Abstract: A system and method for distributing music and data. The music or data is first transmitted to a consumer via a satellite radio network. The system includes a satellite radio receiver for the user which is capable of receiving the wireless transmission and providing an audio and/or visual output in response thereto. In addition, the receiver is adapted to receive an input (e.g., voice command) from the user by which the user is able to signal an interest in recording a selection of music or data being played and/or displayed. In response to this signal and a record-ability signal, an ID signal is stored on a removable media which identifies the selection being played and/or displayed. The ID signal may be a composite signal indicating the time and channel, a signal that identifies a selection by number, or other suitable ID signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring a correct satellite signal connection. Specifically, a user selects a satellite signal via an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) from at least one satellite, and the IRD sends a command signal to a selector switch to acquire and lock onto said satellite signal. The IRD repeats transmission of the command signal to the selector switch once the IRD has acquired and locked onto said information signal. Thus, in the event that the selector switch failed to switch to a low noise block converter (LNB) corresponding to the initial command signal, then the repeated command signal helps to ensure that the selector switch switches to the LNB corresponding with the latest command signal sent by the IRD.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention includes an apparatus that includes a receiver having multiple tuners. Such multiple tuners may each receive a signal channel using multiple local oscillator (LO) frequencies that do not interfere with each other. In certain embodiments, each tuner may have an associated VCO so that no multiplexer is needed. Also, the present invention includes methods to determine a minimum bandwidth for baseband filters of the receiver and an LO step frequency between different possible LO frequencies.

Abstract: A digital display monitor module (DDMM) has a display device to display video provided thereto. An interactive network module (INM) removably interfaces with the DDMM to provide the video signals to the DDMM. The INM comprises an input interface and a programmable conditional access system (PCAS) to enable conditional access to at least one premium television service received by the input interface. The PCAS is programmable by at least two different service providers.

Abstract: A satellite digital radio broadcast receiver has an integrated circuit including a first reception series for processing a satellite wave signal from a satellite and a second reception series for processing a ground wave signal from a repeater in order to receive both the satellite wave signal and the ground wave signal having the same broadcast contents and different modulation methods. The receiver has an automatic gain control unit for amplifying a signal from a single antenna at a variable gain amplifier, and in accordance with the level of a signal outputted from the variable gain amplifier, for controlling the gain of the variable gain amplifier; and a two-way distributor for distributing an output of the automatic control unit to two distribution outputs, wherein one distribution output of the two-way distributor is supplied to the first reception series of the integrated circuit and the other distribution output is supplied to the second reception series of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an integrated presentation of existing media program services and secondary media program services is described.

Abstract: A receiver at least comprising: a BS tuner; a demodulating unit; a control unit; a modulating unit; a CATV signal converting unit; and a digital-to-analog converting unit, the control unit, the digital-to-analog converting unit controlled by a control signal from the control unit, and the BS tuner being connected via an I2C bus, and a channel selection signal outputted from the control unit being supplied to the BS tuner via the I2C bus, wherein a gate circuit is connected to the I2C bus, a gate ON signal is supplied to the gate circuit only when the channel selection signal is supplied to the BS tuner, and the channel selection signal is supplied to the BS tuner via

Abstract: The terminal device is equipped with a location judgment database which stores setting data indicating the relationships between the location of the self device and the corresponding object to be presented to the user. On the basis of the location detection data obtained by detecting the location of the self device by receiving range signals transmitted by a plurality of GPS satellites and the setting data stored in the location judgment database, corresponding objects are selected from a plurality of objects received and decoded and they are synthesized and presented as they are output to the display or the speaker. Thus, an optimal object presentation can be achieved in accordance with the status of the terminal device.

Abstract: An integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) allows independent, simultaneous viewing of two channels with a relatively small increase in unit cost over an IRD that receives and displays only a single channel. The IRD is controlled by first and second remote control devices to display one program on a display device local to the IRD and to modulate and transmit the second television signal to a remote television receiver for independent viewing on another display.

Abstract: A digital signal receiving apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast signal having a first information table and a second information table is disclosed, the first information table representing the relation between physical information of transmission paths and deliverable data, the second information table representing deliverable data, the apparatus comprising a means for successively searching services represented with the second information table, a means for generating a list that represents services represented with the first information table, and a means for performing a predetermined process corresponding to the generated list.

Abstract: A computing system that has access to a streamed multimedia sample that is stored on a storage medium applies a zero-based presentation timestamp numbering scheme to the data packets of the multimedia sample, on-the-fly, and after each seek operation. After seeking to a desired starting point, the computing system reads ahead a maximum number of data packets within each media stream of the multimedia sample. A smallest timestamp (normalizing presentation timestamp) is identified and then subtracted from the timestamps of the data packets that are transmitted to the appropriate rendering devices, thereby creating appropriate presentation timestamps for the data packets for synchronizing the playback of the multimedia sample.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and apparatus for automatically ensuring consistency between program and system information protocol (PSIP) tables and program specific information (PSI) tables in a digital television (DTV) stream, for example, in ATSC DTV stream. Encoders generate MPEG streams including PSI tables. A PSIP generator generates PSIP information from program information. A remultiplexer combines the MPEG information and the PSIP information while resolving any conflicts between the PSI tables and the PSP tables based on a set of rules. The transport stream output by the remultiplexer includes consistent information in both the PSI tables and the PSIP tables.

Abstract: The present invention uses multiple broadcast television channels to distribute high volume of data to a client device from a server. Multiple analog channels are broadcast, at least one of which contains video/audio programs and control data inserted into the analog signal's VBI; and at least one separate channel contains a digital data stream which is modulated onto an analog channel and associated with channels containing those video/audio programs. STBs designed to implement this invention are equipped with at least two tuners in order to tune to two of those channels simultaneously. One tuner is used to tune to the video/audio channel, and extract the control data in the VBI. The second tuner is used to tune to the channels containing the data itself.

Abstract: An antenna device comprising a conductive earth substrate, a receiving element located in the proximity of said conductive earth substrate and having a receiving terminal, and a transmitting element located in the proximity of said receiving element and having a transmitting terminal, characterized in that an end of said receiving element and an end of said transmitting element are connected to said conductive earth substrate for grounding through a common portion and the frequency band of said receiving element is different from that of said transmitting element.

Abstract: A digital broadcast transmitting method and an apparatus for repeating and transmitting a digital broadcast program are disclosed. The method comprises transmitting individual information from a first to a second digital broadcast transmitter, wherein the second digital broadcast transmitter selects particular information from the individual information. The selected information is transmitted to a receiving terminal which stores contract data corresponding to the selected information. In addition, the first digital broadcast transmitter supplies common information necessary for descrambling the broadcast program. The scrambled broadcast program received at the receiving terminal may be descrambled utilizing a descramble key corresponding to the common information depending on the stored contract data. The apparatus comprises a first and second digital broadcast transmitter and a receiving terminal which are capable of repeating and transmitting digital broadcasts.

Abstract: A satellite television ground system, particularly for a make or break satellite television signal system, includes an outdoor unit and an indoor unit that are in communication with each other via a single coaxial cable and an optional separate single conductor for power. The satellite television ground system is operative to measure and reverse frequency conversion errors utilizing DSP techniques, allowing for more precise generation and transmission of uplink signals from the satellite television ground system. Control data for the system is sent via a low data rate connection on a power cable thereof, or by a narrowband signaling channel via a coax cable. The system also utilizes a single reference oscillator to drive the various frequency synthesizers and the like. The satellite television ground system utilizes related oscillators for the uplink and downlink sections. Carrier frequency offset in the downlink is measured in a carrier tracking loop part of a television signal demodulator.

Abstract: To help viewers access content of interest, the viewer's interactions with the set top box may be monitored and analyzed. Content may be assembled, generated, produced, and edited for presentation to a viewer based on the monitored and analyzed viewer interactions. As a result, content of interest to the viewer may be identified and made accessible without any additional effort or knowledge required by the viewer.

Abstract: The present invention is capable of reducing a time required for channel switching, and selecting or searching a user request channel quickly by storing a packet identifiers of a video and an audio signal of a digital television channel, extracting the stored packet identifiers according to a channel switching request of a user, and outputting the video and audio signal corresponding to the user select channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for simultaneously receiving DBS and data signals on a mobile platform using a single beam receive antenna aperture and transmitting data signals from a mobile platform using the single beam transmit antenna aperture. A single beam receive antenna aperture receives first RF signals having a first polarization and second RF signals having a second polarization, the single beam receive antenna aperture outputting output signals having the first polarization. A first RF converter down-converts the output signals to first down-converted signals having the first polarization. A second RF converter down-converts the output signals to second down-converted signals having the second polarization. The first RF signals suitably include DBS signals, and the second RF signals suitably include data services signals.

Abstract: A system for selection by a user and delivery to the user over an internetwork transmission channel of selected audio data files at a delivery rate of at least twice the delivery rate for normal, audibly perceptible playback of an audio data file. The user registers the user's selection of audio material with a central library of audio and/or text data files, and a digitized and optionally compressed omnibus file containing the user's selections is prepared and transmitted to the user at a high data transfer rate. The user receives downloads the selected data files to a personal computer or to a portable storage and playback unit (SPU) that may store and play back digitized text or audio data, using a docking station. The user carries this SPU until the user has an opportunity to audio process and play back the text or audio data files in audibly perceptible form.

Abstract: A method and circuitry for implementing digital multi-channel demodulation circuits. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a digital multi-channel demodulator circuit. The demodulator includes a frequency-block down-converter that receives a multi-channel analog RF signal and shifts the multi-channel analog RF signal to a lower frequency band. An ADC receives the multi-channel analog RF signal from the frequency-block down-converter and converts the multi-channel analog RF signal to a multi-channel digital RF signal. A digital channel demultiplexer receives the multi-channel digital RF signal from the ADC and demultiplexes the multi-channel digital RF signal into separate digital RF channels.

Abstract: A plurality of outlets has at least a first outlet coupled to an IR target for providing a first local comparatively low-frequency electrical IR signal in response to an IR signal received by the IR target. At least a second outlet is coupled to an IR emitter. A distribution module is coupled to each outlet by respective first and second cables, wherein each of the first and second cables is sufficient to carry both comparatively high-frequency signals and comparatively low-frequency electrical IR signals between a respective outlet and the distribution module. The distribution module combines all local electrical IR signals received from said outlets via said respective first cables into a combined electrical IR signal and transmits the combined electrical IR signal to the IR emitter via said second cable.

Abstract: In A direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems, local over the air channels are not included in the satellite signal or in the program guide provided by conventional direct broadcast satellite systems. Rather, over the air channels may be received from a television antenna or a cable television system. The disclosed system for providing an electronic program guide for both over the air channels and direct broadcast satellite channels includes a VCR (80) with an RP tuner. The RE signal carrying the over the air channels is connected to the RF input (64) of the DBS receiver (50), combined with all RF modulation on channel 3 (or 4) of the DBS channel tuned by the DBS receiver. The combined RF signal is sent to the RF tuner in the VCR, which tunes either channel 3 (or 4) for the DBS channel or the appropriate RF channel for a local over the air channel. The output of the RF tuner is output on the VCR's baseband video output (84) which is connected to a baseband video input (66) on the DBS receiver.

Abstract: Entertainment content is delivered in an encrypted digital format from a home base via satellite to individual lodging properties (sites) having an in-room entertainment system. Each digital file containing content (such as a movie) is accompanied by a sites file which identifies the name of the content file and the sites to which the content file is being transmitted. Each site includes a host computer, a digital content receiver, a digital content server guest terminals in the guest rooms, and a distribution network for distributing content from the digital content server to the guest terminals. The digital content receiver receives the transmitted digital content and sites files, and provides the files to the digital content server for storage and later use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved receiver capable of receiving either a satellite broadcast signal or a cable TV signal associated with a TV. The inventive receiver comprises a first BPF for filtering received broadcast signals, a first local oscillator for generating a first oscillation signal, a first mixer for generating a first IF signal, a SAW filter producing a waveformed band signal, a second local oscillator, for generating a second and a third oscillation signal, a second mixer for generating a second and a third IF signal, a switching block for switching the second and the third IF signal, a second BPF for producing a baseband channel signal selected from the cable TV signal, a first LPF for producing a baseband I signal of satellite broadcast channel, a shifter for shifting a phase of the third IF signal, a third mixer for generating a phase-shifted third oscillation signal, and a second LPF for producing a baseband Q signal of satellite broadcast channel.

Abstract: A system for downloading different versions of software or data modules into a plurality of terminals having different compatibility interfaces includes an authoring component for generating the different module versions, a downloading source including a descriptor table which associates each module version with a list of compatibility requirements needed to download the module, and a plurality of terminals coupled to the downloading source. The downloading source transmits the descriptor table to each terminal and also continuously transmits the modules over the network. Each terminal extracts the descriptor table and, based on a match between an entry in the descriptor table and an internally stored table, determines which version of a particular module should be downloaded. The system avoids the need for two-way communication between each terminal and the downloading source.

Abstract: According to a data display method, data having a program unit and instruction data for the program unit multiplexed on bit stream data is received. The program unit is extracted from the received data and is stored in a memory. The instruction data is extracted from the received data, and the program unit or part thereof specified by the instruction data is read from the memory and is executed. Then, the bit stream data and the execution result are displayed. This ensures smooth synchronization of reproduction of a bit stream with execution of an associated program and efficient use of resources.

Abstract: In the device: at least one set of links sends packet formated digital information to the satellite, on at least two different frequencies; at least one satellite-borne module receives, multiplexes and re-formates the information on only one downlink; at least one of the links works in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) mode.

Abstract: A satellite broadcast receiver comprises an antenna, a tuner, a modulator, a FEC decoder, a microprocessor, and an antenna driver. The antenna receives the satellite signal and the tuner tunes the satellite signal received by the antenna, and the modulator modulates the satellite signal tuned by the tuner into digital signal, the FEC decoder corrects a position error of the satellite antenna using the signal modulated by the modulator, and outputs a corresponding output signal, and the microprocessor receives the signal modulated by the modulator and the output signal of the error corrector, and outputs a control signal which controls the position of the antenna, and the antenna driver drives the antenna in accordance with the control signal of the microprocessor. The satellite broadcast receiver enables a user to detect satellites fast and see satellite broadcast conveniently.

Abstract: Antennas with steerable antenna patterns and techniques for using such antennas are described. In accordance with the invention, antenna patterns with one or more NULLs are used. Through the use of digital control signals the antenna pattern is steered so that a source of signal interference, e.g., a multipath signal, will be located in a NULL. In this manner the received signal's S/N ratio can be maximized thereby facilitating demodulation. The techniques of the invention can be applied to television, computer devices, mobile devices and a wide range of other systems. Digital commands to control an antenna may include multiple information fields, e.g., a direction field, a channel field, a gain field and a polarity field. Antennas incapable of supporting the specified fields disregard information in fields which are not supported. Information in each supported field is decoded and used to adjust the corresponding antenna characteristic.

Abstract: A demodulation circuit generates information related to the frequency of error correction, and feeds the information to a CPU. The CPU acquires noise intensity data on the basis of the information related to the frequency of error correction from the demodulation circuit in view of noise intensity data corresponding to the frequency of error correction stored in a memory. The CPU feeds the acquired noise intensity data to a D/A converter.

Abstract: A decoder has a DRAM used as a work area in processing such as decompression and an MPEG decoder including an OSD processing unit. The MPEG decoder has a function to decompress data completing MPEG compression and a graphic function to display information such as an EPG (Electronic Program Guide). A control unit generates display data from presentation information conveyed by a digital television broadcast by using the OSD processing unit employed in the MPEG decoder and the DRAM in order to display the presentation information. With such a decoder, it is possible to provide a receiver with a new function to use presentation information conveyed by a digital television broadcast without entailing an increase in cost.

Abstract: A disturbance may be prevented from being caused in a satellite broadcasting signal of a reception target by a satellite broadcasting signal in which a frequency is higher by 1 octave.

Abstract: The present invention which involves a digital broadcasting system provides a digital broadcasting method in which change information NETQ for indicating the broadcast content change is transmitted a certain period of time in advance by a primary transmission system when the primary transmission system broadcasts programs. As the result, a secondary transmission system, for example, a cable television system which reedits and rebroadcasts the programs received from a digital satellite broadcasting system, can easily and quickly rearrange the air time in response to the change such as program content change in the rebroadcasting in the secondary transmission system.

Abstract: A data transmitting method comprising the steps of generating parameter setting data for various items of hardware, embedding the parameter setting data into a control code and transmitting that control code. The parameter setting data sets parameters for a plurality of hardware versions and includes parameter setting data common to at least first and second hardware versions, parameter setting data limited to a first hardware version, and parameter setting data limited to a second hardware version. Thus, the first version of hardware utilizes parameter setting data intended for it while the second version of hardware utilizes parameter setting data intended for it.