Abstract: A system and method for scalable multifunctional network communication between presentation devices and service providers are disclosed. A group of consumer premise equipment (CPE) units are coupled to the presentation devices, and a headend control computer receives upstream messages from the CPE units and for sending downstream messages to the CPE units. A group of service provider control subsystems interface between the headend control computer and the service providers. The head end control computer receives messages from the CPE units and transports them to the service provider control subsystems, and the headend control computer receives messages from the service provider control subsystems and transports them to the CPE units.

Abstract: A system and method for scalable multifunctional network communication between presentation devices and service providers are disclosed. A group of consumer premise equipment (CPE) units are coupled to the presentation devices, and a headend control computer receives upstream messages from the CPE units and for sending downstream messages to the CPE units. A group of service provider control subsystems interface between the headend control computer and the service providers. The head end control computer receives messages from the CPE units and transports them to the service provider control subsystems, and the headend control computer receives messages from the service provider control subsystems and transports them to the CPE units.

Abstract: A system and method for scalable multifunctional network communication between presentation devices and service providers are disclosed. A group of consumer premise equipment (CPE) units are coupled to the presentation devices, and a headend control computer receives upstream messages from the CPE units and for sending downstream messages to the CPE units. A group of service provider control subsystems interface between the headend control computer and the service providers. The head end control computer receives messages from the CPE units and transports them to the service provider control subsystems, and the headend control computer receives messages from the service provider control subsystems and transports them to the CPE units.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for supplying arbitrary types of information in a digital signal conformant to the structures defined in ISO standard ISO/IEC 13818-1, known generally as MPEG2 Systems. The method extends Program Stream and Transport Stream structures by application of principles developed for standardization of bidirectional data communications protocols to define a universal messaging syntax applicable to all types of information, including Internet data streams, VBI data streams, other types of data streams, as well as MPEG2 video, audio, and control; to define a multiplexing structure that is independent of the details of the MPEG2 signal structure; and to define a scheme for addressing such enhanced MPEG2 signals, or portions of signals, to individual decoders or to groups of decoders.

Abstract: An optimal multiplexing method is disclosed which allows buffers to be two packets in depth. For a plurality of buffers, with each buffer associated with a packetized data stream, packets are received at respective buffer input rates. The buffers are serviced at a service rate at least equal to a sum of the buffer input rates. For each buffer, once a full packet has been received therein, a time interval until that buffer is expected to reach its buffer depth is determined. The buffer having the least time interval is then serviced first, such that overflow of the buffers is avoided.

Abstract: A digital receiver includes a tuner and a demodulator that obtains the baseband signal carried in a received analog signal. A first sampler operates at a preselected fixed sampling rate asynchronous with the baseband component to produce a first sampler output. A controllable digital filter resamples the first sampler output to produce a filter output with a selectable resampling rate. The resampled output is time-position locked to the baseband signal epochs. The second sampling is processed to ascertain the symbol bit stream of the baseband signal. The controllable filter sampling rate is automatically varied to correspond to the symbol rate of the baseband signal, so that the sampling rate of the first sampler need not change. Initial signal acquisition is achieved by operating the receiver as a frequency spectrum analyzer. A single signal-carrying band is identified and demodulated, and a menu carried on a transport layer is read.