Abstract: A communication error message is displayed on a TV when an error is noted on a control data link between the TV and an Internet adapter module connected thereto.

Abstract: A system for redistributing a multiple input audio/video and data signals having a redistributing device equipped to receive signals in a multiple formats and redistribute a selected signal to a user's premises over conductors, preferably existing twisted-pair telephone wire. The redistributing device is in interactive communication with a communications interface located in the user's premises which receives user-input control signals and contains switching circuitry which routes the selected signal to the user's premises where it is received by the receiving unit such as a television receiver. A single redistributing device services an entire multi-user network from a common distribution point, and services multiple users independently. The system of the invention does not interfere with normal use of the telephone network, so users can interactively access services provided by the system and use the telephone at the same time.

Abstract: A datacast system, and associated apparatus and method for automatically managing a data object or objects within a hierarchical carousel structure by enabling, among other functions, the dynamic allocation of bandwidth to each carousel within the structure. The dynamic bandwidth allocation enables a server platform to redistribute the bandwidth allocated to a carousel or set of data objects to adjust to desired changes in object transmission policies or priorities of a datacast application.

Abstract: A virtual configuration system, comprising a virtualization engine and a configuration engine, for the dynamic instantiation of configuration files is disclosed. A mechanism is disclosed that allows for transactional updates to a repository of configuration settings comprising multiple files. Configuration entries are stored in a first memory location and a copy of the entries is stored in a second memory location. A virtual configuration file that includes a virtual configuration for each entry is created and used to provide the operating system with path and location information regarding the configuration entries. Simultaneously and during run-time of the computer, the configuration entries stored in the second memory location can be modified. Once the modifications are complete, a second virtual configuration file is created referencing the configuration entries stored at the second memory location.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving apparatus has two systems as a receiving system: a first receiving demodulation section including a first tuner 2 and the like; and a second receiving demodulation section including a second tuner 5 and the like. A controller 19 establishes either a first receiving mode or second receiving mode. In the first receiving mode, both the receiving systems receive the broadcasting waves of the same station to be viewed according to the signals from a vehicle speed detecting section 15 and receiving level detecting sections 16 and 17. In the second receiving mode, one of the two receiving systems receives the broadcasting wave of the station to be viewed, and the other of them receives the broadcasting wave of another station.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to high definition (HD) content includes a master customer premises equipment (CPE) device enabled for prioritizing conflicting requests for HD content based on predefined priority settings associated with a plurality of client CPE devices. Access to HD content by the client CPE devices may be associated with a token and conflicting requests may be resolved in favor of the client CPE device that holds the token. Disclosed systems permit administrators to control the use of limited resources within a location by limiting access to the limited resources by secondary users.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to record stereoscopic media content supplied by a multimedia system, receive from a communication device a request for the recorded stereoscopic media content, determine rendering capabilities of the communication device, generate transcoded content by transcoding the recorded stereoscopic media content according to the rendering capabilities of the communication device, and transmit to the communication device the transcoded content. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a broadcast program are provided. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit which generates an audio/video (A/V) file, an application file, and a first electronic program guide (EPG) file by appropriately processing a plurality of A/V signals, application information, and EPG information, respectively, which are included in an input broadcast program transport stream; a synchronization unit which receives the A/V file, the application file, and the first EPG file from the signal processing unit, generates storage information for the A/V file and storage information for the application file, and converts the first EPG file into a second EPG file comprising the storage information for the A/V file and the storage information for the application file; and a storage unit which stores the A/V file, the application file, and the second EPG file.

Abstract: A television is interfaced to one or more on-line stores through a network connection. The television has purchasing data stored in a configuration file. Upon execution of a “one-button buy” function, metadata from a content stream and the purchasing data is used to find a purchase item related to the content stream, decide upon an on-line store and purchase the purchase item from the on-line store. In some embodiments, the a “one-button buy” function is a dedicated “buy” button on a remote control that is associated with the television. In some embodiments, without any further interaction, the purchase item is billed to the viewer and shipped to the viewer as if the viewer found the purchase item through the on-line store from a personal computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of deferred multimedia content delivery are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving a request from a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device to receive multimedia content. The method also includes selectively recording the multimedia content at a server based on a comparison of a measured bandwidth associated with the first CPE device and a bandwidth threshold. The method may also include delivering the multimedia content to the first CPE device from a network when measured bandwidth is available.

Abstract: The invention shows a method for connecting and sharing content over a plurality of devices, and over a plurality of networks public and private while respecting the content's Digital Rights by implementing a software layer (software alternately integrated into hardware component) that will assign a mac address and an ip address to each device and peripherals and where content can be assign to specific devices inside a network, and can be accessed directly, shared remotely, wireless, or physically connected. The software layer also integrates drivers, players, codec's that can be updated dynamically in order to keep them updated. This software layer can also “virtualizes” peripherals, devices or group of peripherals and devices into single addressable group of components that will act like one.

Abstract: A method of processing audio information for broadcast to an audience can include changing first audio information from occurring in a first time interval to occurring in a second time interval to provide time-changed audio information. The time-changed audio information can be combined with second audio information that is responsive to the first audio information to provide broadcast audio information.

Abstract: Two or more set-top boxes are installed in a household. A communications link, preferably a physical link, is provided between or among the set-top boxes. One of the boxes is designated as a “master” box while the other box or boxes are “slaves.” The slave box will use the communications link to communicate in a secured and encrypted manner with the master box. If that communication is severed, e.g., if an attempt is made to move the slave box to another household to provide unauthorized service in that household, the slave box will stop working when it can no longer communicate with the master box.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for inserting programs into broadcasted primary programs by a conditional access (CA) module that is inserted into a host device, such as a digital-ready television. The CA module utilizes primary and secondary program map tables and/or primary and secondary packet identifiers. A splicer splices the secondary packet identifiers, which is associated with a secondary program, into the primary packet identifiers, which is associated with a program, such as a broadcasted program. Additionally, the CA module may contain memory that is capable of storing the secondary program's packet identifiers and/or program map table that can be used for insertion into the primary program.

Abstract: A method for providing a combined TV/PC video stream for TV display is provided. A TV video chip having a video input port for receiving a PC monitor display signal and an input for receiving a TV broadcast signal is provided, as well as a PC graphics chip. A PC monitor display signal is sent from the PC graphics chip to the TV video chip. The TV video chip mixing the PC monitor display signal with the TV broadcast signal to generate a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display. A method for generating a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display is further provided. A stream of encoded TV frames is received and the encoded frames are decoded to provide a stream of decoded TV frames. The stream of decoded TV frames is stored into a memory. A PC monitor display signal is provided and is converted into a stream of PC frames. The stream of PC frames are stored into the memory.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided for enabling a wireless television network at a subscriber location in a subscriber television network, such as a cable or satellite television network. In general, a set top box apparatus is provided having a receiver configured to receive a media content signal from the television network, the media content signal being composed of a plurality of channels. The set top box comprises a plurality of tuners for tuning to various channels available in the media content signal. At least a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is operatively coupled to a radio frequency transmitter of the set top box. The radio frequency transmitter is configured to utilize an antenna to communicate a radio frequency signal for wirelessly communicating media content received by the first tuner to at least one remote television. In an embodiment, the set top box further includes at least one radio frequency remote control for controlling the tuning of the first tuner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for staggercasting, encodes a first signal representing content and encodes a second signal representing the content using encoding relatively more robust than the encoding of the first encoded content representative signal. A composite signal including at least the first and second encoded signals is generated, in which one of the first and second encoded signals is delayed with respect to the other encoded signal. If an error is detected in the composite signal, then the undelayed encoded signal is decoded to reproduce the content. Otherwise, the delayed encoded signal is decoded to reproduce the content.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device is coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide. Additionally, the client device is implemented to present the interactive media guide to the user. A system operator is provided an interface to the programmable media services server. Control options are provided within the interface to allow the system operator to configure a plurality of rental options available to the user. Finally the interactive media service system is implemented such that the plurality of rental options can be executed by the user in a requested active media session.

Abstract: A system and method for determining network relationships with unreliable data. An identifier of an addressable network element may be associated with a non-addressable network element. A first set of data is generated that associates a first identifier of each of a plurality of first addressable network elements in the network to one of a plurality of non-addressable network elements in the network to which the first addressable network elements are connected. A second data is generated that associates the first identifier of each of the plurality of the first addressable network elements to one of a plurality of second identifiers of a second addressable network element. When at least a threshold measure of the first set of first identifiers matches the second set of first identifiers, the second identifier is associated with the non-addressable network element.

Abstract: A method of creating an audio-video stream comprises multiplexing a video component, an audio component, a content reference identifier, and a semantic data packet containing information on the relationship between the video component and the content reference identifier. Apparatus for receiving the audio-video stream, and apparatus for transmitting the audio/video stream are disclosed.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and an upgrading method thereof that can achieve an upgrade stabilization. The digital broadcast receiver includes a tuner to receive broadcast data of a selected channel, a demultiplexer to separate new middleware data and information data corresponding to the new middleware data from the broadcast data, a memory to pre-store previous middleware data and to store the new middleware data and the information data, and a controller to determine whether to store the new middleware data in the memory based on the information data. If storage of the new middleware data is completed, the controller checks whether an upgrade is successful by executing the new middleware data, and if the upgrade fails, the controller executes the previous middleware data pre-stored in the memory. Thus, the receiver upgrades the received middleware program in a stable manner.

Abstract: A system comprising a media player configured to play media content, a projector operatively coupled to the media player, and a control unit operatively coupled to the media player and the projector is provided. The control unit is configured to detect an on-screen display condition associated with the media player, and the control unit is configured to prevent first information associated with the on-screen display condition and provided by the media player from being displayed by the projector in response to detecting the on-screen display condition.

Abstract: A method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. An identifier of a burst period is obtained from program table information of the broadcasting signal including mobile data and only the burst period in which a broadcasting program desired by a user is transmitted is received. Accordingly, when the broadcasting signal is received, only a desired burst period is received such that power consumption of the broadcasting signal receiver can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. An identifier of a burst period is obtained from program table information of the broadcasting signal including mobile data and only the burst period in which a broadcasting program desired by a user is transmitted is received. Accordingly, when the broadcasting signal is received, only a desired burst period is received such that power consumption of the broadcasting signal receiver can be reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus having a corresponding method and computer program comprises an input circuit to receive packets of data from a network; a memory to store packet filter criteria for one or more wireless clients; a filter circuit to drop one or more of the packets of data according to the packet filter criteria; and a wireless output circuit to wirelessly transmit, to the one or more wireless clients, only the packets of data that are not dropped by the filter circuit.

Abstract: A method of providing access to an orderable television event is presented. An orderable television event may be, for example, a pay-per-view television event or a video-on-demand television event. In the method, preview video content for the orderable television event is received and stored. The event is associated with one of a plurality of channel identifiers not associated with a television broadcast channel. A channel selection of the channel identifier associated with the orderable television event is received. In response to receiving the channel selection, the preview video content for the orderable television event is output for presentation to the user as a full-screen display.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of caching a part of digital content data from a content source (202), comprising the step of: acquiring the digital content data from the content source (202), wherein said part of the digital content data comprises interleaved segments (130; 131) of the acquired digital content data, and said interleaved segments (130; 131) of the acquired digital content data are stored on first storage means (203), thereby allowing for fast access to said digital content data. The disclosure moreover relates to a device for carrying out such a method. The content sources can be DVD, CD, CD-ROM, hard disk, RAM, Flash memory or remote sources accessible over a network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: A video/audio output apparatus comprises a control unit adapted to perform screen management of output video, and generate positional relationship information for each input video data; an extraction unit adapted to generate partial image data from the each input video data; an input unit adapted to input audio source differentiated audio data; and a tile generation unit adapted to configure tile data by compiling the partial image data generated by the extraction unit and the audio source differentiated audio data for each drawing region on a screen, based on the positional relationship information generated by the control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device is coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide. Additionally, the client device is implemented to present the interactive media guide to the user. A system operator is provided an interface to the programmable media services server. Control options are provided within the interface to allow the system operator to configure a plurality of rental options available to the user. Finally the interactive media service system is implemented such that the plurality of rental options can be executed by the user in a requested active media session.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to automatically identify popular television programs based on the viewing of broadcast television programs by at least some of the subscribers of a television distribution system. One or more of the popular television programs identified are stored and offered to one or more of the subscribers on-demand. Subscribers can obtain delivery of at least one of the stored popular television programs for viewing on a subscriber television.

Abstract: A system comprising first input means for receiving a transport stream from an external source, second input means for receiving an input from a memory, means for connecting the first and second input means to an interface which is arranged to provide an output stream to a decoder. The second input means is arranged to provide an output to the interface in such a form that the interface does not distinguish between the output from the first and second input means.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication device including: a cable port to which an external device is connected; a reading unit that reads identification information from the external device; a determination unit that determines whether the external device is the source-side wireless communication device; an authentication memory unit that performs an authentication process with the source-side wireless communication device; a wireless communication unit that performs a wireless communication with the source-side wireless communication device; and a physical address processing unit that controls the source-side wireless communication device to store a physical address of a source-side device calculated based on from the read identification information of the sink-side device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user's equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user's equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.

Abstract: A system, set-top box, and method of providing audio content are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the set-top box device includes an audio input device that is configured to receive a voice command. The set-top box device also includes a display disposed on a visible side of a set-top box housing. Additionally, the set-top box device includes a media control logic module to retrieve audio content identified by the voice command and data related to the audio content. The media control logic module transmits an audio signal corresponding to the audio content to an audio output device. The data related to the audio content is displayable on the display.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for handling transition errors is presented herein. The transition errors include handling unreported time base discontinuities during trick mode transition, miscalculated time stamps during trick mode transition, erroneous sequence end codes, and unreported broken group of picture transmission. Unreported time base discontinuities are detected by comparing the program clock reference (PCR) value of the data packet to the system time clock (STC). If the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, the STC is set to the PCR value. Miscalculated time stamps are detected by examining the difference in PTS values between temporally adjacent data packets. If the difference is not within a margin of error from predetermined value, the PTS is disabled. Unreported broken groups of pictures are handled by skipping the first two B-frames of the first group of pictures following a trick mode transition.

Abstract: A wireless AV transmitting set includes a remote controller main body having an internal memory device and an external connecting recess for stably holding a digital AV player therein, and a first pair of electric contacts, via which data is transmitted and power is supplied to the remote controller main body and the digital AV player in the connecting recess; a seat having a receiving recess for holding the remote controller main body and a second pair of electric contacts corresponding to the first pair of electric contacts for supplying an external power source to the remote controller main body received in the receiving recess; and a wireless transmitter provided on the remote controller main body for wirelessly transmitting AV data files stored in the digital AV player or the memory device to an external playing device for playing. Therefore, the remote controller main body has expanded functions.

Abstract: A television broadcasting receiver includes a function of the Internet connection, and a display signal generating unit. The display signal generating unit generates a display signal for displaying information about content that is provided by a VOD service and is the same as or similar to the television broadcasting program that is being viewed.

Abstract: System for remote management of at least one audiovisual information reproduction device comprising a host server (10) connected to each audiovisual information reproduction device (100.1 to 100.n), the host server (10) comprising a database (11) containing management information for each audiovisual information reproduction device (100.1 to 100.n, FIG. 1), characterized in that the host server (10) also comprises an “Internet” site manager (12) communicating with the database (11), and comprising a number of screens (200 to 1010), at least one first screen (200) comprising a popup menu displaying the list of audiovisual information reproduction systems (100.1 to 100.n), validating the choice of each audiovisual information reproduction device (100.1 to 100.n, FIG. 1) causing the display of a first series of screens (900, 1010) that the operator can use to modify the operating parameters of at least one selected audiovisual information reproduction device (100.1 to 100.n, FIG.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide content on demand in content broadcast systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a first portion of a program via broadcast signal and receiving a second portion of the program via an Internet protocol (IP) based signal. The example method may further comprise combining the first and the second portions and at least one of store the combined first and second portions in a file or playback the combined first and second portions.

Abstract: A method for providing a video-on-demand (VOD) presentation includes determining whether an active video-on-demand (VOD) session for the VOD presentation exists, providing a selectable option to view the VOD presentation responsive to determining that the active VOD session exists, and providing a list of selectable VOD titles responsive to determining that the active VOD session does not exist.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a graphics/video processor includes a memory controller. The memory controller includes a first arbiter that receives memory client requests to access a memory device, and a first memory buffer coupled to the first arbiter. The first arbiter stores client requests that are selected by the first arbiter. The memory controller also includes a second arbiter coupled to the first memory buffer and a second memory buffer coupled to the second arbiter. The second arbiter receives requests from the memory client requests stored in the first memory buffer. The second memory buffer stores the client requests selected by the second arbiter. Further, the memory controller includes a third arbiter coupled to the second memory buffer. The third arbiter provides access of the memory device to the client requests stored in the second memory buffer.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for supporting live and time-shifted video streaming via distributed caching of portions of video streams shared in peer-to-peer portions of systems.

Abstract: A controller receives an encrypted media stream (“EMS”) and an identifier indicative of a selected content key from a headend. The EMS is encrypted with an encryption key and can be decrypted with a corresponding decryption key which is determinable from the selected content key. The controller receives indexes and content keys from the headend prior to receiving the EMS. Each index respectively corresponds to an identifier with one index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The content keys correspond to the indexes with one content key corresponding to the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The controller selects the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key upon receiving the EMS, determines the selected content key from the selected index, determines the decryption key from the selected content key, and decrypts the EMS with the decryption key.

Abstract: A system providing search functionality supporting the exchange and consumption of media is disclosed. The searching of media on storage belonging to any of a pre-defined group of users of a personal media network is provided. In addition, media stored on designated servers may also be included in a search. The media stored may include audio, still images, video, and data. A user may search the stored media using a number of criteria including the time period of the media, the type of device, and the type of media. The system also provides support for the search of one or more media peripherals, which may be searched when the media peripherals are communicatively coupled to the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods to generate an electronic program guide (EPG) are provided. A particular method includes accessing, at a set-top box device, data descriptive of over-the-air (OTA) television content items. The OTA television content items are available to the set-top box device via one or more television broadcast transmissions. The method includes accessing, at the set-top box device, data descriptive of on-demand media content items that are accessible by the set-top box device via a public network. The method includes generating an EPG that concurrently displays information related to the data descriptive of on-demand media content items and the data descriptive of the OTA television content items. The method also includes sending the EPG to a display device associated with the set-top box device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for receiving a plurality of video signals using a single video signal transmitted using a point-to-multipoint connection; the plurality of video signals originate from various locations of an event. Information received using a reception unit comprises at least one of the plurality of video signals, at least one of the plurality of sound track signals related to the at least one of the plurality of video signals, data transmitted using the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the single video signal and graphics.

Abstract: A modular interface allows new functionalities to be added to a television receiver. A module can be added to the television receiver through the interface that will enable additional functionalities on the television. The interface allows copy protection of digital video and audio content by incorporating HDCP technology, thereby also allowing the manufacturer of the interface to control the access to the interface.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for processing a concurrent IGRS-UPnP architecture for both IGRS and UPnP standards conformance, and to be used for consumer electronics device interoperability.