Abstract: A television program distribution arrangement is described for use in connection with a server in a home area network, the television program distribution arrangement being configured to distribute television programming over a local video link. The television program distribution arrangement comprises a television programming information receiver module, a television programming information assembler module, and a control module. The television programming information receiver module is configured to receive television programming information from a plurality of sources. The television programming information assembler module is configured to assemble said television programming information as received by the television programming information receiver module into a unitary set of channels for transmission over the local link. The control module is configured to control the television programming information receiver module and the television programming information assembler module.

Abstract: Integrated imaging and GPS network monitors remote object movement. Browser interface displays objects and detectors. Database stores object position movement. Cameras detect objects and generate image signal. Internet provides selectable connection between system controller and various cameras according to object positions.

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

Abstract: A video communications system (10) includes a communications controller (30) that interfaces with a broadband/narrowband network (40) to distribute video signals to a plurality of remote sites (104) in a multi-site location (102). Each remote site (104) includes a channel selector and signaling unit (50) and at least one television set (100). A user enters user input information into a remote selector (70) for processing by the channel selector and signaling unit (50). The channel selector and signaling unit (50) sends the user input information to the communication controller (30) over a video signal distribution network (90) at an upstream frequency selected at a user selectable setting (52). The communication controller (30) responds by modulating the desired video information onto a downstream frequency for transmission to the television set (100) on the video signal distribution network (90).

Abstract: Analog connections between plural electronic devices in an integrated digital network system connected via the IEEE-1394 bus can be easily recognized according to the invention. A DVHS requests an IRD, which are connected to the IEEE-1394 bus, to read the object entry which describes the object ID of an oEXT of the IRD (step 21). The IRD opens the plug descriptor stored therein (step 32). Then, the IRD reads out the contents of the object entry which describes the object ID of the oEXT from the plug descriptor opened in step 32, and transfer the contents thereof to the DVHS (step 33). The DVHS is allowed to recognize the status of analog connections from the contents of the object entry thus transferred (step 23).

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital wireless home computer system. One embodiment of the invention includes a computer with a first digital wireless transceiver, and a home input/output node having a second digital wireless transceiver for communicatively coupling to the first wireless transceiver. This node also has (1) an output device, communicatively coupled to the second wireless transceiver, for presenting an output presentation based on signals received from the computer via the wireless transceivers, and (2) an input device, communicatively coupled to the second wireless transceiver, for receiving input signals from a user interfacing with the home input/output node.

Abstract: A network (10) includes a broadband customer service module (B-CSM) (20). The B-CSM (20) includes a plurality of feeder interface cards (FICs) (36) and optical line cards (OLCs) (38) which are coupled together through a midplane assembly (34) so that each FIC (36) couples to all OLCs (38) and each OLC (38) couples to all FICs (36) through junctor groups (68). Within the B-CSM (20) circuit switching is performed electrically at an STS-1 rate. A reference clock which oscillates at a frequency slower than the data rate is routed with payload data so that it receives delays similar to those imposed on the payload data due to processing. At second stage switching fabrics (50) where data need to be extracted from signals flowing within the B-CSM (20), a clock regeneration circuit (32) generates a master clock signal oscillating at twice the data rate and phase synchronized to a delayed reference clock.

Abstract: An institutional television receiver includes parental content controls for selectively blocking television signals based upon encoded ratings therein. The television receiver is coupled to a control center via a communications path. User preferences regarding the parental content controls are set, enabled, and disabled from the control center. User commands are supplied from the television receiver to the control center which, in turn, sends appropriate commands back to the receiver for controlling it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for enabling multiple users to concurrently access a PC-based server in a home local area network using conventional TVs as display devices. A client system includes a TV, conventional input devices, such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a set top box for interfacing the TV to the network. The server maintains a system work area and multiple processes corresponding to user applications. The system work area is partitioned in the server into multiple independent, simultaneously active desktops, one desktop for each of the client systems. Individual processes are mapped to the appropriate desktop. Multiple frame buffers are maintained in the server, such that a different frame buffer is assigned to each client system. Each desktop is rendered within the server and stored in the corresponding frame buffer. The contents of each frame buffer are transmitted over a transmission medium to the set top box of the corresponding client system.

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