Abstract: An integrated video jukebox and entertainment management system for a premises comprises a video jukebox server providing a set of video selections customized to a predetermined commercial enterprise for the premises. A large-area display system is deployed in the premises. A plurality of jukebox clients are deployed in the premises and networked with the jukebox server. A payment acceptor is coupled to at least one of the jukebox clients for establishing credits for accessing the video selections. A touch screen input device is coupled to the one jukebox client for providing a user interface wherein a user is able to browse the set of video selections and choose a desired video selection for display by the large-area display system. The one jukebox client transmits a request to the jukebox server for displaying the desired video selection if sufficient credits are established.

Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium are provided for modeling a personal television system. A computer implemented model of a video processing chain is formed, including processing steps performed by the personal television system on a received video signal; one or more additional functions are inserted into the model, including a first function portion that represents encoding of the video signal within the personal television system before storage and a second function portion that represents decoding of stored encoded video data within the personal television system.

Abstract: A broadcast transmitting apparatus stores and manages the material for composing a broadcast program as AV data, creates storing control information showing a process control method when storing this AV data in a broadcast receiving apparatus, and storing management information showing management information during storing, and registers them as reference information and stores and manages, and transmits according to schedule information managing the schedule of the broadcast program. On the other hand, the broadcast receiving apparatus executes an storing control command according to the storing control information, and stores and manages the AV data according to the storing management information. Further, the broadcast transmitting apparatus creates application information from the reference information being stored and managed, and transmits it together with service application for executing broadcast program service.

Abstract: A method and structure manage a database. A first device that includes data is coupled to a second device that includes metadata relating to the data. The second device is removed from the first device and the metadata is modified. The second device is again coupled to the first device and the modified metadata on the second device modifies the data on the first device.

Abstract: A data broadcast program control system is made up of a transmission apparatus for repeatedly transmitting a plurality of data elements that constitute a data broadcast program, and a broadcast apparatus for receiving and broadcasting the plurality of data elements. The transmission apparatus generates control information for instructing the broadcast apparatus to perform change processing on the constitution of the data broadcast program, and transmits the control information to the broadcast apparatus. The broadcast apparatus receives the control information, and performs the change processing on the constitution of the data broadcast program according to the control information. The broadcast apparatus broadcasts the data broadcast program whose constitution has been changed.

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

Abstract: A apparatus and method for effecting a distributed video on demand system is a local data network. A number of local processing units within the local network are utilized, with the local processing units being associated with system subscribers of the video on demand system. The local processing units include memories that are each configured to store video data. A database server in communication with local data network is further included for directing streamed delivery of the video data from certain ones of the local processing units storing particular video data to other local processing units in the local network that are requesting playback of the particular video data.

Abstract: A system for the delivery of video on demand (VOD). A wireless remote control device generates keystroke signals for controlling a TV display and has a single button for restarting a selected program at a beginning of the selected program. A head-end unit supports separate downstream virtual channels for each separate TV set connected on a common TV feeder-cable; The head-end unit locally records and stores many programs, and transmits each program using a compressed digital format. The Compressed digital format may use MPEG-2 or MPEG-4. The head-end unit has means for protecting against signal theft. A set top unit encapsulates the keystroke signals and transmits the keystroke signals via a two-way channel to the head-end unit.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing the time required to download objects from an Object Carousel used in a DVB system is provided. The method comprises ensuring that all the directory object representations are located in a subset of modules on the Data Carousel. This means that after one file object has been downloaded, most, if not all of the directory information of the virtual file system will have been resolved so that only a single module needs to be downloaded to access any further file objects.

Abstract: A system output signals of broadcast contents in a multichannel broadcasting system without the need to suspend broadcasting even in the event of a failure occurring in an output buffer apparatus, includes a broadcast content storage unit for storing data of the broadcast contents, a plurality of main output buffer apparatuses each assigned to some of several output channels wherein data of broadcast contents to be output to the associated output channels is copied from the broadcast content storage unit to be output at output times as signals, backup output buffer apparatuses fewer in number than the main output buffer apparatuses wherein data of broadcast contents to be output to all the output channels is copied from the broadcast content storage unit, and a control unit for letting the backup output control apparatus output signals of broadcast contents stored therein for output channels associated with any of the main output buffer apparatuses to the output channels in the event of a failure occurring in

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling preference channels and a method thereof, an audience rating survey system using the same and a method thereof, in which information related to channels preferred by a viewer is automatically totaled according to day and time to decide ranking and channels are selected and an on-line audience rating survey is performed on the basis of information related to preference channels, are provided. Accordingly, a user checks information related to preference channels according to day and time, registers the information according to rankings of the preference channels, uses the registered information related to preference channels when selecting channels, and makes an on-line audience rating survey of the registered information related to preference channels. Thus, the user can easily search for a desired channel. In addition, preference channels are searched for immediately when turning on a TV, thereby the most preferred channel is automatically selected.

Abstract: A method of retrieving data files broadcast repetitively over at least a first time interval and a second time interval comprising, receiving a file request from a user selecting at least one of the broadcast data files, requesting an authorization for retrieval of the file requested, initiating an authorized file retrieval process to retrieve at least a first part of the data file broadcast during the first time interval, and subsequently retrieving a second part of the data file broadcast during the second time interval, and rearranging the first and second parts to reconstitute at least a part of the data file.

Abstract: A method for sending data to a client to provide data-on-demand services comprises the steps of: receiving a data file, specifying a time interval, parsing the data file into a plurality of data blocks based on the time interval such that each data block is displayable during a time interval, determining a required number of time slots to send the data file, allocating to each time slot at least a first of the plurality of data blocks and optionally one or more additional data blocks, such that starting from any of the time slots, (i) the data file can be displayed by accessing the first of the plurality of data blocks; (ii) at a consecutive time slot, a next data block sequential to a prior displayed data block is available for displaying; and (iii) repeating step (ii) until all of the plurality of data blocks for the data file has been displayed, and sending the plurality of data blocks based on the allocating step.

Abstract: Audiovisual reproduction system triggered by payment from a user, developed around a microprocessor device, said system comprising memory containing, in compressed digital form, audio and visual information to be used, a display and digital audio reproduction unit enabling formation of a multimedia environment, wherein the display comprises a video monitor and an interactive interface with the user by an interface program which reacts to external events and translates the external events for a multitasking operating system as events which trigger, via a graphical module of a library of integrated tools and services, a display of windows or frames providing a modification of physical operating parameters of the audiovisual reproduction system, said external events comprising at least a down event interpreting coincidence of a placement of pointing device with the position of at least a representation displayed by the graphic module, and an event which triggers modification of the physical operating parameters

Abstract: A system (and method) assists consideration of selection that recommends selection candidates to a considerer who is considering selection in a certain field in order to assist determination of selection of a considerer with which the considerer is satisfied. At least one question concerning a field of consideration is sent to a considerer one after another and answer data is received from the considerer by a question-and-answer transmitting and receiving portion. A degree-of-significance representing how much significance the considerer attaches to each evaluation item in the field of consideration is estimated from the answer data by a degree-of-significance estimating portion.

Abstract: A video data transmission system in which a video signal transmitting apparatus and a plurality of video signal receiving apparatuses are coupled to each other via a network, and the video signal transmitting apparatus has a first memory unit for storing a video signal as digital video data which is sequentially updated a plurality of second memory units to which the digital video data is written at predetermined timings and from which the digital video data is read and a control unit for controlling the first and second memory units and a transmitter for transmitting the digital video data to the network. With the configuration, optimum digital video data is transmitted to the plurality of video signal receiving apparatuses in accordance with the transmission band of the network coupled to the video signal transmitting apparatus.

Abstract: Frames of image data are stored in a device capable of effecting a plurality of data transfers with respective processes. The data is transferable up to a notional maximum transfer-rate bandwidth. Bandwidth is allocated to particular requesting processes within said notional maximum. A frame of image data is then transferred to each of said processes in turn so that each process receives its allocated bandwidth within said notional maximum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a data recording and reproduction apparatus, and a method and a system for sending out data for preparing a log file of material codes and a sending time. The video server comprises a storage means utilizing a randomly accessible storage media, and a server controller for controlling the storage means and multiple input and output ports connected to the storage means. The input port includes a multiplexer for inserting the material code to identify video source onto compressed video signals derived from video signals fed to the input ports. Video signals with their material codes superimposed thereon are recorded as video sources on the storage means. A material code is extracted from any video signal that is reproduced, and a log file of the sending data (sending time and data including material code relating to the sent-out material) is generated.

Abstract: A media system which includes logic configured to provide a user interface that provides a user with a plurality of media content selections available at various times, and

Abstract: A recordable media content archiving system in a subscriber network. The recordable media content archiving system comprises, among other elements, a memory for storing recordable media content characterizing information, a storage device for storing a plurality of portable mediums, and a processor configured with the memory to receive the recordable media content characterizing information into the memory, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a user interface for the recordable media content archiving system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of recording a multi-channel data stream on a recording medium in such a manner that substreams of digital channels constituting the multi-channel data stream can be distinguished each other in reproduction. The present recording method records a multi-channel stream composed of substreams belonging to plural selected channels on a recording medium, unitizes the recorded stream to a single stream object, creates a piece of search information for each substream contained in the recorded multi-channel stream, and records the created plural pieces of search information on the recording medium. The present method makes it possible to selectively search and reproduce each substream among a multi-channel stream recorded on a recording medium, thereby improving use convenience of a recording machine such as a digital video recorder.

Abstract: A virtual storage adapter provides networked data storage to a data processing device for delivering consumer entertainment services using virtual devices accessed over a high-speed quality-of-service-enabled communications network. A data storage device emulation unit emulates the functionality of a data storage device (e.g., a DVD or a CD) and a network interface comprising an IP Small Computer System Interface (“iSCSI”) compatible interface connects the data storage device emulation unit to an iSCSI storage gateway. The virtual storage adapter provides video on demand (“VoD”) services using a video on demand server comprising a video on demand portal for selection and an administration unit for billing. Personal video recorder services are also provided, including data expiration, capacity on demand, consolidated recording and community recording features.

Abstract: When various content is broadcasted via the Internet, a user is free from restriction of time and space and user's desired content is provided. The content is controllably recorded and read to a random-access recording medium via a network, and at least the content read from the recording medium is transmitted to the network.

Abstract: A distributed broadcast system for receiving, processing, scheduling and broadcasting a wide variety of media objects is disclosed. The system comprises: a media object tracking system, a channel editing segment, a broadcast facility, and a plurality of end-user PCs. The media object tracking system receives media objects from a plurality of distinct sources and tracks their distribution, modification, and use. Associated with the media-object tracking system are a plurality of editing stations, where received media objects may be processed to create broadcast-ready material. The channel editing segment preferably comprises a plurality of channel editing centers (CECs) and one or more channel management centers (CMCs) which aggregate broadcast-ready media objects and schedule them for broadcast. Each scheduled media object is encoded in accordance with subscription information associated with the service to which the media object belongs.

Abstract: A load on a CPU which controls the entire disk array device in an audio/video server which controls hard disk drives inside the disk array device is reduced. A recording/reproduction apparatus includes a plurality of recording/reproduction devices; a control device for issuing a command which instructs a recording/reproduction operation of each of the plurality of recording/reproduction devices and for setting information which specifies the enable/disable of an interrupt in such a manner as to correspond to each issued command; and a communication processing device for performing communication which transmits the command issued by the control device with each of the recording/reproduction devices and, after the communication for each command is terminated, for sending an interrupt indicating the termination of the communication to the control device under the condition in which the information which is set in such a manner as to correspond to the command specifies interrupt enable.

Abstract: A data communication system includes a transmitting device having a unit for storing a plurality of data, a unit for receiving a request to transmit first data from the communication terminal, and for transmitting the first data to the communication terminal in response to the request for transmission; and a communication terminal having a unit for transmitting the request to transmit the first data to the transmitting device, a data receiving unit for receiving the first data, a first storage for storing the first data, a second storage for storing second data different from the first data, a reading unit for reading data storage, a display unit for stored in the first storage or second displaying the data read out by the reading unit, and a control unit for performing control for the reading unit.

Abstract: Requests are received for retrieving and storing data from and to a plurality of storage devices. A processor is designated for handling each request, based, e.g., on the load of each processor. A request for retrieving data is forwarded directly from the designated processor to the storage device via a switch. Responses from the storage devices are routed directly to the designated processor via the switch. The switch independently routes the request for retrieving data and the responses between the storage devices and the processor, based on directory information obtained by the processor. Data provided by a designated processor is stored on the storage devices via a switch. The switch independently routes the data to be stored directly from the designated processor to the storage devices, based on directory information created by the processor. Requests and responses are exchanged between the switch and the storage devices via at least one high speed network connected to the storage devices.

Abstract: A data processor includes a first FIFO and a second FIFO. The first FIFO stores a plurality of types of cue data in a predetermined order, and the second FIFO stores, in parallel with the cue data stored in the first FIFO, the types of the cue data and information about continuity. A monitoring control circuit reads the plurality of cue data of the same type continuously from the first FIFO in response to the information stored in the second FIFO in parallel with the cue data. The back-end processor supplies the cue data to a memory as a single unit. The data processor can solve a problem of a conventional data processor in that it must incorporate FIFOs and FIFO monitoring circuits of the number equal to the number of the data types, and hence it is unavoidable that its circuit scale and cost increases with the number of data types.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for storing data provide data memory in a systematic, cyclical arrangement, provide plural data portals in an arrangement defined by modular arithmetic, and provide sequential, relative movement between the data memory and the data portals. When one or more of the plural portals is selected, data can be input or output in a manner which is predictable, straight-forward, free of scheduling constraints, and very efficient, without contention between the separate portals. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus which provide data memory in a systematic, cyclical arrangement, provide a systematic arrangement of plural data outputs, and provide sequential, relative movement between the data memory and the data outputs. The memory devices of the present invention can be designed so that the memory device circulates data either through or past fixed portals. Alternatively, the data can be stored in fixed locations and the portals moved from location to location.

Abstract: On a data terminal compatible only with a specific image data format, image data in an incompatible data format could not be viewed. In addition, on a small display screen, only small-size image data could be viewed. In response to an image data distribution request from a data terminal, a data distribution device converts the format of image data incompatible with the data terminal before transmission to the data terminal. In addition, the data distribution device adds image operation buttons in order to send enlarged image data corresponding to any of the buttons.

Abstract: A network for distributing broadband video content from its origination point to end users using a system of video servers, video storage devices, video caches and a broadband transmission network. Video material is initially received from content providers, encoded using a compression algorithm, and stored at a centralized location. Depending on the projected frequency of viewing of the content, it either remains stored at the centralized location for less frequently viewed content, or the projected frequently viewed content is proactively transmitted to storage systems located near the edge of the network close to the end users.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of informational video programs over a single digital transport stream to a plurality of receivers, wherein the receivers are operative to select from the transport stream data identified with any given program and to decode the identified data into a displayable video signal.

Abstract: A system that relates annotations captured at an event and continuous signal recordings, such as video recordings, of the event in such as way that once the recordings and annotations are distributed to a remote site, an operator does not have to manually identify the time intervals of individual segments that are identified in the annotations. Prior to distribution to the remote sites, the annotations that are collected for the event are processed to identify a series of time segments, including a time interval of the signal recordings. The time reference for these identified time intervals is based on the signal recordings themselves, for example, being relative to a time reference marks that are introduced into the video recordings before they are distributed to the remote site, or being based on an recorded time signal.

Abstract: A national level information service system collects local and national interest information and advertisements from a plurality of remote providers that may be located around the country or the world, and distributes this information to one or more television distribution systems for viewing by the system viewers. The system provides timely information relating to various areas of interest, including, for example, news, sports, weather, stock information and the like, that can be viewed on one or more television channels. Providers of the national and local interest information periodically collect the raw data containing the information to be broadcast, and store the data at a designated location, preferably on the provider's Internet server. These stored files are then periodically retrieved and compared to previously retrieved files to determine whether they have been updated by the information provider.

Abstract: An organizing unit manages a program frame and a time frame of CM and a producing unit generates a composite media file to be broadcasted and a broadcasting schedule information. A schedule control unit concentrically control an organized schedule information map managing the organizing unit, a composite media file modification schedule information map held by the producing unit and a file updating schedule information map. A broadcasting unit generates a broadcasting data according to the information provided by the schedule control unit to perform broadcasting to a transmission line. A trigger input device commands broadcasting unit for modification of the broadcasting data of the program on broadcasting.

Abstract: Video images and/or audio clips are rapidly and efficiently assembled into a finished program master recording for playback, including subsequent duplication. The images and audio portions may be collected locally or from remote sites in a variety of still video, motion, or multimedia formats. To reduce bandwidth or storage requirements, proprietary or commercially available compression/decompression data algorithms preferably are utilized during transmission and accumulation. Once a complete program is available the images and/or audio portions may be replayed automatically in a predetermined sequence, thereby allowing the program master video tape or disc to be recorded and distributed in a timely manner. As an alternative, the program presentation may be played back directly to a plurality of video recorders to effect duplication.

Abstract: When data of a file are stored in a disk drive unit, the data are divided and stored in a plurality of disk drive units, so that the data more than physical capacity of a disk drive unit may be stored by the striping method. The method for storing the data may include the steps of allocating unique information identifying a disk drive unit to each of a plurality of disk drive units composing a disk group, specifying one of the plurality of disk drive units as a parent disk drive unit, storing information indicating the relation between the disk drive units which compose the group in said parent disk drive unit, dividing data of a file into a plurality of divided, and storing said divided data in the plurality of disk drive units, as logically continued.

Abstract: A disk apparatus for reproducing in a preliminarily determined order digital video data recorded in a plurality of areas of an optical disk at different positions with respect to the radial position of the optical disk in a reproduction mode by an optical head. The reproduced video data is stored in a buffer memory and encoded by an MPEG decoder. The amount of digital video data corresponding to the access time for accessing the recording areas of the optical disk are reproduced from the optical disk at a speed higher than the bit rate at which the video data is input or output and stored in the buffer memory. The digital video data are continuously read out and reproduced from the buffer memory when the optical head is in the recording areas and accesses between the recording areas.

Abstract: A data allocation control method is applicable to a data recording apparatus for writing and/or reading data to/from a recording surface of a disciform recording medium. In this method, data to be recorded on the recording surface is divided into a plurality of data blocks to be consecutively dealt with. Next, allocation information for designating each location of the plurality of data blocks is generated such that a second data block next to a first data block included in the plurality of data blocks is located to keep a predetermined interval from a location of the first data block.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sequencing views retrieved from a spherical still image file provide the viewer with the perception of a video performance with a low bandwidth transmission. The method incorporates digital transmission and automatic sequencing of the playback of the view. The apparatus provides video-motion rate images via low bandwidth digital transmissions or small data files from a still image taken of an inanimate environment. The resulting method and apparatus allow the viewer to experience a video display of any environment (for example, real estate locations, malls, museums, and hotels) and view a “video” tour of the location through a low bandwidth transmission.

Abstract: A system for serving information includes a router; archive storage medium units connected to the router for storing information data; delivere storage medium units connected to the router for partially storing information data from the archive storage medium units; end devices each having an input and a display connected to the router for outputting demand data requesting selected information data; and a controller connected to the router for managing distribution of the information data.

Abstract: Digital data of a plurality of video/audio softs is stored in a plurality of random-accessible large capacity storage device (9) and a control device (8) designates the reading of the video/audio softs and a vacant channel number to decoder devices of a multi-channel output, so that the designated video/audio softs are intermittently read out by time division from the large capacity storage devices every predetermined blocks by the decoder devices to be temporarily stored and thereafter decoded and outputted from the designated number channels, and thus, any soft can be supplied to the terminal devices at any supply starting time, irrespective of whether the requested softs are the same or different, so long as the number of the output channels of the data processing device is within the permissible range.