Abstract: The invention concerns a device for data broadcasting in an access network consisting of several interconnected nodes for transporting fluxes of information elements between content providers and reception terminals. The invention is characterised in that said device is implanted at least at one node of the network, and it comprises a circuit managing the profile of the node (8) configured by an operator of the network or of the node (4) on the basis of objective or even subjective criteria and a mechanism filtering (6) broadcast information elements which controls a switch (5) so as to filter said information elements.

Abstract: A cost function is stochastically optimized using, e.g., simulated annealing to render a neighborhood of entities based on which content recommendations can be provided to a user of a home entertainment system. The cost function represents a normalized sum of rating similarity scores from entities of the neighborhood that are related to content items viewed by the user.

Abstract: A system is described comprising: a first node coupled to a second node by a communications network, the first node and second node communicating digital and/or analog signals over the communications network; the first node comprising a power output selector module to apply a specified voltage to the communications network to power one or more devices communicatively coupled to the communications network; and the second node using the voltage to provide power to one or more electrical components.

Abstract: An IP network includes a central entity and at least one customer premises equipment (CPE) device. The central entity generates a program clock reference (PCR) clock and provides audio-visual packets to a CPE based on the PCR clock. The CPE sets a first clock based on the PCR clock for decoding operations. The CPE sets a second clock that is independent from the first clock for audio and video output operations. For example, the CPE can process the audio-visual packets using the second clock.

Abstract: This invention provides technology (including apparatus, method, software, and/or data structures) to broadcast data from one or more content providers via one or more broadcast channels to one or more content recipients. This technology meets the different needs of the three major stakeholders—the content providers, the broadcasters, and the content recipients. The technology provides support for identifying the data to be broadcast, setting the broadcast schedule, getting the data inserted into the broadcast stream, extracting it from the broadcast stream at the receiver, and many ancillary activities such as compression, error correction, bandwidth management, bandwidth usage reporting, and content filtering at the receiver.

Abstract: A method and a system for replacing media stream in a communication process of a terminal are disclosed. The method includes: a terminal issuing a request for replacing media stream to a communication server in a communication process; the communication server obtaining a corresponding replacing media source from a multimedia server according to a replacing media source identification carried in the request for replacing media stream, and replacing media stream sent by the terminal with the replacing media source. The system includes a multimedia server and a communication server. According to the embodiments of the present invention, a terminal participating in a communication process may replace its own voice and/or pictures with stored audio and/or video and/or data, so as to provide a new value-added service and bring new service revenue for operators.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving apparatus and method of reducing an output time of broadcast content, includes for the apparatus, a transport stream generator generating a transport stream from a digital broadcast signal, a transport stream buffer buffering the transport stream, a controller determining whether the buffered transport stream is reliable; a transport stream processor searching for interpretation information for interpreting broadcast content from the buffered transport stream, and searching for the broadcast content based on the interpretation information, if the buffered transport stream is determined as reliable, and an audio and video processor processing the searched broadcast content. Therefore, it is possible to quickly output and provide broadcast content to users.

Abstract: A method for providing a video source list and a video apparatus are provided. The video apparatus comprises a combiner which combines an external input list with a video to be displayed, the external input list including information regarding external inputs of the video apparatus and a controller which generates the external input list, and controls the combiner, wherein the controller selectively changes a display order in which the information regarding external inputs is arranged in the external input list. Accordingly, it is possible to change the order in which the information regarding external inputs arranged on the external input list is displayed according to the desires of a user, and thus, the user can choose external inputs more rapidly and conveniently.

Abstract: A control program for a co-processor in a video-on-demand system directs the co-processor to perform the steps of: a) obtain a transmission control list, from an external source, which identifies a group of several video data packets and a respective subgroup of internet protocol headers for each video data packet in the group; b) partition into pieces, each video data packet and its respective subgroup of internet protocol headers as identified by the transmission control list; and, c) send the partitioned pieces, along with an additional header for each piece, to an output port during a series of spaced apart time intervals.

Abstract: The disclosure details the implementation of an apparatus, method, and system for an network selector for datacasting in hybrid networks (NSDHN). In one aspect, the disclosure teaches an efficient delivery decision mechanism that takes into account efficiencies that may be achieved by employing one network delivery system over another for any given area. In another aspect, the disclosure teaches how to dynamically select the bearer for IP multicast data delivery in hybrid networks. Also, the disclosure teaches a network delivery selector based on Simulated Annealing and genetic algorithms. The network delivery selector provides an extremely fast mechanism to establish an optimal delivery bearer dynamically. This allows the network delivery selector to combine unicast, multicast and broadcast network bearers in the same hybrid network to exploit their combined best properties and serve as many users as possible.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device that communicates with a customer premises equipment of a subscriber via a coaxial cable is provided. The device increases the upstream traffic for the subscriber. Furthermore, the device is migrated into a network such that the subscriber does not have to change their customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A system and method supplies internet protocol television (IPTV) services to a subscriber. A content management subsystem processes and executes integrated workflow functionality for content management of video data to be delivered from a video headend to a subscriber premises. An infrastructure subsystem performs signal processing and routing of the video data from the video headend across the network to subscriber premises based on subscriber requirements at the subscriber premises. A network management, test and monitoring subsystem is coupled with the content management and infrastructure subsystems and includes test and management equipment and control and monitoring systems equipment for monitoring network performance and controlling the infrastructure subsystem and optimizing network performance and video delivery to the subscriber premises.

Abstract: In a communication system for carrying out satellite communication through a satellite among users, a satellite communication center is located in a terrestrial network, such as an internet, and has a program table accessible through the terrestrial network and representative of a time schedule of each program to be broadcast through the satellite. The program table can be reserved to broadcast contents by a sender through the internet when an empty time zone is left on the program table. When the reservation is accepted, the contents are sent from the sender through the internet to the satellite communication center and are broadcast at a reserved time through the satellite to other users in accordance with the program table. The contents may be stored in advance in an information storage of the satellite communication center once before they are broadcast or be directly broadcast to the satellite at the reserved time.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, a system including a transmitter, a receiver, and a serial link, in which the transmitter is configured to transmit video data, embedded-clock auxiliary data (or auxiliary data derived from embedded-clock auxiliary data), and a video clock over the link to the receiver. The transmitter is configured to extract a sample clock from the auxiliary data without use of a phase-locked loop, and to generate time stamp data in response to the sample clock and the video clock. Typically, the auxiliary data are SPDIF (or other) audio data, and the sample clock changes state in response to codes that occur periodically in the audio data. Other aspects of the invention are a transmitter for use in such a system, a time stamp data generation circuit for use in such a transmitter, and a method for generating time stamp data in response to a stream of embedded-clock auxiliary data and a video clock.

Abstract: A network convergence component switches an output to a viewing device from a first source to a preferred source during periods when an event such as a commercial is detected. In some embodiments, the network convergence component is under local control. In other embodiments, the network convergence component is under the control of a network operations center, which is linked to a plurality of network convergence components. The preferred source may also be connected to the network operations center so that the network operations center may push content to the preferred source.

Abstract: A media recognition system comprises an object management space, an object processing module and a media object space for storing media objects generated by object processing, wherein a pattern definition list stored in the object management space includes a plurality of action statements defining script programs to be executed in association with pattern formulas which designate the attributes of objects. The object processing module generates a new media object having different attributes by executing media processing corresponding to the input media object based on the pattern definition list, and repeats recursive media processing on the generated media object as the new input media object in accordance with the pattern definition list.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal receives and reproduces a television broadcast from a broadcasting device, and determines any error in the packets making up the received stream data. Based on the continuity of determined error packets, the mobile communication terminal groups the packets to determine the packets for which a retransmission request is to be made. When a user instructs complementary reproduction, the mobile communication terminal sends information indicating the designated packet group to a distribution device through a mobile communication network to request packet retransmission. The distribution device transmits the packets included in the packet group to the mobile communication terminal. When receiving stream data transmitted from the distribution device through the mobile communication network, the mobile communication terminal reproduces the received retransmitted stream data at higher bit rate than normal reproduction rate.

Abstract: A router stores a value that indicates the maximum number of channels that can be output to a group, and the number of channels that are output to the group. When a member of the group indicates a channel change selection from a first channel to a second channel, the router drops the first channel before outputting the second channel when the maximum number of channels and the number of channels are equal.

Abstract: In a television signal transmission system, CS broadcasting signals received via a master antenna are converted into intermediate frequency signals in an LNB (Low Noise Block Down Converter). The CS intermediate frequency signals then undergo conversion of the modulation format, for example, from QPSK into 64-QAM, so that CS broadcasting signals from each transponder, having a bandwidth of, for example, 27 MHz, are accommodated in a narrower bandwidth, for example, 6 MHz, which is equivalent to one channel of terrestrial broadcasting services. Then, the signals accommodated in the narrower bandwidth is frequency-shifted into a vacant frequency band in the VHF band or the UHF band. Accordingly, the CS signals accommodated in the narrower band and frequency-shifted into the vacant band are multiplexed with terrestrial broadcasting signals in the VHF and UHF bands and BS intermediate frequency signals so that all these signals are delivered to each household via a single cable.

Abstract: For providing a receiving contract service being convenient or friendly to both the broadcast service providers and the viewers, and in particular, for providing a digital broadcast receiver set, an information apparatus and a digital broadcasting receiving system, there is provided a system in which a digital broadcast receiver set 100, an output apparatus 110 and recording apparatuses 120 and 130 are connected with a control bus 10, wherein there are provided a designated program devising portion 203 for extracting a plurality of programs at the same time, a receiving contract managing portion 212 for managing information relating to receiving contacts, and a output destination supervising portion 213 for managing distributing destination of the broadcast programs at the present, thereby distributing the broadcast programs to the output apparatus 110 and/or the recording apparatuses 120 and 130, on a basis of the contents of the receiving contracts.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for providing digital multimedia broadcasting confinement service. The system includes: a relay center side system, which is adopted to the relay center, according to the relay center side packet identification description (PID) key, for modifying the PID of transport stream and generating the distorted program specific information (PSI); and a terminal side system, which is adopted to the DMB terminal, according to the terminal side PID key, for recovering the distorted PSI of the transport stream received from the relay center and decoding it. The method includes the steps of: identifying whether the actual PID of the TS is consistent when the TS is demultiplexed by audio/video PID acquired through the program map table (PMT) analysis of the TS; generating a preset alarm signal; modifying the PID of the audio/video data in the PMT according to the terminal side PID; and demultiplexing the TS according to the modified PID value.

Abstract: A system and method for intermediating an audio/video (A/V) stream between a data network and an IEEE 1394 network are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, an A/V stream of an IP network is provided to a device connected to the IEEE 1394 network in real time, or the A/V stream of the IP network is once stored and then is provided to the device connected to the IEEE 1394 network when a viewer desires to view the A/V stream. The A/V stream can be provided to the viewer irrespective of the format parser, codec, transmission protocol, and transmission control protocol, required for the transrecorder's reception of the A/V stream from the media server or for the transrecorder's transmission of the A/V stream to the display device. Also, diverse A/V streams provided from the server of the data network can be stored, and then can be provided to the viewer through the display device whenever the display device connected to the IEEE 1394 network requests the A/V stream.

Abstract: A system is described comprising: an originating node having system resources to be utilized to deliver multimedia content and/or data to a plurality of multimedia devices; and a resource allocation module to allocate the system resources to each of the multimedia devices based on a detected state of each of the multimedia devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport encoded asset data and content data, multiplexing the transport encoded content data with a plurality of NULL transport packets to provide “place holder” for the asset data transport packets, and replacing the NULL transport packets with asset data transport packets prior to transmitting the multiplexed transport stream to a set top box.

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: A receiver for receiving a digital radio broadcast in which additional information is multiplexed with audio information includes a memory for storing the additional information, a liquid crystal display (LCD), and a bookmark button. When the bookmark button is depressed during reception of a program, a control unit stores the additional information of the program in the memory as bookmark data. The bookmark data stored in the memory is displayed on the LCD. When data is specified as search data the control unit sequentially searches programs currently being broadcast or to be broadcast, and detects and tunes in to a program that includes the search data in the additional information of the program. Alternatively, the additional information of the detected program is displayed on the LCD and tuning in to the program is performed in accordance with an operation by a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing both link and disk bandwidth utilization within the context of a multiple subscriber or user information distribution system by selectively providing variable bitrate and constant low bitrate information streams to one or more subscribers.

Abstract: A modem that includes a list of the multiple domain names is firstly provided. Each of the domain names is associated with a different Broadband Service Node (BSN). A PPPoE session is established, and an authentication request, containing the identifier and a generic password, is transmitted from a modem to multiple domain names over the PPPoE network. Subsequently, authorization is received from at least one of the domain names. The authorization preferably comprises at least one static Internet Protocol (IP) address. The modem then obtains full configuration details from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The invention also provides a system and a computer program product for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet (PPPoE) network.

Abstract: A decoder has tuners for receiving data from different sources. Each tuner has an associated demultiplexer controlled to select a portion of a received signal corresponding to a selected channel or channels. The demultiplexer output to a remultiplexer configured to determine selected signal portions that have overlapping addresses, to reallocate addresses of the signal portions so there is no overlap, and to multiplex the signal portions for supply to a common interface slot.

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: Methods for slice-based encoding of program guides and user interfaces. The program guides include multiple video streams for picture-in-picture and other applications. A method for encoding the program guide includes encoding a first set of slices for each of a plurality of graphics pages; and encoding a second set of slices for each of a plurality of video streams. The user interfaces are multi-functional and may be used for electronic commerce and other applications. A method of generating the user interface includes encoding a set of slices for each of a plurality of objects, each object being characterized by an identity, at least one attribute, and at least one operation. In one embodiment of this method, the plurality of objects include an electronic commerce object, where the electronic commerce object is attributed with a first hyper text markup language (HTML) page.

Abstract: Audio or other information is delivered to a user via a multi-stream digital broadcasting system in a partially-encrypted form. The information is encoded and separated into multiple bitstreams, at least a subset of which are left unencrypted. Both the encrypted and unencrypted bitstreams are received and stored by the user. A user is able, for at least a limited period of time, to access the information at a first quality level, e.g., an FM-quality level for audio information, without having the corresponding decryption key, by utilizing only the unencrypted bitstreams. The user can then access an electronic-commerce web site to purchase the decryption key. The key may be downloaded from the site to an information processing device of the user, and may be utilized to decrypt the partially-encrypted format, such that the user is provided with access to the information at a second quality level higher than the first quality level, e.g., a CD-quality level for audio information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for encrypting content sent to a user. The user terminal is assigned a serial number. When content is received by the user terminal, it is encrypted and the serial number is embedded into the encrypted content. The content is decrypted if the serial number embedded in the encrypted content is the serial number associated with the user terminal. Content may also be simultaneously stored and displayed.

Abstract: The invention which is the subject of this application relates to the ability to utilize a receiver and processing means for received data in the reception of multiple transport streams of data. Processing components which are included in receiver apparatus are provided with the ability to only receive one transport stream of data at any one time. In the current invention, in order to present to the processing components in the receiver, one single transport stream, but still allow the receiver apparatus to receive multiple transport streams of data, there is provided a means of initially processing the received multiple streams of data which involves the steps of demultiplexing the data from the multiple transport streams, re-mapping the data, selecting packets of data in accordance with user and receiver selection criteria and then multiplexing the said selected packets of data into a single stream of data which can then be presented to the processing components.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method for providing a multiplexed sequence, the multiplexed sequence including at least one sequence of basic media data units/modified basic media data units, the system and method are responsive to at least one characteristics (such as quality, quality degradation, compression level and the like, a combination of at least two of the characteristics) of at least of some of the basic media data units.

Abstract: A method and system for transcoding a stream of data packets are disclosed. The data packets are received from a source node and include data that are encrypted. 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. Significantly, the function is performed without decrypting the encrypted media data. The steam of data packets configured for the downstream attributes is sent to the receiving node. Because the encrypted data do not need to be decrypted and then encrypted again, the computational resources needed for transcoding the stream of data packets is significantly reduced, and the security of the data is not compromised.

Abstract: In a control system for an automatic vending machine with a controlled device, a terminal control unit controls the controlled device in accordance with a control program. A main control unit is connected to the terminal control unit through a transmission path and controls the terminal control unit through communication with the terminal control unit. The main control unit is provided with a transfer arrangement for transferring a new control program to the terminal control unit through the transmission path. The terminal control unit is provided with a memory and a rewriting arrangement connected to the memory. The memory is for memorizing the first-mentioned control program as a memorized control program. The rewriting arrangement is for rewriting the memorized control program into the new control program at need.

Abstract: A method for performing end-to-end “tree-based ordered multicasting” (TOM) which ensures collective integrity and consistency of distributed operations, and which is applicable to distributed multiparty collaboration and other multipoint applications. The TOM protocol performs cascaded total ordering of messages among on-tree hosts en route from senders to receivers, and does not require the building of a separate propagation graph to compute ordering information. TOM elects sequencer nodes dynamically based on address extensions of the multicast tree. Message ordering is performed by multicasting a message from each source node to receivers, unicasting a control message from a source node across a primary node to an ordering node for the designated multicast group or transmission in the tree, determining a binding sequence number for the message and a multicast to the receiver group, and delivering messages at end hosts according to the agreed-upon sequence numbers.

Abstract: A transmission system is a data delivery system which includes a server for transmitting ES data and a receiving terminal for receiving the transmitted data. The server includes a conversion controller for determining elementary streams (ES's) and a scene description to be transmitted based on transmission priority levels and display priority levels, in accordance with the state of a transmission path and/or a request from the receiving terminal. The server also includes an ES processor and a scene description processor.

Abstract: A satellite direct audio broadcast system includes a plurality of fixed-rate, uniform, frequency division multiple access (“FDMA”) uplinks and a time division multiplexed (“TDM”) downlink. Source audio channels may be divided among and transmitted through a selectable number of fixed-rate uplinks so as to have selectable audio quality at the receiver. Fixed-rate FDMA uplinks include information designating related channels as containing related source information. On-board the satellite baseband processing selects uplink information channels for inclusion into none, one or multiple TDM downlinks. Transmitted audio information may be scrambled, and authorization downloaded to receivers to permit descrambling for paid subscription service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a network of peer-to-peer communication devices controlled by a central controller. Using respective peer-to-peer communication devices, users can submit customized program schedules to the central controller, for media broadcasts that the users wish to record and view at a later time. The central controller maintains a global schedule of individual user-entered program schedules, and directs the peer-to-peer communication devices to record and re-play the content as requested in the schedules. The requested content may be recorded locally by any peer-to-peer communication device and transmitted upon request to a different peer-to-peer communication device of the network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that permits a variable number of disparate streams of data to be packaged together as content into a single distinct program referred to as an omnimedia package. A framework definition may be specified and created for the omnimedia package to allow a client set top box to decode the information and provide access to streams comprising video, audio and metadata information. The framework definition may be employed by a broadcast system to create a broadcast stream. A mechanism is described that permits a content provider to define a framework for delivering a package of related content. The framework definition encapsulates information necessary to build, format, transmit and display the disparate content streams. Data may be downloaded to a receiver prior to the broadcast of an associated program. The present invention may be implemented on terrestrial, cable, satellite, VDSL and other transport systems, including those that support upstream communication.

Abstract: A method of distributing audio channels to passengers of an aircraft includes digitally encoding a multiplicity of audio channels into a corresponding multiplicity of digital audio channels. Different groups of the digital audio channels are combined into sub-channels having a data rate higher than a data rate of the digital audio channels. The sub-channels are combined into a composite data stream having a data rate higher than the data rate of the sub-channels. A first radio frequency (RF) carrier signal is modulated with the composite data stream to generate a modulated RF signal audio output. The modulated RF signal output containing a large number of audio channels is transmitted over a data network, such as a coaxial cable network, along with a multiplicity of video channel modulated RF carrier signals.

Abstract: In a broadcast-program selection history information acquisition apparatus and its method, the totalization side can easily totalize selection history information. To acquire the selection history information of a broadcast program selected out of broadcast programs of a plurality of channels, the selection information of the broadcast program is stored at a predetermined acquisition timing and the selection history information which is composed of a plurality of pieces of selection information stored every plurality of acquisition timings is transmitted to a notification destination at a predetermined transmission timing.

Abstract: Method and system for dynamic provision of service conveying packets to groups of end-users, each group of end-users is coupled to the system via a bandwidth limited media, the system including: a router, operative to receive service conveying packets and to provide to each group of end-users group associated service conveying packets; a session manager, coupled to the router, said session manager providing routing instructions to said router, for dynamically selecting group associated service conveying packets out of the received service conveying packets. At least some of the service conveying packets comprise media signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport encoded asset data and content data, multiplexing the transport encoded content data with a plurality of NULL transport packets to provide “place holder” for the asset data transport packets, and replacing the NULL transport packets with asset data transport packets prior to transmitting the multiplexed transport stream to a set top box.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of: responsive to satisfaction of a prescribed condition including updating of a program at a download site, requesting transmission of server and the client programs to a program distribution site specified by management information, from a gateway; receiving the server and the client programs from the program distribution site to the gateway; transmitting the received server program from the gateway to a server node; and transmitting the received client program from the gateway to the client nodes.

Abstract: A point-to-multipoint communications network connecting multiple subscribers to a single communications line. A plurality of subscriber communications interfaces are connected in parallel to form a local group in which one communications interface serves as a master communications interface and the other communications interfaces serve as slaves. Each communications interface may be capable of serving as the master communications interface according to a demand division multiplexing technique, which assigns master status based on upstream data demands. As a communications interface is switched to master status, the communications interface previously holding master status is switched back to slave status. A plurality of communications interfaces can thus be connected to a single communications port without increasing the upstream transmission bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided for the multicasting of streaming digital content to a plurality of Internet users. Streaming digital audio, video or other digital data content that is to be multicast to Internet users is formatted into IP protocol at a head-end content source transmission site. The streaming IP digital data is transmitted from the head-end transmission site to at least one distant/remote routing station of an Internet service provider (i.e., a provider-edge router or Internet point of presence) via a bandwidth portion of a digital communications data transport service or transmission medium that is substantially unaffected by conventional Internet communications traffic. The Internet service provider (ISP) maintains at least one access router for providing Internet access via its Internet domain for its customers accessing the Internet via conventional two-way IP connection.

Abstract: A multimedia messaging system for sending and receiving multimedia MMS messages. The MMS messages are sent to a MMS server and addressed to the recipient's MSISDN number. MMS server sends a notification to a PAP server that sends the notification as a WAP Push to the recipient mobile device telling the mobile device to retrieve the message. If the recipient mobile device is engaged in an on going or dedicated session with the Internet, the notification is sent to the recipient mobile device during the session. The recipient mobile device then initiates a HTTP GET request to retrieve the multimedia message via the voice or data channel of a PLMN. If the recipient mobile device is not engaged in an on going or dedicated session with the Internet, the notification is sent to the recipient mobile device as a WAP Push using SMS as bearer via the signaling channel of the PLMN. The recipient mobile device then initiates a HTTP GET request to retrieve the multimedia message via the voice or data channel of the PLMN.