Abstract: An inventive method for video object tracking includes the steps of selecting an object; choosing an object type for the object, and enabling one of multiple object tracking processes responsive to the object type chosen. In a preferred embodiment selecting the object includes one of segmenting the object by using a region, selecting points on the boundary of an object, aggregating regions or combining a selected region and selected points on a boundary of an object. The object tracking processes can be expanded to include tracking processes adapted to newly created object types.

Abstract: An inventive method for video object tracking includes the steps of selecting an object; choosing an object type for the object, and enabling one of multiple object tracking processes responsive to the object type chosen. In a preferred embodiment selecting the object includes one of segmenting the object by using a region, selecting points on the boundary of an object, aggregating regions or combining a selected region and selected points on a boundary of an object. The object tracking processes can be expanded to include tracking processes adapted to newly created object types.

Abstract: A gateway apparatus is capable of distributing signals such as audio, video, and/or data signals in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure, and the signal distribution is controlled using the coaxial cable infrastructure as a back channel. According to an exemplary embodiment, the gateway apparatus includes signal processing elements for receiving signals from a broadcast source and processing the received signals to generate processed analog signals. A back channel demodulator receives a request signal from a client device via a coaxial cable connecting the gateway apparatus and the client device. The processed analog signals are provided to the client device via the coaxial cable responsive to the request signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital program playback device, including: receiving, via a first communications network, a data stream including an encrypted data portion representative of a program; identifying, from the received data stream, an identifier associated with the program; transmitting the program identifier and a device identifier associated with the digital program playback device to an authorization device via a second communications network; receiving, via the second communications network, a decryption key in response to the transmission; and, decrypting the data stream using the decryption key and generating an output signal for playback of the program.

Abstract: A generic access card is paired with a data destination device by insertion into its card slot, and the public portion of a public/private key is stored in the card. The card authenticates the destination device. The paired card is transported to a data source device which includes a card slot and a removable mass storage medium. The card, when inserted into the card slot of the data source and authenticated, transfers the public key to the source device. The source device generates content encoding keys, and encodes the data on the storage medium. The content encoding keys are encoded using the public key, and loaded onto the card. The card and the storage medium are transported to the destination device, where the card provides the encoded encryption keys. The destination device decodes the encrypted content encryption key(s) and decodes the encrypted data for playback or display.

Abstract: A system for multiplexing a transport packet and an Ethernet packet comprises a transport interface for receiving a transport stream comprising the transport packet and a network interface for receiving a network stream comprising the Ethernet packet. The system comprises a packet identifier coupled to the transport interface for filtering the transport stream and selecting the transport packet and a date formatter coupled to the network interface for creating a transport header appended to the Ethernet packet. The system further comprises a multiplexer for receiving the transport packet from the packet identifier, for receiving the Ethernet packet from the data formatter, and for multiplexing the transport packet and the Ethernet packet comprising the transport header.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for marking, coding and tracking a film print in an efficient, adaptive and customized manner for providing unique and robust identification of each individual film print and facilitating accurate tracking of the origin of a pirated copy. A film print to be marked is calibrated and provided in computer-readable form for input to a prescreening device. The calibrated film print is reviewed and ideal locations on each frame of the film print are chosen for applying a mark. A unique coding scheme is generated for each desired print. If a pirate copy is found, all marks are located and a matching serial number (e.g., coding scheme) is determined for the pirated copy based on marks found in the pirate copy when compared to a database storing film print mark information generated during the marking and coding process.

Abstract: A home satellite system includes a satellite antenna for receiving satellite broadcast video signals, and a satellite receiver that can provide the broadcast video signals to a first television directly coupled to the satellite receiver, to a second television via a in-house coaxial cable, and to a third television through a wireless network. The channel displayed in each television can be individually tuned. The satellite receiver further provides a call back link, which is shared by all the televisions, to a video source for billing or other purposes.

Abstract: A gateway apparatus is capable of distributing audio, video, and/or data signals in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the gateway apparatus includes signal processing elements which receive signals from a satellite source and process the received signals to generate analog signals corresponding to a desired satellite transponder. A controller enables generation of the analog signals responsive to a request signal. The analog signals are provided to a client device via a coaxial cable connecting the gateway apparatus and the client device.

Abstract: Content protection for digital recording may be provided through the use of digital keys that are unique to specific devices and/or to devices associated with specific household and/or business dwellings. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for enabling digital recording using a signal receiving apparatus and a digital recording apparatus is provided. The method includes steps of receiving a digital key unique to the signal receiving apparatus, receiving broadcast signals, encrypting the broadcast signals using the digital key to generate encrypted digital data, and providing the encrypted digital data to the digital recording apparatus.

Abstract: A server apparatus is capable of distributing audio, video, and/or data signals in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the server apparatus includes a receiving element operative to receive signals from a broadcast source. First processing elements generate first analog signals responsive to the received signals. Second processing elements generate second analog signals responsive to the received signals. The first analog signals are provided to a first dent device via a coaxial cable connecting the server apparatus and the first client device. The second analog signals are provided to a second client device via the coaxial cable connecting the server apparatus and the second client device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring a received media object to remote devices in accordance to attributes in a user profile. The profile information additionally determinates the versions of the media object that are available to such remote devices and whether the media object may be stored in such remote devices.

Abstract: A server apparatus is capable of distributing recorded content in a household and/or business dwelling using the existing coaxial cable infrastructure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the server apparatus includes a front-end processor operative to receive signals from a broadcast source and process the received signals to generate digital data. A memory is operative to record the digital data. A controller is operative to enable retrieval of the digital data from the memory. An encoder is operative to encode the retrieved digital data with error correction data to generate encoded digital signals. A digital-to-analog converter is operative to convert the encoded digital signals to analog signals. A modulator is operative to modulate the analog signals to generate processed analog signals, which are provided to a client device via a coaxial cable connecting the server apparatus and the client device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing programming to a client in a Multi-Dwelling Unit or Multi-Tenant unit network. The system and method includes various embodiments for converting pay per view content to video on demand content, collecting and displaying popular programs to a client, and billing a client for the utilization of personal video recording functions.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system for providing remote tuning and clock synchronization in a network. The system includes a device that receives a signal that includes a plurality of channels, a device that receives a user request indicative of a desire to view at least one of the plurality of channels, and a filter that filters the received signal and transmits a user signal corresponding to the at least one of the plurality of channels to the user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for providing data in a multiple dwelling facility. The system may comprise a headend unit that receives a data stream that comprises a plurality of programs, and a multiple dwelling unit network that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the data stream from the headend unit and provide at least a subset of the plurality of programs to individual users in the multiple dwelling facility. The method may comprise the acts of receiving a data stream that comprises a plurality of programs, distributing at least a portion of the data stream to a multiple dwelling unit network, and providing access to a specific one of the plurality of programs to each of a plurality of individual users within the multiple dwelling facility via the multiple dwelling unit network depending on whether each of the plurality of individual users has met at least one predetermined condition.

Abstract: This technique of the present principles provides a new business model for delivering network broadcast content to subscribers. The technique of the present principles accomplishes delivery to a subscriber of commercial free broadcast content on a DVD or other tangible media via regular mail service in advance of over-the-air broadcast. Using this technique, an over-the-air broadcaster can create a new premium sales window for the network broadcast content.

Abstract: An arrangement for selectively connecting a first or a second frequency synchronous timing signal to an outgoing conductor is disclosed. When a transition from the first to the second timing signal occurs, the first timing signal is inhibited from being transmitting on the outgoing conductor and the logical AND of the second timing signal and a delayed version of the second timing signal is transmitted on the outgoing conductor for approximately one period of the timing signals. Thereafter, the second clock signal is transmitted on the outgoing conductor. Arrangements are also disclosed for switching from the second timing signal to the first timing signal.