Abstract: A method and apparatus for staggercasting includes encoding a first signal representing content having a time duration and a second signal also representing that content. A time delay period is specified for the time duration of the content. A composite signal, comprising the first and second encoded signals, is generated. In the composite signal the first encoded signal is delayed with respect to the second encoded signal by the time delay period for the time duration of the content. If an error is detected in the composite signal, then the received second encoded signal is decoded to produce the content, otherwise the delayed received first encoded signal is decoded to produce the content.

Abstract: An apparatus a receiver for a camera for signal communication with transmitters in known locations for determining location of the camera, a compass for the camera for determining orientation of the camera, and a device for determining time associated with the determined camera location and orientation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described comprising detecting a playback operation, determining a target playback point for the playback operation and detecting a sub-clip type into which the target playback point falls. The method and apparatus also receive a streamed leading sub-clip, determine a set of needed sub-clips, locate one of the set of needed sub-clips and download the located sub-clip.

Abstract: An implementation exits a power saving mode for fixed and periodic active periods of time to receive a separate burst transmission from a first stream during each of the corresponding active periods of time. The first stream is received at a first-stream burst data rate. The first stream includes data configured to be displayed at a first playback rate that is substantially less than the first-stream burst data rate. During the active periods of time, data is received from a second stream at a second-stream rate. The second stream includes data configured to be displayed at a second playback rate that is substantially the same as the second-stream rate. After receiving each of the burst transmissions from the first stream during the active periods of time, the power saving mode is entered for corresponding fixed and periodic power-saving periods of time while waiting for another burst from the first stream.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delayed network information transfer are disclosed. A user requests a file via a file requesting device, over a network, from a server. That request is accompanied by an expected delivery time of the file to the user. A schedule is generated by the server for transfer of the file according to a scheduled time, which scheduled time is determined in part at least by the expected delivery time. At the scheduled time, the file is then transmitted by the server to a file receiving device.

Abstract: A content delivery system comprises at least one content server that servers a number of client requests. The content server uses a Threshold-Based Normalized Rate Earliest Delivery First (TB-NREDF) scheduler. The TB-NREDF scheduler imposes a threshold value, or limit, on the number of rescheduling requests.

Abstract: A method for enabling access to digital rights managed (DRM) content from a server to a portable playback device using a device that functions as a proxy for enabling communication between the server and the portable playback device. The method provides for establishing a connection with a device capable of operating as a gateway device for passing data between the portable playback device and the server, requesting that the device establish a connection with the server and operate as a proxy for enabling data exchange between the portable playback device and the server, sending to the server, upon establishing the connection with the server via the device operating as a proxy, data indicating DRM solutions supported by the portable playback device, and a list comprising requested DRM content to be downloaded to the portable playback device, and receiving from the server, via the device operating as a proxy, the requested DRM content and DRM rules associated with the received content.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for the secure distribution of content such as audiovisual content in a way that prevents users from misusing the content and provides a mechanism for tracking pirated material back to the original location of misappropriation. A security device incorporates encryption methods to insure the broadcast encryption key remains secure. A marking device incorporates, for example, digital watermarking methods that attach to the content information to identify a location of origin of the misappropriation, such as a Set-top Box (STB) and/or smart card.

Abstract: An implementation exits a power saving mode for fixed and periodic active periods of time to receive a separate burst transmission from a first stream during each of the corresponding active periods of time. The first stream is received at a first-stream burst data rate. The first stream includes data configured to be displayed at a first playback rate that is substantially less than the first-stream burst data rate. During the active periods of time, data is received from a second stream at a second-stream rate. The second stream includes data configured to be displayed at a second playback rate that is substantially the same as the second-stream rate. After receiving each of the burst transmissions from the first stream during the active periods of time, the power saving mode is entered for corresponding fixed and periodic power-saving periods of time while waiting for another burst from the first stream.

Abstract: There is provided a system for providing content through a Content Delivery/distribution Network (CDN) that includes a plurality of storage entities. A Content Requesting device (CR) generates and transmits requests for content. A Content Server (CS) receives the requests from the CR, provides notifications regarding a current location of the content, and at least one of stores the content and interfaces with the CDN to distribute the content to one of the plurality of storage entities. A Content Consuming device (CC) receives the notifications from the CS and retrieves the requested content from one of the CS and the one of the plurality of storage entities based on the current location of the content specified in the notifications.

Abstract: A system and method for broadcasting content includes a content provider which interfaces with one or more clients through a network. The content provider includes a scheduler responsive to requests for content from clients. The scheduler provides the content in blocks by making the blocks available to requesters by a plurality of streams wherein a subsequent requester accesses blocks from previous requester's streams complemented by a subset of blocks as a stream for this requester to complete an entire set of blocks for the subsequent requester. By manipulating the scheduler as a function of user requests, this system and method is able to provide a video on demand service at a fractional bandwidth usage of a conventional VOD system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including mapping a multicast connection to a unicast uniform resource identifier, establishing a state for a multicast-to-unicast conversion, allocating ports, receiving multicast addressed data packets and converting the multicast addressed data packets to unicast addressed data the packets.

Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator.

Abstract: Detection of faults in a transmitted signal stream occurs by recovering, from the information stream, a water mark embedded in the stream prior to transmission. The embedded watermark has data characteristic of stream quality. Thereafter, the at least one watermark property is analyzed to detect faults in the received information stream.

Abstract: A method for inserting a logo into a stereo video image to generate an overlaid stereo image, the method comprising: detecting presence of stereo pictures in the video image and, when stereo pictures are detected, determining the 3D format of said stereo pictures, said 3D format being a stereo spatially multiplexed format; generating a stereo logo comprising stereo spatially multiplexed logo pictures including a representation of the logo, said stereo spatially multiplexed logo pictures being arranged in said 3D format; and combining the stereo logo and the video image to generate the overlaid stereo image in said 3D format.

Abstract: An implementation provides a transmitter that separates sequential portions of data in a first set of data by time intervals allowing a power saving mode (1005). The transmitter transmits the sequential portions of data separated by respective time intervals having lengths configured to allow a receiver to enter and exit a power saving mode between receiving sequentially transmitted portions of data from the first set of data (1010). The transmitter separates sequential portions of data in a second set by time intervals that are not of sufficient length to allow a receiver to enter and exit a power saving mode during the time intervals (1015). The second set of data is then transmitted (1020).

Abstract: A public wireless LAN permits receipt of non-authentication traffic, such as access information requests, from a mobile wireless communications device prior to device authentication by partially opening a controlled port within an access point. The wireless LAN re-directs such non-authentication traffic received at the AP from the mobile wireless communications to a local web server. The local web server provides reply to the mobile wireless communications device, enabling a determination by the device whether or not to request access. The device seeks access by way of an access request received at the AP. In response, the AP re-directs the access request through an uncontrolled port in the AP to an access server that authenticates device. Upon successful device authentication, the AP fully opens its controlled port to permit the exchange of traffic through that port with the mobile wireless communications device.

Abstract: A method and device are described including receiving an input signal at a device, determining a source of the received input signal and selectively powering on portions of the device responsive to the determination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering three-dimensional content over a network are disclosed. In accordance with the methods and systems, disparity adjustment of three-dimensional video streams can be made by enabling a receiver to dynamically select among several pairs of left & right views in accordance with user-preferences. Further, Multi-view Video Coding methods and systems are disclosed in which the dynamic selection and adjustment is facilitated by configuring dependencies of enhancement views to reference only base views.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for recovering from loss of an original data packet, including detecting data packet loss, joining a delayed multicast group, receiving a delayed data packet and using the delayed data packet to recover the original data packet that was lost. The delayed data packet is one of a copy of the original data packet, a copy of the original data packet encoded at a lower bit rate or a parity packet. Also described are a method and apparatus for staggercasting including encoding and compressing a first data sequence, packetizing the compressed encoded data sequence to form a data packet, multicasting the data packet to a first multicast group, encoding and compressing a second data sequence, packetizing the compressed encoded second data sequence to form a packet and multicasting the packet delayed by an offset time to a second multicast group.