Abstract: Programmable media interfaces, methods and systems for programming a plurality of displays in a multiple display environment are described herein. The media interfaces, methods and systems include processors configured to program a sequence of broadcast content to the plurality of display devices, control pre-set or pre-programmed sequencing of the broadcast of the future content at times, and select particular displays in the plurality of displays to display portions of the broadcast content at the pre-set or pre-programmed times for future playing.

Abstract: Programmable media interfaces, methods and systems for programming a plurality of displays in a multiple display environment are described herein. The media interfaces, methods and systems include processors configured to program a sequence of broadcast content to the plurality of display devices, control pre-set or pre-programmed sequencing of the broadcast of the future content at times, and select particular displays in the plurality of displays to display portions of the broadcast content at the pre-set or pre-programmed times for future playing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for creating a multi-media stream (e.g., video, voice, audio, etc. . . . ) Super-MAC frame in a physical protocol data unit, including inserting a physical layer header into a channel time allocation and generating the multi-media stream SuperMAC frame further including, appending a media access control header after the physical layer header, calculating a header correction code, appending the header correction code after the media access control header, appending a media access control multi-media stream payload from a transmit queue, calculating a frame check sequence, appending the frame check sequence after the media access control multi-media stream payload and repeating the above acts, after inserting the physical layer header, until one of the channel time allocation is full or all transmit queues are empty.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly re-distributing multi-media streams, including receiving multi-media streams at a master device from a source, adaptively determining channel time allocations in response to status information for transmit queues and transmission channel conditions, constructing a superframe from said multi-media streams for insertion into said downstream channel time allocations and wireless transmitting the channel time allocations to effect re-distribution of said multi-media streams to a remote device, are described. Also described is a method for wirelessly receiving re-distributed a multi-media stream including receiving a beacon signal and a channel time allocation and receiving said re-distributed multi-media stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronic program guides. Program guide state information is stored in a remote control which generates and delivers a pseudo-interactive guide to end users with the system state information (guide information to channel mapping maintained in the remote control device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electronic program guides. Program guide state information is stored in a remote control which generates and delivers a pseudo-interactive guide to end users with the system state information (guide information to channel mapping maintained in the remote control device.

Abstract: A multi-band mobile device provides communications between a set top box and a display device. The multi-bands can include, but are not limited to, radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) bands of communication. The multi-band mobile device relays information between at least two communication bands through transmitters and/or receivers for a particular frequency band. The multi-band mobile device can also provide information formatting if required before relaying it. The ability to use RF in the set top box gives it the freedom to be placed in locations that would not be possible with ordinary IR only line of sight communications.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit is described including a state machine controller for adjusting intermediate frequency gain and radio frequency gain and a baseband demodulator, wherein the baseband demodulator receives information from the state machine controller regarding status of the state machine controller and further wherein the state machine controller receives correlation information from the baseband demodulator. Also described is a method including detecting a signal, providing state machine controller information to a baseband demodulator, reducing a radio frequency gain, reducing an intermediate frequency gain and receiving correlation information from the baseband demodulator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing program guide information to an end user are provided. The apparatus and method maps portions of a grid database based on a set of selected channels, then increments the display periodically by replacing one of the channel elements in the display with a new channel from the selected channels in the database. The apparatus and method provide for acquiring program content information for a plurality of broadcast channels, outputting a first video image representing program content covering a time span for a first portion of the plurality of channels, and outputting a second video image representing the program content covering the time span for a second portion of the plurality of channels after outputting the first image for a time period, the second portion including at least one channel from the plurality of channels not included in the first portion.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit is described including a state machine controller for adjusting intermediate frequency gain and radio frequency gain and a baseband demodulator, wherein the baseband demodulator receives information from the state machine controller regarding status of the state machine controller and further wherein the state machine controller receives correlation information from the baseband demodulator. Also described is a method including detecting a signal, providing state machine controller information to a baseband demodulator, reducing a radio frequency gain, reducing an intermediate frequency gain and receiving correlation information from the baseband demodulator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provides synchronization between user observable signals including audio and/or video signals. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an input point for receiving an encoded signal. A circuit time-shifts the encoded signal to generate a time-shifted encoded signal. A first decoder decodes the time-shifted encoded signal to generate a first decoded signal and provides the first decoded signal for a first system. The first system converts the first decoded signal to a first user observable signal. The input point also provides the encoded signal for a second system including a second decoder, an encoder, and a third decoder coupled in series which enables generation of a second user observable signal. The time-shifting performed by the circuit is adjustable and enables the first user observable signal to become substantially synchronized with the second user observable signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for creating a multi-media stream (e.g., video, voice, audio, etc. . . . ) Super-MAC frame in a physical protocol data unit, including inserting a physical layer header into a channel time allocation and generating the multi-media stream SuperMAC frame further including, appending a media access control header after the physical layer header, calculating a header correction code, appending the header correction code after the media access control header, appending a media access control multi-media stream payload from a transmit queue, calculating a frame check sequence, appending the frame check sequence after the media access control multi-media stream payload and repeating the above acts, after inserting the physical layer header, until one of the channel time allocation is full or all transmit queues are empty.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly re-distributing multi-media streams, including receiving multi-media streams at a master device from a source, adaptively determining channel time allocations in response to status information for transmit queues and transmission channel conditions, constructing a superframe from said multi-media streams for insertion into said downstream channel time allocations and wireless transmitting the channel time allocations to effect re-distribution of said multi-media streams to a remote device, are described. Also described is a method for wirelessly receiving re-distributed a multi-media stream including receiving a beacon signal and a channel time allocation and receiving said re-distributed multi-media stream.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a voice and/or data service is thus presented, comprising the following. A connection request is detected. The connection request is formatted into a data cell. The data cell is sent to a service control point. The service control point determines in real time whether a connection to public switch network is available. If the connection to a public switch network is available, the requested connection is set up as a virtual circuit connection to the public switch network.

Abstract: A multi-mode bi-directional communications device including a diplexer having a high-pass filter, a first low-pass filter, and a second low-pass filter). Downstream processing circuitry is coupled to the high-pass filter, and upstream processing circuitry is selectively coupled to the first low-pass filter and the second low-pass filter in response to an indicium of a desired spectral region. 1. The downstream processing circuitry comprising a tuner, a demodulator, a first SAW filter adapted for selective coupling between the tuner and the demodulator, and a second SAW filter adapted for selective coupling between the tuner and the demodulator.

Abstract: A multi-mode bidirectional communications device including a diplexer having a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter, and a notch filter selectively coupled to the low-pass filter. The notch-filter is selectively coupled to the low-pass filter in response to an indicium of a desired spectral region.

Abstract: A signal interface supports bi-directional communication in a signal communication system. The signal interface is preferably utilized within a cable television/communication system set top box. The signal interface includes a diplexer positioned between an input/output of the set top box and a signal splitter. By positioning the diplexer before the signal splitter, there is no attenuation of a return data channel (RDC) signal. Thus, a lower gain RDC amplifier may be used. Additionally, the signal splitter is operable over a smaller frequency range since the signal splitter need only operate over the frequency bandwidth of the video signal and not the combined frequency bandwidth of the video signal and the RDC.