Abstract: A system and method for preprocessing and delivering multimedia presentations to customers such that delays due to interactive response time is virtually eliminated include a preprocessor, mass storage, a delivery processor, a distribution network, and a plurality of presentation processors. The preprocessor receives as inputs an original multimedia presentation and parameters characterizing other system components, which parameters include the round trip latency between the delivery processor and a presentation processor, and generates a preprocessed multimedia presentation including a delivery schedule in the form of a labelled, directed graph.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preprocessing multimedia presentations to be delivered to customers such that delays due to interactive response time is virtually eliminated is described. The preprocessor receives as inputs an original multimedia presentation and parameters characterizing other system components, which parameters include the round trip latency between a delivery processor and a presentation processor, and generates a preprocessed multimedia presentation including a delivery schedule in the form of a labelled, directed graph.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system (100, 100') provides a wide aspect ratio view at each site utilizing a single NTSC camera (250, 350) and projector (260,360). At the transmitting end of a teleconference, a transformation element (280, 380, 510, 610) maps a wide aspect ratio field of view into the field of view of an NTSC camera. The transformation is reversed at the receiving end of the teleconferencing system.

Abstract: A station for use in a teleconferencing system is disclosed. The station includes an arrangement comprising a plurality of image sensing devices, each of which provides a sub-image. The sub-images are joined to form a single high resolution video display. Illustratively, the arrangement comprises a plurality of image sensing devices and one or more mirrors to insure that the fields of view of the image sensing devices are contiguous at all relevant distances. Alternatively, an array of image sensing devices may be utilized wherein the horizontal and vertical scans of the devices are cropped.

Abstract: A still frame image processor is disclosed. The still frame image processor comprises two frame memories, either of which can digitize and store a frame of video. A first image, stored in the first memory, can be shrunk by an integer factor M and placed at an arbitrary location in the second memory, so that the first memory is free to capture a second image. A video keying operation combines the outputs, from the two memories to enable the first shrunken image to appear as an inset in the second image so that a new multi-image display is composed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus encodes telephone ringing to identify both the origin and destination of a received call. The ring envelope of the ringing signal is divided into two segments. During the first segment, call origin information is encoded by varying the number of pulses or the pulse widths of a fixed frequency signal. Call destination information is encoded by time division multiplexing different frequencies into subsegments of the second segment.

Abstract: A method and circuitry are disclosed for asynchronously transmitting binary data over a communication pair without the use of start or stop bits. During a non-data transmitting state a quiescent differential voltage, which is intermediate to the binary data differential voltage levels, is placed on the pair. The start of a data transmission is signaled by a transition of the differential voltage from the quiescent state voltage to the binary voltage of the first data bit of the data transmission. Since all data transmissions are of known bit lengths, the end of a data transmission is determined by counting data bits.