Abstract: A signal distribution method and apparatus which distribute higher quality signals in addition to standard signals, thereby enabling reception of higher quality picture and sound at a remote reception appliance. The method and apparatus also distribute digitally compressed signals in addition to standard signals, which also enables reception of higher quality picture and sound at the remote reception appliance. Finally, the method and apparatus distribute the higher quality signals and the digitally compressed signals to multiple reception appliances, located in a single family home environment or to multiple reception appliances within a multiple dwelling unit.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a system and controller for distribution of audio/video signals on a pay-for-use basis, to a customer in a controlled environment such as a motel, hotel, bus station, bar or apartment building. The system includes a global authorization computer which transmits authorization to the customer over a telephone line. The customer has a telephone line/television control interface which receives the dual-tone multi-frequency authorization and allows the customer to select the authorized channel for a defined length of time. Without authorization, the telephone line/television control interface will deny the customer's attempt to tune his television to a pay-for-use channel. When the authorized time expires, the telephone line/television control interface tunes the customer's television to a non-pay-for-use channel. Additional options and embodiments are also presented.

Abstract: An audio/video distribution system that is cost-effective, highly flexible, and capable of being used over an extended area and without the need for a centralized switching and distribution mechanism. The audio/video distribution system includes a distribution bus, at least one audio/video transmitter, at least one receiver, and a digital director. The transmitter is configured to receive signals from at least one audio/video source while the receiver is connected to the distribution bus and configured to receive signals from the distribution bus. The digital director is connected to the distribution bus and configured to control the transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a gateway providing an open software interface to control in-home communications and to enable in-home devices of various divergent technologies to selectively access external communication features. An in-home communication network utilizes any one or more of several available in-home digital networking media to connect the gateway to device interfaces. The gateway comprises interfaces to a plurality of external communication networks, and one or more in-home communication media, a router coupled to the various interfaces and a controller. Each device specific accessing the in-home network connects to media through a device interface. There will be different interfaces for enabling access by different types of customer premises devices. Each device interface provides physical access to the media as well as functional interfacing, to enable operation with the particular type of customer premises device.

Abstract: Systems and methods that reduce the complexity of interconnecting various consumer electronics devices. One consumer electronics device, such as an Internet terminal, forms a central hub to which all other consumer electronics devices are connected. The Internet terminal has a plurality of identical, interchangeable tongue and groove connectors, each having a plurality of pins. The connectors are identical and interchangeable in that a cable designed to connect a consumer electronics device to the Internet terminal may be plugged into any of the connectors and operate properly. A plurality of cables, each specifically adapted to connect to an existing or future type of consumer electronics device, are used to connect the consumer electronics devices to the connectors at the Internet terminal. Each cable has a connector at one end that attaches to the identical, interchangeable connectors, and one or more connectors at the other end that attach to the particular consumer electronics device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for using a computer as server for television sets. It consists of a module (4) connected to the decoder (1) of the television set (2) and to the computer (3) by digital links, and comprising a micro-electronic component (5) provided with enhanced filtering units and an interface for controlling the computer resources from a decoder by means of a specific software integrated therein. The invention concerns reception on a television set of data of all types, and in particular programs or data using coding by packets consisting of a set of data routed in blocks in a network, whether of the wireless type, by cable or satellite.

Abstract: In a method for the transmission of audiovisual signals between at least one source node and at least one destination node of a home audiovisual network, said source node or nodes insert a piece of information, into said audiovisual signals, to control the copying and/or broadcasting of said audiovisual signals by said destination node or nodes.

Abstract: A wireless local area network adapted for use by users traveling on a mobile platform such as an aircraft. The network includes a network server located on the mobile platform, and at least one network access point connected to the server and accessible wirelessly by at least one user portable electronic device over one of a plurality of non-overlapping network frequency channels. The RF characteristics of this wireless network are specifically tailored to meet applicable standards for electromagnetic compatibility with aircraft systems and RF exposure levels for passengers and flight crews.

Abstract: The invention allows easier determination of a cooperative operation for devices connected to a LAN (50). A control unit (11) in an information processing device (10) connected to the LAN provides to a display, in accordance with selection of devices (10, 20, 30, 40) by a user, data representative of cooperative operations executable by using the selected devices. The control unit provides, to the display, data representative of cooperative operations executed in the past and recorded in a memory (12). The control unit provides to the selected devices, via the LAN, a necessary command to execute one of the executable cooperative operations that is selected by the user. The control unit provides, to the display, data representative of a device which is connected to the LAN and substitutable for a necessary device.

Abstract: A set top box (STB) includes a trusted transactional cache and associated transactional protocol and enables e-commerce transactions to be securely committed to a remote server extremely quickly and with little network overhead. The invention does away with the user concern of whether the transaction was successful. The STB operates equally well on robust private networks as on unpredictable Internet or wireless networks, and avoids upsetting users who would otherwise have to wait in front of a display screen for confirmation of completion of the transaction after a temporary communication failure with the central site. The method may advantageously be used to provide cost-effective micro-payments solutions. The STB may include a dual headed display capability in which data and video maybe be directed to separate displays. The STB may feature an embedded ticket printer, as well as an embedded barcode scanner.

Abstract: The present invention might is a large-screen electronic building directory system that also integrates advertising and non-commercial content and is positioned and deployed in various public spaces, such as commercial building lobbies, indoor shopping malls, airports or other commercial and transportation hubs. The system combines facility directory, facility services information, concessionaires and advertising sponsor information in a user interface suitable for use in the target environment. A self contained, computer integrated plasma display has a 16:9 aspect ratio and is subdivided into a 14:9 media window portion and a 2:9 control portion. Interaction is through touch-sensitive panel sections. Content establishment and updating is effected through a wide area network communication interface, which also supports bi-directional videophone communication between a system user and offsite service providers.

Abstract: A network for distributing broadband video content from its origination point to end users using a system of video servers, video storage devices, video caches and a broadband transmission network. Video material is initially received from content providers, encoded using a compression algorithm, and stored at a centralized location. Depending on the projected frequency of viewing of the content, it either remains stored at the centralized location for less frequently viewed content, or the projected frequently viewed content is proactively transmitted to storage systems located near the edge of the network close to the end users.

Abstract: A system for redistributing a multiple input audio/video and data signals having a redistributing device equipped to receive signals in a multiple formats and redistribute a selected signal to a user's premises over conductors, preferably existing twisted-pair telephone wire. The redistributing device is in interactive communication with a communications interface located in the user's premises which receives user-input control signals and contains switching circuitry which routes the selected signal to the user's premises where it is received by the receiving unit such as a television receiver. A single redistributing device services an entire multi-user network from a common distribution point, and services multiple users independently. The system of the invention does not interfere with normal use of the telephone network, so users can interactively access services provided by the system and use the telephone at the same time.

Abstract: A video graphics system wherein a large quantity of video data is independently and selectively made available to plural video display devices. The large quantity of video data can be contributed to by plural sources of video data of differing formats. Further, the display devices can also be of varying types, each requiring a different input data format. A multi-sourced video distribution element, also referred to as a hub, serves as an interface between one or more sources of video display data and one or more video display devices. One source of data can be identified as a base image, and other sources of data can be utilized for overlay images integrated into the base image. The base image and any integrated overlay images are provided on a pixel bus internal to the hub. The hub can then be configured as an interface to one or more types of video display devices and/or to another hub.

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: A method for effectively implementing a wireless television system comprises a wireless base station that processes and combines various program sources to produce a processed stream. A transmitter then responsively transmits the processed stream as a broadcast output stream to various portable wireless display devices for flexible viewing at variable remote locations.

Abstract: A set-top electronics and network interface unit arrangement is connected to an internal digital network interconnecting devices in the home. The digital network operates on a single, nomodulated, baseband channel. Entertainment services are introduced into the network through network interface units that are coupled to an external network and to the internal network. The network interface units perform the necessary interfacing between the external and internal networks, and make the entertainment services available to all terminals connected to the internal network. Set-top electronics that are separate from the network interface units connect to the internal network and convert the information in the digital data stream for display, by a television, for example.

Abstract: An aircraft data management system provides a passenger seated on the aircraft with a number of entertainment and productivity enhancing options. Such options include, without limitation, video, audio, internet, airplane systems data and power. Located proximate to each seat group is an integrated seat box that includes a network interface card that identifies a requesting passenger for proper directing of the required data and/or power from devices that interface with a network controller back to the requesting passenger. Both on-aircraft and off-aircraft devices may be accessed by the system. While particularly drawn to aircraft, the data management system is also applicable to other venues have identifiable seating locations such as buses, passenger ships, hotels and auditoriums.

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.