Abstract: In a home network, instead of filtering out non-demanded digital programs on programs of a main digital transport stream after decryption by a conditional access (CA) device, the audio video data of all non-demanded digital programs is removed prior to decryption, to conserve bandwidth in the home network, while all non-audio video data remains in the stream for use as required by the CA device.

Abstract: A broadband integrated receiver for receiving input signals and outputting composite video and audio signals is disclosed. The receiver employs an up-conversion mixer and a down-conversion mixer in series to produce an intermediate signal. An intermediate filter between the mixers performs coarse channel selection. The down-conversion mixer may be an image rejection mixer to provide additional filtering.

Abstract: The VOIP drop amplifier connects end user equipment to a broadband system, such as that provided by a cable provider. The amplifier includes a splitter for connecting the cable signal to multiple output connectors, and RF amplifiers compensating for losses in the splitter and other passive components in the amplifier. The drop amplifier includes an input connection for accepting a broadband cable signal from a cable system and returning broadband signals to the cable system. The drop amplifier includes an amplification path connecting the input connection to the plurality of output connections through RF amplifiers and a splitter, and a bypass path that bypass the splitter and forward and reverse amplifiers in the amplification path to connect the input connection directly to the output connection for the essential circuits. A sensing circuit monitors the amplifiers and the supply voltages, and selects the bypass path when a failure is detected.

Abstract: A cable network tap comprises a first port for coupling to an upstream portion of a cable network and for receiving a downstream signal; a second port for coupling to a downstream portion of the cable network and receiving an upstream signal; and a filter for filtering at least one of the downstream signal and the upstream signal. The filter has a bandwidth that is adjustable in accordance with a plurality of cable network bandwidth configurations, each cable network bandwidth configuration allocating bandwidth differently between upstream communications and downstream communications over at least a portion of the cable network.

Abstract: A signal splitter for reducing noise ingress and a cable television network incorporating such splitters. A signal splitter has an input and a plurality of outputs, where alternate outputs are connected to phase shifting devices. Prevention circuitry is provided for at least preventing the generation of intermodulation products in the phase shifting devices. The prevention circuitry is provided with a pre-connected filter in the form of a high-pass filter for stopping voltage peaks through reflection of the energy contained in the voltage peaks.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for a multimedia applications gateway. A home network management application is downloaded to the multimedia applications gateway operating in a home network. An anomaly that occurs in the home network is observed. An alert is sent to an external network controller, and the alert describes the anomaly in the home network. An instruction is received from the external network controller to remedy the anomaly.

Abstract: A method and system for re-transmitting television signals or other signals over a network. The re-transmission optionally being selected on dynamic basis according to demand for particular signals, wherein the re-transmitted signal may be changed as the demand for particular signals change. The signal demand may be determined from votes or other measures of subscriber inputs/desires.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transferring a plurality of satellite signals through an optical communication network. The method includes the steps of selecting a frequency of a local oscillator signal within a guardband between a left polarization signal and a right polarization signal of a first satellite signal of the plurality of satellite signals, frequency shifting the first satellite signal upwards in frequency by the selected frequency. The method further includes the steps of combining the frequency shifted satellite signal with a second satellite signal of the plurality of satellite signals and modulating a optical carrier with the combined signals, transferring the modulated optical carrier to a receiver through an optical fiber and decoding the first and second satellite signals within the receiver.

Abstract: A passive directional coupler is receptive of VoIP, Internet, and video/data signals, and is used in a CATV amplifier device to couple the video/data signals from a cable drop input port to the input terminal of an amplifier, and to passively bypass the VoIP and Internet signals to a modem port, for insuring continuous connection of the VoIP and Internet signals to the a modem of a user connected to the modem port, regardless of the loss of power to the amplifier or the failure of the amplifier, in one embodiment of the invention. In another embodiment, a switching circuit is responsive to the loss of power to the amplifier, for electrically connecting a 75 ohm resistor between a source of reference potential, and the common connection between the directional coupler and the amplifier, for maintaining a 75 ohm impedance at the directional coupler output to the common connection.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gateway comprising means for receiving the first frames of a digital video broadcasting service, characterized in that it comprises: means for determining data representative of a time-slice, means for encapsulating each of the first service frames in a second frame comprising said data representative of a time-slice, and means for transmitting over a wireless local area network each second frame to a digital audio/video terminal.

Abstract: A broadband local area data network uses coaxial cable wiring for interconnection of terminal devices. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with bit loading is used to overcome channel impairments and provide a path for terminal devices to transmit to and receive from other terminal devices. Probe messages are sent between devices to characterize the communication channel and determine optimum bit loading. The data network shares the cable spectrum with other services and uses frequency bands not used by other services. Adaptive power control can be used to maintain signal to noise ratio in a communication between terminal devices. Frequency coordination can be used to avoid interference between the LAN communications and other services transmitted on the cable.

Abstract: This invention is to use standard and very popular UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables, such as CAT-5, CAT-6 and CAT-7 cables to extend the original high-definition digital audio/video signals over long distance between HDMI/DVI compliant sources and HDMI/DVI compliant displays. It can be either an extension between one source and one display, or a distribution between one source and multiple displays.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for blocking content. In one embodiment, an image is examined for pre-selected body portions. If the image contains a body portion (e.g. an image of a face larger than a pre-selected portion of the image) access is allowed. Otherwise, the content may be obscured or blocked with a translucent object either before or after an initial transmission. The image may be part of a video stream such as an instant messaging, web-cam, or video chat room session. The image may be sent or received and-may be examined with facial recognition technology. Additionally, the image may be tagged to indicate whether it contains the sub-image. In addition, the method may be incorporated in a computer program associated with a particular instant messaging program (e.g., the program is a Miranda IM add-on). Server, network, and client computers which may incorporate portions of the program are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical fiber system and method for carrying both CATV and Ethernet signals. The digital signals are translated into higher band by a direct up/down conversion so that analog signals and digital signals are treated as different frequency bands of electrical signals. Then, all the signals are mixed/divided by a power combiner/divider. And then, by using optoelectronic devices, the signals are processed with optoelectronic conversion. The converted optical signals are transmitted in a fiber or a related optical channel having low channel loss yet high capacity. To sum up, the present invention can transmit digital signals together with analog signals in a single wavelength to save the cost of an optical signal system and to provide a convenience on rearranging the system.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A method and system for access to content is provided. Providing access to content involves constructing a smart channel that facilitates adaptive content selection, identifying known content matching the smart channel content selection, performing a smart channel query to discover new content that is related to the known content, and prefetching newly discovered relevant content from a content space. The content includes video content for display on a display such as a TV.

Abstract: A system for locating an impairment in a coaxial cable network comprises an encoder, an impairment detector, and a decoder. The encoder couples to the network at a predetermined encoding point, upstream of the impairment. The encoder automatically encodes an identification code on a signal originating downstream of the encoding point and associated with the impairment. The impairment detector couples to the network at an access point, upstream from the encoding point, and receives signals from the network. The detector is adapted to detect from the received signals the signal associated with the impairment and generate a detected version of the signal. The decoder is adapted to decode the identification code from the detected version of the impairment signal. Once the identification code is determined, the encoder and encoding point are identified, and the location of the impairment is determine to be downstream of the encoding point.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneous delivery of a plurality of independent blocks of 500 MHz digital broadcast television services, stacking a plurality of RF blocks on a plurality of spectrally sliced WDM optical bands.

Abstract: Provided are a package identification method and a location resolution method, more particularly, a package identification method for identifying a dependent package linked with a main AV and independent packages not linked with the main AV, and a location resolution method. Both when the package is dependent and linked with the main AV and when the package is independent and not linked with the main AV, a CRID is used as an identifier for the package. The present invention supports TVA-2 service scenarios by suggesting improved package identification and a location resolution mechanism.

Abstract: [Problem] To obtain an on-train video information delivery control and display system that is capable of efficiently delivering moving images and still images by digital transmission and providing moving images and still images to passengers inside a train passenger compartment while avoiding cost increase and without having to divide the transmission path of the moving images and still images.

Abstract: An optical access network system having a function of correcting upstream signal waveform distortions occurring in the PON section, wherein a central office side apparatus comprises a main controller to notify each subscriber connection apparatus of a transmission grant period, an equalizer of a tap gain adaptive control type to correct waveform distortions of signals received from the subscriber connection apparatuses, an equalizer controller, and a parameter table for storing, for each subscriber connection apparatus, the initial values of tap gains to be set for the equalizer. The main controller issues a switchover request for switching the equalization characteristic to the equalizer controller each time notifying a subscriber connection apparatus of a transmission grant period, and the equalizer controller retrieves the initial values of the tap gains for the subscriber connection apparatus from the parameter table in response to the switchover request, and sets these values to the equalizer.

Abstract: This invention provides a new architecture for a communication system between head-ends and end-users which expands bandwidth and reliability of the communication system. A mux-node receives communication signals from a head-end and forwards the received communication signals to one or more mini-fiber nodes. The connection to the head-end is via a small number of optical fibers and the connections to each of the mini-fiber nodes may be via one or more optical fibers that may provide full duplex communication. The head-end may communicate with the mux-node using digital or digital and analog signals. The mini-fiber nodes may combine the signals received from the head-end with loop-back signals used for local media access control prior to forwarding the signals to the end-users. Upstream data are received by the mini-fiber nodes and transmitted to the mux-node.

Abstract: Broadband multimedia system comprising a communication bus, a broad band multimedia router, connected to the communication bus, to a data router and further between a plurality of media sources and a plurality of network transmitters, a session manager, connected to communication bus, the session manager providing routing instructions to the router, for directing media received from the media sources to the network transmitters for transmitting over a broadband network and for directing data received from the router to at least a selected one of the network transmitter for transmitting over the broadband network to a specific destination.

Abstract: The upstream performance characteristics of a network are measured by looping a signal through both the downstream and upstream paths of the network. Test equipment may be located at a headend of the network and configured to transmit a signal downstream to a remotely located loopback device that redirects the signal in the upstream path to the test equipment. The upstream characteristics may be predominant in the analysis of the return signal because the downstream path may be relatively free from noise.

Abstract: An integrated operation management system of video transmission network operates and manages a network connecting between video transmission equipments, said integrated operation management system comprises: a detection means for detecting said video transmission equipments and transmission equipments in said network; an information collection means for collecting equipment information about the video transmission equipments and the transmission equipments detected by said detection means, path information, link information, and configuration information about a video session between said video transmission equipments; a record means for recording said system information, said path information, said link information, and said configuration information about the video session with associated each other; and a failure specification means for specifying failure points or performance degradation points from failure notifications or performance degradation notifications notified from said network based on said ass

Abstract: A multiplexer of a transmission section generates a clock signal by multiplying a reference clock signal of a digital image signal by a predetermined number ‘K’. A parallel digital image signal is converted into a serial digital signal on the basis of the clock signal, and the serial digital signal is converted into an optical signal in an optical transmission section for transmitting. A demultiplexer extracts a reception clock signal from a serial digital reception signal which is converted into an electric signal in an optical reception section of a reception section, the serial digital reception signal is converted into a parallel signal and a signal corresponding to the parallel digital image signal on the basis of the reception clock signal, and a clock signal corresponding to the reference clock signal is recovered by multiplying the reception clock signal by ‘1/K’.

Abstract: Provided are a wireless television system and a wireless transmitter, capable of automatically turning off a light-emitting unit installed in the wireless transmitter depending on a power state of the wireless transmitter and the wireless television system. The wireless television system includes: a wireless transmitter for relaying a video signal received from the outside; a wireless television for receiving the video signal from the wireless transmitter and displaying an image corresponding to the received composite video signal; a light-emitting unit installed in at least one of the wireless transmitter and the wireless television, and displaying one of a power state and a signal transmission/reception state from one of the wireless transmitter and the wireless television; and a light-emission control unit for controlling the light-emitting unit to emit light when both power of the wireless transmitter and power the wireless television are turned on.

Abstract: A fiber to the home (FTTH) system based on a passive optical network (PON) includes an optical line terminal (OLT) block, an optical network terminal (ONT) block, and an optical distribution network (ODN). The ONT block includes a video-optical line terminal (V-OLT) and an OLT to output optical signals of the V-OLT and the OLT by multiplexing the optical signals. The V-OLT receives cable TV (CATV), master antenna (MATV), and satellite broadcasting (SB) optical signals inputted from a broadcasting service network to output received signals as a first optical signal having a predetermined wavelength band. The ONT block includes a video-optical network terminal (V-ONT) and an (ONT) to split multiplexed data communications signals, and CATV broadcasting, MATV broadcasting, and (SB) optical signals. The V-ONT processes the split CATV broadcasting, MATV, and (SB) optical signals to provide subscribers with the split cable CATV, MATV and SB optical signals.

Abstract: An amplifier systems for a cable television (CATV) system to increase the ability of a sub-band to transmit information using switchable bands.

Abstract: A system (200) for distributing audio and video signals including a source location (202) having one or more devices (204, 206, 208, 210) producing an audio signal and an analogue video signal is provided. At least one display and audio receiver (222) at a remote location (220) is also provided and a single cable (100) including at least three unshielded twisted pairs (102, 104, 106) is operably connected between the source location (200) and the at least one remote display and audio receiver (222) with the cable (100) transmitting the source signals to the display and audio receiver (222) at the remote location (202). The analogue video signal is converted to a balanced signal before transmission from the source (202) to the remote location (220) over a first twisted pair (102) and reconverted to an unbalanced signal at the remote location (220).

Abstract: An improved interactive network system is provided that allows the Network Operator to control the transfer of information to and from the network end users, the system preferably using triggers or markers embedded within the programming broadcast to users via the network. As a consequence of this system, the Network Operator is able to efficiently garner revenues from third parties transacting business over the network and to control the look and feel of programming offered to network users. Additionally the system can be used as a means of limiting network access, filtering programming, providing on-screen graphics or audible signals for particular programming types or providers, bookmarking programming, profiling network users, targeting advertising, and simplifying network transactions.

Abstract: A system and method for spectral node splitting in cable TV network based on hybrid fiber-coax architecture is disclosed. Two-way optical signals carrying video and/or multimedia content are received at a signal distribution node. Portions of the received signals are processed according to the functionality the direction thereof. Certain frequency ranges are passed intact while specific different downstream and specific different upstream frequency bands are converted in a manner as to be allowed to be multiplexed into an extended broadband signal. The frequency bands within the extended broadband signal are distributed selectively among separate branches of the network. The frequency bands dedicated to the upstream traffic are received selectively from the separate network branches to be back converted and transmitted upstream to the network controller.

Abstract: A fiber to the home FTTH network for convergence of broadcasting and communication is disclosed. The network includes: an OLT for receiving and converting a first predetermined number of broadcast signals and an Ethernet signal into a plurality of converted optical signals, combining the converted optical signals into converged optical signals for subsequent transmission by an optical wavelength division multiplexing method; and an optical network unit (ONU) for classifying the optical signal transmitted from the OLT into the first predetermined number of broadcast signals and the Ethernet signal, switching a second predetermined number of broadcasting signals of the first predetermined number of broadcasting signals according to each SIU by channel selection information contained in upstream Ethernet information, and switching the Ethernet signal to be transmitted to the SIU according to each SIU so as to transmit the switched signal.

Abstract: An audio/video switching system is described that selectively enables multiple heterogeneous audio/video sources to transmit data to a single audio/video sink such as a display or audio/video repeater. The audio/video switching system supports format conversion to enable, for example, multiple different audio/video formats to be transmitted to the audio/video sink using a single link. In some implementations, the single link is a high-bandwidth, high-quality wireless link for carrying high definition and standard definition audio/video signals. Various home theater systems that include such an audio/video switching system are also described herein.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for pre-processing, encoding, decoding, transcoding, indexing, blending, post-processing and display of media streams, in accordance with a variety of compression algorithms, DRM schemes and related industry standards and recommendations such as OCAP, ISMA, DLNA, MPAA etc. The integrated circuit comprises an input interface configured for receiving the media streams from content sources, a plurality of processing units, system CPU, and sophisticated switch and memory controller, electronically connected to the input interface and directly connected to each one of the processing units. The integrated circuit further comprises an output interface that is operatively connected to the switch and configured for outputting the simultaneously processed media streams.

Abstract: A multimedia system and method that provides easy universal text searching for non-technical users, is disclosed. A configuration of the multimedia system and method of the present invention also facilitates content delivery through multiple, independent, simultaneous feeds from a single source to two or more different destinations without impairing audio and/or video and/or data stream quality.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for the selective filtering of objectionable content from a program. The selective filtering of objectionable content from a program is accomplished by applying an encoding process and a decoding process to the audio and/or video signal of the program. The encoding process includes marking potentially objectionable material in the program with filtering information that identifies the type (e.g., audio, violent content, sexual content, etc.) and intensity level (e.g., mild, graphic, extreme, etc.) of the potentially objectionable material using filter codes. The decoding process includes comparing, during the presentation of the program to the user and prior to outputting the audio or displaying the video, the filtering information to filter criteria, which includes user supplied filter settings, to determine whether filtering of the potentially objectionable content (i.e., audio and/or video) should be performed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a digital television signal including a virtual channel table comprising a list of attributes for virtual channels carried in transport streams; demultiplexing the virtual channel table from the received digital television signal; parsing channel status information from the demultiplexed virtual channel table, the parsed channel status information defining a channel status change time and a new channel status of one of the virtual channels; and performing a channel status change of the virtual channel according to the parsed channel status information.

Abstract: A broadcast/communication convergence system, and an FTTH (Fiber To The Home) system that can accommodate broadcast signals of various channels and variable band signals by converging broadcast and communication signals and transmitting the converged broadcast and communication signals using an IEEE 1394 transmission method serving as a standard interface in the FTTH system for broadcast/communication convergence. An OLT (Optical Line Terminal) transfers a plurality of broadcast signals and a communication signal received from external broadcast and communication providers through a single optical signal (A).

Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer low-band data and high-band data, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer low-band data. Low-band data may be combined and sent to a narrowband communications interface or a wideband communications interface. High-band data may be combined and sent to a wideband communications interface. The low-band data may represent audio signals below a predetermined frequency, while the high-band data may represent audio signals above the predetermined frequency. The predetermined frequency may be, for example, approximately 4 kHz. The spectral mask of the low-band data may meet the spectral mask of G.712. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included.

Abstract: A system comprising a first filter having an input and an output adapted to compensate for the characteristics of a first length of twisted-pair wire is disclosed. A first bypass path has an input and an output for bypassing the first filter. A second filter has an input and an output adapted to compensate for the characteristics of a first length of twisted-pair wire. A second bypass path has an input and an output for bypassing the first filter. A third filter has an input and an output adapted to compensate for the characteristics of a first length of twisted-pair wire. A third bypass path has an input and an output for bypassing the first filter. The three filters can be configured form a signal path or one or more filters removed from the signal path by switching in bypass paths.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for permitting a service provider technician or subscriber to install a twisted wire pair to coax adapter within a network interface device (NID) at a subscriber premises. The twisted wire pair to coax adapter is configured for snap-in mounting within a NID. The adapter includes input and output connections, as well as an internally disposed balun, and is configured to convert communications signals carried on a twisted wire pair to communications signals carried on a coax cable to avoid degradation of the signals resulting from the use of an unshielded twisted wire pair within a subscriber premises.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering content on-demand by way of a cable network are disclosed. Provision of such content is controlled over a data network. Advantageously, a user interface at a conventional computing device may be used to order content and to control its delivery and playing. Commands from the computing device may be provided by way of data network to a network interconnected server. The server under software control causes a media receiver at the customer premises to be properly tuned to receive content on-demand, and content on-demand to be played, as requested by the computing device. The media receiver may include a conventional set-top box that may be tuned remotely in response to a customer placing an on-demand order.

Abstract: A broadband local area data network uses coaxial cable wiring for interconnection of terminal devices. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with bit loading is used to overcome channel impairments and provide a path for terminal devices to transmit to and receive from other terminal devices. Probe messages are sent between devices to characterize the communication channel and determine optimum bit loading. The data network shares the cable spectrum with other services and uses frequency bands not used by other services. Adaptive power control can be used to maintain signal to noise ratio in a communication between terminal devices. Frequency coordination can be used to avoid interference between the LAN communications and other services transmitted on the cable.

Abstract: The invention prevents unwanted sounds from being outputted from an AV output apparatus such as a HDTV receiver. In the invention, when a streaming signal of a predetermined format having video data and audio data is inputted to a streaming input terminal 10, separation unit 23 of a relay apparatus 2 separates this signal into the video data and audio data. HDMI transmitter 27 generates and outputs a streaming signal having the video data separated by the separation unit 23, of the same format as that of the streaming signal inputted to the streaming input terminal 10.

Abstract: In a cable television system a system for supporting SCU return in FTTB-MDU and FTTC/FTTcab configurations. Fiber, baseband transceiver and networking capabilities are shared with data and voice portions of the system for enabling communication from the SCUs to the HE over a packet based networking system. Return packets/upstream packets are passed into the network upstream channel only when a signal is present for eliminating transmission of upstream traffic that contains no signal for conserving upstream bandwidth.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a telecommunications distribution hub having a cabinet that defines a primary compartment. The cabinet also includes one or more main doors for accessing the primary compartment. Telecommunications equipment is mounted within the primary compartment. The distribution hub further includes a secondary compartment that can be accessed from an exterior of the cabinet without accessing the primary compartment. A grounding interface is accessible from within the secondary compartment.

Abstract: A Cable Television (CATV) digital return link system that provides dedicated, high-speed, full-duplex and point-to-point connections between users and the head end system is disclosed. The CATV digital return link system includes return path transmitters, intermediate hubs and a head end hub coupled to each other via a network of fiber optics cables. The return path transmitters are each coupled to a relatively large number of users via a local CATV-subtree. Signals from cable modems are transmitted via the local CATV-subtree to the return path transmitters for transmission to the head end. A number of users are individually and directly connected to the return path transmitters. Data from these directly connected users is transmitted to the head end via the network of fiber optics cables in conjunction with the RF data from the subtree. Likewise, data from the head end to these directly connected users is transmitted in the forward path direction using the digital return link system.

Abstract: A system and method for spectral node splitting in cable TV network based on hybrid fiber-coax architecture is disclosed. Two-way optical signals carrying video and/or multimedia content are received at a signal distribution node. Portions of the received signals are processed according to the functionality the direction thereof. Certain frequency ranges are passed intact while specific different downstream and specific different upstream frequency bands are converted in a manner as to be allowed to be multiplexed into an extended broadband signal. The frequency bands within the extended broadband signal are distributed selectively among separate branches of the network. The frequency bands dedicated to the upstream traffic are received selectively from the separate network branches to be back converted and transmitted upstream to the network controller.