Abstract: A datacast system, and associated apparatus and method for automatically managing a data object or objects within a hierarchical carousel structure by enabling, among other functions, the dynamic allocation of bandwidth to each carousel within the structure. The dynamic bandwidth allocation enables a server platform to redistribute the bandwidth allocated to a carousel or set of data objects to adjust to desired changes in object transmission policies or priorities of a datacast application.

Abstract: With at least one implementation described herein, one or more viewers are able to watch the same source multimedia content at multiple locations within an environment (e.g., a household). With at least one implementation described herein, a viewer is able to resume watching such content at a new location (or “locus”) from the point that she bookmarked the content at an original location. This abstract itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying, accessing, and managing service applications for use with associated consumer electronic devices in a home network system. A client side process, executed by a client computing system in the home network system, operates in conjunction with a server side process executed by a server computing system that is coupled with the client computing system via the Internet. The client computing system is implemented by a gateway device coupled with each of the devices via the home network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a media stream transmitted from an encoding system to a remotely-located media player. The media stream is encoded according to an encoding parameter. Data is gathered about a transmit buffer within the encoding system, and the gathered data is processed to arrive at an estimate of network capacity and a calculated encoder rate. The encoding parameter is adjusted during subsequent encoding in response to a change in at least one of the estimate of network capacity and the calculated encoder rate.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to present a plurality of unassociated media programs from a single presentation device having overlapping presentation periods, and cause the single presentation device to present a user interface for one of the plurality of unassociated media programs responsive to detecting a request for the user interface. Each of the plurality of unassociated media programs can be viewable only with a viewing apparatus. The viewing apparatus can be configured for viewing one of the unassociated media programs at a time. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method of preparing video and audio content for playback at a plurality of facilities. The method includes transferring the content from a central network computer to at least one remote playback system located in each of the facilities. The method also includes generating, using the central network computer, at least one playlist for each of the facilities, the playlist for determining an order of playback of the content and transferring each of the playlists from the central network computer to the playback system in each of the facilities.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a device name editing apparatus includes: a connector to which a device is connected; a display unit configured to display a device name of the device; and a device name editor configured to allow a user to input character information so as to edit the device name to be displayed on the display unit.

Abstract: A method of providing video information to a display monitor within an elevator located in a building, which includes receiving first data defining a category of video information, receiving second data, associated with the category of video information and defining at least one source of the video information; and retrieving from the source, over a data communications path and on the basis of the first data and the second data, the video information to be displayed on the monitor within the elevator.

Abstract: A system includes one or more transmitter devices constructed and adapted to transmit wireless streaming media, the transmitter device connected to at least one video source, wherein the transmitter device is further constructed and adapted to automatically detect a type of active source signal from the at least one video source and automatically to convert that signal, if necessary, to an appropriate output signal; and one or more receiver devices constructed and adapted to receive wireless signals, the receiver connected to at least one video output device, wherein the at least one receiver device is further constructed and adapted to produce, automatically, a appropriate signal for the at least one video output device connected thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a prioritized list of display devices for display of a media file, the prioritized list being provided on a mobile computing device, the display devices being connected to the mobile computing device in a network. The method may include determining characteristics of the media file, discovering by the mobile computing device the display devices connected to the mobile computing device, discovering by the mobile computing device display characteristics of the display devices, creating the prioritized list of display devices by comparing the characteristics of the media file to the display characteristics of the display devices, and providing the prioritized list of the display devices on the mobile computing device for selection by a user.

Abstract: In a home theater system having a source apparatus, a repeater apparatus and a sink apparatus connected in the recited order, when connected to a sink apparatus, whatever type it is, the repeater apparatus provides the source apparatus with video and audio signal format information that allows correct transmission. A control part 210 of the repeater apparatus 200 reads EDID information from memory 321 of the connected sink apparatus 300, and analyzes video and audio signal formats that can be processed by the sink apparatus 300, and when any format that cannot be handled by the repeater apparatus 200 itself is included, the repeater apparatus deletes information concerning that format to reconstruct the EDID information, and stores the reconstructed information into memory 221 in order to cause the source apparatus 100 to reference the stored information as EDID information of the repeater apparatus itself.

Abstract: A method for providing a combined TV/PC video stream for TV display is provided. A TV video chip having a video input port for receiving a PC monitor display signal and an input for receiving a TV broadcast signal is provided, as well as a PC graphics chip. A PC monitor display signal is sent from the PC graphics chip to the TV video chip. The TV video chip mixing the PC monitor display signal with the TV broadcast signal to generate a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display. A method for generating a combined TV/PC video stream in a format for TV display is further provided. A stream of encoded TV frames is received and the encoded frames are decoded to provide a stream of decoded TV frames. The stream of decoded TV frames is stored into a memory. A PC monitor display signal is provided and is converted into a stream of PC frames. The stream of PC frames are stored into the memory.

Abstract: A personal media broadcasting system enables video distribution over a computer network and allows a user to view and control media sources over a computer network from a remote location. A personal broadcaster receives an input from one or more types of media sources, digitizes and compresses the content, and streams the compressed media over a computer network to a media player running on any of a wide range of client devices for viewing the media. The system may allow the user to issue control commands (e.g., “channel up”) from the media player to the broadcaster, causing the source device to execute the commands. The broadcaster and the media player may employ several techniques for buffering, transmitting, and viewing the content to improve the user's experience.

Abstract: The system for receiving broadcast digital data (in particular pay television services) comprises a master digital terminal (1), and at least one slave digital terminal (2) connected to the master terminal by a link (3) and able to receive protected digital data. The slave digital terminal can access the protected data only if information necessary for accessing the data and received by the master digital terminal is sent by way of link (3) to the slave digital terminal within a predetermined deadline. This information is in particular access entitlements to television services or keys for descrambling the service.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a gateway device that can execute applications which can communicate with various devices in one or more home networks as well as one or more wide area networks. The gateway device can possess capabilities to communicate over various types of proprietary and/or standardized networks. Additionally, the gateway device can be equipped with the ability to communicate with home devices that are directly coupled to the gateway device. The gateway device can also include a mass storage component that allows storage of data on behalf of applications executed therein.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus, system and method for allowing multiple television (TV) sets to communicate with each other in synchronizing their audiovisual signal output (when set to the same TV channel) to allow simultaneous viewing of common programming content.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for retransmitting high definition contents broadcasted on a plurality of channels to IP-supported devices such as a digital media player (DMP), a mobile phone, personal computer (PC), etc. which are connected through a DLNA network. The method for retransmitting the broadcasted high definition contents includes the steps of generating a virtual item by converting channel information for a digital TV broadcast into an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file format, transmitting the virtual item to the DMP, determining whether there is a request for a personal TV service (PTS) from the DMP, tuning to a channel corresponding to the PTS if there is the request for the PTS, storing and packetizing a digital TV broadcast stream received through the PTS channel, and transmitting the packetized digital TV broadcast stream to the DMP.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, video image and audio signals are transmitted to a plurality of electronic devices each having at least one of a video image display function and an audio reproducing function. Information indicating the fact that at least one of a video image and audio has been set in a mute state is acquired from each of the electronic devices. Based on the information, a processing operation is applied to the video image and audio signals supplied to each of the electronic devices.

Abstract: Provided are methods and apparatuses for transmitting and receiving data between a device of an audio/video (AV) network and a device of an Ethernet network by using correspondence between an AV network address and a medium access control (MAC) address. A method of transmitting data to a second device by using a first device includes: generating a transmission unit of a second type network in which a second type network address of the second device is set as a destination address; generating a transmission unit of a first type network including the generated transmission unit of the second type network by setting a first type network address of a third device, corresponding to the second type network address of the second device, as a destination address; and transmitting the generated transmission unit of the first type network to the third device.

Abstract: In an information-processing system shown in FIG. 1, a server (106) for delivering remote-operation control information in accordance with an audio/video instrument (110) and an information-processing apparatus (103) with a remote-operation screen display function for remote-controlling the audio/video instrument (110) based on control information acquired from this server (106) are connected to each other through the Internet (105) etc. The information-processing apparatus (103) makes a request to the server (106) to deliver the remote-operation control information in accordance with this audio/video instrument (110) and, based on the control information delivered from the server (106) owing to this delivery request, performs display processing of a remote-operation screen and, based on remote-operation information input by operations on the remote-operation screen, remote-controls the audio/video instrument (110).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing downstream signals to a plurality of receiver networks. A receiver network (i.e., a networked multimedia system) includes a splitter/isolation module (SIM), a primary set-top terminal (STT), and at least one point of deployment module. The point of deployment module communicates with the primary STT via the SIM over coaxial cable. Accordingly, the point of deployment module and connected television utilize some or all of the features including hardware and software that are included in the primary STT via the networked multimedia system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a relay device includes an address management module which executes processing of acquiring a first physical address assigned to the relay device based on a sink device, processing of acquiring a second physical address assigned to the relay device based on another sink device, determination processing of determining, in the case where it is determined that the command needs to be transmitted to the other sink device, whether to perform conversion of the physical address included in a parameter in the other sink device, and conversion processing of converting, in the case where it is determined that the conversion of the physical address is not performed in the other sink device, the physical address included in the parameter into a physical address based on the other sink device using the first and second physical addresses.

Abstract: A PLC cable modem is provided which includes an analog electromagnetic field transducer for generating an electromagnetic field based on an analog electrical signal and also for generating an analog electrical signal based on an electromagnetic field. The PLC cable modem also includes an analog signal processing unit operatively coupled to the analog electromagnetic field transducer and a digital signal processing unit for processing signals received from (or to be sent to) the analog signal processing unit. An interface port is provided for communicating digital signals to and from a data transmission or receiving device.

Abstract: In order to easily download a program obtained from the outside onto a connected device while a device on which a program is to be downloaded is being properly selected, when a second device connected to a first device is controlled by executing a first program inputted to the first device from the outside and a second program prepared beforehand in the first device, the most desirable device is selected as the second device by executing the second program and the first program is executed by using information on the selected device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a remote control unit for intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction systems, comprising storage means, payment means, a sound control circuit, display means and a metal chassis wherein said remote control unit comprises a distant radio frequency transmitter that is associated with a radio frequency receiver connected to the sound control circuit of the audiovisual reproduction system.

Abstract: Provided are a method and an apparatus for forming a network with various audio/video (AV) devices via a link established by using an AV interface supporting bidirectional data transmission and for transmitting and receiving various types of data via the AV interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for media source identification and time shifted media consumption measurements are disclosed. A disclosed method identifies a time shift associated with one of a plurality of media sources local to a media delivery device by generating a library of first signature information local to the media delivery device, wherein the library of first signature information includes records, each of which contains a time stamp, a signature value and a source identifier associated with a respective one of the plurality of media sources, generating second signature information based on media presented via the media delivery device, generating a collection of matching signature information based on the first and second signature information, and performing a time shift analysis on the collection of matching signature information to identify the time shift associated with the one of the plurality of media sources local to the media delivery device.

Abstract: In an information-processing system shown in FIG. 1, a server (106) for delivering remote-operation control information in accordance with an audio/video instrument (110) and an information-processing apparatus (103) with a remote-operation screen display function for remote-controlling the audio/video instrument (110) based on control information acquired from this server (106) are connected to each other through the Internet (105) etc. The information-processing apparatus (103) makes a request to the server (106) to deliver the remote-operation control information in accordance with this audio/video instrument (110) and, based on the control information delivered from the server (106) owing to this delivery request, performs display processing of a remote-operation screen and, based on remote-operation information input by operations on the remote-operation screen, remote-controls the audio/video instrument (110).

Abstract: A TV-set is equipped with HDMI and USB connections that allow it to display and run audio-video content from a variety of conventional consumer devices. The TV-set is further equipped to provide a secure HDMI-USB interface that will allow the transfer of licensed high definition content and Internet subscriber services. Such secure HDMI-USB interface also enables a selection of proprietary application modules to be attached. Downloadable user interface templates, much like XML style sheets, are rendered to a user interface displayed on the screen. These are associated with corresponding thumbnails and URI's that allow a user to surf through lists and catalogs of materials, and then to play them in the appropriate formats and provide the machine with a customized controller. A remote commander is simplified, yet expanded to control all the attached devices through interactions with the user interface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effectively implementing a wireless television system may include a communications processor and a transmitter device that combine at least one of a local-area network interface, a wide-area network interface, and one or more television data interfaces for effectively performing a wireless network transmission process. A transmitted stream from the wireless television system may be received via wireless network processing for viewing local-area network data, wide-area network data (such as Internet data), or television data by flexibly utilizing various electronic devices such as a notepad personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a handheld TV remote control device.

Abstract: A set-box (SBB) is advanced into a receptacle on the rear of a TV to add functionality to the TV. Digital video information is conveyed from the SBB to the TV using respective HDMI connectors on the SBB and TV that mechanically engage each other, whereas bi-directional control information is passed wirelessly between the SBB and TV.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the selection and connection of sub-devices managed by virtual device or logical units (LUs) within a network. In one exemplary embodiment, LU connections are preferably brought to the IP layer using HTTP commands and responses. These IP layer commands are used to communicate connection information among the LUs involved in the connection and to allow for LUs to determine which sub-devices within the LU will be used in a connection. When the specific details have been determined, the sink device will work at the network specific level to make the actual connection. This allows for the connections between LUs to be network independent until all of the specific details of the connection have been determined. After that, a connection is established using network specific commands and protocols.

Abstract: A legacy device bridge for use in a network, such as a wired or wireless residential network, is provided. The legacy device bridge performs protocol conversion to enable a network-attached entity that uses a packet-based communication protocol to communicate with and control legacy devices, such as consumer electronics, that rely exclusively on infrared (IR) or serial communication protocols. The legacy device bridge also performs a virtualization function that allows legacy devices to be advertised to the network as devices that comply with a packet-based discovery and control protocol, and to be controlled as such. The legacy device bridge is also adapted to probe, deduce and publish information relating to the state of a legacy device to other entities on the network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for interacting and/or controlling one or more home devices through a set top box using data received from one or more user-specified internet sources. For example, in one embodiment, the set top box may be configured to alter a home lighting system, a home audio system, a home heating and air conditioning system, based on data received through the set top box. In other embodiments, the set top box may be configured to display data from one or more user-specified internet sources (e.g., updates to a fantasy football score) on a television for enabling a user to view the updated information while watching a television program.

Abstract: A time authentication device identifies clocks that show a time falling within the predetermined permissible range as compared with a time shown by the time authentication device. In a time authentication device embodied as a distribution device, a time-relation information storage unit stores a playback-device-time measured by a clock unit of a playback device, and also stores a distribution-device-time measured by a clock unit when the playback-device-time is acquired. The time authentication unit acquires from the playback device a target time measured by the clock unit, and also acquires an authentication time measured by the clock unit when the target time is received. The time authentication unit then calculates a first difference, a second difference, an authentication difference. If the authentication difference is smaller than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the time authentication unit judges that the clock unit of the playback device is valid.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: A method of handling multimedia digital content in a network that interconnects diverse electronic devices is provided. Multimedia digital content with associated metadata is acquired by a device on the network from a source, and characteristics of a target device on which the multimedia digital content is to be played are obtained. At least one or both of the metadata of the multimedia digital content and the characteristics of the target device are analyzed for determining rules or parameters for encoding the source multimedia digital content. After the analyzing and determining steps, the source multimedia digital content is encoded with the determined rules or parameters and the encoded multimedia digital content is transmitted to the target device. Accordingly, the encoding step produces a content adaptation that is specifically optimized for playback on the target device. A Media Interoperability Unit (MIU) and a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) system are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a first receiving unit and a processing unit. The first receiving unit receives a plurality of detection signals respectively from a plurality of electronic apparatuses, the detection signals respectively indicates the working states of all electronic apparatuses. The processing unit outputs the detection signals to an output unit, thus the output unit defines the working states of all electronic apparatuses. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems for centrally and uniformly controlling the operation of a variety of devices, such as communication, consumer electronic, audio-video, analog, digital, 1394, and the like, over a variety of protocols within a network system and, more particularly, a control system and uniform user interface for centrally controlling these devices in a manner that appears seamless and transparent to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a command center or hub of a network system includes a context and connection permutation sensitive control system that enables centralized and seamless integrated control of all types of input devices. The control system preferably includes a versatile icon based graphical user interface that provides a uniform, on-screen centralized control system for the network system.

Abstract: A plurality of intelligent device systems for use with a wideband signal distribution network, and methods for transmitting digital information and receiving digital and non-digital information onto and off of an RF carrier through a wideband signal distribution network, are disclosed. The intelligent device systems provide networks of intelligent devices that modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband signal distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, using existing EIA/TIA 568 standard wiring infrastructure. The methods modulate and demodulate digital video, IP video/data/voice and digital wireless onto, and off of, a wideband distribution system, such as an analog carrier system, and separate IP portions from non-IP portions.

Abstract: An information processing system may include first apparatus and second apparatus coupled to each other through communications means. The first apparatus may include a transmitting/receiving unit effecting two-way communications with the second apparatus, and a control unit that transmits data corresponding to the operating signal from the transmitting/receiving unit to the second apparatus in response to an operating signal transmitted from the second apparatus, and to perform control of the first apparatus. The second apparatus may include a transmitting/receiving unit effecting two-way communications with the first apparatus, a display displaying an image based on the data transmitted from the first apparatus, and a control unit that displays, on a screen of the display, a first operating image for operating the first apparatus and a second operating image for operating a menu screen related to the first apparatus, in response to a remote controller signal supplied from a remote controller.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a data stream at a set-top box device from a residential gateway. The data stream includes first data having a first content type, second data having a second content type, and third data having a third content type. The method includes assigning the first data for processing at a first machine of the set-top box device. The method also includes assigning the second data for processing at a second machine of the set-top box device. The method further includes assigning the third data for processing at a third machine of the set-top box device. The set-top box device is configured to selectively output at least one of the first data, the second data, and the third data for display at a display device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing communications service to individual units of a multiple dwelling unit (“MDU”) is disclosed. The system may comprise a communications service unit configured to distribute communications signal to at least one unit of a MDU via at least one cable, wherein the at least one cable are distributed along the exterior of the MDU, one or more network interface elements communicatively coupled to the at least one cable, wherein each of the one or more network interface elements are positioned near a window of the MDU, and an antenna communicatively coupled to each of the one or more network interface elements, wherein the antenna is configured to transmit the communications signal to one or more network elements in at least one unit of the MDU.

Abstract: A personal media broadcasting system enables video distribution over a computer network and allows a user to view and control media sources over a computer network from a remote location. A personal broadcaster receives an input from one or more types of media sources, digitizes and compresses the content, and streams the compressed media over a computer network to a media player running on any of a wide range of client devices for viewing the media. The system may allow the user to issue control commands (e.g., “channel up”) from the media player to the broadcaster, causing the source device to execute the commands. The broadcaster and the media player may employ several techniques for buffering, transmitting, and viewing the content to improve the user's experience.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods that overcome deficiencies in the prior art. One embodiment of the invention comprises an integrated system for providing video and data services to a customer premises. The integrated system comprises a digital broadcast satellite receiver, a data source, and an integrated network interface device. The integrated network interface device can be coupled to a receiver and/or the data source, and the integrated network interface device can be configured to receive video information from the receiver and data (e.g. Internet Protocol data) from the data source. In certain embodiments, the integrated network interface device can further be configured to distribute the data to the customer premises via a first internal transport medium and/or distribute the video information to the customer premises via a second internal transport medium. In one aspect, network interference devices can be attached to an external wall of customer premises.

Abstract: A method of controlling presentation of audio data in a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub comprises obtaining a registration of at least one audio sink device, where the at least one audio sink device is capable of receiving a first number of audio channels used for presenting the audio data to a user in the home entertainment system. The audio data comprising a second number of audio channels, wherein the second number of audio channels is greater than the first number of audio channels, is received from a source device at the wireless home entertainment hub. The audio data received is processed in response to the capabilities of the at least one audio sink device by down-mixing the audio data to the first number of audio channels. The processed audio data is transmitted to the at least one audio sink device for presentation to the user.

Abstract: An information signal transmission system and a remote control device for such a system for allowing a viewer to continuously watch, for example, in a bedroom a program the viewer has watched in a living room. A recipient of information is detected referring to identification information set in a remote command device, and monitor devices are alternately switched for continuously providing the viewer with an information signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented to allow the extension of a DOCSIS cable modem service over a wireless link. According to the invention a wireless hub transceiver is connected to a distribution coax cable of a DOCSIS based system. The downstream data are transferred over a wireless link to a remote subscriber radio frequency (RF) unit connected to a cable modem that provides the downstream data to the subscriber. Similarly, upstream data are sent from the subscriber cable modem over the wireless link to the wireless hub transceiver where such data are inserted back to the distribution coax cable.

Abstract: A settop box for streaming a television program to a network device through a network includes a central processing unit, a network interface device, a direct memory access engine, a buffer, and a memory for storing computer-executable instructions. The stored instructions cause the direct memory access engine to route time-ordered digital media data packets encoding the television program into the buffer, cause the central processing unit to add a network header to the digital media data packets, and cause the network interface device to relay the digital media data packets to a network device through the network, wherein the packets are relayed substantially without latency and with a time-ordering based on the same time-ordering of the packets in the buffer.