Abstract: A method and apparatus providing channel management in a broadcast receiver. The method includes estimating an intensity and a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of broadcast signals received via a plurality of physical channels (PCT channels) in a channel memory mode, determining reception quality of the respective plurality of PCT channels, in consideration of both the estimated intensity and SNR of the broadcast signals, and assigning the plurality of PCT channels to a virtual channel (VCT channel) according to a predetermined rule with respect to a reception quality of the plurality of PCT channels.

Abstract: When an analog-recorded tape cassette is loaded into an apparatus which can perform an analog recording/reproduction and a digital recording/reproduction by a same video tape and is reproduced, an alarm is displayed. When a tape cassette in which a transport stream of different specifications or a digital video signal of a system other than the MPEG2 system has been recorded is loaded into the apparatus and reproduced, an alarm is displayed. The user watches a smart file picture plane and recognizes recording system information of a program to be monitored from now on. If the program to be reproduced has been digitally recorded, the user switches the input to a digital video input. If the program to be reproduced has been analog-recorded, the user switches the input to an analog video input.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling playback time for stored transport stream data content in a multi-channel broadcast multimedia system having a plurality of system components. The system includes a pause packet processor having a memory for storing said stored transport stream data, and at least one receiver is connected to the pause packet processor for receiving the stored data. At least one of the pause packet processor and the receiver includes a command module configured for enabling an oscillator frequency change in the system components for altering the playback time for the stored data at the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a real time media stream provided as a plurality of media fragments from a plurality of remote nodes in a communications network. A first series of media fragments satisfying a first selection criterion is requested from a first remote node and a further series of media fragments satisfying a further different selection criterion is requested from at least one further remote node. When combined, the first series of fragments and the further series of fragments provide the complete media stream.

Abstract: A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes a controller that detects a reception log of a receiving unit and that records the reception log in a reception log memory. The reception log includes at least the reception channel, reception start time, and reception end time. Periodically an audience member connects the broadcast receiver to a general-purpose computer. The general-purpose computer transmits the reception log data recorded in the reception log memory with a receiver ID written in a ROM through a telephone line over a communication network, such as the Internet. A person who computes viewing/listening information obtains the reception log data and receiver ID from the communication network and computes viewing/listening information, such as a program rating. Instead of providing the broadcast receiver with the reception log memory and a computer interface, a removable storage unit with a computer interface can also be used.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus and a method for channel switching in a broadcast receiving apparatus are provided. The method includes enabling a decoding unit when a broadcast receiving mode starts, decoding, when a serving transport stream is received via a serving broadcast channel, the received serving transport stream in the decoding unit, terminating the decoding of the received serving transport stream in the decoding unit, when the serving broadcast channel is switched to a target broadcast channel, decoding, when the target transport stream is received via the target broadcast channel, the received target transport stream in the decoding unit, and disabling the decoding unit when the broadcast receiving mode is terminated.

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 set-top box is configured to mount therein a security device which stores security information on a broadcasting entity, and extracts transmission information for receiving a broadcasting signal modulated from a control signal from a head end. In the set-top box, it is detected that the security device is not mounted into a receiver, the demodulation mode for the broadcasting signal and/or the frequency of the broadcasting signal is changed to retrieve the broadcasting channel on which the transmission information on the broadcasting signal is transmitted, and then, the broadcasting signal on the retrieved broadcasting channel is received. When it is detected that a demodulator is synchronized with the broadcasting signal, the transmission information on the broadcasting channel is extracted from the demodulated broadcasting signal, the broadcasting signal is received based on the extracted transmission information on the broadcasting signal.

Abstract: A multimedia streaming service system is provided that includes a VOD server to sequentially transmit a header (moov) and media data (mdat) of MP4 contents in a TCP packet and a client to transmit a streaming service request signal in HTTP to the VOD server. The client may accumulate the media data (mdat) received from the VOD server in a decoder buffer for a predetermined time, and reproduce the data on a real time basis. A guaranteed rate of QoS may be enhanced as compared to an RTP/UDP-based streaming method. A service delay time may be reduced as compared with a TCP-based downloading method, thereby implementing contents on a real time basis.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes switching, by a media content access subsystem, from a program stream to an advertisement stream in response to a switching instruction received by the media content access subsystem, detecting, by the media content access subsystem, a predetermined number of markers included within the advertisement stream, the predetermined number of markers indicative of an error associated with the advertisement stream, and switching, by the media content access subsystem, from the advertisement stream to another media content stream in response to the detecting of the predetermined number of markers. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing scalability for channel change requests in a Switched Digital Video system is presented. A request for a channel change is received. A determination is made regarding whether a channel requested by the request for a channel change is currently being provided to the settop box. When the channel requested by the request for a channel change is being provided to the settop box then the request for a channel change is buffered for transmission at a later time. When the channel requested by the request for a channel change is not being provided to the settop box then the request for a channel change is immediately sent to an SDV server in communication with the settop box.

Abstract: A broadcasting system comprises a transmission apparatus, which multiplexes stream-format data based on a stream transmission protocol and file-format data based on a file transmission protocol with each other and sends them as a single stream, and receiving apparatuses which receive and temporarily accumulate stream-format data and file-format data which are sent as they are multiplexed with each other, and stream-format data and file-format data are temporarily accumulated as they directly are in the form of a single stream, all or some of file-format data are reproduced later at predetermined timing and accumulated once again as a file.

Abstract: A Multi-carrier Switch Converter (“MCSC”) for multiplexing a plurality of input signals received at the MCSC into a single MCSC output signal is disclosed. The MCSC may include a Multi-port Selector Switch, wherein the Multi-port Selector Switch receives the plurality of input signals and produces a Multi-port Selector Switch output, wherein the Multi-port Selector Switch output includes a plurality of switched output signals and a frequency translation block in signal communication with the Multi-port Selector Switch, wherein the frequency translation block receives the Multi-port Selector Switch output and frequency translates each switched output signal of the plurality of switched output signals to plurality of translated signals, wherein each translated signal has a fixed carrier frequency.

Abstract: A method for scanning frequencies of a network by a tuner, in order to determine available frequencies, the network including a plurality of coverage zones, a respective signal being emitted over each coverage zone of the network, at a respective frequency, the tuner being located in one of the coverage zones, referred to as the current coverage zone, a signal, referred to as the current signal, being emitted over the current coverage zone, the current signal conveying a plurality of services according to a time slicing method. The method includes obtaining a group of frequency values of the frequencies of coverage zones of the network, and during time intervals separating the time slices dedicated to the at least one service intended to be received, the tuner scanning all the frequency values of the group in order to determine available frequencies, whatever is the number of frequency values in the group.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed. Herein, additional encoding is performed on mobile service data, which are then transmitted, thereby providing robustness in the processed mobile service data, so that the mobile service data can respond more strongly against fast and frequent channel changes. The method of processing data in a transmitting system includes receiving mobile service data, encapsulating the received mobile service data to a transport stream (TS) packet, and outputting the encapsulated mobile service data as a mobile service data packet, and multiplexing a main service data packet including main service data and the encapsulated mobile service data packet, thereby transmitting the multiplexed data packets to at least one transmitter located in a remote site.

Abstract: For achieving the protection of copyright, by suppressing illegal copy production thereof, in particular, when transmitting contents with using a wired or wireless LAN, as well as, for preventing the transmission of contents from deviating from a range of a personal use thereof, a contents transmitter apparatus and a contents receiver apparatus make an authentication, mutually, before transmitting contents therebetween.

Abstract: In a power-on operation of a receiving device that receives digital broadcasting, when PIN information for setting a parental control function of a download application obtained via a network is set, a video output is turned to an off state during a time period before a download application is received from the power-on until a predetermined time elapses, a download application is executed when the download application is received during the time period from the power-on until the predetermined time elapses, and the setting of the PIN information is cancelled when a download application is not received during the time period from the power-on until the predetermined time elapses.

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

Abstract: A digital receiver for processing one of a packetized input data stream and a digitized standard definition input signal is provides a delay in the processing of the standard definition audio input signal to maintain synchronism with the processing of a corresponding standard definition video signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a communication mode for a communication terminal are provided. An embodiment of a method for implementing a communication mode includes receiving a first type of data over a first type of communication channel, determining that the first type of data is subsequently not available over the first type of communication channel, and responsive to determining that the first type of data is subsequently not available over the first type of communication channel, receiving the first type of data over a second type of communication channel.

Abstract: A web television includes a display, a tuner, an internet module, and a PIP module. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display and to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display and to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, and the internet video and audio are derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within a main area of the display. The internet video and the television video may be swapped between the PIP area and the main area of the display, and the speaker of the web television may be swapped between the internet audio and the television audio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a television receiver having a display to indicate a banner thereon, and a controller to adjust a position of the banner on the display. Further, the controller is capable of adjusting the position of the banner on the display according to television program information received.

Abstract: A web television includes a display, a tuner, an internet module, and a PIP module. The tuner is arranged to select television video for display on the display and to select television audio for display by a speaker of the web television. The internet module is arranged to supply internet video for display on the display and to supply internet audio for display by the speaker of the web television, and the internet video and audio are derived from internet communications between the web television and internet content providers. The PIP module is arranged to provide a PIP area within a main area of the display. The internet video and the television video may be swapped between the PIP area and the main area of the display, and the speaker of the web television may be swapped between the internet audio and the television audio.

Abstract: A method of providing performance data is disclosed that includes receiving a performance data request at a set-top box device from customer premises equipment. The performance data request identifies a first performance data measurement and the first performance data measurement is related to a performance aspect of the set-top box device. The method also includes identifying a first portion of a data structure that includes the first performance data measurement. The data structure further includes a second portion designated for a second performance data measurement. The data structure is stored at a data storage device associated with the set-top box device. Further, the method includes retrieving the first performance data measurement from the data storage device based on the first portion of the data structure and sending data associated with the first performance data measurement from the set-top box device to the customer premises equipment.

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

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce effects on playback of moving picture data caused by variations in data transmission rate that occur on a communication line, a receiving and playing back apparatus includes a receiver for receiving moving picture data transmitted over a communication line; playback modules for playing back the received moving picture data; a second buffer for temporarily storing the moving picture data received by the receiver and outputting the stored moving picture data at a desired speed; and a first buffer for providing the playback modules with moving picture data required for playback processing.

Abstract: A telephone link for set top box communication between the set top box and a central office is provided. This invention makes use of an AC power line to provide a communication channel between the set top box and the central office. The set top box is configured to include an interface, including coupling and modulation, between the set top box and the AC power line. A base unit, connected to the central office provides another interface configured to facilitate the coupling and modulation of signals between the central office and the AC power line.

Abstract: A personal video recording (PVR) system and method for allocating limited memory space to multiple users for recording programming content. A selected amount of storage space for storing programing content is allocated for each PVR user. Based on a storage priority protocol, such storage space allocation may change (i.e., increase or decrease) dynamically for additional PVR users. Further, the accessibility of recorded programming content by one or more PVR users and viewing thereof may be subject to different access rights accorded to the users. Based on predetermined storage access and content access protocols associated with each PVR user, certain restrictions may be placed on one or more of these users. For example, a first restriction may relate to the type of programming content that can be recorded or displayed by the PVR for specific user(s). A second restriction may limit designated users from accessing programming content that is stored but associated with another user.

Abstract: A copy protection method of a digital cable broadcasting channel according to a predetermined digital cable broadcasting standard is provided which comprises changing a channel to a first digital cable broadcasting channel and exchanging a copy protection value of the digital cable broadcasting standard between a CableCARD module and a video device corresponding to the channel change operation of the first digital cable broadcasting channel without regard to at least one former channel with respect to the first digital cable broadcasting channel.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide an arbiter, a demultiplexer, and a digital receiver. An exemplary embodiment of the demultiplexer may include packet identifier filters, first-in first-out memories, an arbiter, and a conditional access buffer. Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for demultiplexing multiplexed broadcasting signals.

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

Abstract: Methods and Apparatuses for content protection of broadcast flagged programs for digital television devices that use CableCARDs. In one embodiment, a filter is used to prevent program content in a clear format from being exposed on the CableCARD connector. In one embodiment, broadcast flagged programs in a clear format are filtered for a CableCARD so that no high definition version of the broadcast flagged programs can be easily recorded via the circuitry of the CableCARD. The filter may degrade the broadcast flagged programs, or zero the broadcast flagged programs, or delete the broadcast flagged programs from the transport stream.

Abstract: An operation-mode conversion apparatus for an image display compound device includes: a power-state detector which detects a power state of the compound device; an operation-mode determination unit which determines a present operation mode of the compound device; and an operation-mode controller which converts the operation mode of the compound device based on the power state, the present operation mode, and whether one of an optical storage medium and a movable memory is detected by the compound device, in response to a user input signal, regardless of the preset operation mode.

Abstract: Receivers using multiple tuners may introduce crosstalk between signals provided to the tuners. The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for detecting and preventing crosstalk. A method is described that includes providing a signal to a first signal processing path, tuning to a channel in the signal provided through the first signal processing path, tuning to the channel in the signal through a second signal processing path, and determining that crosstalk exists if the channel is present on the second signal processing path. An apparatus is also described containing means for providing a signal to a first signal processing path, tuning to a channel in the signal provided through the first signal processing path, tuning to the channel in the signal through a second signal processing path, and determining that crosstalk exists if the channel is present on the second signal processing path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing different concurrent tasks by a subsystem managed by a central processor. Each tasks is comprised of successive messages including a first message, intermediate messages, and a last message. Each intermediate message comprises a subtask parameter and a link to the next message that indicates the time when the next message is to be processed. The central processor and the subsystem are connected to a storage memory and several counters associated with respective tasks. The system and method reduce task disruptions of the system.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a dual-conversion tuner, firstly upconverting so as to place a signal outside the reception band, then downconverting with zero intermediate frequency. A bulk acoustic wave type filter is calibrated in such a way as to accurately determine its central frequency. This filter is positioned between the two frequency transposition stages of the tuner. After baseband filtering, the signals are digitized then processed in a digital block BNM which includes a channel decoding module.

Abstract: A flexible framing format and implementation scheme for transmitting uncompressed video data selected from a group of various video formats, audio data and control data over a single serial communication channel at a fixed clock rate, thereby eliminating the need for transmitting a pixel clock signal. The data is transmitted over the single communication channel in packets and recreated at the destination side. Blank pixels of the video data are completely suppressed so that only active pixels are transmitted over the single communication channel, thereby reducing communication bandwidth requirement of the channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating through multiple channels of broadcast content to locate channels that are running programs of interest include monitoring a plurality of channels of baseband channel information to detect commercials and commercial segments, buffering the baseband channel information for at least one channel; and switching the channel feed for a broadcast receiver to the buffered baseband channel information whenever the receiver is changed to a channel in which commercials or commercial segments are detected.

Abstract: A method of managing video streams is disclosed and includes monitoring the power to a display device coupled to a set top box. Also, the method includes determining whether the display device is in a low power mode and requesting that a content provider turn off a video stream to the set top box, after determining that the display device is in the low power mode.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for synchronizing a data stream are disclosed. The method includes: decoding the data stream to generate a decoded data stream and program clock references; generating a local clock reference; generating a simulated clock reference according to the program clock references and the local clock reference; comparing the local clock reference with the simulated clock reference to generate a comparison result; adjusting a processing timing of the decoded data stream according to the comparison result; and processing the decoded data stream according to the processing timing.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver apparatus includes: a detection section that detects a receivable digital broadcast wave; a list production section that produces a list by associating pieces of provider information of a plurality of broadcast programs superposed on the digital broadcast wave with identifiers uniquely assigned to the broadcast programs and then sorting the pieces of provider information associated with the identifiers in predetermined order; an addition section that adds, if the identifiers of a currently-produced current list are the same as the identifiers of a previous list that was produced immediately before the current list, detailed information about the pieces of provider information to sub items associated with the identifiers; and a display control section that displays, based on the identifiers, the pieces of provider information of the list and contents of the sub items corresponding to the identifiers on a display screen.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving device includes a card slot, a fan, a temperature sensor, a memory component and a control unit. The card slot accepts an IC card. The fan rotates to cool the IC card. The temperature sensor measures a first temperature. The memory component stores correlation information indicating a correlation between the first temperature and a second temperature of the IC card. The control unit acquires the second temperature based on the first temperature and the correlation information. The control unit determines if the second temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The control unit switches from a first output mode, in which an audio-video signal is outputted via the IC card, to a second output mode, in which the audio-video signal is outputted by bypassing the IC card, when the control unit determines that the second temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for distribution of television-type (TV) video signals comprising: a first input processing unit (1) including a coaxial input terminal (10), at least a low-current output terminal (11) for twisted wire pairs and processing means (14) for processing the TV signals derived from the coaxial cable so as to transform them into signals having substantially the same transmission characteristics on the same frequency band on a twisted wire pair, at least a second output processing unit (3) including a low-current input port (33) for twisted wire pairs (12) connected to the first input processing unit (1) to transform them into signals substantially identical to those derived from said coaxial cable (41), and at least a connection cable (23) consisting of twisted wire pairs connecting the first processing unit (1) to the second processing unit (3).

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

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

Abstract: An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) for television programming may allow access to program information based on a specified date. In embodiments, the EPG may be output for display with timeslots containing program information corresponding to television programs being broadcast currently and to television programs scheduled for future broadcast, and a header indicating a plurality of dates for accessing corresponding program information. User input received while the EPG is being output for display with the header indicating a plurality of dates that identifies one of the plurality of dates may cause program information in the EPG corresponding to the identified date to be accessed and the EPG to be output for display with the program information corresponding to the identified date and with a header indicating times of the timeslots. In embodiments, the header indicating times of the timeslots may replace the header indicating a plurality of dates.