Abstract: A broadcast receiver receives a packetized stream. The broadcast receiver extracts display time information from the header of the received packetized stream, and extracts preparation trigger information including a target service identifier from the payload of the received packetized stream. If a current time is a preparation time designated by the extracted display time information, the broadcast receiver starts to prepare an object corresponding to the target service identifier for activation at a later time.

Abstract: Embodiments generally disclosed herein include computer-implemented methods for delivery of video content across a network. Such methods comprise a content delivery manager capable of receiving a video stream from a content source for delivery to a end user of a content publisher. The content delivery manager is further capable of detecting a trigger signal within the video stream. For example, the trigger signal can indicate a temporal mark injected into the video stream by the content publisher. During general operation, the content delivery manager processes the trigger signal to determine whether to modify delivery of the video stream to the end user. According to another general embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided for authorizing delivery of a video stream to an end user.

Abstract: A system is described that consists of a variable modulation unicast system that utilizes multiple modulation schemes in a cable network for unicast applications and is capable of assigning users to different channels of differing modulation schemes in the network based on a feedback signal received in response to a transmitted probe signal. The system may also, in response to the feedback signal from a remote device in the network, assign a channel from a plurality of channels having differing carrier frequencies and modulation schemes to the remote device and may also modify the carrier frequencies of the channels.

Abstract: A system includes a receiver and a communication interface. The receiver is adapted to tune to an audio/video portion over a transport medium. The communication interface is adapted to receive announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video content directed to a first addressable location and to receive a special announcement directed to the first addressable location. The special announcement indicates availability of the announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video program, and the announcement data is associated with the tuned audio/video content and indicates enhancement data is being transmitted. The controller is adapted to redirect the announcement data to a second addressable location other than the first addressable location in response to the special announcement.

Abstract: A broadband gateway, which enables communication with a plurality of devices and handles at least one physical layer connection to at least one corresponding network access service provider, may be operable to receive one or more programs in preview formats from one or more program sources. Each of the one or more programs may be specified in a list. The programs specified in the list may be from different program sources. The broadband gateway may process the received one or more programs in the preview formats for presentation to one or more of the plurality of devices. The processed one or more programs in the preview formats may be communicated by the broadband gateway to the one or more of the plurality of devices, via a programming guide, for program preview by one or more users during program selections from the list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating a bi-directional control channel into an entertainment display device to deliver content and exchange control information. The system collects request and response information from the entertainment display device. The system also provides format translation of received and collected content to and from a plurality of formats such as N-PCS technology formats and video display formats in such a manner that the integrated system is independent of broadcasters, satellite, IPTV and cable operators. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and system includes a first device having an ordering interface and forming a recording command comprising a linear channel, a start time, time duration and date. The first device communicates a customer identifier and the recording command to a content processing system corresponding to the linear content. The content processing system forms a control word from the recording command and communicates the control word to a user device. The user device receives the content corresponding to the recording command in response to the control word.

Abstract: Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for transmitting information over different information networks and in particular to a method for transmitting information in an integrated telecommunications and broadcast system.

Abstract: System and method for protecting video stream quality during transmission over a wireless medium. A plurality of video streams may be transmitted to one or more clients in a wireless manner. It may be determined that a size of a transmit queue is above a first threshold. The plurality of video streams may be differentiated, as part of which a video stream may be selected for penalization in order to protect the other video streams of the plurality of video streams. A scheduling penalty may be imposed on the selected video stream based on determining that the size of the transmit queue is above the first threshold and based on differentiating the plurality of video streams.

Abstract: A multicasting system includes a delivery server for multicasting a content via at least one upper router and a plurality of lower routers, a plurality of client devices for playing the content multicast by the delivery server, an upper router controller for controlling the upper router and a lower router controller for controlling the plurality of lower routers. The client device includes a play history storage unit, an individual storage unit, a content retrieving unit, and a content playing unit. The delivery server includes a master storage unit, an optimizer optimizing the identifier and the session information of the content stored on the individual storage unit, and a content delivery unit. The upper router controller includes a session information retrieving unit, a book scheduling unit, and a schedule information notifier.

Abstract: A DTV transmitting system includes an encoder, a randomizer, a block processor, a group formatter, a deinterleaver, and a packet formatter. The encoder codes enhanced data for error correction, permutes the coded data, and further codes the permuted data for error detection. The randomizer randomizes the coded enhanced data, and the block processor codes the randomized data at an effective coding rate of 1/H. The group formatter forms a group of enhanced data having data regions, and inserts the coded enhanced data into at least one of the data regions. The deinterleaver deinterleaves the group of enhanced data, and the packet formatter formats the deinterleaved data into corresponding data bytes.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide a method and system for determining the extent to which a plurality of media signals are out of sync with each other.

Abstract: Apparatus to determine the position of a user terminal, the apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media, comprise: a receiver to receive at the user terminal an American Television Standards Committee Mobile/Handheld (ATSC-M/H) broadcast signal from a ATSC-M/H transmitter; and a pseudorange module to determine a pseudorange between the receiver and the ATSC-M/H transmitter based on the ATSC-M/H) broadcast signal; wherein the position module determines the position of the user terminal based on the pseudorange and a location of the ATSC-M/H transmitter.

Abstract: After fixing the physical address of a wireless video transmission device to a route address or the like, it is possible to shorten the switchover time by having a conversion table provided that maps the physical addresses on the wireless video reception device side, since it does not occur that the addresses of AV equipment connected by wire with the wireless video transmission device are changed, even if the physical address of the wireless video reception device changes. Further, by performing split transfer of the CEC messages, it is possible to carry out transmission of the CEC messages promptly and to suppress reception confirmation bits with respect to CEC messages for which there exists no destination.

Abstract: A digital broadcast system and method of processing data are disclosed. A channel equalizer includes a frequency domain converter receiving a known data sequence, when the known data sequence is periodically inserted and transmitted in general data, and converting the received data to frequency domain data, a CIR estimator using the data being received during a known data section and known data generated by a receiving system, so as to estimate a CIR, a CIR calculator interpolating or extrapolating the CIR estimated by the CIR estimator in accordance with characteristics of the general data being received, a coefficient calculator converting the CIR being outputted from the CIR calculator to a frequency domain CIR and calculating and outputting an equalization coefficient, and a distortion compensator multiplying the equalization coefficient calculated by the coefficient calculator with the data converted to frequency domain data by the frequency domain converter, thereby compensating channel distortion.

Abstract: A dynamic service group discovery and mapping approach avoids manual assignment of stream channels for transporting video services to the client devices that provide the video services to an end user. Client devices, such as set-top boxes, receive video services such as video on demand (VOD), switched digital video (SDV), pay-per view (PPV) and other narrowcast types of video for selective transmission. Each client device scans for visible stream channels, and sends a report indicative of visible stream channels to a dynamic mapping server. The dynamic mapping server applies aggregation rules for determining, based on the reported stream channels, which client devices are in the same service group. By receiving reports from each client device, the dynamic mapping server identifies groupings of service groups by combining sets of client devices receiving common channels, and “builds” the service groups as additional reports indicate common stream channels visible to multiple set top boxes.

Abstract: A network device may receive a signal from a headend, wherein a bandwidth of the received signal spans from a low frequency to a high frequency and encompasses a plurality of sub-bands. The network device may determine, based on communication with the headend, whether one of more of the sub-bands residing above a threshold frequency are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the circuitry. The network device may digitize the signal using an ADC operating at a sampling frequency. The sampling frequency may be configured based on a result of the determining. When the sub-band(s) are available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively high frequency. When the sub-band(s) are not available for carrying downstream data from the headend to the network device, the sampling frequency may be set to a relatively low frequency.

Abstract: Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus to enable a form of addressable advertising content delivery in which multiple addressable content streams are sent in a transport multiplex, Addressable Content Channel Multiplex, different from the Primary Channel Multiplex on which the Primary Channel is delivered describe the present invention. The Primary Channel is network stream onto which the addressable content is to be inserted. Seamless switch between the Primary Channel and the addressable content streams on the Addressable Content Channel Multiplex is accomplished by using Receiver stored content as interim buffers to which the switching happens prior to switching to a different transport multiplex. These buffers in effect feed the audio and video decoders with content, during the time it takes for the tuner to switch to a different transport multiplex.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for playing broadcast content in a broadcasting system are provided. The method and the apparatus enable a viewer to watch an entire event by broadcasting the event through different networks in a condition that the event may not be broadcast from start to finish over a single broadcasting network.

Abstract: Systems and methods that adapt media content are described. In one embodiment, a system may include, for example, a first communications device and a second communications device. The first communications device may be disposed in a first location and may be operatively coupled to a network. The second communications device may be disposed in a second location and may be operatively coupled to the network. The second communications device may receive a device profile relating to the first communications device, adapt media content based upon the device profile of the first communications device, and send the adapted media content to the first communications device.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a communication unit, an acquisition unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls the acquisition unit to acquire again information for generating video data to be transmitted to an external apparatus by the communication unit from an apparatus if the predetermined signal is detected, the predetermined signal indicates that a state of the apparatus is changed to a first state from a second state after the state of the apparatus is changed to the second state from the first state.

Abstract: A method for providing audio portions of broadcast television signals is disclosed. A television signal is buffered by a multimedia client. In response to a user request, audio data may be obtained from a service provider and sent back to the multimedia client using a network back-channel. The obtained audio data may be synchronized with a video portion of the television signal and output to an audio device, while the television signal is output to a display device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for establishing a virtual community for remotely participating in an event. A remote camera set is controlled by a user equipment to view an event from a plurality of viewing perspectives. A virtual community is built to share viewing of the event by multiple participants.

Abstract: A protocol for wireless transmission of audio/video (A/V) information is provided. The protocol includes sending a request message from a requester to a responder for changing A/V format of an A/V stream transmission between the requester and the responder over a wireless communication medium. In reply to the request message, sending a response message from the responder to the requester for synchronizing the A/V format change. The requester and the responder changing the A/V format of the A/V stream in synchrony.

Abstract: Distribution of contents through a network with reduced load on a server is enabled. Moreover, distribution with higher security is enabled. A server side connected to a predetermined network has a content database for managing data related to contents that can be distributed, a content cluster list containing data related to division of each content into clusters, and a cluster database related to an address where each cluster is stored. A device side that can be connected to the server saves at least a part of clusters of a received content by each cluster formed by dividing the content, and transfers a predetermined cluster saved by content saving processing to an indicated address in response to a request for transfer of a cluster of the received content.

Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for client-side compositing of video streams. The method includes receiving, by the video display device, a multiplexed data stream from a remote video server. The multiplexed data stream includes substreams, where the substreams includes a descriptor substream, at least one media substream, and a compositing-instruction substream. The method further includes demultiplexing, by the video display device, the multiplexed data stream into the substreams according to the descriptor substream and displaying, by the video display device, the at least one media substream on a display screen according to the compositing-instruction substream, where the compositing-instruction substream includes instructions on a composition of the at least one media substream.

Abstract: A channel switching processing method, system, and related devices are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a switching server, a channel switching request sent by a receiving end; and when the switching server determines that current switching resource information does not meet a switching condition according to the channel switching request, performing, by the switching server, an exception handling procedure, and sending channel switching instruction information to the receiving end, in which the channel switching instruction information is configured to instruct the receiving end to perform a channel switching operation corresponding to the channel switching instruction information. A channel switching processing system and related devices are also provided. Therefore, the channel switching efficiency may be effectively improved.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a receiving device including: a receiver configured to receive broadcast content; a trigger information acquirer configured to acquire trigger information for identifying a command to control an operation of an application program that is run in conjunction with the broadcast content and is delivered via a network; a correspondence table acquirer configured to acquire a correspondence table in which the command is associated with information for identifying the command; and a control section configured to control operations of a subject application program and another application program other than the subject application program in response to the command identified by the trigger information and the correspondence table.

Abstract: A High Definition (HD) video wireless transmission method for transmitting a data packet for a video frame of an HD video is provided. The method includes: receiving the video frame which comprises a video frame size; acquiring a payload length and a Minimal Required Transmission Time (MRTT) associated with the video frame, wherein the MRTT is a minimal time bound for transmitting the video frame to a receiving end; performing partitioning to the video frame for acquiring the data packet according to the payload length; and performing scheduling to the data packet according to the MRTT, and the scheduled data packet is transmitted to the receiving end.

Abstract: Back channel communications are contemplated. The back channel communications may relate to facilitating signaling from a primary device to one or more secondary devices. One contemplated type of back channel communication may include a service provider carrying the desired signaling to the secondary devices. This may occur without the primary device being aware of the secondary devices and/or without requiring the primary device to identify the secondary devices to the service provider.

Abstract: A method of processing channel information of a transmitter/receiver and a receiver are disclosed. The method of processing channel information of the transmitter includes service provider identification information in service provider discovery information, includes content provider identification information and content service identification information in service discovery information and transmitting the resulting service discovery information, and transmits the resulting service provider discovery information and service discovery information to the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for a content provider to distribute content may include configuring a webserver to be in communication with the Internet and be accessible to subscribers of a communication service provider without accessing the Internet. The content provider may be enabled to store content in at least one data storage bin at the webserver, where the webserver may further be configured to provide digital rights management for the content provider and guaranteed QoS to the subscribers when downloading the content. The content may be communicated from the webserver with guaranteed QoS to the subscribers.

Abstract: A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.

Abstract: A method of distributed statistical multiplexing of video data. The method includes generating a plurality of blocks forming a pre-processed video media corresponding to an original video media, the plurality of blocks including, for one or more sub-portions of the original video media, a plurality of interchangeable blocks that represent the sub-portion. Optionally, at least some of the blocks are transmitted to at least one multiplexer and reconstructed by the at least one multiplexer, for a plurality of communication channels, from at least some of the transmitted blocks.

Abstract: An integrated real-time display is provided that includes video images and a graphical representation of the transmission path, where each video image is associated with a point along the graphical representation of the transmission path. A number of monitoring points, which correspond to critical points along the transmission path are identified. The points may be selected for technical reasons or economic reasons. The graphical representation of the transmission path can be a logical representation showing the logic blocks along the transmission path or a physical representation showing the devices along the transmission path.

Abstract: A method for operating an image display apparatus is discussed. The method according to an embodiment includes reproducing content, storing at least part of the reproduced content, upon receipt of a content save command, displaying a content object representing the stored content, displaying objects representing other users or electronic devices of a connected network or a network linked to the connected network, and transmitting, when the content object is dragged and dropped on an object selected from among the objects representing other users or electronic devices, the stored content to a selected user or electronic device represented by the selected object. The content is at least one of a broadcast image, an external input image, an audio file, a still image, a connected Web page, or a text file.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer-readable storage media are disclosed to mitigate video artifacts in video content transmission. A method to mitigate video artifacts in a video content transmission includes analyzing one or more video quality metrics received from each of a first plurality of video content receivers to determine a representative set of one or more video quality metrics. At least one of the video quality metrics of the representative set is associated with artifacts of a first portion of the video content transmission. The method further includes setting one or more encoder parameters based on the at least one of the video quality metrics of the representative set, encoding a second portion of the video content transmission using the one or more encoder parameters, and transmitting the encoded second portion to a second plurality of video content receivers.

Abstract: A method of processing channel information of a transmitter/receiver, and a receiver are disclosed. The method of processing channel information in the receiver receives at least two of provider identification information, region identification information, content source identification information, content genre identification information, content data characteristic identification information, channel level identification information and content existing channel number identification information, forms multi-part channel information using the received identification information according to a preset channel information format, and connects to a content service server providing content service corresponding to the multi-part channel information.

Abstract: A wireless video camera system including a single or dual HDTV digital camera; a system for the wireless transmission of uncompressed single or multiple SMPTE 292M, HDSDI data streams over an RF band; and automatic self-pointing transmitting and receiving antennas.

Abstract: A particular method of mitigating potential video traffic interference includes receiving an alert at a network management system, where the alert indicates detection of a signal in an ultra high frequency (UHF) white space frequency at a video head-end of a video distribution network, where the signal has a potential to interfere with video traffic that has been detected. The method also includes sending data to the video head-end, where the data indicates at least one corrective measure to mitigate interference with the video traffic by the signal.

Abstract: A method of providing set up services to customer premise equipment (CPE), the CPE coupled to an interne protocol television (IPTV) network. The method includes operating a network element as a set up terminal server, the network element being part of a communications network. A request to initiate a set up process is received from the CPE. A set up server coupled to the communications network is accessed to initiate a set up application. The set up server communicates with the CPE through the network element to perform installation of the CPE and provisioning of the CPE.

Abstract: According to the invention, a video distribution system is disclosed. The video distribution system distributes a video program in a first aspect ratio and includes information to convert the first aspect ratio to a second aspect ratio. Included in the video distribution system are a distribution point and a video converter that is located remotely from the distribution point. The video converter receives the information and the video program from the distribution point. The video converter uses the information to guide conversion between the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio.

Abstract: Multicast information contained in a request from an IP TV set top box for video content to an IGMP manager is passed to an SA processor to perform a lookup of an SA table. A result of the lookup is the frequency of the downstream legacy channel over which the requested content is being delivered from an edge QAM device. The SA processor instructs a legacy QAM tuner to tune the determined frequency. The IGMP manager selects packets corresponding to the request content based on a program identifier that is associated with the multicast address in the SA table. As selected packets are received by the IGMP manager, multicast address information is placed into them, and they are passed on from the manager to the IP TV set top box. The IP TV set top box receives the requested content packets based on the multicast address.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that is capable of transmitting video signals and/or audio signals using the HDMI interface standard or the DisplayPort interface standard. A dual mode transmitter is disclosed that is configurable to transmit to a first sink device, configured in accordance with a HDMI display interface, in a HDMI mode of operation and/or a second sink device, configured in accordance with a DisplayPort display interface, in a DisplayPort mode of operation. The dual mode transmitter is configured to receive a biasing current from the first sink device in the HDMI mode of operation or to internally provide the biasing current in DisplayPort mode of operation by selecting impedances from selectable impedance networks. The dual mode transmitter is configured to transmit the video signals and/or audio signals by biasing one or more transistors using the biasing current.

Abstract: A data collection and distribution system for monitoring aircraft in flight, on the ground and at the gate or terminal for monitoring critical and catastrophic events, managing the emergency during such an event, and for investigating the event. The system generates, transmits and collects critical data generated by monitoring equipment onboard an aircraft or other commercial transport and selectively displays the data on a cockpit display console as well as for downloading, transmitting and displaying data at external monitoring and response stations, including fixed ground stations, roving ground stations and chase aircraft or vehicles. Digital surveillance information is collected, processed, dispatched, and log via remote control and access. The system includes a variety of system appliances such as surveillance cameras, sensors, detectors, and panic buttons and accommodates legacy equipment.

Abstract: Resources of a video presenting network having plural outputs can be configured. A provisional configuration can be supported. Configuration of inputs can be performed separately from configuration of outputs. Interdependencies between network resources can be considered to restrict provided options to those co-functional with a provisional configuration. A client can use a set of functions provided by a service to traverse the configuration solution space. The functions can support a transactional configuration approach. Responsibility for considering interdependencies can be delegated to a video driver, such as a video miniport.

Abstract: A system and method for sending an emergency communication from a set-top box. A user and location of the user is associated with the set-top box. An indicator of an emergency is received through the set-top box. The user and the location associated with the set-top box are determined in response to receiving the indicator. A database returns the user and the location utilizing an identifier of the set-top box. An emergency communication is sent indicating the location through a media network in communication with the set-top box.