transition minimized differential signaling (TMDS) receiver that outputs a 3-data and 1-clock physical signaling stream representing the DVI or HDMI data. This stream is rendered into I and Q data by an ASIC or FPGA and sent to a wireless transmitter for modulation, upconverting, and transmission to, e.g., a nearby display device without ever rendering the data into baseband video on the transmitter chip. The display device has a receiver chip that is essentially the inverse of the transmitter chip.

Abstract: A wireless component is authenticated to an in-home wireless entertainment system server by simultaneously or near-simultaneously holding down buttons on the component and server and transmitting a component ID (or encryption results generated from the key) to the server. The server then indicates “authenticated”, and the component can subsequently access the system using its ID.