Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting video over telephone lines is provided. FM data is produced representative of a video picture to be transmitted and synchronization data concerning the transmitted picture is also produced. The FM data and the synchronization data are transmitted via telephone lines to a receiver. A pair of memories is provided in the receiver. The receiver uses the synchronization data to coordinate the storage and display of the received pictures. One memory displays the picture while the other memory is being loaded. The memories are toggled so that the memory from which the previously stored data is displayed becomes the memory being loaded and the memory being loaded becomes the memory from which previously stored data is displayed. Alternatively, one memory is a load memory while the other memory is a display memory. After the incoming picture is stored in the load memory, it is transferred to the display memory.

Abstract: On delivering a program on an On Demand method of a Cable TV, program reservation information is generated for each route of a communication line in a Cable TV center and is provided to a subscriber in order to restrain the number of digital lines in respect of the number of subscribers in a predetermined number and efficiently utilize equipment set in the center's side while maintaining the On Demand service to the subscriber. The subscriber thereby can recognize a reservation status of a program in respect of his or her own route and, if he or she desires simultaneous delivery of a program already reserved, an overlapping reservation of the program a third party reserved can be made. Communication lines can be efficiently utilized by simultaneously transmitting a program to the same communication line in this way.

Abstract: A bidirectional CATV system having a CATV distributing device and a terminal system. The CATV distributing device includes a video information generating unit that generates video information by executing software, particularly game software, using execution information and a communication unit then receives the execution information from the terminal system. The communication unit sends the execution information to the video information generating unit and transmits the video information generated by the video information generating unit to the terminal system. The terminal system incudes a TV receiver that displays the video information transmitted from the CATV distributing device and a processing device having an execution information compilation unit that compiles the execution information. The communication unit then transmits the execution information to the CATV distributing device.

Abstract: A karaoke service method by telecommunication system downloads karaoke data through a portable karaoke device and provides a karaoke service by using a radio data transmitting and receiving function of a mobile telephone network and a system thereof. In the method, it is judged whether a stored music executing mode or a new music down load mode is selected. A karaoke service server is connected to a public switched data network when the new music down load mode is selected. A file down load with respect to a selected music is requested. A file of a corresponding music selected is downloaded. According to the method, the karaoke device is connected to a karaoke service server having a simple communication protocol system and performs music files and a basic communication function and the karaoke service server reads music file information out of the data network and transmits the read music file information to the karaoke device. Accordingly, a small and inexpensive karaoke device can be realized.

Abstract: A karaoke online system distributes karaoke data blocks having identification codes from a center station to a plurality of karaoke terminals through a broadcast network. In the center station, a transmitter broadcasts the karaoke data blocks with the identification codes to the broadcast network. In the karaoke terminal, a receiver receives the karaoke data blocks with the identification codes from the center station through the broadcast network. A buffer memory temporarily memorizes each of the karaoke data blocks received by the receiver. A storage device stores the karaoke data blocks after each of the karaoke data blocks is temporarily memorized in the buffer memory. A controller discriminates the karaoke data blocks while each of the karaoke data blocks stays in the buffer memory according to the identification codes attached to the karaoke data blocks for judging as to whether each of the karaoke data blocks should be transferred from the buffer memory to the storage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scheme for margin television schedule information received from multiple sources (26, 28, 30 and 34). In the preferred embodiment, a microprocessor (36) mixes and sorts the schedule information received from multiple source devices (26, 28, 30 or 34). The schedule information is then displayed in a television schedule guide (50). A user can select a program (60 or 62) by pointing to that program in the displayed schedule information (50). The system (10) then carries out an automatic switching/tuning such that the required source device (26, 28, 30 or 34) is input to the destination device (22), and a tuner is then tuned to the selected program's channel (52).

Abstract: A distribution center according to the present invention is capable of handling requests from a plurality of subscribers for accessing programs in a central audiovisual library. The subscriber requests may specify a variable time allowance interval within which a requested program may be delivered.

Abstract: A wired modem normally plugs directly into a computer and connects to a telephone system by wired connection to a wall jack. This same modem can be used in a wireless configuration by plugging it into a single-module base station unit located near the wall jack and containing a baseband-to-wireless transceiver. A single module remote station plugs into the computer in place of the modem, and contains another baseband-to-wireless transceiver for communicating wireless data with the base station. The base and remote stations duplicate very little of the functionality performed by the modem, making the modem easily replaceable in either wired or wireless configurations.

Abstract: A system and method for indexing between video streams in an interactive video delivery system. The interactive video delivery system includes at least one media server which stores video streams having different presentation rates. In one embodiment, the system stores a normal play stream and one or more corresponding trick play streams. The trick play video streams are fast forward and/or fast reverse video streams. The system generates index tables or look-up tables between the normal play and trick play video streams which enable indexing between the streams, and uses these look-up tables to switch back and forth between the streams. In creating the index tables, the system first analyzes the normal play stream and creates a normal play time standard based on presentation timestamps from the normal play stream. The system then creates an index table or look-up table for each of the normal play and trick play video streams using the normal play time standard.

Abstract: A data sending/receiving system with which a data user receives data provided through a data provider by a data receiving apparatus via one of a computer network line and a broadcasting, has a construction where a provider that provides data via a broadcasting, broadcasts (i) as to a data provided via a broadcasting, information about a broadcast channel and a broadcast time of the data related to its identifier, as additional information, and (ii) as to a data provided via a computer network line, a description of a location of the data related to the identifier, on a computer network; and a provider that provides data via a computer network line sends on a computer network line (iii) as to a data provided via a computer network line, a description of a location of the data related to its identifier on a computer network line, and (vi) as to a data provided via a broadcasting, information about the provider of the data.

Abstract: When the input output controller 22 receives request data through the modem 42, the input output controller 22 controls the memory controller 25 to retrieve an AV stream and a BGV stream from the memories and to transfer the streams to the multiplexer 30. The memory controller 25 retrieves a BGV stream from the BGV memories 26a, 26b, and 26c and an AV stream from the AV memories 27a, 27b, and 27c. When receiving the BGV stream and the AV stream, the multiplexer 30 divides the AV stream into a lyric stream and a music stream. The multiplexer 30 composes the lyric stream and the BGV stream into a video stream. The multiplexer 30 time-divisionally multiplexes the video stream and the music stream and outputs the multiplexed stream as a video/music stream.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling the receipt of desired movies and other forms of data from a network which simultaneously distributes many sources of such data to many customers, as in a cable television system. Customer profiles are developed for the recipient describing how important certain characteristics of the broadcast video program, movie or other data are to each customer. From these profiles, an "agreement matrix" is calculated by comparing the recipient's profiles to the actual profiles of the characteristics of the available video programs, movies, or other data. The agreement matrix thus characterizes the attractiveness of each video program, movie, or other data to each prospective customer. "Virtual" channels are generated from the agreement matrix to produce a series of video or data programming which will provide the greatest satisfaction to each customer.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system divides video files into sequentially organized data segments for transmission and playback. Each segment is repeatedly transmitted in a looping fashion over a transmission channel. The rate of transmission is equal to or greater than the playback rate, and the lengths of the segments are chosen such that: (i) the receiver tunes into no more than a fixed number of channels (preferably two) at any one time; (ii) the receiver tunes into a new channel only after an entire segment has been received from a previous channel; and (iii) until a maximum segment length is attained, data is received from no fewer than two channels. The segments are sequentially presented even as new segments are being downloaded. When the display rate is equal to the transmission rate, it is found that the foregoing conditions are satisfied when the relative lengths of the segments form a modified Fibonacci sequence.

Abstract: A TV graphical user interface (GUI) is provided to produce a multi-layered graphical presentation. The TV GUI operates in a channel changer mode to enable a user to tune to a required TV channel, and in a program guide mode to show TV program information. A memory for storing graphics data is capable of storing two graphics planes that represent upper and lower layers of graphics displayable on a TV screen. A graphics accelerator combines the graphics planes to produce various graphical effects on the screen. In the channel changer mode, the right hand side of the upper layer is made transparent to expose graphical buttons produced in the lower layer of graphics. In the program guide mode, the graphical buttons are partially covered by a program guide produced in the upper layer. When the user moves a cursor to the right hand side of the screen, the right hand portion of the program guide is made transparent to fully expose the graphical buttons in the lower layer.

Abstract: A system for delivering video data comprises a video server (1) including a video database (11) for storing video index information (13) defining a plurality of settings for a transfer bit rate of video data and indicating which data included in original video data (12) the video server should transfer to a client (2) through a network (3) when setting the transfer bit rate to one of the plurality of settings, a video data assembler (14) for extracting data from the original video data by referring to the video data index information so as to set the transfer bit rate to one of the plurality of settings, and for reassembling the extracted data to create video data to be transferred at the set transfer bit rate to the client, while maintaining consistency in contents of the original video data, and a video data delivery unit (15) for delivering a constant amount of data at certain intervals in accordance with the set transfer bit rate in order to transfer the video data reassembled by the video data assembler

Abstract: A video telecommunication server for use in providing a fast scan of a video telecommunication comprises a bitstream store for receiving and storing a coded input video telecommunication digital bitstream. The server further comprises a video decoder for decoding the received digital video bitstream and, in one embodiment, a representation of every nth frame of said decoded digital video signal is stored in a frame store depending on a desired speed-up rate, where n is greater than one. A video encoder reencodes the stored video telecommunication predictively such that every nth frame is predicted based on the preceding frame. A fast scan digital video bitstream is generated for output by the video encoder that represents the fast scan video telecommunication, either in a fast forward or fast reverse direction. A receiver for receiving a control input may receive data representing the direction of fast scan and the speed-up rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal receiving apparatus and a signal receiving system, including a receive antenna for receiving plural high-frequency signals; first frequency converters each for down-converting a frequency of each of the plural high-frequency signals; second frequency converters each for further frequency-converting the signals converted by means of the first frequency converters; a frequency control information storage section for storing frequency control information used to perform a frequency conversion by the plural second frequency converters; a frequency-conversion control section for automatically controlling the frequency conversion by said plural second frequency converters based on the frequency control information; and a receiver for receiving only a signal of a desired frequency among signals frequency-converted by plural second frequency converters.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method and apparatus for automatically performing a function based on the reception of information corresponding to broadcast data is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a receiver to receive information corresponding to broadcast data, a control logic to compare the information to target data, and a programming guide to store programming information. The control logic accesses the programming guide if at least a portion of the information matches at least a portion of the target data. The control logic then performs a predetermined function based on accessing the programming guide.

Abstract: A remote video delivery system transmits video and text from a hotel office to hotel rooms. A series of video players generates the video signals to modulators. The modulators transmit the signals on various frequencies. A system controller directs the signals from the modulators to the appropriate converter boxes within the rooms. An outside vendor runs a billing system to charge the guests for the video delivery without the need for involvement by the hotel staff.

Abstract: In a video storage and delivery apparatus and corresponding system, video data items are simultaneously supplied to a plurality of users while guaranteeing the time axis and the picture quality of the video data. The apparatus includes a frame address table which indicates a storage location in the apparatus of each frame of video data to start a special reproduction or a reproduction at a desired frame and a control unit controlling a switch bus connecting a plurality of video storage and delivery apparatuses to a plurality of channels so as to conduct data transfers via the switch bus between the apparatuses and between video reproduction devices of the users. From an optical disk data storage storing video data, a plurality of video data items are read in a timesharing fashion to be temporarily stored in a magnetic disk device or a semiconductor memory, thereby delivering the video data items therefrom to the users.

Abstract: A system, by which a user can select a necessary frame by simplified arrangement using time-division still picture broadcast system. A natural still picture frame including a reference frame is repeatedly transmitted in a given order using the reference frame as a reference. A user apparatus detects the reference frame, and by counting number of the received frames, relationship of the frame to be displayed is confirmed, and the desired frame is displayed. For the information to select a frame, there are a case where only the information on the displayed still picture is displayed and a case where number of all still pictures transmitted within a period defined by the reference frame is displayed together with the information on the displayed still picture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for enabling a user to view a moving picture with synchronized audio using a workstation connected to a digital network. The user may change both speed and direction, as well as jump between arbitrary points in the movie being played. According to the present invention, digitized movie data may be accessed from different sources (e.g., network servers, local disks). These sources vary in speed and response time as a result of their capabilities (e.g., limited I/O bandwidth) and transient events (e.g., resource contention). The present invention adapts to these varying conditions in order to maintain a stable output.

Abstract: A system of distributing video and/or audio information employs digital signal processing to achieve high rates of data compression. The compressed and encoded audio and/or video information is sent over standard telephone, cable or satellite broadcast channels to a receiver specified by a subscriber of the service, preferably in less than real time, for later playback and optional recording on standard audio and/or video tape.

Abstract: A cable access unit (CAU) (60) capable of monitoring power levels for a plurality of channels couples a television (80) and communication equipment (70) to an operations and maintenance center (OMC) (20). At some determined interval, the OMC (20) determines the need to measure the television signal at some particular subscriber's location and sends a message to the CAU (60). The CAU (60) determines if the communications equipment is in use. If not, the CAU receiver is tuned to the channel, and samples and digitizes the power level. The digitized power level is assembled into a message packet and transmitted to the OMC (20).

Abstract: An information distribution system for a digital network, includes a master communications unit for establishing communications with the network in order to receive a synchronous digital signal, a distribution amplifier unit for receiving and dividing the synchronous digital signal into a plurality of synchronous signals and a plurality of communications units for establishing communications with a plurality of receiving stations. The system also includes a master controller for controlling the plurality of communications units from a central location. The invention alternatively relates to an information disseminating system for a digital network and includes a plurality of video clip storing units, each storing data related to a particular subject matter, a plurality of distribution amplifiers associated with the video clip storing units and a plurality of communications units which establish communications between the plurality of distribution amplifiers and the digital network.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for measuring the creative value added to a communication, such as an advertisement in the media of print, television or radio. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a quantitative measure of the creative value added to a communication. To this end, a communication test sample is compared to a creativity neutral control which is a communication which intentionally lacks any creativity.

Abstract: A video transmission apparatus comprises video codec for compression-encoding video data to be transmitted and decompression-decoding video data as received; a first audio codec for compression-encoding first audio data to be transmitted and decompression-decoding first audio data as received; a second audio codec for compression-encoding second audio data to be transmitted and decompression-decoding second audio data as received; a multiplexer-demultiplexer for including a three-channel buffer memory and processor; and an interface connectable to communications satellite network and ground network. In the multiplexer-demultiplexer, video data-first audio data and second audio data to be transmitted are multiplexed and converted to a packet based on a predetermined communication format, and packet as received is separated into video data-first audio data, and second audio data.

Abstract: In phase modulation of the quadrature signals of a multi-valued digital signal, when the signal state transition is .pi. [rad], the spectrum of a nonlinear amplifier extends beyond the transmission bandwidth, and the conversion distortion becomes conspicuous. A phase modulation apparatus includes a phase shifter (11) which receives a multi-valued digital signal, converts the digital signal into two quadrature signals such that a period for which the self phase shift amount of the digital signal on an orthogonal coordinate system becomes .pi./2 [rad] at the time of state transition of the digital signal is always obtained, and outputs the quadrature signals, a bandwidth limiting filter (12) which band-limits the outputs from the phase shifter (11), and a phase modulator (13) for phase-modulating the output from the bandwidth limiting filter (12). Since the state transition is .pi.

Abstract: The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, is a new way to distribute books and other textual information to bookstores, libraries and consumers. The primary components of the system are a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting text that is placed in the video signal format. The system configuration for consumer use contains additional components and optional features that enhance the system, namely: (1) an operation center, (2) a video distribution system, (3) a home subsystem, including reception, selection, viewing, transacting and transmission capabilities, and (4) a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, messaging center, and uplink functions.

Abstract: A network service system capable of providing economical services comprises a plurality of host computers connected to a network for providing services through the network and an information processing terminal connected to the network. The information processing terminal identifies a service identifier, provided in a storage medium for network service, for identifying a type of a network service when the storage medium is attached, connects the line to the host computer which corresponds to the identified service identifier and receives the network service from the line-connected host computer.

Abstract: A television viewer can easily navigate programs which are grouped according to a common service provider or other grouping criteria by depressing the "channel up" or "channel down" buttons on a hand-held remote control. Programming services which are provided via one or more transmission paths are integrated, thereby allowing a viewer to successively select the grouped channels regardless of the broadcast signal, transmission path, frequency spectrum, transport stream and/or PID in which the channel is carried. Data is provided with broadcast signals to indicate broadcast address information which corresponds to a primary channel and one or more secondary channels of a channel group. A viewer can successively view the channels of the group while bypassing intermediate non-group channels. Grouped channels can thus be designated by a common channel designator such as a channel number.

Abstract: A karaoke system for providing improved services with customers, utilizing inherent network resources of a large-scale communication karaoke system is disclosed.The karaoke system according to one aspect of the present invention has a host apparatus 2 and a plurality of remote terminal apparatuses 1 for playing karaoke music communicating with the host apparatus via a communication network 3. Each of the remote terminal apparatuses 1 stores karaoke data transferred from the host apparatus 2 and plays the karaoke data selected from among the stored karaoke data by a speaker 11 and a CRT display 15.The host apparatus 2 stores a plurality of records of customers of the karaoke system.

Abstract: A personal computer card which includes four tone generators connected to a radio frequency synthesizer which, in turn, is connected to a 400 MHz hcal rubber coated antenna. Each of the four tone generators may be programmed to generate any one of twenty Interrange Instrumentation Group standard decoder tones which are used for testing the flight termination receivers and decoder in certain weapons systems such as a missile. The standard decoder tones generated by each of the four tone generators are supplied to the radio frequency synthesizer. The radio frequency synthesizer frequency modulates the IRIG tones onto a carrier signal in the flight termination band which is in a range from 400 MHz to 440 MHz. The modulated radio frequency signal is then supplied to the antenna for transmission to the weapons system being tested.

Abstract: A system architecture enables the distribution, to users connected to a digital broadcast medium, of supplementary information, which is presented and accessed in the context of the viewing of a video program. This ancillary, or "follow-up" information (FUI) is embedded in the same transport stream (digital multimedia broadcast stream) as the digital video and audio content. The FUI may take the form of video, audio or text. Alternatively, the transport stream may carry pointers to follow-up information (PFUI) instead of the information itself. In the latter case, the pointers are saved and used subsequently in the selection of FUI from a channel which carries data exclusively. In the former case, the user selects the FUI (supplementary information) which is to be extracted from the broadcast stream as it is transmitted.

Abstract: The invention provides a central location for receiving voice, video, and data signals. A plurality of user locations are connected to a single central location. Each user location is connected to the central location by means of a single coax wire, and voice, video and data are all multiplexed over the coax, so that increased data capabilities can be added to individual user locations without the need to rewire existing user locations. This is particularly advantageous where such user locations have already been wired, and where rewiring would be a difficult and expensive process, e.g., passenger cabins on board a cruise ship.

Abstract: In video on demand (VOD) problems may be caused by potential transmission, queuing and processing delays in the network which can lead to erratic and erroneous operation of VOD systems when responding to viewer commands. This problem is overcome by employing a video frame reference number in the return signalling channel to the video server so that the command is related to the correct frame. At the same time the viewers display is halted until the revised frame is re-received so that the display is re-enabled at the correct point in the program.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting an audio signal derived from an audio appliance to an FM (frequency modulation) radio includes a transmitter circuit for converting the audio signal derived from an audio appliance into an FM signal within an FM broadcasting band to thereby transmit the FM signal, a receiver circuit having at least a tuner unit; a display for displaying thereon a frequency; and a control circuit for controlling a transmission frequency of the transmitter circuit and a reception frequency of the receiver circuit. The control circuit causes the receiver circuit to detect an unused frequency within the FM broadcasting band and to set a frequency corresponding to the detected unused frequency to the transmission frequency, and also causes the display to display thereon the set transmission frequency.

Abstract: A television schedule system with a user interface which allows a user to control access to television programs by time, rating, content, and/or channel. Criteria for blocking television programs from being viewed are entered by a user with a password. A television program listing is selected for viewing or recording from an on-screen program guide. A viewer is prompted on the screen to enter a password if the selected program meets the blocking criterion, If a viewer enters the appropriate password, the selected program that meets the blocking criterion is unblocked. The blocking criterion is restored after the program is over or the program is no longer tuned to. Furthermore, the user may set a limit on pay-per-view (PPV) spending to limit the purchase of PPV programs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a communications system (100) for providing communications units (134) access to the communications system (100). The communications. system (100) includes a cable distribution network (106) with an base communications unit (102) and a number of downstream communications units (134) all connected to the cable distribution network (106). A plurality of channels are used to transmit data between the base communications unit (102) and the downstream communications units (134). A first set of channels are used primarily for access the communications system (100) and a second set of channels are used for transmitting data within the communications system (100) after access to the communications system (100) has been gained. The base communications unit (102) sends a first type of data transmission including an identification of access channels used for requesting access to the communications system (100).

Abstract: A communications system 10 having an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) transceiver (24) is provided which may be configured either as a central office or a remote terminal in a system. The transceiver (24) operates in a listen/report idle state to report line activity to a host processor (22) prior to being configured as a central office or remote terminal. The host processor configures the transceiver (24) as a central office, remote terminal, or as otherwise specified based on the line activity.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a remote control for an interactive media can include a printed publication and/or a storage media and/or a data button. One embodiment of a remote control includes a printed publication (such as a book, magazine or a catalog) and one or more buttons physically attached to the printed publication to allow users to remotely control use of associated electronic content by a host device. Another embodiment of a remote control has a housing capable of removably holding a storage media encoded with electronic content associated with a button of the remote control. Yet another embodiment of a remote control has at least one data button which permits the user to select the data to be displayed by the host device. An autostart driver in the host device detects insertion of a storage media into a peripheral and automatically starts an application. The application interprets button codes transmitted by the remote control and displays the results or initiates other events.

Abstract: An MPEG-2 decoder having a decoupled architecture that allows the rapid acquisition of a program within an MPEG-2 transport stream. A digital signal processor (102) is provided to demultiplex a MPEG-2 transport stream provided on a line (110) into its constituent audio, video, and private data elementary streams. The digital signal processor is capable of performing a limited interpretation of program specific information in the transport stream data, prior to presentation of the program specific information to a host microprocessor (106). In particular, the digital signal processor can demultiplex and interpret back-to-back program association tables and program map tables carried in the transport stream. In the absence of a user selected program, the digital signal processor selects a default program to demultiplex and display to the user. The host microprocessor runs an operating system of the decoder, generates a user interface, and allows the user to select from the programs within the transport stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for the wireless transmission of a signal S.sub.1 between a transmitter and at least one receiver.According to the invention, at the sending end:a first carrier S.sub.2, of frequency F.sub.2, situated in the VHF (Very High Frequency) range, is frequency-modulated by the signal S.sub.1 to be transmitted, and thena second carrier S.sub.3 of frequency F.sub.3, situated in the SHF (Super High Frequency) frequency range, is amplitude-modulated by a modulating signal S.sub.2m. resulting from the frequency modulation of the carrier S.sub.2 so as to transmit an amplitude-modulated signal S.sub.3m to the receiver,and at the receiving end:amplitude demodulation of the signal S.sub.3m is performed so as to recover the signal S.sub.2m, and thenfrequency demodulation of the signal S.sub.2m is performed so as to recover the signal S.sub.1.

Abstract: A network which is suitable for the distribution of signals such as video and audio is disclosed. A second network is overlaid on an existing LAN to provide audio and video functionality, without further loading the capacity of the LAN. Switching of the video and audio signals is provided by a switchbox, controllable from the LAN via the server. The second network may be a simple UTP arrangement.

Abstract: A cable television network for transmitting video signals to subscribers through cables, comprising a video channel selection type radio transmission apparatus on a cable branch side in the network and a video channel selection type radio reception apparatus on a subscriber side. The video channel selection type radio transmission apparatus includes a channel selector for selecting a video signal for a channel designated by a channel selection signal which is transmitted from the subscriber. Also included are a frequency converter for converting the frequency of the selected video signal to a predetermined radio frequency and transmitting the video signal, and a receiver for the channel selection signal transmitted from the subscriber, and a controller of the video signal selecting operation of the channel selector.

Abstract: A sound card of a personal computer provides an audio signal that modulates a carrier of an FM transmitter. Radiation from the transmitter is received by an FM receiver.

Abstract: An architecture for distributing digital information to subscriber units wherein selection from among multiple digital services is accomplished by transmitting a tuning command from a subscriber unit to an intermediate interface. The intermediate interface selects the desired service from a broadband network and transmits it to the subscriber unit over a bandwidth-constrained access line. The bandwidth-constrained access line may be implemented with existing infrastructure, yet the subscriber unit may access a wide variety of digital information available on the broadband network. Universal broadband access is thus provided at low cost. Output bandwidth of broadcast equipment may also be optimized.

Abstract: A method for broadcasting movies within channels of a wide band network by breaking the communications path into a number of logical channels and breaking each movie up into a number of segments of increasing size. The first segment of each movie is the smallest segment is transmitted in sequence over the first logical channel and repeated. The second segment of each movie which is proportionately larger than the first segment of each movie is transmitted in sequence over the second logical channel and repeated. This is repeated for the total number of segments which equals the total number of logical channels. The segments are broadcast in such a way that, once the first segment is received at a client location, the subsequent segments are also received in time, so that the movie can be viewed continuously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for linking real-time data with audiovisual content to enable a user to make selections, manipulate data, and to execute functions interactively through an audiovisual display unit based upon audiovisual content being displayed at the time. Audiovisual content is synchronized with the available interactive functions so that the user has the ability to interact with and perform functions related to the audiovisual content being shown at the time. In a preferred embodiment, actionable events in audiovisual programs are synchronized with associated overlay functions and interface data. A method is provided to make overlay functions available to the user through an audiovisual display during the actionable events that occur in a program being viewed by the user. A user interface for each overlay function that may be performed, which user interface may or may not be visible to the user, is overlaid on and synchronized with the program being shown.

Abstract: An information provision system including: a plurality of information provision devices, each information provision device including: a memory for storing data; and an information processor for using the data stored in the memory to prepare external-output information; a transmission unit for conveying external-output information provided by the information provision devices; a plurality of output terminals in a number greater than the plurality of information provision devices, each output terminal including: a keyboard by which requests are inputted; request transmission unit for transmitting, according to commands inputted via the keyboard, requests; and output device for outputting information based on external-output information; and a central control device including: request receiver for receiving requests transmitted from the request transmitter; a priority storage unit for storing, for each output terminal, a priority level at which external-output information is to be provided; and command unit for