Abstract: A technique is described for managing the local storage of digital assets, such as audio, (moving or still) pictures, text, executable code and combinations thereof, in the storage device of a user appliance, such as a personal video recorder, set top box, mobile phone or storage server. A digital asset is received that is intended for local storage in the storage device and that has been pushed down from a source. A rank order is assigned to each digital asset stored or to be stored in a storage device that has a finite capacity storage space for storing digital assets. The assigned rank orders of one or more of the digital assets are repeatedly examined and a digital asset having a rank order that is lowest among the examined rank orders may be deleted. Each rank order is assigned based on predefined default ranking rules and user instructions pertaining to one or more of the digital assets that are capable of causing a deviation from the default ranking rules, if any have been provided by the user.

Abstract: A method for transmitting audio signals. The method of transmitting audio signals may include separately transmitting a video signal and an audio signal. Further, the method of transmitting audio signals may include transmitting a first video signal and a first audio signal to one component, transmitting a second video signal to the same component and separately transmitting a second audio signal to a second component.

Abstract: A digital A/V apparatus provides reduced channel changes times and maintains synchronization between audio and video content during a channel change event.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box comprising a controller to receive media content over an Internet Protocol Television network, detect Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) content associated with the media content, present an SAP indicator with the media content to a user when the SAP content is detected for the media content, receive a selection of the SAP content by the user, and present the media content with the selected SAP content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing program criteria representing a plurality of audio and/or visual programs. A plurality of tokens are stored in a database of one or more computers, each token having an identifier for identifying a predetermined audio and/or visual program. Each token may be a universal program identifier that represents a specific program in a global programming environment (e.g., the token may identify a program across multiple tuning spaces). Alternatively or additionally, a token may be a tuning-space specific program identifier that represents program criteria associated with a specific program for particular tuning space. The server is programmed to provide at least one token to a remote computer based on selection criteria.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a Radio Frequency (RF) modulator. The RF modulator includes a Chrominance-to-Luminance (C/L) delay compensation unit for receiving a video signal and compensating for a time delay between the chrominance and luminance signals of the video signal, and a modulation unit for receiving the video signal, which is compensated for by the C/L delay compensation unit, and an audio signal and converting the video and audio signal into a preset frequency-band RE signal. The C/L delay compensation unit and the modulation unit are packaged in a single package.

Abstract: A system includes an integrated encoder comprising an optical storage controller for coupling to an optical storage medium, and a data encoder for coding input data coupled to the optical storage controller, a first external memory coupled to a first memory controller in the integrated encoder, and a second external memory coupled to a second memory controller in the integrated encoder. In one aspect, the integrated encoder further comprises a first memory arbiter for selectively directing access to the first external memory by the optical storage controller and the data encoder, and a second memory arbiter for selectively directing access to the second external memory by the optical storage controller and the data encoder.

Abstract: A data processing system, circuit arrangement, and method to communicate data over a multi-channel serial communications interface (14) using a dedicated encrypted virtual channel from among multiple virtual channels supported by the communications interface (14). Encryption for the dedicated encrypted virtual channel is provided by a hardware encryption circuit (34) that is coupled to the interface, such that encryption may be performed at a relatively low level, and with substantial protection from compromise, particularly along chip boundaries. In one particular application, access control may be provided for a digital data stream using a multi-chip access control scheme that relies on one chip (148) to provide access control over a received digital data stream, with another chip (150) utilized to process the digital data stream once authorized to do so.

Abstract: A television device has a television receiver residing substantially within a television receiver enclosure. A high definition multimedia interface is (HDMI) coupled to the television receiver. A detachable HDMI switch is operatively coupled to the HDMI interface, the HDMI switch and has at least two user-side HDMI buses connected thereto. The detachable HDMI switch resides in an HDMI switch housing that exposes the at least two user-side HDMI connector ports. The detachable HDMI switch housing is detachably connected to the television receiver enclosure to permit the HDMI switch housing to be either attached to the television receiver enclosure for use at the television receiver enclosure, or to permit the HDMI switch housing to be separated from the television receiver enclosure to permit the HDMI switch housing to be situated remotely from the television receiver enclosure so that the HDMI connector ports are remotely accessible while being selectable by the television device.

Abstract: Advertisements or other types of targeted information are delivered to set-top boxes or other user interface devices of a signal distribution system. In one aspect of the invention, at least one multicast update comprising updated targeted information is sent to the user interface devices during a multicast update period. If a given one of the user interface devices is unable to obtain a complete set of the updated targeted information from the multicast update before timeout of the multicast update period, a unicast update comprising at least a portion of the updated targeted information is sent to the given user interface device during a unicast update period. The unicast update may be sent responsive to a request from the given user interface device for a designated portion of the updated targeted information.

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 settop box system for capturing and controlling live and recorded audio and video content. The system records digital and analog data from video and audio content, such as in a home entertainment center. The system records data from the content as specified and the data may be sequenced into clips that can be searched and indexed. A user may create comparison programs that allow searches of either pre-recorded or incoming content to be performed. In addition, the program allows editing of recorded programs, such as filtering of audio content or overlaying a video program with a different audio background. Multiple audio and video feeds may be handled simultaneously and the program's functions may be executed without viewing of the content being manipulated. The recorded content may also be indexed and even clips of the content may be indexed.

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 plurality of messages from a remotely located network control system and implementing one of a plurality of communication modes responsive to the plurality of messages.

Abstract: Graphic images that overlay a transmitted video signal are provided in the form of bitmaps that allow any character or font size to be displayed. A color-look-up-table (CLUT) at a receiver is defined that maps “m” inputs to a combination of color and luminance values for display. One or more map tables are provided that allow pixel colors to be encoded using fewer than “m” bits, the map tables providing an “m” bit output for accessing the CLUT. The provider of the graphic images can also specify a required minimum number of CLUT colors for rendering the images; if this minimum is greater than “m”, the image is not rendered. The use of map tables provides compatibility between a variety of encoding techniques and a variety of rendering devices, without requiring different CLUTs to be transmitted for each different color encoding format.

Abstract: A method and system of analyzing the perceived quality of streaming media that includes transmitting at least one data packet from a stream sender to a stream receiver via a network connection; analyzing the data packets at the stream receiver, where the stream receiver determines whether there are data packets missing from the stream sender's data packets; requesting retransmission of specific data packets missing from the stream receiver; and retransmitting at least one specific data packet missing from the stream sender to the stream receiver.

Abstract: A device receives an advertisement, a code, an encryption key, and information associated with a product and/or service, and provides the advertisement to a set-top box (STB) for display on a television. The device receives, from the STB, a request for a promotion associated with the advertisement and an identification associated with the STB, and provides the code associated with the product and/or service to the STB for display on the television. The device receives, from a user device, a claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB, and validates the claim for the code and the identification associated with the STB based on an identification associated with the user device.

Abstract: A method of auditing operation of a cable television appliance consistent with certain embodiments involves detecting an event that triggers an audit; generating a fingerprint value, wherein the fingerprint value is function of the cable television network characteristics at an authorized installation location; comparing the fingerprint value with a stored reference value; if the fingerprint value is within specified limits of the stored reference value, permitting the cable television appliance to carry out a normal operational function; and if the fingerprint value is outside of specified limits of the stored reference value, inhibiting the cable television appliance from carrying out a normal operational function. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of automatically disabling a low noise amplifier (LNA) that serves to boost weak video signals in a TV tuner, when the television receives a cable TV service. The method involves storing the total number of preset programs assigned during an initial auto-tune setup operation. If the total count exceeds a predetermined threshold, this indicates cable TV service whose signals will not require boosting. The LNA is then disabled to avoid interference between programs on neighboring channels.

Abstract: A method and system which temporally sorts data such as program guide data for example, to ensure that near-term data (i.e. most likely to be used, or “now data”) is always available for rapid access from a physical memory location such as a high-speed temporal cache. The method incorporates two low-priority background processes or algorithms, termed “event horizons” into the storage and manipulation of the data so that applications using the data may be run without having to always access a mass storage device. The method and system are highly applicable to all set top boxes (STBs) used in various communication systems such as satellite communication, Cable-TV and DVB systems. The method and system are economical in that superior STB and/or system performance may be obtained with the inclusion of lesser amounts of expensive high-speed RAM.

Abstract: A VSB communication system comprises a VSB transmission system and a VSB reception system. The VSB transmission system multiplexes a coded MPEG data and a coded supplemental data having a null sequence inserted therein, with required multiplexing information included in a field synchronization signal or in a supplemental data according to a number of the supplemental data packets being transmitted. The VSB reception system detects the required multiplexing information from the field synchronization signal or the supplemental data and decodes the multiplexed data by using the null sequence and the detected multiplexing information, as well as demultiplexes the multiplexed data into the MPEG data and the supplemental data.

Abstract: A method of authorizing use of a network device is disclosed and includes receiving an internet protocol (IP) address from the network device and receiving an identification from the network device. The method also includes retrieving information that is associated with an account based on the IP address and determining whether the IP address and the identification are associated with a same account. Further, the method includes allowing service to the network device after determining that the IP address and the identification are associated with the same account.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide methods for properly correcting a frequency of a standard clock, receiving apparatuses, reproducing apparatuses, and programs in broadcasting data receiving systems comprising a receiving apparatus and a reproducing apparatus, in which the broadcasting data received at the receiving apparatus is transmitted to a reproducing apparatus via bus. In the broadcasting data receiving systems stated above, when the receiving apparatus detects the broadcasting-side time information that reflects the encoding standard clock, the extraction of the broadcasting-side time information is transmitted in a form of status change signal to the reproducing apparatus via the dedicated line, and the content of the broadcasting-side time information is transmitted to the reproducing apparatus via bus.

Abstract: Displaying a video stream when constrained by system memory and connection bandwidth. When the resources and/or memory of a client are insufficient to decode and process a video stream, the client only decodes and processes key frames of the video stream. The other frames are discarded by the client. By decoding and processing key frames, the memory and resource requirements of the video stream are reduced. The client is also able to negotiate with the video stream source such that only key frames are downloaded. Bandwidth limitations can thus be accommodated because downloading only key frames requires less bandwidth.

Abstract: A digital television broadcast signal receiver connected to a multi-directional antenna carries out in advance automatic scanning for each channel to determine and store the strength of a signal received in each of multiple receiving directions of the antenna, a best receiving direction, and a maximum value of the received signal strengths, normalize the received signal strengths measured in the respective directions with respect to the maximum received signal strength, and produce and store an antenna direction level pattern including a bar graph that shows the received signal strengths in the respective directions with the normalized values used as the amplitude. In response to a command from a user, the receiver superimposes the level pattern on a video image being received for display on a display screen, so that a user can select a receiving direction on the screen.

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 set-top box, which allows a user to input a key command in real time while displaying an animation sequence on an on-screen display (OSD) screen, and a method of outputting the OSD data of the set-top box is provided. The set-top box includes OSD control module that divides OSD animation data into a plurality of subsets, loads each of the subsets in every operating cycle, determines whether a user has input a key command in every operating cycle, and selectively provides the loaded subsets based on the determination result in every operating cycle, wherein the OSD animation data realizes an animation sequence when displayed. The set-top box further includes a combination control module that receives the loaded subsets of the OSD animation data from the OSD control module and overlays the data onto the decoded broadcast signal and provides the overlaid result to a display device.

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 portable tester includes a housing sized to be handheld and adapted to enclose a processor and a non-volatile memory, a communication port adapted to couple a link with a set-top box and a communications port adapted to couple a link with an external computer, and an input/output (I/O) device, non-volatile memory comprising a test initiation application that sends test initiation commands through the communication port over the link to a testing application residing in the multimedia device, non-volatile memory receiving data generated by execution of the testing application and storing the data in non-volatile memory, non-volatile memory further comprising a data download application that sends the stored data through the communication port over the link to the external computer.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide clickstream captures at both local and remote components by receiving user commands generated by the viewer locally where at least some of those commands are then sent to the remote component concurrently relative to when they are generated by the viewer. Commands may be captured and stored locally while the commands that are sent to the remote component are captured and then stored remotely from the premises of the viewer. Additionally, the user commands may be executed locally such as at a viewer appliance and/or remotely such as at a video control system of a television network. Information related to these user commands continues to be stored locally and/or remotely from the premises of the viewer after the user commands have been executed. Thus, the information related to these user commands can be processed as necessary and used for various purposes.

Abstract: A digital television converter is provided, for example for performing all of the functions of a set top box for receiving digital terrestrial or satellite television broadcast signals. The converter comprises a SCART connector for mating with a mating connector on a television apparatus, such as a television receiver or a VCR, which is incapable of reception of digital television broadcasts. This connection provides electrical contact with the apparatus and provides mechanical support for the converter. The converter also comprises a tuner which selects and demodulates a television channel for reception and supplies to the connector signals in a form suitable for use by the television apparatus. A connector rear housing completes the enclosure for the converter containing the tuner.

Abstract: A set top box comprises a signal receiver that includes a front end that receives broadband signals, and a tuner that tunes a channel including audio and video signals. A signal demodulator communicates with the signal receiver and demodulates the audio and video signals. A video processor communicates with the signal demodulator and encodes and transmits the video signals via a first medium. A transmitter communicates with the signal demodulator and transmits the encoded audio signals via a second wireless medium, wherein the first medium and the second wireless medium are different types of media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a virtual channel table (VCT) data structure, transport stream discrimination method, and digital broadcast receiver, by which streams transferred within a channel can be identified with VCT only by extending a VCT syntax according to PSIP (program and system information protocol) of ATSC (advanced television systems committee) prescribed as a digital TV standard. The present invention adds the additional explanation (component name string) descriptor for the stream to the service location descriptor of the VCT, whereby various streams transferred over one channel can be uniquely identified. Therefore, the present invention enables a user of the digital broadcast receiver to select a stream more quickly.

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 wideband RF tracking filter having a set of parallel tuned resonator amplifier stages with a de-Q resistor for each subband is disclosed. The resonant amplifier contains programmable tuned LC tank impedance and an array of parallel voltage to current converters (V2I) for each subband. The de-Q resistor together with the array of V2I converters provides a flat gain over each subband and each of the other subbands covering different frequencies.

Abstract: A digital television autoprogramming and tuning method and apparatus. In a digital television which can tune both MPEG 2 and PSIP format signals, a method of tuning uses one or more tables of information populated during an autoprogramming process. For MPEG 2 channels, the physical channel equals the major channel number and can be directly tuned. For PSIP channels, the major channel indexes a TSID which is used to determine a physical channel. If the TSID does not correspond to the correct program, the correct TSID is determined from the Program Specific Information in the data transport stream 134 and the system re-tunes to the correct physical channel. The autoprogramming process sequentially steps through each physical channel and populates the autoprogramming tables with information about each channel it finds, saving only a single TSID for a given major PSIP channel.

Abstract: A television receiver which allows a user to view at least an image of a broadcast program, includes a first display unit adapted to display a video of a broadcast program upon selection of a first channel, a second display unit adapted to display a slide show that switches and displays images included in a first image group designated from image groups including a plurality of still images or moving images upon selection of a second channel, and an operation unit adapted to execute at least two channel selection operations including a direct channel selection as an operation for directly selecting the first channel and the second channel, and a sequential channel selection as an operation for sequentially selecting the channels, and a display mode of the slide show by the second display unit is varied in correspondence with the channel selection operation of the channel made upon starting the slide show.

Abstract: A TV data processing method includes receiving TV data, determining a program type to which the TV data belongs, detecting a signal quality of the TV data, and determining if the signal quality is larger than a threshold standard. When the signal quality is not larger than a threshold standard, the method includes processing the TV data according to the program type. Also, the method according to the present invention can assign different threshold standards to different program types respectively.

Abstract: An emergency alert message is included in a cable broadcast signal. The emergency alert message includes major and minor details channel numbers associated with a details channel. A details channel number is configured based on the major details channel number when the minor details channel number is set to a null value. Next, it is tuned to a channel frequency of a digital cable channel corresponding to the details channel number when the details channel number exists in a digital channel number list. Alternatively, the emergency alert message includes a details channel source field which indicates whether a details channel is a digital or an analog channel. Then, it is tuned to a channel frequency of one of a digital cable channel and an analog cable channel based upon a value of the details channel source field.

Abstract: A network camera system is configured such that an adapter device is connected with a digital camera, and the adapter device is connected with a network to which a client is also connected. A video signal representing a real-time image and a digital image signal representing a high-resolution still image are transmitted from the camera to the adapter. The adapter has a function of a file server and allows the client to download image data corresponding to the high-resolution still image. The adapter device further has a function of a streaming server and transmits streaming data representing the real-time image. The client can transmits an operation command to the adapter through the network, and the adapter transfer the command to the camera to perform the operation required by the client.

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 system and method for scheduling advertisements in a television service network environment. An ad scheduler prepares an ad insertion schedule based on channel change statistical information and avail time information. The scheduler evaluates the statistical information, time durations between adjacent avails in a presentation stream, and the relatedness of market segments assigned to a plurality of advertisements. It schedules the ads into presentation stream groups based on this evaluation. The statistical ad scheduling allows the system to eliminate “forced” switching between multiple presentation streams, whereby system wears and malfunctions can be decreased.

Abstract: A digital video broadcasting receiver comprising a first input for receiving a first transport stream of data (TS#1) and a second input for receiving a second transport stream of data (TS#2), each transport stream comprising a plurality of packets and each packets having a header including a packet identifier PID. A de-scrambling device (12) receives packets of a transport stream for de-scrambling. A router (20) is arranged to pass packets alternately from the first TS#1 and the second TS#2 transport streams to the de-scrambling device 12 and to pass packets alternately to a first a second output, so restoring the first and second transport streams of data in a descrambled form.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing a channel in a digital broadcasting system are provided. The apparatus includes: a digital broadcast server for transmitting a multiplexed stream obtained by multiplexing at least one down broadcast data, and transmitting up broadcast data and at least one difference broadcast data; and a set-top box for accessing a channel over which the multiplexed stream is transmitted to perceive a down broadcasting PID (program identification) set for transmitting at least one down broadcast data contained in the multiplexed stream, upsizing and outputting down broadcast data having a down broadcasting PID corresponding to selected channel information from the multiplexed stream when a user selects a certain channel, summing difference broadcast data corresponding to a difference broadcasting PID and broadcast data obtained by upsizing the down broadcast data corresponding to the channel information, and outputting the result.

Abstract: Video processing systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, includes a video compression engine configured to provide reconstructed pictures corresponding to a real-time presentation of a video program and a compressed version of the real-time presentation, a display buffer of the video compression engine, the display buffer configured to store the reconstructed pictures, and a persistent storage device, wherein the video compression engine is further configured to store the compressed version of the real-time presentation to the persistent storage device while simultaneously providing the real-time presentation of the video program.

Abstract: Video processing systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, includes a video compression engine configured to provide reconstructed pictures corresponding to a real-time presentation of a video program and a compressed version of the real-time presentation, a display buffer of the video compression engine, the display buffer configured to store the reconstructed pictures, and a persistent storage device, wherein the video compression engine is further configured to store the compressed version of the real-time presentation to the persistent storage device while simultaneously providing the real-time presentation of the video program.

Abstract: Video processing systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, includes a video compression engine configured to provide reconstructed pictures corresponding to a real-time presentation of a video program and a compressed version of the real-time presentation, a display buffer of the video compression engine, the display buffer configured to store the reconstructed pictures, and a persistent storage device, wherein the video compression engine is further configured to store the compressed version of the real-time presentation to the persistent storage device while simultaneously providing the real-time presentation of the video program.

Abstract: A service relay device is provided. The service relay device includes a receiving unit which receives a service signal, and a service processing unit which changes information regarding an order of changing frequency channels included in the received service signal, using replacement frequency channels, and broadcasts the service signal. The service processing unit includes a detecting unit which detects the information regarding the order of changing frequency channels, a storage unit which stores information regarding replacement frequency channels, an information processing unit which replaces the information regarding the order of changing frequency channels, using the replacement frequency channels stored in the storage unit, and a relay unit which broadcasts a service signal. As a result, service signals are provided stably even in the fringe area.

Abstract: Video processing systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, includes a video compression engine configured to provide reconstructed pictures corresponding to a real-time presentation of a video program and a compressed version of the real-time presentation, a display buffer of the video compression engine, the display buffer configured to store the reconstructed pictures, and a persistent storage device, wherein the video compression engine is further configured to store the compressed version of the real-time presentation to the persistent storage device while simultaneously providing the real-time presentation of the video program.

Abstract: Video processing systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, includes a video compression engine configured to provide reconstructed pictures corresponding to a real-time presentation of a video program and a compressed version of the real-time presentation, a display buffer of the video compression engine, the display buffer configured to store the reconstructed pictures, and a persistent storage device, wherein the video compression engine is further configured to store the compressed version of the real-time presentation to the persistent storage device while simultaneously providing the real-time presentation of the video program.