Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connections request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connections request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connections request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connections request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio content playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data comprises a video programming and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video programming. Subsequently, an audio processor key shifts a playback audio pitch associated with the audio samples to compensate for the higher pitched audio associated with the fast forward video playback mode.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio track playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The digital data represents a video presentation and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video presentation. Subsequently, a digital signal processor can convert the audio samples to their corresponding frequency domain equivalents and scale the frequency and amplitude of a playback audio frequency associated with the audio samples in accordance with trick mode video playback.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a video map for mobile reception, comprising generating the video map of an area having points of interest proximate to a cell tower and transmitting the video map over a dedicated channel, are described. Also described are a method and system for receiving a video map for mobile reception, comprising tuning to a dedicated channel and receiving the video map over the dedicated channel. Finally a method and apparatus for determining a location with respect to a point of interest, comprising receiving a video map over a dedicated channel, superimposing a moving jpeg image onto the video map and tracking vehicle movement on the video map.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for displaying closed caption information during trick mode playback. A video processor (150) can be configured to delete one or more pictures in a segment of the video presentation that contains at least one picture having one or more NUL characters. A remaining portion of the segment of the video presentation containing the closed caption information can be displayed during playback at a trick mode speed. The segment of the presentation can include, but is not limited to, a group of pictures (GOP). The method can further include the step of determining pictures within GOP containing non-displayable control codes and deleting those pictures containing non-displayable codes. The Video processor provides to a display device a remaining portion of the GOP containing the closed caption information for display at a trick mode playback speed.

Abstract: A method for playing a digital audio recording at a speed other than 1X, the method comprises retrieving stored digital audio information represented in a plurality of audio frames. A portion of the plurality of audio frames are ranked according to an energy content in the portion of audio frames. Audio frames having least energy content in accordance with the ranking are deleted from the portion of the plurality of audio frames. Remaining ones of the portion of audio frames following deletion are selected to form an audio trick mode playback signal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio program playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader can be configured to read coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data can be a video presentation having correspondingly formatted video and audio frames. An audio processor can insert silence frames in a selected block of the audio frames and portions of the audio frames can be deleted to compensate for video trick mode playback. Resulting audio frames can be concatenated to create 1× audio for various video trick modes playback.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connection request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for displaying closed caption information during trick mode playback. A video processor (150) can be configured to delete one or more pictures in a segment of the video presentation that contains at least one picture having one or more NUL characters. A remaining portion of the segment of the video presentation containing the closed caption information can be displayed during playback at a trick mode speed. The segment of the presentation can include, but is not limited to, a group of pictures (GOP). The method can further include the step of determining pictures within GOP containing non-displayable control codes and deleting those pictures containing non-displayable codes. The Video processor provides to a display device a remaining portion of the GOP containing the closed caption information for display at a trick mode playback speed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for playing an audio track during a faster than 1× speed video trick mode playback of a video presentation. The method begins with the step of retrieving from a storage medium information for producing at least a video portion and a corresponding audio portion of a presentation. The audio portion of the presentation, like most audio sound tracks, includes periods of relative silence. For example, these may occur between words or between dramatic pauses in the dialogue. Audio gating is used to selectively gate the audio portion of the presentation to remove at least a portion of the periods of relative silence. Finally, a remaining part of the audio portion of the presentation is concatenated for playback to remove any gaps after the portion of the periods of relative silence have been removed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio program playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader can be configured to read coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data can be a video presentation having correspondingly formatted video and audio frames. An audio processor can insert silence frames in a selected block of the audio frames and portions of the audio frames can be deleted to compensate for video trick mode playback. Resulting audio frames can be concatenated to create 1× audio for various video trick modes playback.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio content playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading coded digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The coded digital data comprises a video programming and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video programming. Subsequently, an audio processor key shifts a playback audio pitch associated with the audio samples to compensate for the higher pitched audio associated with the fast forward video playback mode.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for audio track playback during fast forward playback video trick modes. A storage medium reader is provided for reading digital data from a storage medium such as a DVD. The digital data represents a video presentation and a corresponding audio programming. A decoder decodes from a portion of the digital data comprising the audio programming a plurality of digital audio samples corresponding to a selected portion of the video presentation. Subsequently, a digital signal processor can convert the audio samples to their corresponding frequency domain equivalents and scale the frequency and amplitude of a playback audio frequency associated with the audio samples in accordance with trick mode video playback.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for playing an audio track during a faster than 1X speed video trick mode playback of a video presentation. The method begins with the step of retrieving from a storage medium information for producing at least a video portion and a corresponding audio portion of a presentation. The audio portion of the presentation, like most audio sound tracks, includes periods of relative silence. For example, these may occur between words or between dramatic pauses in the dialogue. Audio gating is used to selectively gate the audio portion of the presentation to remove at least a portion of the periods of relative silence. Finally, a remaining part of the audio portion of the presentation is concatenated for playback to remove any gaps after the portion of the periods of relative silence have been removed.

Abstract: A method for playing a digital audio recording at a speed other than 1×, the method comprises retrieving stored digital audio information represented in a plurality of audio frames. A portion of the plurality of audio frames are ranked according to an energy content in the portion of audio frames. Audio frames having least energy content in accordance with the ranking are deleted from the portion of the plurality of audio frames. Remaining ones of the portion of audio frames following deletion are selected to form an audio trick mode playback signal.