Abstract: A method and device (100, 200) for combining digital data signals, converting them to analog data signals, and transmitting the analog signals downstream via a single up converter (170, 270). The data transmission method includes generating a plurality of digital signals, digitally combining the digital signals, and converting the combined digital signal to an analog signal. The analog signal is up converted to a transmittable analog signal having a frequency suited for transmission along a particular transmission medium, and the transmittable analog signal is transmitted. The data transmission device (100, 200) includes a digital combiner circuit (180, 182, 282), a D/A converter (150, 152, 250), an up converter (170, 270), and an optional analog combiner circuit (190).

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method and means for reducing the RF noise induced within cable networks within residences or businesses from entering hybrid fiber optic coax networks in the reverse (upstream) direction. The active unit consists of a set of diplex filters connected end to end which segregates the RF traffic into a forward (nominally 50-750/850 MHz) and a reverse (nominally 5-30/36/42 MHz) direction but with an amplifier placed in the low band path. In the simplest embodiment, the active unit is attached directly to an Network Interface Unit (NIU). Signals from the NIU are amplified as they pass through the active unit and are then transmitted through the premise distribution network. The active unit is designed to boost the signals before they are mixed with noise present within the subscriber's premise network. At a second point in the network, typically at the side of the home where the residential premise network connects to the outside cable plant, the network passes through a second passive unit.

Abstract: A system, computer code, and method are provided for automatically managing avail inventory data of media programming streams for a communications network, such as a cable TV network. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of correlating available addressable units of the communications network with the avail inventory data, and generating a proposed price for purchase of at least one avail based on the results of the correlating step.

Abstract: A television broadcasting system comprises a communication infrastructure and a gateway station communication a television signal to the communication infrastructure. A user terminal establishes a plurality of multiple dynamic links corresponding respectively to the communication infrastructure. The gateway station generates a plurality of datagrams from the television signal and transmits the multiple datagrams through the multiple dynamic links. The user terminal receives the plurality of datagrams from the infrastructure and reassembles the datagrams into the television signal.

Abstract: In a television signal transmission system, CS broadcasting signals received via a master antenna are converted into intermediate frequency signals in an LNB (Low Noise Block Down Converter). The CS intermediate frequency signals then undergo conversion of the modulation format, for example, from QPSK into 64-QAM, so that CS broadcasting signals from each transponder, having a bandwidth of, for example, 27 MHz, are accommodated in a narrower bandwidth, for example, 6 MHz, which is equivalent to one channel of terrestrial broadcasting services. Then, the signals accommodated in the narrower bandwidth is frequency-shifted into a vacant frequency band in the VHF band or the UHF band. Accordingly, the CS signals accommodated in the narrower band and frequency-shifted into the vacant band are multiplexed with terrestrial broadcasting signals in the VHF and UHF bands and BS intermediate frequency signals so that all these signals are delivered to each household via a single cable.

Abstract: A cable system is configured for eliminating ingress noise by configuring set top boxes to transmit at a high frequency at which the noise is absent, by converting those high frequency signals to low frequency signals via a converter at the feeder line end, and by reconverting the low frequency signals to high frequency signals via a converter connecting the feeder line to the trunk. The end of the trunk is connected directly back to the node so that the signals from the feeder line travel in the “forward” direction back to the node and thus to the cable headend.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an on-demand audio or video data file arranges the data file into a sequence of N sections having substantially the same size. The data is then rearranged such that data from a each section is transmitted more frequently than data from a next section in the sequence. The data from the file is arranged in packets such that each packet includes a portion of the data from each of the sections with the portion occupied by the first section being greater than the portion occupied by the second section. Alternatively, the data is arranged in successive groups of packets where each group of packets includes more packets from the first section than from the second section. Data for live programs may use the same scheme where the number of sections or the amount of data in each section increases.

Abstract: A transmission system for transmitting analog color video signals wherein a cable comprising multiple twisted pairs is employed, and certain of these pairs are coupled to carry selected color signals as a function of the delay provided by particular twist rates. In certain instances, selected signal delay devices are connected in circuit with certain twisted pairs. By such an arrangement, it has been found that relatively long distances between a computer and monitor may be spanned by relatively low-cost, twisted pair cable commonly used for telephone communications.

Abstract: A play to air controller station system in a distributed object television broadcast studio. In one embodiment, a play to air control workstation is used to control a variety of resources in a broadcast studio system interconnected by a communications network. The resources of the broadcast studio system include a transmitter unit, various media source devices such as tape decks and file servers, a network routers unit, and various decoders and encoders. The broadcast studio system is managed as a network distributed object system where an all physical devices are attached to the network either by containing appropriate software within themselves, or by attaching themselves to a computer proxy that is on the network and is able to control their functionality. The control system includes one or more device objects configured to store, route and transmit selected video segments to be aired from the television broadcast studio.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article of manufacture is provided for processing a previously encoded MPEG video high-resolution (HR) file and corresponding proxy file, for frame accurate timecode repair and synchronization of individual video frames of the HR and proxy files. Each video frame header of the HR and proxy files is modified by a compressed timecode packet having an identifying signature, an absolute timecode of the frame, and a relative timecode of the frame. The timecodes have the SMPTE timecode format HH:MM:SS:FF. The method automatically verifies the timecodes in the HR and proxy files timecode packets. If a repair of the HR file anomalous absolute timecodes is needed, the method automatically corrects the anomalous absolute timecodes in the HR file. If the proxy file starting video frame is offset from the HR file starting video frame, the method automatically synchronizes the proxy and the HR files absolute and relative timecodes.

Abstract: A computer system with a remote television display converts output signals from a computer to video signals to be displayed on at least one television set and transmits the output signals from the computer along with broadcast and cable video signals to the at least one television set so that one or more televisions may be used as remote display devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for seamless connectivity between a narrow-band network like the Internet and an interactive TV wide-band network, and methods of operating the same, support on-the-fly translation and routing of data between the Internet and the interactive TV wide-band network. The apparatus for interfacing between a wide-band network and a narrow-band network comprises a decoder having a decoder input, a first decoder port, and a second decoder port, which receives wide-band data from the wide-band network via the second decoder port and decodes the wide-band data to provide decoded data in response to decoder requests from the decoder input.

Abstract: Real-time synchronized voice communications during a multi-player game is disclosed. A server is connected to client computers, players. Players can speak into a microphone and have their voice transmitted to all players or a select few. Digitized voice communications are transmitted along with other game data. Player speech and game data is synchronized and reproduced in the same order it was captured.

Abstract: A method of determining noise in a CATV channel, wherein the CATV channel comprises a predetermined frequency band, that employs digital signal processing to isolate the noise signal from an in-service television signal. The method includes an initial step of obtaining a television signal corresponding to a predetermined CATV channel, the television channel comprising a carrier signal modulated by an information signal. Thereafter, the method includes the step of sampling at least a part of the television signal to produce a digital signal segment, said digital signal segment comprising a carrier component, a noise signals component, and an information signal component, wherein said information signal component has a substantially predetermined signal pattern. The method then employs digital signal processing to separate the carrier component from the digital signal segment to produce a baseband signal substantially comprising the information signal and the noise signal.

Abstract: Data is transferred using frequency shift keying modulation in a frequency range that is not within a television signal frequency range used to conduct the television signal over the transmission line. Consequently, the present invention may allow the television signal and the data to be conducted on the same cabling. The frequency shift keying modulation is provided by generating a modulated data signal based on information included in the data. For example, the frequency shift keying modulation generates a modulated data signal at a first frequency when the data is equal to a logical 0 and at a second frequency when the data is equal to a logical 1.