Abstract: A point of distribution that distributes source information to a plurality of subscriber gateway devices through a communications network. A television broadcast spectrum is divided into a plurality of channels. Each channel has a deterministic bandwidth for transmitting packetized data, and each deterministic bandwidth is subdivided into a plurality of unshared bandwidth allocations. An unshared bandwidth allocation is allocated to each subscriber gateway device and source information is transmitted in packetized format to the subscriber gateway device based on the unshared bandwidth allocation.

Abstract: A communication system for distributing information via a network to one or more subscribers includes a multi-port switch, one or more radio frequency (RF) modems coupled to respective ports of the switch, a combiner and a transmitter. The switch forwards source information to the RF modems based on address information. Each RF modem modulates and up converts information from the switch to an RF signal within a respective subscriber channel of the television broadcast spectrum. Each channel is assigned to one or more subscribers, and each subscriber is allocated unshared bandwidth. The combiner combines modulated information from each RF modem into a combined signal and the transmitter transmits the combined signal to the subscribers via the network. Each subscriber destination includes a gateway device or the like that is tuned to a corresponding channel to retrieve source information from that channel, and to deliver the information to the subscriber.

Abstract: A synchronized data transfer system including storage processor nodes, a backbone communication switch, multiple titles subdivided into subchunks and distributed across the nodes, a user process executed on a first node, a transfer process executed on a second node, and a management process executed on a management node. The user process sends a timestamped read request to request a corresponding subchunk. The transfer process sends a message to the management process for each received read request, where each message identifies source and destination nodes. The management process broadcasts transmit commands to initiate sequential transmit periods, receives the messages, and selects from among the received messages to ensure that each node sends and/or receives no more than one subchunk at a time. The management process sends a transmit request for each selected message, and the transfer process sends a subchunk identified by a transmit request in response to the transmit command.

Abstract: A communication system for distributing information via a network to one or more subscribers includes a multi-port switch, one or more radio frequency (RF) modems coupled to respective ports of the switch, a combiner and a transmitter. The switch forwards source information to the RF modems based on address information. Each RF modem modulates and up converts information from the switch to an RF signal within a respective subscriber channel of the television broadcast spectrum. Each channel is assigned to one or more subscribers, and each subscriber is allocated unshared bandwidth. Each channel may be further divided into unshared bandwidth increments, so that multiple subscribers may share a single channel. The combiner combines modulated information from each RF modem into a combined signal and the transmitter transmits the combined signal to the subscribers via the network.

Abstract: A virtual file system including multiple storage processor nodes including a management node, a backbone switch, a disk drive array, and a virtual file manager executing on the management node. The backbone switch enables communication between the storage processor nodes. The disk drive array is coupled to and distributed across the storage processor nodes and stores multiple titles. Each title is divided into data subchunks which are distributed across the disk drive array in which each subchunk is stored on a disk drive of the disk drive array. The virtual file manager manages storage and access of each subchunk, and manages multiple directory entries including a directory entry for each title. Each directory entry is a list of subchunk location entries in which each subchunk location entry includes a storage processor node identifier, a disk drive identifier, and a logical address for locating and accessing each subchunk of each title.

Abstract: An interactive broadband server system including multiple processors, a backbone switch, multiple storage devices and multiple user processes. The backbone switch enables high speed communication between the processors. The storage devices are distributed across the processors to store titles, where each title is divided into data chunks that are distributed across the storage devices. The user processes are configured for execution on the processors for interfacing multiple subscriber locations. Each user process is operative to retrieve a requested title from two or more of the processors via the backbone switch and to assemble a requested title for delivery to a requesting subscriber location. The storage devices may be organized into RAID groups. Distributed media readers and a library storage system may be included. Multiple isochronous titles may be simultaneously delivered to downstream subscribers.

Abstract: An electronic device configured as a technician assistant for a field technician of a broadband telecommunications network. The Tech Assistant includes a processing device, a memory that stores applications for execution by the processing device, a technician assistant application for loading into the memory, a display, and at least one input device. The technician assistant application is executed by the processing device and includes network-specific information combined with generic technical information to assist the technician to identify any of several network problems and to diagnose and resolve any of the network problems. The technician assistant application may further incorporate a design module that assists a field technician with creating a new network or network extension. The input device(s) facilitate selection and control and the display displays technician assistant selection and result information.

Abstract: An interactive broadband server system including multiple processors, a backbone switch, multiple storage devices and multiple user processes. The backbone switch enables high speed communication between the processors. The storage devices are distributed across the processors to store titles, where each title is divided into data chunks that are distributed across the storage devices. The user processes are configured for execution on the processors for interfacing multiple subscriber locations. Each user process is operative to retrieve a requested title from two or more of the processors via the backbone switch and to assemble a requested title for delivery to a requesting subscriber location. The storage devices may be organized into RAID groups. Distributed media readers and a library storage system may be included. Multiple isochronous titles may be simultaneously delivered to downstream subscribers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the management and delivery of electronic/digital content including high bandwidth video, audio, games and data to end users. The electronic content is stored in an array of computer file/database servers. Integrated software systems provide subscriber management and billing, content management, security, targeting, bandwidth management, and delivery of requested content to end users. The system includes a user interface which simplifies operations for customers and tightly integrated commerce functions. The proposed method and apparatus would assist in the operation of a network that is connected to the Internet and has a plurality of customers (end users). Under current available technology, the proposed method and apparatus would best function over a wired network. However, as wireless technology becomes more robust and cost-effective, the current invention will be able to provide functionality for end users using wireless devices.

Abstract: A communication system for distributing information via a network to one or more subscribers includes a multi-port switch, one or more radio frequency (RF) modems coupled to respective ports of the switch, a combiner and a transmitter. The switch forwards source information to the RF modems based on address information. Each RF modem modulates and up converts information from the switch to an RF signal within a respective subscriber channel of the television broadcast spectrum. Each channel is assigned to one or more subscribers, and each subscriber is allocated unshared bandwidth. Each channel may be further divided into unshared bandwidth increments, so that multiple subscribers may share a single channel. The combiner combines modulated information from each RF modem into a combined signal and the transmitter transmits the combined signal to the subscribers via the network.