Abstract: A Set-Top Box configured with a modem and a Main Circuit Board determines an IP address of the modem by periodically broadcasting a Discovery Packet from the modem to a broadcast address, the Discovery Packet comprising at least the IP address of the modem. At the Main Circuit Board, the broadcast Discovery Packet is received from the modem and the IP address of the modem is ascertained from the broadcast Discovery Packet.

Abstract: An interactive communication apparatus is disclosed which has a video signal obtained by an image pickup device performing an image pickup activity and which has the obtained video signal sent to another apparatus through a communication device while causing a display device to display an image based on a video signal received from the other apparatus through the communication device. The apparatus includes: a storage device storing communicating party information about a communicating party at the other apparatus, the communicating party information including geographical location information and access point information about the communicating party; and a graphic user interface generating a graphic user interface screen in order to have the display device display the generated screen by mapping an identification image identifying the communicating party onto a map based on the communicating party information in such a manner as to indicate a local time applicable to the communicating party.

Abstract: A Set-Top Box configured with a modem and a Main Circuit Board consistent with certain embodiments learns the modem's IP address by establishing a predetermined relationship between a hardware address of the modem and a hardware address of the Main Circuit Board; at the Main Circuit Board: ascertaining the hardware address of the modem from the predetermined relationship; sending a query from the Main Circuit Board to the hardware address of the modem requesting the modem's IP address; and receiving a reply from the modem providing the modem's IP address to the Main Circuit Board. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An infrared communication system is disclosed, that has a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes a modulator, a first converter, an infrared transmission section. The modulator modulates a first electric signal and generates a second signal as a modulated signal. The first converter converts the second signal into an infrared signal. The infrared transmission section transmits the infrared signal to the receiver. The receiver includes a filter, a second converter, and a demodulator. The filter restrains rays having a spectrum whose peak is present at a predetermined wavelength emitted by a plasma display panel. The second converter converts the infrared signal passed through the filter into a third electric signal. The demodulator demodulates the third electric signal.

Abstract: In the 1394 communication, communication at a data rate of S100, S200, S400, S800, S1600, S3200 or at a faster speed in the future can be performed. When the 1394 communication is performed with an optical-fiber cable and a UTP cable, it is possible to cope with high-speed communication by arranging bits being not used at a low speed, on a data stream. Transmission of data rates is realized by sending speed-control symbols at a predetermined speed. As for a Tp bias signal, an equivalent object is achieved by sending predetermined control symbols.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a management system to manage relays for network apparatus in which firmware of the relays can be updated without involving external apparatus, wherein: the router management system comprises: a plurality of AV routers, each AV router having a unique identification number, provided with firmware for prescribed control, having one or a plurality of network apparatus connected to it, and connecting the network apparatus to the network; an authentication server to authenticate the AV routers by checking their identification numbers through the network; and an updating server to provide the authenticated AV routers with an updated file of the firmware through the network. The AV routers access the updating server automatically to ascertain whether there is an updated file of the firmware in the updating server or not.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively managing telephone functionality by utilizing a settop box may preferably include a television coupled to the settop box for displaying television programming from a television programming source, and a telephone coupled to the settop box for receiving telephone calls from a telephone network. The settop box may include a TV mute manager for controlling a television mute mode that may be activated to mute audio programming on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may further include a caller ID manager that controls a caller ID mode that may be activated to display caller identifications on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may also include a phone mute manager that controls a telephone mute mode that may be activated to mute telephone ringing when receiving incoming telephone calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of enhancing communications in a set-top box having a high speed modem and a lower speed modem. A selected one of the modems can be used, depending upon noise and speed considerations, to receive a response packet by selectively substituting the appropriate IP address as the source address in a request message.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively managing telephone functionality by utilizing a settop box may preferably include a television coupled to the settop box for displaying television programming from a television programming source, and a telephone coupled to the settop box for receiving telephone calls from a telephone network. The settop box may include a TV mute manager for controlling a television mute mode that may be activated to mute audio programming on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may further include a caller ID manager that controls a caller ID mode that may be activated to display caller identifications on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may also include a phone mute manager that controls a telephone mute mode that may be activated to mute telephone ringing when receiving incoming telephone calls.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively managing telephone functionality by utilizing a settop box may preferably include a television coupled to the settop box for displaying television programming from a television programming source, and a telephone coupled to the settop box for receiving telephone calls from a telephone network. The settop box may include a TV mute manager for controlling a television mute mode that may be activated to mute audio programming on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may further include a caller ID manager that controls a caller ID mode that may be activated to display caller identifications on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may also include a phone mute manager that controls a telephone mute mode that may be activated to mute telephone ringing when receiving incoming telephone calls.

Abstract: An electronic network system for implementing ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol) type communication. ARP type communication is facilitated by including within the ARP response packet an offset address indicating the memory location of the software application that is the subject of the ARP type communication. RARP type communication is facilitated by providing each network node with a network unique ID and using the unique ID when generating RARP requests.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a photo enhanced caller ID service. A photo image is associated with a subscriber telephone line and stored at a local office or central office. When the subscriber places a telephone call, caller ID information along with the photographic image is transmitted to the called party. At the called party premises, the photo image is displayed either on a telephone set equipped with a suitable display or on a television set via a TV set-top box or other similar hardware to permit display of the telephone called on a monitor.

Abstract: An electronic network system for implementing ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol) type communication. ARP type communication is facilitated by including within the ARP response packet an offset address indicating the memory location of the software application that is the subject of the ARP type communication. RARP type communication is facilitated by providing each network node with a network unique ID and using the unique ID when generating RARP requests.

Abstract: There is provided a converting processing block 3 for carrying out a processing to convert an arbitration signal into code data of 5 bits and for carrying out 4 bit/5 bit converting processing with respect to packet data to thereby carry out transmission/reception of arbitration signal and packet data as code data of 5 bits through transmitting blocks 6A, 6B and receiving blocks 7A, 7B. Thus, there is realized an interface apparatus for digital serial data which realizes extension of cable length between nodes in the digital serial data interface (e.g., IEEE 1394 high performance serial bus standard) adapted for carrying out arbitration of bus use right prior to transfer of data, thus to permit long distance transmission.

Abstract: In the 1394 communication, communication at a data rate of S100, S200, S400, S800, S1600, S3200 or at a faster speed in the future can be performed. When the 1394 communication is performed with an optical-fiber cable and a UTP cable, it is possible to cope with high-speed communication by arranging bits being not used at a low speed, on a data stream. Transmission of data rates is realized by sending speed-control symbols at a predetermined speed. As for a Tp bias signal, an equivalent object is achieved by sending predetermined control symbols.

Abstract: In the 1394 communication, communication at a data rate of S100, S200, S400, S800, S1600, S3200 or at a faster speed in the future can be performed. When the 1394 communication is performed with an optical-fiber cable and a UTP cable, it is possible to cope with high-speed communication by arranging bits being not used at a low speed, on a data stream. Transmission of data rates is realized by sending speed-control symbols at a predetermined speed. As for a Tp bias signal, an equivalent object is achieved by sending predetermined control symbols.

Abstract: In a 6-pin cable according to an IEEE-1394 standard, power lines and two pairs of signal conductors are built and connected to a head part provided with six electric joints corresponding to six conductors (total six two power lines and total four signal conductors). Ferrite beads respectively forming a closed magnetic circuit around the signal conductors are respectively provided to the signal conductors of the 6-pin cable. As a result, crosstalk between the signal conductors in a common mode is inhibited.

Abstract: ATM data can be transferred via a highspeed serial data bus standardized by the IEEE 1394 format. In a data transferring apparatus for transferring data by employing a serial bus standardized by the IEEE 1394 format, an ATM cell transferring apparatus is comprised of an adding circuit for adding a predetermine header in order that an ATM cell used in a network defined by the ATM system is stored into the data field of the isochronous packet defined by the IEEE 1394 format.

Abstract: In a system for carrying out communication between a plurality of apparatus connected using an IEEE 1394 serial bus etc., command register addresses are fixed from "FFFF F000 0B00h" to "FFFF F000 0D00h" and response register addresses are fixed from "FFFF F000 0D00h" to "FFFF F000 0DF0h". These addresses are then common to all of the apparatus connected to the bus. Then, while an arbitrary apparatus on the bus is sending a command to all of the remaining apparatus, the address of the command register is included in the command and this command is transmitted as a broadcast communication. This command is then stored at a command register having a common address within the apparatus that received the command. Thus, time setting and state setting etc. of each apparatus can be achieved.

Abstract: An electronic network system for implementing ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) and RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol) type communication. ARP type communication is facilitated by including within the ARP response packet an offset address indicating the memory location of the software application that is the subject of the ARP type communication. RARP type communication is facilitated by providing each network node with a network unique ID and using the unique ID when generating RARP requests.