Abstract: Television white space devices are operable to communicate information over television white space and, more specifically, to quiet a transmitter for sensing signals in the television white space. A method for inconspicuous quieting of the transmitter in a television white space device inserts, from an application layer, information into a transport stream for transmission by the transmitter of the television white space device to produce a null window of time within the transport stream at a predetermined time. The method also transmits the transport stream by the transmitter of the television white space device and quiets the transmitter during the null window of time. The method senses, by a white space sensor of the television white space device, existing signals in the white space during the null window of time.

Abstract: White space devices are operable to communicate information over white space and, more specifically, to quiet a transmitter to enable sensing signals in the white space. A method for inconspicuous quieting of a transmitter in a white space communication device modifies a transport stream for transmission by the transmitter of the white space device to provide a null window of time. The null window does not contain essential information. At least a portion of the modified transport stream is transmitted by the transmitter of the white space device. The transmitter is quieted during the null window, and white space sensing is performed during the null window.

Abstract: Techniques for video encoding and decoding a common guide media logic channel (MLC) to enable fast acquisition and re/synchronization of the video stream while preserving compression efficiency are provided. Systems and methods to process multimedia data using channel switch frames are presented. The system comprises an encoder operative to generate a common guide media logical channel (MLC) of a plurality of channel switch frames (CSFs), each respective active channel having one or more CSFs in the guide MLC. The decoder in the system is operative to decode a set of the plurality of CSFs from the guide MLC. The decoder simultaneously displays programming content of the decoded set of the plurality of CSFs on a display and automatically switches to a primary bitstream of an active channel associated with a selected one displayed CSF.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide methods and apparatus for offset interleaving of media frames for transmission over a communication network. In one aspect, a method for interleaving a stream of media frames for transmission over a communication network includes the acts of defining a plurality of packets and interleaving a stream of media frames among the packets.

Abstract: Television white space devices are operable to communicate information over television white space and, more specifically, to quiet a transmitter for sensing signals in the television white space. A method for inconspicuous quieting of the transmitter in a television white space device inserts, from an application layer, information into a transport stream for transmission by the transmitter of the television white space device to produce a null window of time within the transport stream at a predetermined time. The method also transmits the transport stream by the transmitter of the television white space device and quiets the transmitter during the null window of time. The method senses, by a white space sensor of the television white space device, existing signals in the white space during the null window of time.

Abstract: White space devices are operable to communicate information over white space and, more specifically, to quiet a transmitter to enable sensing signals in the white space. A method for inconspicuous quieting of a transmitter in a white space communication device modifies a transport stream for transmission by the transmitter of the white space device to provide a null window of time. The null window does not contain essential information. At least a portion of the modified transport stream is transmitted by the transmitter of the white space device. The transmitter is quieted during the null window, and white space sensing is performed during the null window.

Abstract: Techniques for video encoding and decoding a common guide media logic channel (MLC) to enable fast acquisition and re/synchronization of the video stream while preserving compression efficiency are provided. Systems and methods to process multimedia data using channel switch frames are presented. The system comprises an encoder operative to generate a common guide media logical channel (MLC) of a plurality of channel switch frames (CSFs), each respective active channel having one or more CSFs in the guide MLC. The decoder in the system is operative to decode a set of the plurality of CSFs from the guide MLC. The decoder simultaneously displays programming content of the decoded set of the plurality of CSFs on a display and automatically switches to a primary bitstream of an active channel associated with a selected one displayed CSF.

Abstract: A method for reducing call dropping rates in a multi-beam communication system. The multi-beam communication system includes a user terminal, a gateway, and a plurality of beam sources, where each beam source projects a plurality of beams, and where a communication link between the user terminal and the gateway is established on one or more beams. The method according to the present invention relies on a messaging protocol between the gateway and the user terminal. Based on messages sent from the user terminal to the gateway, preferably on a preselected periodic basis, the gateway can determine the more desirable beam(s) for transmitting data or information to the user terminal. The messages sent from the user terminal to the gateway contain values representing beam strengths as measured at the user terminal. The gateway uses the user terminal measured beam strengths to select the beams that should be used for transmitting data or information to the user terminal.

Abstract: A method for reducing call dropping rates in a multi-beam communication system. The multi-beam communication system includes a user terminal, a gateway, and a plurality of beam sources, where each beam source projects a plurality of beams, and where a communication link between the user terminal and the gateway is established on one or more beams. The method according to the present invention relies on a messaging protocol between the gateway and the user terminal. Based on messages sent from the user terminal to the gateway, preferably on a preselected periodic basis, the gateway can determine the more desirable beam(s) for transmitting data or information to the user terminal. The messages sent from the user terminal to the gateway contain values representing beam strengths as measured at the user terminal. The gateway uses the user terminal measured beam strengths to select the beams that should be used for transmitting data or information to the user terminal.