Abstract: An IP broadcast transmitting device comprises means for acquiring and collecting channel tuning information and program-related information from broadcast signals of each broadcasting station from which the broadcast signals are distributed, means for updating and managing the information, means for distributing the information independently from IP multicast-distributions of the broadcast signals, and means for distributing a service area tuning list with IP multicast-distribution information of the broadcast signals and distribution positions of the channel tuning information and the program-related information of the broadcast signals described therein.

Abstract: Phone-based remote media system interaction is described. A content distribution system provides a telephone-based voice menu system that enables a caller to select a media system control command. The content distribution system then causes the media system control command to be executed in association with a remote media system associated with, or specified by, the caller.

Abstract: Enhanced Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) functionality, including programmable digital domain modulators and demodulators for dynamic channel assignment, is incorporated into Fiber Nodes (FNs) or mini Fiber Nodes (mFNs), yielding enhanced Fiber Nodes (eFNs). These eFns distribute CMTS functionality deep into Hybrid-Fiber-Coax Networks (HFCN) rather than centralizing the CMTS functions within a single location. Moving the cable modem terminations closer to the subscribers shortens the analog RF paths required to support cable modems. Communication of both subscriber data and CMTS control data is performed over Ethernet-compatible packet networks between the field-based CMTSs and an upstream facility (e.g., the Head End), which includes an Internet gateway. Packet data for multiple subscriber cable modems is easily compressed and merged over common network paths, reducing cabling plant complexity and increasing bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an input capable of receiving a bandwidth optimized transport stream is provided. The bandwidth optimized transport stream can be produced by receiving a transport stream of variably compressed program data bearing transport packets and one or more null transport packets. One or more of the null transport packets is selectively replaced with another to-be-remultiplexed non-null data bearing transport packet. Independently of determining an amount of information carried by a program data bearing transport packets from time to time in the received transport stream, at least one selected program bearing transport packet is scheduled for output in an output remultiplexed bitstream.

Abstract: In a communication network that provides a path through a cable IP network between sending and receiving terminals residing on respective networks (e.g., an HFC, and/or PSTN network) controlled by different network managers or service providers, a controller hands off control of service access of the terminals between the service providers. Subscriber terminals may include broadband telephony interfaces, cable modems, or multimedia terminal adapters. To effect hand-off control, configurable modules of the terminals enable them to respond directly to a network manager (e.g., cable modem termination system or call management server) according to instructions supplied by the controller based either on subscriber authorization, database information, call type, dialing plan, and/or other parameters. Transfer of call control may also occur on a call-by-call basis.

Abstract: A conditional access system for multimedia data is disclosed that offers acceptable security at drastically reduced requirements on hardware performance. A selectively encrypted transport stream is formed from a clear transport stream by detecting particular data packets within the clear transport stream, removing and encrypting the particular data packets with an event encryption key, and inserting the encrypted data packets into the remaining clear transport stream at insertion positions corresponding to the original positions of the particular data packets in the clear transport stream. For specific embodiments that include decryption circuitry inside a user smart card, the level of security of such system is even higher than that of conventional ones.

Abstract: A method for processing a data stream including receiving a transport stream (TS), storing at least a portion of the TS, the at least a portion of the TS having a beginning and including a plurality of TS packets, determining, from among the plurality of TS packets, at least one TS packet including a candidate access point, storing in an index store a byte offset of the candidate access point; and storing in the index store a plurality of indications of byte offset, each byte offset being associated with an arrival time of a received TS packet.

Abstract: A communications network has a communications station, such as a telephone exchange, and at least one interface, such as a cabinet. A plurality of optical carriers are provided between the exchange and a cabinet, thereby allowing modulation of the signals, for example xDSL modulation, to be carried out at the exchange, rather than at the cabinet. This arrangement reduces the need to power the cabinet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing in-band messaging through a video switch or other functional element forming a multiplexed content stream prior to transport processing and/or transmission of the multiplexed content stream via an in-band communications channel.

Abstract: A method for blackout and retune distribution including receiving a first wide area multiplexed feed, the first wide area multiplexed feed comprising a blacked out feed; and generating a requantized local service feed from a local replacement plus retune service feed, the local replacement plus retune service feed having a retune feed corresponding to a retune programming for the blacked out feed, wherein the requantized local service feed is to be combined with the first wide area multiplexed feed for transmission as a part of an aggregate local outbound traffic. A computer-readable medium, a apparatus and a means for blackout and retune distribution is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of informational video programs over a single digital transport stream to a plurality of receivers, wherein the receivers are operative to select from the transport stream data identified with any given program and to decode the identified data into a displayable video signal.

Abstract: Server-side stream switching is disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a server and a client. The server is capable of sending data within a first and a second stream via packets with a predetermined data designator, and of indicating switching from the first to the second stream via a packet with a predetermined switching designator. The client is capable of receiving the packets containing the data within the first and the second streams, and the packet with the predetermined switching designator. HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP) server-side stream switching is particularly disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method comprising a step which consists in comparing a label to a value counted from a transfer clock to define the transfer time on the bus of a packet read on a recording medium. The invention is characterized in that for implementing a special mode or trick mode, it further comprises the following steps: calculating a difference between two consecutive packets based on the values of recorded labels; calculating an offset value based on said difference and parameters received on the bus defining the special mode; adding said offset value to the label value of the transmitted packet to obtain a new label value defining the transfer time on the bus of the following packet to be transmitted. The invention is applicable to the storage of MPEG data.

Abstract: A separating device and method and a signal receiving device and method are presented. The separating device and method receive plural data streams and then separate and extract at least a portion of data from the received data streams. The signal receiving device and method receive plural data streams and then select, separate and extract at least a portion of the data from the data streams. Then the signal receiving device and method apply signal processing to the portion of the data that has been selected, separated and extracted.

Abstract: A method for performing trick-play functions in a multicast stream, involving generating a session announcement protocol (SAP) message, wherein the SAP announcement includes a first internet protocol (IP) address of a multicast source, forwarding the SAP message to a multicast router, wherein the multicast router includes an attached storage to cache the multicast stream, substituting the first IP address with a second IP address associated with the multicast router, requesting a trick-play function to obtain a unicast stream, and receiving the unicast stream from the attached storage based on the trick-play function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that provides current location information services in a network are described. In one preferred embodiment, a location identifier and a user identifier are received from a user. A user profile associated with the user identifier is retrieved from a database of user profiles. The user profile includes one or more stored location identifiers associated with the user. The received location identifier is then compared to the stored location identifiers to determine matching location identifiers and further to determine current location information of the user.

Abstract: A method and system for transcoding a stream of data packets are disclosed. The data packets are received from a source node. The stream of data packets is operated on by a function that configures the stream according to downstream attributes, such as the attributes of a receiving node or of the communication channel. The steam of data packets configured for the downstream attributes is sent to the receiving node.

Abstract: An apparatus in a digital network includes the logic for allocating and assigning packet identifiers (PIDs) to digital packets, such as MPEG packets. The logic can reside in a device that transmits a transport stream or a device that controls a transport stream transmitter. In the preferred embodiment, a session number is associated a program and with an output port of a transport stream transmitter; and the session number is unique for that output port. The logic associates a PID from a set of allocated PIDs with the session number. The set of allocated PID values are PMT_PIDs, which are used for identifying the PMT packets, and the set of PMT_PIDs is scalable. In the preferred embodiment, the logic also associates the PMT_PID to the session number using a predetermined scheme. The apparatus also includes logic for assigning a set of PID values to the elementary streams of a program.

Abstract: An information source management system 11 performs inventory management for CDs and a material information management progress programming system 12 performs programming. An material information registration system 13 compresses the musical numbers of the CDs for holding on a proprietary server and a proprietary server 121 of a multi-channel sending-out system 101. A large number of materials are held on the proprietary server 121 and read out from it. The read-out materials are converted in its format to a transmission format by a sending-out server 123 so as to be multiplexed by a multiplexer 141. The multiplexed data is QPSK-modulated by a modulator 142 and sent out via a selector 143. From the proprietary server 121 are read out data which is sent out via dedicated network 3 to a live PC where it is reproduced. This data is furnished again via dedicated network 3 and encoded by an MPEG encoder 129 so as to be sent out at the sending-out server 123.

Abstract: Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate.

Abstract: A system and method for modulating a service conveying stream to be transmitted over a medium, the method includes: (i) receiving a service conveying packet belonging to the service conveying stream; and (ii) determining at least one modulation parameter for the modulation of the service conveying packet in response to at least one network topology characteristic and in response to at least one client related parameter. The system includes input ports and a management entity capable of determining modulation parameters.

Abstract: A system for live TV transmission over IP networks incorporates a content encoder receiving live TV broadcast and converting to RTP packets for multicast streaming. A streaming server receives the multicast RTP packets from the content encoder and converts the multicast stream to a unicast stream. The streaming server is also responsive to RTSP commands for trick mode operation. A settop box is connected through an IP network for receiving multicast RTP packets from the content encoder and generating RTSP commands for trick mode operation, the setup box issuing a leave multicast group signal upon issuing a trick mode command and receiving unicast transmission of RTP packets from the streaming server controllable by the trick mode commands.

Abstract: A digital Vestigial Sideband (VSB) transmission system and enhanced data multiplexing method are disclosed. When 1/2 enhanced data coded at a rate of 1/2 and 1/4 enhanced data at a rate of 1/4 are transmitted, timing jitter in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) of Vestigial Sideband (VSB) receiver can be reduced and the size of input buffer in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) decoder of the Vestigial Sideband (VSB) receiver can be reduced by multiplexing the 1/2 enhanced data packet and the 1/4 data packet at predetermined intervals. Multiplexing the 1/2 enhanced data packet and the 1/4 data packet by grouping increases the reception performance of the 1/4 enhanced data. Multiplexing the 1/2 enhanced data packet and the 1/4 data packet alternatively reduces the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) timing jitter in the Vestigial Sideband (VSB) receiver and increases the reception performance of the 1/4 enhanced data.

Abstract: A method and system for providing customer premise equipment (CPE) code to one or more pieces of CPE in a cable system having a national code repository (NCR) in communication with a number of headend units, wherein the headend units deliver code received from the NCR to the one or more pieces of CPE.

Abstract: Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation can be provided for interactive gaming via a Regional/Access Network (RAN). The RAN can provide end-to-end transport between a Gaming Application Service Provider (GASP) and a Customer Premises Network (CPN) that includes a Routing Gateway (RG). Quality of Service (QoS) and/or bandwidth allocation can be provided by determining different levels of subscription service for different subscribers to an interactive game between a plurality of participants. Different QoS and/or bandwidth allocations can be provided to different gaming traffic flows associated with the different subscribers to the interactive game based on the different levels of subscription service of the different subscribers.

Abstract: An implementation is described herein, which facilitates a fast channel change by receiving and decoding a unicast acquisition media stream that corresponds to a soon-to-be-requested target multicast media stream. It does this before requesting the target multicast media stream of the new channel. Once the transmission of the unicast stream is caught up with the multicast stream, this implementation splices from the unicast acquisition stream to the target multicast media stream.

Abstract: A home network service system using an SMS service, the home network service system including: a text message processor to receive a text message; and a home network control apparatus to control a home network device according to the text message by converting a control signal corresponding to the text message using a protocol compatible with the home network device and transmitting the converted control signal to the home network device. Accordingly, various types of home network devices can be easily controlled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining and selecting digital coding and/or decoding technology, delivery bitrates, and resolution parameters for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different display resolution, bitrate, and/or decoding capabilities profiles. The server determines the one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE or client device, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE or device based on its profile. The selection process may also take into consideration network and/or CPE operational considerations, such as conservation of downstream bandwidth, CPE uprating capability, client device power consumption, and the like.

Abstract: Methods for determining multiplex patterns are provided. More particularly, a multidimensional data structure is used to store multiplex patterns and indexes used to access individual ones of those patterns based on audio channel selection, audio frame size, and what other media channels have frames pending. For example, when using a single audio channel, a two-dimensional look-up table maybe used to store multiplex patterns wherein one index is the audio frame size and the other index is an encoded value formed from bits representing whether any frames are pending for other corresponding media channels.

Abstract: A method of identifying programs in a digital video communication system, consistent with certain embodiment of the present invention involve generating an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT), wherein the auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT relate at least one program identifier (PID) to a program. The auxiliary PAT and auxiliary PMT are packetized and identified using a designated PID. The designated PID is encoded as private descriptor in a network information table (NIT) that is transmitted to the Set-top boxes (STB) over an out of band channel. The STBs have an out of band modem that receives a network information table (NIT). A NIT parser parses the NIT to obtain a designated program identifier (PID) for packets containing an auxiliary program association table (PAT) and an auxiliary program map table (PMT).

Abstract: A switched digital video distribution infrastructure for selectively distributing transport streams each composed of encoded pictures for decoding and presentation employs a source apparatus to output a first program to a requesting destination device as a constrained bit rate transport stream, receive a program change request from the requesting destination device, and in response to the program change request, output a second program both as an unconstrained variable bit rate stream and as a constrained bit rate transport stream. The requesting destination device decodes the unconstrained variable bit rate transport stream, loads the second program's constrained bit rate transport stream into a decoder buffer until the decoder buffer contains sufficient data to allow the pictures of the second program's constrained bit rate transport stream to be decoded without the decoder buffer running dry.

Abstract: A method and a communication system for exchanging data between at least two users interconnected over a bus system are described. The data is contained in messages which are transmitted by the users over the bus system. To improve data exchange among users so that in the normal case, there is a high probability that it will be possible to transmit messages with a low latency, while on the other hand, in the worst case, a finite maximum latency can be guaranteed, the data be transmitted in an event-oriented method over the bus system as long as a preselectable latency period elapsing between a transmission request by a user and the actual transmission operation of the user can be guaranteed for each message to be transmitted as a function of the utilization of capacity of the bus system, and otherwise the data is transmitted over the bus system by a deterministic method.

Abstract: In an MPEG-2 decoding system, a transport decoder decodes a transport packet corresponding to a Program Identification (PID) from an input transport stream, and retrieves a Program Association Table/Program Map Table PAT/PMT) from the stream when it is requested to retrieve Program Specific lnformation (PSI). A pre-decoder checks PSI stored in a PSI memory in response to a request to change to a desired channnel, reads PIDs of transport packets for a Packetized Elementary Stream (PES) of a program corresponding to the desired channel from the PSI memory to provide it to the transport decoder, receives the PAT/PMT and updates the contents of the memory using the PAT/PMT. After decoding, PSI previously extracted therefrom is stored in the memory. PIDs of transport packets for the PES of desired program are obtained referring to the stored PSI, and transport packets having the PIDs are retrieved and decoded.

Abstract: A data multiplexing apparatus including a packet number obtainment unit for obtaining the total number of packets included in one block of a private data packet stream inputted into a channel buffer and an address obtainment unit for obtaining the address of the starting packet in each private data block. The apparatus also includes a null packet detection unit for detecting null packets when a multiplexed packet stream of data other than the private data is outputted from the channel buffer, and includes a packet replacement unit for replacing the multiplexed null packets detected by the null packet detection unit with the private data packets and outputting the multiplexed packet stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for distributing urgent public information. For example, one exemplary of the invention provides a method for providing an alert to a subscriber. The exemplary method comprises receiving an alert message from at least one alert source. The alert message often will be pertinent to at least one of the subscribers. The alert message can comprise an alert and associated alert information. The alert information can provide information about the alert such that the information can be analyzed determine whether a particular subscriber likely should receive the alert. Other embodiments provide systems, which can be used to perform the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Certain aspects of changing message filter coefficients dynamically in a packetized network system may comprise selecting a filter for filtering data in a first portion of an incoming data stream. At initiation of a new modification process, a determination may be made as to whether the selected filter is in use and if so, data read by the selected filter may be invalidated or otherwise not utilized for its intended purpose. A selected filter may be marked as being in use prior to being updated, indicating that there is no match for the selected filter. Filter coefficients for the selected filter may be updated while the selected filter is marked as being in use. Upon completion of updating the filter, the selected filter may be marked as not being in use.

Abstract: In an interactive broadcast system signals transmitted by a service provider (30) are passed via a gateway (12) to a subscriber terminal (2). In order to gain access to services, the subscriber terminal (2) transmits an authorization request message via the gateway (12) to the RADIUS server (18). This RADIUS server (18) transmits in response to the authorization request message an authorization challenge message to the subscriber terminal (2). In return the subscriber terminal responds to the challenge message with a challenge response. This challenge response is checked by the RADIUS server (18) and if correct, the RADIUS server (18) transmits a message to the gateway to give the subscriber terminal access to the service.

Abstract: A broadcasting system which can monitor all input devices for their operating conditions, the broadcasting system includes input devices 11-1M for receiving sound, output devices 31-3N for broadcasting sound, and a controller 4. These features are interconnected through a network 2. In response to a broadcasting request from an arbitrary input device, the controller 4 delivers routing data indicative of a combination of the input device, which has made the broadcasting request, with an output device which should broadcast the sound from the input device to all the input devices 11-1M. The routing data includes priority data indicative of a priority thereof, so that a display unit of each input device makes a display based on the priority data included in the routing data when it receives the routing data from the controller 4.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a network receiver for receiving an over-the-air in-band on-channel broadcast signal and extracting broadcast content from the broadcast signal, and an output for delivering the content by way of a first receiver output signal to a plurality of network player devices. A method performed by the apparatus is also included.

Abstract: An optical transmission network is disclosed that classifies digital broadcast channel data according to virtual channel connection (VCC) before transmission. In the optical transmission network, an optical signal receiver converts an optical signal from an optical line terminal (OLT) into an ATM cell that is classified according to the VCC. A VCC-based ATM cell classifier detects header information and a payload part from the classified ATM cell of each VCC. PID analyzers receive a payload part of an ATM cell corresponding to one VCC from the VCC-based ATM cell classifier, extract PID of each broadcast channel from digital broadcast channel data included in the payload part, and output specific broadcast channel data in the broadcast channel data included in the payload part. A switch receives broadcast channel data output from the PID analyzers and switches the received broadcast channel data to a broadcast channel desired by each subscriber.

Abstract: A method of preparing data streams to facilitate seamless switching between such streams by a switching device to produce an output data stream without any switching artifacts. Bi-directional switching between any plurality of data streams is supported. The data streams are divided into segments, wherein the segments include synchronized starting points and end points. The data rate is increased before an end point of a segment, to create switch gaps between the segments. Increasing the data rate can include increasing a bandwidth of the plurality of data streams, for example by multiplexing, or compressing the data. The present invention can be used, for example, with MPEG or AC-3 encoded audio and MPEG encoded video segments that are multiplexed into MPEG-2 transport streams. Also included are specific methods for preparing MPEG video streams and multiplexing MPEG video with MPEG or AC-3 audio streams to allow a receiver to create seamless transitions between individually encoded segments.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for system multiplexing and program element identification is disclosed. A multiplexer generates a sequence of transport packets and associated program element information tables (PEIT). The header of a transport packet carrying the PEIT includes a unique PEIT indicator. A de-multiplexer first locates the PEIT by the unique PEIT indicator in the transport packet header. The de-multiplexer utilizes the corresponding program element identifier (PEID) of the program specific information (PSI) to search for the required transport packet that contains the PSI. The de-multiplexer then locates and extracts the needed elementary streams by searching for the associated PEID in the PEIT. The elementary streams are then sent to decoders for further processing.

Abstract: A method and a system for reconstructing a partial transport stream are described. One embodiment of the method includes time-stamping each packet when the packet arrives, storing of the selected subset of packets and the associated timestamps in a storage medium, reading the stored packets and their timestamps from the storage medium, and reconstructing the partial transport stream with the packets and their timestamps.

Abstract: A digital video broadcast (DVB) receiver and methods are provided for processing Internet data. The DVB receiver receives at least one announcement message mapping an Internet protocol address to a transport stream packet identifier. Using the information, the DVB receiver may configure a demultiplexer to filter service components according to an Internet protocol address.

Abstract: A digital broadcast (DB) receiver and methods are provided for processing Internet data. The DB receiver receives service identification information mapping a broadcast service component to a unique transmission stream. The DB receiver also receives at least one announcement message mapping an Internet protocol address to a broadcast service component. Using the information, the DB receiver may configure a demultiplexer to filter transmission streams according to an Internet protocol address.

Abstract: A content distribution system in which content transmission/reception is suppressed when there is a high risk of contents being stolen by a third party during communication. A content server acquires a communication distance indicating how far the content server is from a terminal in data communication. The content server conducts content transmission/reception when the communication distance is less than or equal to a predetermined value, and suppresses content transmission/reception when the communication distance exceeds the predetermined value.

Abstract: An information source management system 11 performs inventory management for CDs and a material information management progress programming system 12 performs programming. An material information registration system 13 compresses the musical numbers of the CDs for holding on a proprietary server and a proprietary server 121 of a multi-channel sending-out system 101. A large number of materials are held on the proprietary server 121 and read out from it. The read-out materials are converted in its format to a transmission format by a sending-out server 123 so as to be multiplexed by a multiplexer 141. The multiplexed data is QPSK-modulated by a modulator 142 and sent out via a selector 143. From the proprietary server 121 are read out data which is sent out via dedicated network 3 to a live PC where it is reproduced. This data is furnished again via dedicated network 3 and encoded by an MPEG encoder 129 so as to be sent out at the sending-out server 123.

Abstract: For controlling charging in an Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem, it is detected whether a session initiated in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem is associated with a service requiring special charging control, and charging information is added to messages signalling establishment or modification of the session in the Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem in accordance with the detection result.

Abstract: A multiplexing digital broadcast system includes a receiving terminal; and a broadcasting station. The receiving terminal includes: a receiving side recording device demodulating a specification digital data selectively specified from a multiplexing digital data transmitted by the broadcasting station to record; a receiving side table recording a position in a data string corresponding to a data unit of the specification digital data in which a demodulation ended in failure; and a communicating device transmitting the position in the data string to the broadcasting station, and wherein the broadcasting station includes: a broadcasting station side recording device recording an original data corresponding to the multiplexing digital data; and a supplemental data transmitting device extracting the specification digital data corresponding to the position in the data string from the original data to transmit to the receiving terminal.

Abstract: A signal transmitter and a signal receiver comprises a time base compression part (101) for compressing an audio signal on a time base to output the compressed signal as a time base compressed audio signal and a multiplexing part (102) for multiplexing a video signal, a control signal, and the time base compressed audio signal to output the multiplexed signal to the external as a video/audio control multiplexed signal. The thus constituted signal transmitter and the signal receiver realize a signal transmission system for multiplexing and transmitting the video signal, audio signal, and control signal, for consequently transmitting high-quality diverse digital audio signals without conversion into an analog signal, and for transmission at high speed with minimal error.