Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. The digital broadcast receiving system includes a baseband processor, a management processor, and a presentation processor. The baseband processor receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. Herein, the mobile service data configure a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame, and the RS frame includes mobile service data and at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data. The management processor acquires simple guide information on at least one of a current program and a next program of a corresponding channel from the channel configuration information and stores the acquired simple guide information.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and method of processing data therein are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcasting system includes a baseband processor unit receiving a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data, the mobile service data configuring an RS frame, the RS frame including the mobile service data and at least one signaling information data describing rating information of the mobile service data, a management processor unit obtaining the rating information of the mobile service data by parsing the signaling information data from the RS frame, the management processor unit determining a presence or non-presence of a viewing restriction by comparing the obtained rating information of the mobile service data to viewing restriction rating information set by a user, and a presentation processor unit blocking the mobile service data if the viewing restriction of the mobile service data is determined.

Abstract: A method for switching node main-standby controllers based on content distribution network is disclosed by the present invention, including the process that a node standby controller detects the status of the current node main controller, and when the node main controller is abnormal, the node standby controller selects one node standby controller to be the new node main controller by replacement according to a preset rule. A content distribution network is also disclosed by the present invention. The present invention can avoid the problem that a manager changes the node main controller blindly, which is caused by a network anomaly while not the failure of the node main controller, thus the performance of the manager is effectively improved and the bandwidth of the network is saved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and program product for performing ad hoc media delivery. Enhanced handheld devices are used in combination with the other components to route media and control its presentation. Enhanced media presentation stations detect the presence of one or more of the handheld devices. Information regarding the presence of a handheld device is then communicated from the media presentation stations to an enhanced server. The server uses this information to maintain a record of the location of each handheld device. The recorded location information is used to route the media to the media presentation station that is closest to the location of the handheld device. Control information, such as media selection and fidelity control (when appropriate), is forwarded from the handheld device to the server, so that the server can take appropriate action relative to transmission of the media to the media presentation station at issue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing personal media using a digital recorder transfers multimedia content via email to a digital video recorder.

Abstract: A communication system according to various exemplary embodiments can include a broadcast station. At least one encoder can be coupled to the broadcast station, wherein the at least one encoder is configured to encode in real-time signals generated from the broadcast station and to convert the signals into Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) data packets. At least one server can be coupled to the at least one encoder for transmitting the TCP/IP data packets over a virtual connection between the at least one server to a content distribution network.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing multi-viewpoint, media-sharing activities related to proximity-centric media content associated with an event whereby the media-sharing activities are performed via portable communications devices. The method includes identifying an alternate feed of media content by a first portable communications device that was captured by a second portable communications device at the event. The method also includes performing real-time auditioning of the media content by the first portable communications device for assessing a vantage point of the media content with respect to the event. The method further includes receiving the alternate feed of media content at the first portable communications device in response to a request transmitted by the first portable communications device. The first portable communications device and the second portable communications device are in geographic propinquity of the event.

Abstract: In an internet protocol television (IPTV) system, fast channel change (FCC) transactions that experience late multicast joins are handled specially, thereby allowing the system to be provisioned for the vast majority of multicast joins that are within an expected range. During an FCC transaction, the subscriber interface device, such as a set-top box (STB), can determine how long it can wait to join the multicast stream of the new channel before a gap can be predicted to occur in the handover from the FCC unicast to the multicast. If the STB has not joined the multicast stream by the determined time, a recovery procedure is invoked in which the STB sends a RESTART request to the FCC server which, in turn, increases the rate of the FCC unicast as if the FCC transaction were restarted, thus allowing the handover to occur seamlessly. This solution reduces the demands of each FCC transaction, allowing for greater scalability and reduced cost.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller operable to receive signaling information from a local resource manager (LRM) identifying a recipient media processor (RMP) and describing at least one media characteristic of media content selected by an initiating media processor (IMP) to be presented at the RMP, determine a location of the RMP and a media capability of the RMP, compare the media capability of the RMP to the at least one media characteristic of the media content, determine a media configuration of at least one network element in an interactive television network based on the comparison, configure at least one network element of a virtual private network (VPN) based on the media configuration, and transmit signaling information to the LRM to enable the IMP to present the media content at the RMP over the VPN. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In an information-processing system shown in FIG. 1, a server (106) for delivering remote-operation control information in accordance with an audio/video instrument (110) and an information-processing apparatus (103) with a remote-operation screen display function for remote-controlling the audio/video instrument (110) based on control information acquired from this server (106) are connected to each other through the Internet (105) etc. The information-processing apparatus (103) makes a request to the server (106) to deliver the remote-operation control information in accordance with this audio/video instrument (110) and, based on the control information delivered from the server (106) owing to this delivery request, performs display processing of a remote-operation screen and, based on remote-operation information input by operations on the remote-operation screen, remote-controls the audio/video instrument (110).

Abstract: A point-reading device for obtaining network audio/video files includes an image reading unit for obtaining image codes including information codes representing audio/video target files. A digital processing unit connected with the image reading unit receives the image codes sent from the image reading unit and decodes the image codes to obtain the information codes representing the audio/video target files. A memory for storing data, connected with the digital processing unit stores an information table that identifies the corresponding relationships between the information codes representing the audio/video target files and attribute information used for obtaining the audio/video target files. A network module establishes a connection between the digital processing unit and a network server. An operation system supporting network protocol is provided in the digital processing unit.

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

Abstract: A method that provides for multicast delivery of information in a DSL network includes creating transmission paths between a single source port and multiple destination ports in a DSL network; receiving information at the source port; determining which of the destination ports is to receive the information; and distributing the information from the source port to selective ones of the destination ports based on the prior referencing step. A DSL system for providing multicast delivery of information includes an ATM network layer for sending information, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) coupled to the ATM network layer for receiving the information, and a network control system for controlling selective multiplexing of the information through the digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication system (SYS), a gateway apparatus (HiGA) and a method for allowing services of a first type provided by a communication server (IMS-S) to be provided to terminal devices (T1, T2, . . . Tn . . . TN) of a home network (CPN) independent of whether the terminal devices are of a first type or a second type (IMS-based or non-IMS-based). The gateway apparatus (HiGA) comprises one or more service-specific mapping applications (AS) for adapting the control plane (SIP) used between the second type terminal devices (T2) to the control plane (HTTP) used between the gateway apparatus (HiGA) and the communication server (IMS-S).

Abstract: An IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference, comprising an in-premises base station (IBS) is described. The IBS further comprises an IS-OFDM transceiver for communicating with a plurality of in-premises terminals (ITs) without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter. Further, a method for operating an IS-OFDM system for ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless communications that suppresses narrow-band interference and provides local area networking services, in-premises distribution of broadcast cable channels and in-premises wireless access and routing to external networks is described, without creating interference outside an in-premises perimeter.

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

Abstract: A hierarchical broadcasting device and method are disclosed. In the hierarchical broadcasting method, a broadcast transmitting device may transmit lower layer broadcast data for an existing broadcast to a broadcast receiving device via a first communication network, and may transmit upper layer broadcast data for an improved broadcast to the broadcast receiving device via a second communication network. In this instance, the broadcast receiving device combines the lower layer broadcast data and the upper layer broadcast data in order to display the improved broadcast.

Abstract: Automatically recovering from broken network connections in streaming media scenarios. Server software executing on the server communicates with client software executing on the client during the streaming media session. If the streaming media session is interrupted, the server software and the client software exchange messages to associate the client with a client state stored by the server and to re-synchronize playback of the content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a scalable, hierarchical, distributed network architecture and processes for the delivery of high-performance, end-to-end online multimedia services, including Internet services such as World Wide Web access. The network architecture connects a high-speed private backbone to multiple network access points of the Internet, to a network operation center, to a back office system, and to multiple regional servers in regional data centers. Each of the regional servers connects to several caching servers in modified head-ends, which in turn connect via fiber optics to many neighborhood nodes. Finally, each node connects via coaxial cable to multiple end-user systems. The processes include those for replicating and caching frequently-accessed content, and multicasting content customized per region or locality.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems of statistical video multiplexing to improve the performance of video encoding by minimizing delay while achieving high video quality. The video encoders used in the system are capable of calculating the complexity of underlying video sources and communicating the complexity to the multiplexer. Furthermore, the video encoders are capable of estimating the look-ahead complexity, i.e. the future complexity and communicating the future complexity values to the multiplexer. A processor associated with the multiplexer allocates bit rates for the video encoders according to the received complexity values and future complexity values. The bit rate information is then communicated to the video encoders. Each video encoder will then exercise its coding control parameters to regulate the resulting bit rate to be within or close to the allocated bit rate.

Abstract: A particular method may include detecting at a first network device of a video distribution network a fault in transmission of a stream of media data with a media channel. The method also includes, in response to detecting the fault, transmitting a notification that includes fault information corresponding to the detected fault and the stream of media data corresponding to the media channel from the first network device to a second network device of the video distribution network.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting video stream macroblock errors and pixelation by detecting macroblock artifacts in analog television signals from a conventional set top box.

Abstract: A video transmitting system may be configured to transmit, over extended length twisted-pair cables, video signals encoded in the Y/C video space. The system may comprise a source of RGB computer video signals. A video transmitter may be operable to convert the RGB video signals into a balanced luminance signal and a respective pair of balanced color difference signals. The video transmitting system may be further configured to transmit the balanced luminance signal and the pair of balanced color difference signals over respective extended length twisted-pair cables. The luminance signal may be transmitted over a non time-corrected cable in order to retain bandwidth, while the color difference signals may be transmitted over time-corrected cables, thereby reducing the visual degradation of the signals.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and method of processing data therein are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcasting system includes a baseband processor unit receiving a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data, the mobile service data configuring an RS frame, the RS frame including the mobile service data and at least one signaling information data describing rating information of the mobile service data, a management processor unit obtaining the rating information of the mobile service data by parsing the signaling information data from the RS frame, the management processor unit determining a presence or non-presence of a viewing restriction by comparing the obtained rating information of the mobile service data to viewing restriction rating information set by a user, and a presentation processor unit blocking the mobile service data if the viewing restriction of the mobile service data is determined.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. The digital broadcast receiving system includes a baseband processor, a management processor, and a presentation processor. The baseband processor receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. Herein, the mobile service data configure a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame, and the RS frame includes mobile service data and at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data. The management processor acquires simple guide information on at least one of a current program and a next program of a corresponding channel from the channel configuration information and stores the acquired simple guide information.

Abstract: Expanding the coverage of a time-shared network comprising electronic edge nodes interconnected by bufferless fast-switching optical nodes is enabled by combining spatial switching with temporal switching. The output side of each edge node preferably connects to a large number of core switches through individual time-locked channels and the input side preferably connects to each of a small number of core switches through a channel band having a sufficiently large number of channels. Wavelength routers may be used to aggregate individually-routed channels into WDM links.

Abstract: An original blanking period of a video signal is shortened to a set blanking period, and audio data is multiplexed into a resulting superimposing period. Table distinguishing data indicating the length of the superimposing period is inserted into the period as a blanking signal. With this configuration, it is possible to enable transmission and reception of an audio signal in a system capable of transmitting and receiving a video signal.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a wireless communication unit wirelessly communicating with any of a plurality of external devices which each comprise a display, a display displaying content including specific content, an input unit receiving an input for selecting the specific content, and a controller. The controller searches for an external device that is available for communication with the electronic device, establishes communication via the wireless communication unit with a selected first external device, which is one of the plurality of external devices identified as a result of the search for an external device, receives content specification information from the first external device to determine the first external device's capability to display the specific content, and causes displaying of the specific content on the display of the first external device upon determining that the first external device is capable of displaying the specific content based on the content specification information.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to monitor first and second access devices of a communications network for an alarm where the first and second access devices are connected to each other by a fiber optic cable and where the first and second access devices are capable of transmitting media content to a communications device of a user, identify hierarchical cable relationships associated with the fiber optic cable, monitor network elements of the communications network that are associated with the hierarchical cable relationships for other alarms, and determine a fiber cut of the fiber optic cable based at least in part on the alarm of the monitored first and second access devices and the other alarms of the monitored network elements. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system of a 16E1/T1 media gateway are disclosed. In one embodiment, a 16E1/T1 media gateway includes two set of 8E1/T1 interfaces connected through RJ45 connectors to create 16 E1/T1 interface in a media gateway equipment to run a multiple applications simultaneously such as voice services such as voice dialers including OBD, IBD, CRBT, IVRS, and video services such as Video IVRS, Video dialing, 3G services, and Data services such as SMSC, USSD, SIP terminal, and other special services like WAP, LBS services, remote monitoring, GSM A interface value added services in a single hardware based solution. Each 8E1/T1 setup consists of a CPU board, a framer board, a DSP board, HDD, power supply unit with dual power inputs, LED board, fans, to provide above said services.

Abstract: A cost-efficient digital CATV network to improve signal quality, provide reliability, and offer the ability to meet demands for interactive services is described. Analog or digital video downstream channels are converted to a digital format by a digital headend transmitter. Relatively costly error-encoding for digital video channels is also part of the digital headend transmitter. Downstream analog and digital video channels in the digital format are transmitted using time-division multiplex technology from a headend to nodes using standard network protocols, such as SONET. Standard network protocols provide error-monitoring and status indication of transmit data, thus ensuring high signal quality and reliability. Time-division multiplexing facilitates easy adding or dropping of information to a transmit path. Flexibility to add or drop information is critical in providing interactive services. Data from interactive services can be added or dropped at points of presence throughout the digital CATV network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a content providing system and method, a content providing apparatus and method, a content receiver and method, a recording medium, and a program that make it possible to provide viewers with transaction contents at low cost. Plural broadcasting apparatuses include trigger contents in program contents and broadcast the program contents to digital television receivers. The broadcasting apparatus broadcasts transaction contents that are displayed when the trigger contents of the plural broadcasting apparatus are turned on by the plural digital television receivers. It is possible to apply the invention to a digital television broadcasting system.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: A receiving device includes a first data receiving unit to receive image data from an external device, with multiple channels, by differential signals, via a transfer path; a second data receiving unit to receive predetermined data from the external device, via a bi-directional communication path made up using predetermined lines of the transfer path; a capability confirming unit to confirm the existence of capability to transmit the predetermined data to the external device, via the bi-directional communication path; and a transmission request unit to request transmission of the predetermined data to the external device when confirmation is made by the capability confirming unit that the external device has the capability.

Abstract: A networked digital security system is disclosed that preferably includes a centralized administrator web server coupled via a communication network such as the Internet to a plurality of customer servers and-a plurality of customer work stations. The centralized web server advantageously provides a point of control and management of the networked digital security system. The customer servers and customer work stations are preferably located at the customer's monitored sites. The customer servers are coupled to one or more intelligent camera units, which are preferably fully integrated intelligent units that gather, analyze, and transmit video, audio, and associated detected alarm event information to their associated customer server and the administrator web server. The camera units also include an intelligent automatic gain controller, an encoder buffer controller, and a network bandwidth priority controller. The system supports several compression algorithm standards.

Abstract: A method involves identifying a leak location in a cable television system using a detection system, calculating a distance between the leak location and a plurality of shapes or points contained in map data to identify the nearest shape or point, and providing a piece of information corresponding to the nearest shape or point. The piece of information may be a street address or a device.

Abstract: A packet transmitting apparatus for transmitting a content protected with a content protection technique such as DTCP in the form of packets which are widely used, such as IP packets, and for providing diverse EPG information is provided. Metadata of an A/V stream is utilized to control the output mode, encryption mode, and/or addition of an encryption information header of contents such as video, audio, and data contained in the stream (407). This secures interconnection compatibility between a packet transmitting apparatus and a packet receiving apparatus while maintaining secrecy (414). When a content received through digital television broadcasting is used as an A/V stream, a channel is selected from a full transport stream which is received through broadcasting (409) so as to extract and form a partial transport stream for use (410).

Abstract: A downstream bandwidth conditioning device includes a forward path. A coupler is connected within the forward path providing a secondary path. A tuner connected to the coupler is tunable based on an input from a microprocessor. The tuner provides a tuner output of a selected channel, the selected channel being at least one high frequency channel and one low frequency channel. A channel analyzer connected to an output of the tuner provides the microprocessor with a modulation output that differs when the selected channel is an analog modulation versus a digital modulation. A slope adjustment circuit connected within the forward path between the coupler and the supplier side connector is adjustable based on an slope control output provided by the microprocessor. An output compensation circuit connected within the forward signal path between the coupler and the supplier side connector is adjustable based on a level control output from the microprocessor.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: There are provided a method and apparatus for providing and receiving a video service in digital audio broadcasting (DAB). The video service providing method includes: storing information related to encoding of a provided video service stream and information related to packetization of the video service stream in a channel different from a service data channel; and multiplexing the information related to encoding of the video service stream and the information related to packetization of the video service stream to create a DAB transmission frame, and transmitting the DAB transmission frame. Therefore, by allowing different types of DAB receivers to uniformly process video services, it is possible to achieve high efficiency in video service processing and controlling.

Abstract: A distributed stream processing system including a plurality of storage devices, at least one of which is configured to process at least one segment of a data stream, thereby producing a changed segment of the data stream, and provide output of at least the changed segment of the data stream, and a server configured to accept the output of the storage devices and combine the output into a transport stream. A method for combining a plurality of data streams including using one or more storage devices for processing at least one segment of a data stream, thereby producing a changed segment of the data stream, and providing output of at least the changed segment of the data stream, and combining the output of the storage devices into a combined data stream. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a scalable, hierarchical, distributed network architecture and processes for the delivery of high-performance, end-to-end online multimedia services, including Internet services such as World Wide Web access. The network architecture connects a high-speed private backbone to multiple network access points of the Internet, to a network operation center, to a back office system, and to multiple regional servers in regional data centers. Each of the regional servers connects to several caching servers in modified head-ends, which in turn connect via fiber optics to many neighborhood nodes. Finally, each node connects via coaxial cable to multiple end-user systems. The processes include those for replicating and caching frequently-accessed content, and multicasting content customized per region or locality.

Abstract: DisplayPort micropackets of uncompressed visual information are adapted to conventional network infrastructure with a switch having DisplayPort ports, network ports and a packet converter. The packet converter encapsulates DisplayPort packets for communication through network ports and extracts DisplayPort packets from network packets for communication through DisplayPort ports. An address resolution table associates the switch ports with each other and with a packet converter operation by using a control field that defines the packet converter operation for information received at each port, such as encapsulation, extraction or native switching.

Abstract: A first communication apparatus includes a data transmission unit that sequentially transmits each data forming a data stream to any of a plurality of transmission paths along with additional information indicating transmission sequence of the each data. A second communication apparatus includes a sequence specification unit that specifies the transmission sequence of the each data based on the additional information provided with the each data sequentially received from the first communication unit via the plurality of the transmission paths.

Abstract: It is determined that a substantial portion of set-top terminals connected to a video content network require a software upgrade. In-band video bandwidth (e.g., video-on-demand or switched digital video) is allocated for the software upgrade. The software upgrade is broadcast to the set-top terminals from a carousel in a first remote node of the video content network, via the allocated in-band video bandwidth, until a predetermined number of the set-top terminals have received the software upgrade. Subsequent to the predetermined number of set-top terminals receiving the software upgrade, the in-band video bandwidth is de-allocated and the software upgrade is made available out-of-band to the remaining portion of the set-top terminals, via individual sessions with an application server in a second remote node of the video content network. An exemplary system, which can implement the method, includes a controller, a dynamic bandwidth allocation device, the carousel, and the application server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a broadcasting system, a sending apparatus and a sending method, a receiving apparatus and a receiving method, and a program that make it possible to cause a user to feel a sense of realism, to display an image suitable for the preferences of a user, or the like by performing an appropriate process on a receiving side of the broadcasting system. A sending apparatus 11 sends material data, which is acquired by a sensor, and additional information, which is used to process the material data with a receiving apparatus 12. The receiving apparatus 12 receives the material data and the additional information, and generates output data on the basis of the material data and the additional information. Further, the receiving apparatus 12 produces output on the basis of the output data, e.g., produces output with output means such as a display device or an air conditioner. The present invention can be applied to, for example, a broadcasting system that broadcasts.

Abstract: An encoding system includes a video coding layer (VCL) to generate slices when encoding multimedia data, a generic adaptation layer (GAL) to create, from the slices, a set of GAL units having a format that is generic to various transport systems, and a network adaptation layer (NAL) associated with a specific transport system to map the set of GAL units to the format of the specific transport system.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in a content delivery managing section 16, transmission channels and transmission timing are allocated to contents layered according to content properties or respective contents constituting a program. In a content transmission section 10, on the basis of the transmission channels and transmission timing allocated in the content delivery managing section 16, coded bit sequences 101a to 101n of respective contents are multiplexed with timing information 102 such as decoding timing information, combination timing information, presentation timing information and reproduction start timing information for the contents generated in a timing information generating section 14 to generate transmission bit sequences 105a to 105n, and they are transmitted.

Abstract: A method of distributing content includes receiving at least one request for a particular content item. Based on the at least one request, a number of users who are to receive the particular content item and are capable of receiving the particular content item via a wireless link is determined. Based on the number of users, at least one of a wireline link and the wireless link from which the users are to receive the particular content item is selected. The particular content item is distributed to the users via the selected at least one link.