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: Guide acquisition method and apparatus for receiving a satellite broadcast stream containing guide data, encapsulating said broadcast stream containing guide data in a network communication protocol, assigning a multicast address to said broadcast stream containing guide data, transmitting said broadcast stream containing guide data, receiving a request for said guide data wherein said request comprises a satellite network identifier and transmitting a said multicast address in response to said request.

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 mobile content distribution system in an airplane, a train, or a bus is capable of receiving wireless broadcast channels from a wireless service provider. The system offers a user purchase of wireless services including one or more broadcast channels provided by the wireless service provider, receives information indicative of a route from an originating location to a destination location, and determines if the content distribution system is authorized to receive services from the wireless service provider according to the information; and if the content distribution system is not authorized to receive services from the wireless service provider according to the information, the system provide a refund to the user. If the system is within an authorized area, the system determines if the system is authorized to provide full service from the wireless service provider according to the information and if the system is not authorized to provide full service, the system provides a partial refund to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to system of inserting locally stored content into satellite broadcast programs and electronic program guides. In particular, the system teaches a method of receiving satellite tuning parameters from a set top box, determine a request for locally stored content, and transmitting a multicast address in response to said reception of satellite tuning parameters. The locally stored content is then transmitted to the receiver over a network using the multicast address.

Abstract: Guide acquisition method and apparatus for receiving a satellite broadcast stream containing guide data, encapsulating said broadcast stream containing guide data in a network communication protocol, assigning a multicast address to said broadcast stream containing guide data, transmitting said broadcast stream containing guide data, receiving a request for said guide data wherein said request comprises a satellite network identifier and transmitting a said multicast address in response to said request.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an electronic program guide (EPG) to an end user are provided. The includes a audio video streaming device, content scheduler, and program guide generator provide for includes providing a program guide, the program guide containing a start time and end time for the display of a first program, providing the first program for display at the start time, determining if the first program has been paused during the display of the first program, adjusting the end time for the display of the first program if the program has been paused, and providing an updated program guide containing the adjusted end time.

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: An apparatus and method is disclosed in which a buffer receives a first content stream carrying a content channel signal. The first content stream carries the content channel signal at a rate substantially greater than the streaming content playout rate, for initially loading the buffer. The buffer switches its reception of the content channel signal from the first content stream to a second content stream. The second content stream is at a rate substantially the same as the streaming content playout rate. Generally, this switch occurs when some predefined threshold of the content channel signal is buffered.

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 data transfer network infrastructure device having a plurality of ingress ports for accepting data from a domain of a data network; and, a user interface for enabling a user to limit a rate at which data is accepted from the data network on at least one of the ingress ports, wherein the data transfer rate between the at least one of the ingress ports and a device coupled to the at least one of the ports is limited, whereby a bandwidth limit is implemented by the limit at which the data is accepted into the ingress port.

Abstract: A mobile content distribution system in an airplane, a train, or a bus is capable of determining if a mobile content distribution system is within an area authorized for the mobile content distribution system to receive content from a wireless service provider and displaying channels from the wireless service provider accordingly. If the system is not within the authorized area, the system displays a program guide including channels from locally stored content but no channel from the wireless service provider. If the system is within the authorized area and a user indicates live wireless program guide information is needed, the system acquires the live wireless program guide information and displays the program guide includes channels from the locally stored content and channels from the wireless service provider.

Abstract: A mobile content distribution system in an airplane, a train, or a bus is capable of receiving wireless broadcast channels from a wireless service provider. The system offers a user purchase of wireless services including one or more broadcast channels provided by the wireless service provider, receives information indicative of a route from an originating location to a destination location, and determines if the content distribution system is authorized to receive services from the wireless service provider according to the information; and if the content distribution system is not authorized to receive services from the wireless service provider according to the information, the system provide a refund to the user. If the system is within an authorized area, the system determines if the system is authorized to provide full service from the wireless service provider according to the information and if the system is not authorized to provide full service, the system provides a partial refund to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an electronic program guide (EPG) to an end user are provided. The includes a audio video streaming device, content scheduler, and program guide generator provide for includes providing a program guide, the program guide containing a start time and end time for the display of a first program, providing the first program for display at the start time, determining if the first program has been paused during the display of the first program, adjusting the end time for the display of the first program if the program has been paused, and providing an updated program guide containing the adjusted end time.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed in which a buffer receives a first content stream carrying a content channel signal. The first content stream carries the content channel signal at a rate substantially greater than the streaming content playout rate, for initially loading the buffer. The buffer switches its reception of the content channel signal from the first content stream to a second content stream. The second content stream is at a rate substantially the same as the streaming content playout rate. Generally, this switch occurs when some predefined threshold of the content channel signal is buffered.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed in which a buffer receives a first content stream carrying a content channel signal. The first content stream carries the content channel signal at a rate substantially greater than the streaming content playout rate, for initially loading the buffer. The buffer switches its reception of the content channel signal from the first content stream to a second content stream. The second content stream is at a rate substantially the same as the streaming content playout rate. Generally, this switch occurs when some predefined threshold of the content channel signal is buffered.

Abstract: There are described apparatus and methods for adaptive forward error correction (FEC), one use being for video streaming over a wireless network. The apparatus includes an FEC encoder and an adaptive FEC device. The FEC encoder is for encoding k packets of source data into n packets, where n>k, and the n packets include redundant packets. The adaptive FEC device is for adaptively determining a number of the redundant packets to transmit with the encoded k packets, based upon receiving one or more feedback messages. The one or more feedback messages indicate a condition of the wireless network over which the encoded video is to be transmitted.

Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present principles, a program guide display for a near video on demand system can be provided. The NVOD system can transmit and/or receive a plurality of duplicate, temporally offset video streams on separate channels to enable viewing of video content at practically any time from its beginning. According to one aspect of the present principles, a channel carrying a program having a start time that coincides with a current time can be selected for display in the program guide while suppressing other NVOD channels carrying duplicate content with offset start times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for managing acknowledgements, including identifying data packets and acknowledgements with a connection, determining which of the acknowledgements can be eliminated, replacing the acknowledgements that can be eliminated with a single acknowledgement and transmitting the single acknowledgement. An alternative method and apparatus are described for managing acknowledgements, including receiving a data segment, keeping track of connections, determining if there are enough data segments for a pre-determined number of channel time allocations and generating the acknowledgments for a selected connection if there are enough data segments for the pre-determined number of channel time allocations.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing reserved connections between end stations, in a network, such as the Internet, capable of providing prioritized communications, comprises a switch in packet communications with end stations. The switch detects and forwards packets that contain prioritized data for priority processing, and packets that include requests for reserved connections according to a given reservation protocol. Output queues associated with egress ports of the switch correspond to different priorities associated with received priority packets. An additional output queue is associated with reserved connection data packets. In response to a reserved connection request, the switch determines if sufficient bandwidth exists in the switch to establish a reserved path within the network, and if so, allocates the and width for the reserved connection.