Abstract: A sequence of images and a vehicle location associated with each of the images is received at a traffic light ROI management system. At least one traffic light is detected in each image. A ECS traffic light ROI is defined for each image. The ECS traffic light ROI encloses the detected traffic lights. A visual feature template is generated for each image. The visual feature template is based on the ECS traffic light ROI for the image. Each visual feature template is mapped to the vehicle location associated with the image to a HD map. The HD map is transmitted to an autonomous vehicle to enable the autonomous vehicle to identify a real-time traffic light ROI in a real-time image based on a match between a first visual feature template and real-time visual features of the real-time image at the vehicle location associated with the first visual feature template.

Abstract: These and other objects of the invention are provided by a method and system for real time display of time sensitive information. In a method of the invention, a first set of time sensitive information is received. A second set of information from the first set of time sensitive information is selected. The second set of information corresponds to a stored set of information identifiers. The second set of information is then stored. The second set of information is then displayed to a subscriber. In other embodiments of the invention, the time sensitive information includes stock quote information, news information, traffic information, or sports scores. The present invention can be implemented in a broadcast communication system such as a broadband communication system, wireless local loop or other communication system capable of broadcasting digital information.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a system for providing digital data services to a client comprising: providing client-generic multicast data including a plurality of multicast groups to a data distribution system, wherein each multicast group includes at least one digital data service; re-formatting the client-generic multicast data in a fast transmission format; transmitting the fastally formatted client-generic multicast data to at least one distribution node; re-formatting the fastally formatted client-generic transmission in a format suitable for client-specific delivery to at least one client; receiving a client request for a selected multicast group at the at least one distribution node from a requesting client; at the at least one distribution node, routing the selected multicast group to the requesting client enabling the requesting client to access a selected digital data service from the multicast group and discard data contained within the selected multicast group not corresponding to the selected di

Abstract: The present invention teaches a broadcast server apparatus for transmitting data files to a large number of recipients over a wide area network comprising; a server for providing digital data files, the digital data files including a plurality of data packets; a packet identifier (ID) encapsulator unit for assigning PID values to each data packet such that a receiver may filter the data files in response to the PID values; a transmitter for transmitting the plurality of data packets over a transmission medium. Another embodiment teaches a method of encoding digital video broadcast (DVB) data files for broadcast comprising the acts of: parsing at least one data file into a sequence of data packets, the sequence being composed of a plurality of data packet containing digital data, wherein each data packet includes an identifier; and encoding each of the data packets with a PID value responsive to the identifier.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates centralized fiber optic nodes in a network that utilizes a fiber optic backbone for at least a portion of the downstream channel. The centralized fiber optic node is operable to process downstream data intended for customer premise equipment and provides the downstream data to a central server of the network. The central server in turn may provide the downstream data to the customer premise equipment via the network. The centralized node is further operable to receive upstream data from the customer premise equipment, the upstream data being intended for remote network servers. In an HFC system, the localized fiber optic node is replaced with a centralized node located at a central server and a simple local optical converter for interfacing to an electronic network. The centralized node enables each CPE to communicate upstream network or Internet data directly to the central server for transmission to network servers via a publicly switched telephone network (PSNT).

Abstract: A method for sending data to a client to provide data-on-demand services comprises the steps of: receiving a data file, specifying a time interval, parsing the data file into a plurality of data blocks based on the time interval such that each data block is displayable during a time interval, determining a required number of time slots to send the data file, allocating to each time slot at least a first of the plurality of data blocks and optionally one or more additional data blocks, such that starting from any of the time slots, (i) the data file can be displayed by accessing the first of the plurality of data blocks; (ii) at a consecutive time slot, a next data block sequential to a prior displayed data block is available for displaying; and (iii) repeating step (ii) until all of the plurality of data blocks for the data file has been displayed, and sending the plurality of data blocks based on the allocating step.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a universal STB operative to prevent unauthorized access to digital broadcast data including: a databus; a first communication device suitable for coupling to a digital broadcast communications medium, the first communication device operable to receive digital broadcast data; memory bi-directionally coupled to the databus, the memory including computer executable instructions for: a). determining whether the STB is authentic or counterfeit; b). performing anti-counterfeit measures upon the STB when the device is determined to be counterfeit; and c).

Abstract: The present invention teaches methods and systems for providing a relay server for enabling a data-on-demand (DOD) digital broadcast system to provide digital DOD service via a communications medium over one or more channels, the relay server comprising: an communications network interface for receiving at least one DOD service from the DOD digital broadcast system, wherein the DOD service is formatted as a stream of data blocks arranged in a schedule such that a first data block of the DOD service may be accessed at any selected time period; a uni-directional network interface for providing the stream of data blocks to a plurality of users, wherein the users may access the first data block at any time period and may access subsequent data blocks of the stream of data blocks thereby accessing the at least one DOD service.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates several data storage mechanisms well suited for high speed storage of data files received as non-sequential data blocks. In one preferred embodiment, data blocks are stored in an order received, and the proper sequencing of these data blocks is maintained in a separate data structure. This minimizes total seek time during data storage, and enables sequential retrieval of the file data blocks. In another preferred embodiment, a receiver allocates multiple portions of persistent memory to each data file. This approach balances total seek time during storage, with total seek time during file retrieval as well as alleviating some of the effects of memory fragmentation which arise when persistent memory is released as stored files are deleted.

Abstract: A client generic uni-directional digital data file download system and method including a method of transmitting non-data-on-demand (non-DOD) data files to a large number of customers comprising the acts of: parsing at least one non-DOD data file into a sequence of data blocks, the sequence being composed of a first plurality of data blocks containing digital data; repeatedly transmitting the sequence of data blocks in a non-client specific manner such that a user receiving the first plurality of data blocks may view at least a portion of the at least one non-DOD data file. Additionally, the present invention includes transmitting an electronic program guide (EPG) to the plurality of users, wherein the user may select a desired data file using the electronic program guide. In accordance with one embodiment each non-DOD data file is allocated an associated bandwidth, wherein the data files are repeatedly transmitted on a corresponding allocated bandwidth.

Abstract: A method for sending data to a client to provide data-on-demand services comprises the steps of: receiving a data file, specifying a time interval, parsing the data file into a plurality of data blocks based on the time interval such that each data block is displayable during a time interval, determining a required number of time slots to send the data file, allocating to each time slot at least a first of the plurality of data blocks and optionally one or more additional data blocks, such that starting from any of the time slots, (i) the data file can be displayed by accessing the first of the plurality of data blocks; (ii) at a consecutive time slot, a next data block sequential to a prior displayed data block is available for displaying; and (iii) repeating step (ii) until all of the plurality of data blocks for the data file has been displayed, and sending the plurality of data blocks based on the allocating step.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for securely transmitting a data message. In a method of the invention, a first encrypting key is obtained. A second encrypting key is then generated as a function of the first encrypting key and as a function of an identified parameter. The identified parameter can be time or some other random number. A requirement is that the parties desiring to communicate both have knowledge of the identified parameter. The data message is then encrypted using the second encrypting key to generate an encrypted message. The encrypted message can then be securely transmitted. A party receiving the encrypted message then obtains a first decryption key. A second decrypting key is then generated as a function of the first decrypting key and as a function of the identified parameter. The encrypted message is decrypted using the second encrypting key to recover the data message.

Abstract: A method of retrieving data files broadcast repetitively over at least a first time interval and a second time interval comprising, receiving a file request from a user selecting at least one of the broadcast data files, requesting an authorization for retrieval of the file requested, initiating an authorized file retrieval process to retrieve at least a first part of the data file broadcast during the first time interval, and subsequently retrieving a second part of the data file broadcast during the second time interval, and rearranging the first and second parts to reconstitute at least a part of the data file.

Abstract: A method for sending data to a client to provide data-on-demand services comprises the steps of: receiving a data file, specifying a time interval, parsing the data file into a plurality of data blocks based on the time interval such that each data block is displayable during a time interval, determining a required number of time slots to send the data file, allocating to each time slot at least a first of the plurality of data blocks and optionally one or more additional data blocks, such that starting from any of the time slots, (i) the data file can be displayed by accessing the first of the plurality of data blocks; (ii) at a consecutive time slot, a next data block sequential to a prior displayed data block is available for displaying; and (iii) repeating step (ii) until all of the plurality of data blocks for the data file has been displayed, and sending the plurality of data blocks based on the allocating step.

Abstract: A computer implemented universal set-top-box (STB) method for receiving a plurality of data files including at least one DOD data file and at least one non-DOD data file comprising the acts of: receiving at least one DOD data file in a non-client specific manner such that the DOD data file may be viewed nearly on demand; receiving at least one non-DOD data file; providing the EPG data to the user of the universal STB; receiving user input from the user of the universal STB requesting access to the first data file; providing access to the first data file to the user; displaying at least a portion of the DOD data file to the user; and displaying at least a portion of the non-DOD data file to the user.

Abstract: A method for sending data to a client to provide data-on-demand services comprises the steps of: receiving a data file, specifying a time interval, parsing the data file into a plurality of data blocks based on the time interval such that each data block is displayable during a time interval, determining a required number of time slots to send the data file, allocating to each time slot at least a first of the plurality of data blocks and optionally one or more additional data blocks, such that starting from any of the time slots, (i) the data file can be displayed by accessing the first of the plurality of data blocks; (ii) at a consecutive time slot, a next data block sequential to a prior displayed data block is available for displaying; and (iii) repeating step (ii) until all of the plurality of data blocks for the data file has been displayed, and sending the plurality of data blocks based on the allocating step.

Abstract: A DOD broadcast method for transmitting client generic sequences of data blocks comprising: preparing a client generic data transmission sequence of data blocks, wherein said client generic data transmission sequence has a sub-optimal time delivery characteristic; transmitting a data file consisting of said sequence of data blocks in accordance with said sub-optimal transmission sequence to a plurality of clients such that a receiving client may begin to access said data file within a predetermined time. Preparing said sequence includes: receiving a data file; specifying a time interval; parsing said data file into multiple data blocks based on said time interval such that each data block is displayable during said time interval; determining a required number of time slots to send said data file, wherein each of said time slot has a duration substantially equal to said time interval; allocating to each time slot one of the data blocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving data files broadcast repetitively over at least a first time interval and a second time interval comprising: means for receiving a file request from a user selecting at least one of the broadcast data files; means for initiating an authorized file retrieval process to retrieve at least a first part of the data file broadcast during the first time interval; means for displaying at least a portion of the first part of the data file during at least a portion of the second time interval; means for retrieving a second part of the data file broadcast during the second time interval; and means for displaying at least a portion of the second part of the data file.