Abstract: A plurality of moving picture transmitters (11 to 1n) encode a plurality of input objects, respectively, and transmit them onto a network (41). A moving picture receiver (21) receives bitstream data transmitted from each of the plurality of moving picture transmitters (11 to 1n), obtains information on the quality of the network (41), detects an error or the like that occurs in the bitstream data, and transmits priority information on the plurality of objects to the plurality of moving picture transmitters (11 to 1n), respectively. A registration server 31 registers information on the plurality of moving picture transmitters (11 to 1n) and information on the moving picture receiver 21 therein, and delivers them according to circumstances.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting video images between video terminals (1, 1′) in a data transmission system. Video images comprise frames (T0, T1,. . . T9), which are divided into slices (S1-S8, SX). Every frame (T0, T1, . . . , T9) comprises at least two slices (S5, S3, S6; S1, SX, S2; S7, S4, S8) which are at least partly adjacent to each other, and consecutive frames (T0, T1, . . . , T9) have corresponding slices (S5, S1, S7; S3, SX, S4; S6, S2, S8). The slices (S1-S8, SX) are interleaved into packets, and the packets are transmitted. The interleaving is performed in such a way that adjacent slices (SX, S1; SX, S2) in the same frame (T1) are transmitted in different packets, and that corresponding slices (S5, S1, S7; S3, SX, S4; S6, S2, S8) of two consecutive frames (T0, T1, T2) of video images are transmitted in different packets.

Abstract: A real-time rich media recording system. The system includes a capture module, a recording module and a random access module. The recording module real-time records a rich media source captured by the capture module as digital data. The recording module constructs a rich media relational table, and inserts an event label into the rich media relational table in response to an action instruction. The random access module stops the recording process of the recording module in response to an interrupt instruction, locates a location in the digital data, disables the event labels located after the location in the rich media relational table, and reinstates the recording module to record the rich media source at the position following the location in the digital data.

Abstract: A process and system for enhanced storage of trajectories reduces storage requirements over conventional methods and systems. A video content analysis module automatically identifies objects in a video frame, and determines the (xi,yi) coordinates of each object i. The reference coordinates for each for object i, (xrefi,yrefi) are set to (xi,yi) when the object is first identified. For subsequent frames, if the new coordinates (xnewi,ynewi) are less than a given distance from the reference coordinates, that is if ∥(xnewi,ynewi)−(xref1,yrefi)∥2<&egr;, then the current coordinates are ignored. However, if the object moves more than the distance &egr;, the current coordinates (xnewi,ynewi) are stored in the object's trajectory list, and we set the reference coordinates (xref1,yrefi) to the object's current position. This process is repeated for all subsequent video frames.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting segments from a broadcast television signal uses a mean display attribute value of pixels of each successive frame of a video component of the signal to identify segment transitions. Elapsed times between the identified segment transitions are compared with expected durations of segments, in order to detect intervals that are likely to constitute segments. Groups of the detected intervals are subjected to tests to see if they are temporally arranged in an expected distribution typical of segments in broadcast signals. he mean display attribute values concurrent with each detected segment are then used to form a statistical profile for the segment. These statistical profiles may be used to identify re-broadcast segments. Further a stream of mean audio amplitudes is preferably used to supply further segment transitions, to improve segment detection, and to provide more statistical values.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital broadcasting transmission system which includes: a plurality of single program encoders for encoding and multiplexing respective single programs constituted with video/audio/data signals; a PSIP generator for generating PSIP that provides detailed information on video/audio/data broadcasting programs to be multiplexed in the single program encoders; a multiple program multiplexer for multiplexing digital broadcasting stream transmitted from the signal program encoders and the PSIP transmitted from the PSIP generator; and a transmission unit for transmitting digital broadcasting signals multiplexed in the multiple program multiplexer.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for reducing the video decoder processing requirements are presented herein. During a rewind operation, a reference picture for a group of pictures is decoded and stored into a reference frame buffer. By storing a reference picture for the group, the reference picture need not be decoded to display each picture in the group during the rewind operation.

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital data representing an original over plural transmission links, at least some of which have limited bandwidth, including a digital data source storing digital data representing the original, a digital data receiver receiving the digital data representing the original via one of the plural transmission links -having limited bandwidth and a digital data transmitter operative to transmit the digital data representing the original to the receiver over a transmission link having a limited bandwidth in plural blocks which are sequentially transmitted at a rate determined by the limited bandwidth, each block being an incomplete collection of data which includes parts of multiple frames, each frame being viewable in a selectable order by the receiver even when less than all of the plural blocks have been received, receipt of subsequent blocks by the receiver being used to cumulatively improve the quality of the digital data viewed by the receiver.

Abstract: A process for transmission of a digital televised broadcast including interactive advertisement sequences which can be activated at least in part by a television viewer including transmitting elemental advertisement components materialized in the form of codes calling up native functions, comprising components of “INITIALIZATIONS”defining positioning in a data structure of other components, components of “DRAWS” corresponding to graphic representations materialized in the structure in the form of codes calling up native factions of a host language of a digital terminal, components of “PALETTES” corresponding to color palettes and components of “SCREENS” corresponding to screen descriptions, and constructing an animated image by superposition of an animated image background corresponding to a principal broadcast and an image grouping together at least a part of elemental components by an execution program loaded in the digital terminal.

Abstract: The invention presents for its viewers a distinctive and unduplicated combination of unique television programming joined directly with related interactive services and features. An improved method and apparatus for programming a television network are disclosed. The method and apparatus enables viewers to watch television programming comprised almost wholly of entertainment scenes, view and navigate information, product, merchandise and premium television services lists, directly purchase these products, merchandise and services which are directly related to the comprised programming. Also detailed is the process of attaching and managing the data which attends the broadcast and interactive services, and any sales to the viewer.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus transmits image data of a plurality of pictures to a receiver side, and transmits the high-resolution information of a picture requested by the receiver side, among the plurality of pictures, in a mode of transmission different from the mode of transmission for the moving image data. The image communication apparatus thus serves two purposes of transmitting a high-resolution still image and transmitting efficiently a moving image.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to improve the scalability of Video on Demand Systems with VCR functions using the client buffers in a cooperative way.

Abstract: The problem of the pause/resume method of patching based VOD system in a prior art, which a prescribed time interval is fixed and the service requested during the interval is processed, is solved by changing the channel group of transferred stream. When an operation of pause is performed, transmission of video data is temporarily paused, and when an operation of resume is performed, the nearest transferring channel group is found. However, the VOD system, which transfers simultaneously data via at most 2 channels, operations of pause/resume can not be provided. Therefore, to solve this problem, pause/resume method and its apparatus in the video system according to the present invention can provide the operations of the pause/resume of the VOD in multicasting environment, which data are simultaneously transferred via 2 channels. The present invention allows a user to interact for video data, thus increases utility of the system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a video stream from a server to a client over a network include a memory for storing a forward-encoded bit-stream and a reverse-encoded bit-stream for a video data, The forward-encoded bit-stream includes I-frames encoded without inter-frame dependencies and P-frames encoded depending on forward-direction preceding frames, and the reverse-encoded bit-stream includes I-frames and P-frames encoded depending on reverse-direction preceding frames. When the server receives a request with a video cassette recoding (VCR) function from the client, the server reads out and transmits frames selectively from among the first, second, third, and fourth frames in accordance with the request. The server can select the closest I-frame to a requested frame in an either bit-stream for a fast-mode play or a random-access play, and switch the bit-streams to use subsequent P-frames in a different direction than that of the closest I-frame.

Abstract: Command packets for personal video recorder. The invention provides for transport stream (TS) that contains data and also includes a transport packet (TP)/TS formatted command packets. The TP/TS formatted command packet may be communicated between any number of devices, including multiple chips, multiple boards, and multiple processors. A decoder is able to decode the TP/TS formatted command packet and to perform the appropriate operation on data portions of the TS. When a TS is provided to a device not having the capability to perform the proper decoding of the TP/TS formatted command packet, that particular packet may be deemed as being unidentified (or unknown) adaptation field data. Alternatively, the packet may be identified as being corrupted data and/or irrelevant data. The invention is operable to encode command packets into the transport stream in such a way that it is backward compatible with previous systems.

Abstract: An interface is provided for interfacing at least one information stream with at least one modulator in the headend or hub of a broadband communications system. The interface allows for separating the media access control function from the modulator. By updating timing references, variable delays are handled appropriately.

Abstract: This invention describes a new method and system for delivering data over a network to a large number of clients, which may be suitable for building large-scale Video-on-Demand (VOD) systems. In current VOD systems, the client may suffer from a long latency before starting to receive the requested data that is capable of providing sufficient interactive functions, or the reverse, without significantly increasing the network load. The method utilizes two groups of data streams, one responsible for minimizing latency while the other one provides the required interactive functions. In the anti-latency data group, uniform, or non-uniform or hierarchical staggered stream intervals may be used. The system being realized based on this invention may have a relatively small startup latency while users may enjoy most of the interactive functions that are typical of video recorders including fast-forward, forward-jump, and so on.

Abstract: There is provided a system, method and software application that receives a data stream via a data network such as the Internet. The received data is recorded in a data storage device. The system stores various transcoding algorithms for a variety of playback devices and transfer networks. The recorded data is then transcoded into a format compatible with other devices or data transfer constraints. A user can interface with the system to input information particular to the other devices and transfers. This information is stored by the system and used to determine the transcoding algorithm best suited to the needs of the user based on the user input.

Abstract: A method of purchasing a soundtrack associated with A/V content. When A/V content is purchased by download or otherwise, the user is provided with an option to purchase or store the soundtrack. In one embodiment, the purchase of the motion picture secures usage rights to the soundtrack while another embodiment requires separate purchase of the soundtrack. In either case, the user is enabled to store the soundtrack as a separate file after having purchased rights to do so. The soundtrack is then stored, in some embodiments with digital rights management or copy protection to limit the number of copies that can be made of the soundtrack. The motion picture has a Table of Contents (TOC) indexing the soundtrack portions of the audio content of the motion picture to enable extraction of those portions of the motion picture forming the soundtrack.

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital data representing an original over plural transmission links, at least of which have limited bandwidth, including a digital data source storing digital data representing the original, a digital data receiver receiving the digital data representing the original via one of the plural transmission links having limited bandwidth and a digital data transmitter operative to transmit the digital data representing the original to the receiver over a transmission link having a limited bandwidth in plural blocks which are sequentially transmitted at a rate determined by the limited bandwidth, each block being an incomplete collection of data which includes parts of multiple frames, each frame being viewable in a selectable order by the receiver even when less than all of the plural blocks have been received, receipt of subsequent blocks by the receiver being used to cumulatively improve the quality of the digital data viewed by the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method of optimizing transmission of a program to multiple users over a distribution system, with particular application to video-on-demand for a CATV network. The system includes, at a head end of the CATV network a scheduling and routing computer for dividing the video program stored in long term fast storage or short term fast storage into a plurality of program segments, and a subscriber distribution node for transmitting the program segments in a redundant sequence in accordance with a scheduling algorithm. At a receiver of the CATV network there is provided a buffer memory for storing the transmitted video program segments for subsequent playback whereby, in use, the scheduling algorithm can ensure that a user's receiver will receive all of the program segments in a manner that will enable continuous playback in real time of the program.

Abstract: In a dynamic video communication evaluation equipment for analyzing codes by multiple methods for evaluating a dynamic video image, an analysis including estimation is performed to fix a reliability of the analysis result, enabling a processing termination in response to the analysis result in view of effective utilization of time or cost.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an information stream comprising a plurality of compressed information frames to produce an information sub-stream having a reduced number of information frames. In the case of an MPEG video information stream, the information sub-stream is suitable for use as a fast-forward (FF) or rewind (REW) stream in, e.g., a video on demand (VOD) system utilizing such streams.

Abstract: Reception of digital multimedia data signals from multiple sources in a stream over a fixed bandwidth communications path may be accomplished by subscribing to a base layer of a first source and a base layer of a second source, and subscribing to an enhancement layer of the first source. Data signals corresponding to the subscribed layers of the first and second sources may be received in a stream over the fixed bandwidth communications path, output signals may be produced which correspond to the received data signals for the first source, and output signals may be produced corresponding to the received data signals for the second source. The output signals for the first source may be displayed in a first portion or window of a display, and output signals for the second source may be simultaneously displayed in a second portion or window of the display, thereby providing a picture-in-picture (PIP) display for streaming digital video.

Abstract: A carousel having multiple instances of at least one data or object module. The carousel may be encapsulated into a transmission, such as an MPEG-2 transport stream, for periodic transmission to a receiver.

Abstract: A broadcast apparatus broadcasts broadcast data. In the broadcast apparatus, an acquiring unit acquires broadcast data and a reproduction time period in which the broadcast data is to be reproduced by a reception apparatus, and a broadcasting unit repeatedly broadcasts the broadcast data from a predetermined time period before a start of the reproduction time period to an end of the reproduction time period.

Abstract: A system for maintaining the data rate of receivers to a network as requested media is delivered to one or more of the receivers. The system includes a proxy module acting as a single portal through which media requests are delivered to the network. The proxy module retrieves a stream of the requested media and delivers the media to the aggregation module for distribution and bookkeeping. The aggregation module retrieves and caches or buffers the stream of requested media from the proxy module. The aggregation module generates one or more media streams deliverable to the requesting receivers, such streams being receiver specific streams or non-receiver specific streams. The aggregation module can also deliver the requested media to the receivers upon an unused video and/or audio channel available to the receiver.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus of recording a multi-channel data stream on a recording medium in such a manner that substreams of digital channels constituting the multi-channel data stream can be distinguished each other in reproduction. The present recording method separates a multi-channel stream composed of substreams belonging to a plurality of channels into individual substreams, records the individual substreams separately by channel in plural stream objects allocated in a recording medium, creates a piece of search information every a substream contained in the recorded multi-channel stream, and records the created plural pieces of search information on the recording medium. The present method makes it possible to selectively search and reproduce each substream among a multi-channel stream recorded on a recording medium, thereby improving use convenience of a recording machine such as a digital video recorder.

Abstract: A client's terminal 102 carries out the control of data transmission to a server apparatus 101 depending upon a data transmission program involving data transmission control information provided by the server apparatus 101. The server apparatus 101 transmits also a control-information update message to the client's terminal 102. This disperses, in time, the communications to the server apparatus 101. Thus, the server apparatus 101 can be relieved of communication load.

Abstract: A system that enables an event or moments within an event to be captured and provided in a record that preserves at least some aspects of the participant's perspective of the event. In particular, the present invention involves centralized recording of the event in one or more modes including video, audio, and still image recordings and a system that enables a participant (i.e., one who perceives the event) to select portions of the event recording substantially contemporaneously with the event occurrence. A personalized record is made by duplicating the selected portions from the event record. In a particular example, the personalized record is recorded on a digital media such as a compact disc (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) or the like.

Abstract: High quality replay of a streaming multimedia video segment on demand is provided. The multimedia segment may be transmitted as a stream by a server system and received by a client system over a fixed bandwidth communications path. The client system receives a base layer of the stream, decodes the base layer and displays the decoded base layer at a first quality level. The client system stores at least a portion of the base layer in a cache. When a request for replay service for the multimedia segment is received from a user, for high quality replay, the client system may receive at least one enhancement layer of the stream corresponding to the stored portion of the base layer. The client system may then read the stored portion of the base layer from the cache, decode the stored portion of the base layer and the at least one enhancement layer, and display the decoded base and enhancement layers at a second quality level, higher than the first quality level.

Abstract: A method for efficiently transmitting several multimedia streams to one or more multimedia receivers is disclosed comprising: defining a minimum acceptable time for rendering a multimedia stream to a user when the user selects a particular stream; defining a packet size for packets containing data for each multimedia stream, the packet size defined based on one or more performance characteristics of mass storage devices on the one or more multimedia receivers; concurrently transmitting the packets for each multimedia stream to the one or more multimedia receivers; continually storing the multimedia streams on the mass storage devices; and playing back the multimedia content from the mass storage devices responsive to a user tuning to a particular multimedia stream when a delay greater than the minimum acceptable time would otherwise result waiting for a next packet containing data for the particular multimedia stream to arrive.

Abstract: The contents distribution system for distributing contents to a terminal of each user through a communication network, including a distribution server which connects to each terminal through the communication network to distribute contents, in which the distribution server sequentially divides data of contents to be distributed into frames to generate frames coded by a predetermined plurality of different coding systems, selects, based on a request from the terminal of the user, a frame appropriate for the request from among the generated frames and transmits the selected frame to the terminal in question.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multimedia content through a cable, satellite television or other content server system. A server facility which provides multimedia content divides formatted multimedia content into data chunks (e.g., collections of data corresponding to one minute lengths) prior to transmission to a user/subscriber receptor unit, and sends the divided data chunks according to a schedule which permits instantaneous starting and viewing of the multimedia content, such as movies, upon user/subscriber request. The user/subscriber receptor unit includes a cable box, video game device, or the like having a digital video recording capability and at least a memory capacity or disk space sufficient to store a complete unit of media content, such as full-length feature film.

Abstract: A communication system whereby media quality can be measured with high accuracy and can be properly reflected in the calculation of charges, thus making it possible to provide a high-efficiency information delivery service. Delivery unit controls the delivery of a media stream. Accounting control unit performs accounting control based on media quality information transmitted from a subscriber side, and authentication unit authenticates a device which is to receive the media stream. Receiving unit controls the reception of the media stream, and connection information management unit manages connection information for specifying the media stream. Media quality measurement control unit controls the measurement of media quality of the specified media stream, generates media quality information and transmits the media quality information to a station.

Abstract: A DOD broadcast method for transmitting client generic sequences of data blocks comprising: preparing a client generic data transmission sequence of data blocks, wherein said client generic data transmission sequence has a sub-optimal time delivery characteristic; transmitting a data file consisting of said sequence of data blocks in accordance with said sub-optimal transmission sequence to a plurality of clients such that a receiving client may begin to access said data file within a predetermined time. Preparing said sequence includes: receiving a data file; specifying a time interval; parsing said data file into multiple data blocks based on said time interval such that each data block is displayable during said time interval; determining a required number of time slots to send said data file, wherein each of said time slot has a duration substantially equal to said time interval; allocating to each time slot one of the data blocks.

Abstract: In a video broadcast or production plant including first and second video sources which provide first and second digital video signals respectively at integer related frame rates, the video sources are operated so that the first and second video signals are aligned at a reference time. Switch points for updating a router in the plant are defined by measuring lapse of time from the reference time.

Abstract: The content playback method comprises inputting scene descriptive information to specify a time based order regarding playback of a piece of content data, receiving and playing back the content data according to the scene descriptive information, measuring an available bandwidth of a network, and requesting a content distribution device to transfer a subsequent piece of the content data based on the scene descriptive information when the available bandwidth exists.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of video displays on a display screen from video data which is received as an encoded MPEG stream of data and then decoded and processed to be displayed. In the invention the video display can be generated in a conventional format or at least one use selectable alternative format, known as trick mode stream, such as a fast forward or fast cue display. The method of the invention allows the amount of data to be placed into the buffer memory prior to decoding and display of the data in the alternate format, to be calculated without reference to the MPEG stream information which is unavailable in the trick mode stream of data. The method therefore minimizes delay in the commencement and end of the display of the trick mode stream display format when selected by the user.

Abstract: An electronic program guide executing in a set top box provides real-time guide EIT information to users for periods beyond the six hours of conventional systems. Each transport providing information to the set top box contains a predetermined number of hours of full EIT data and a predetermined number of days of sparse EIT data. The sparse EIT data allows users to see information for programming in real time days into the future without having to tune to a different transport.

Abstract: An information providing method distributes in advance a playback file upon downloading which is to be played in a period between the start of downloading files and the start of playing the files. Also, a piece of streaming content is distributed by switching a distribution method between streaming distribution and buffering distribution. Furthermore, a piece of streaming content is distributed by switching the distribution method between streaming distribution using unicast communication and buffering distribution using multicast communication.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for transmitting a work to a client which includes steps of: (a) saving at least a portion of the work for a first period of time; (b) receiving a request for the work from the client; (c) transmitting a time-scale modified version of the saved portion of the work for a second period of time, wherein the second period of time is substantially equal to a time it takes for the time-scale modified version to synchronize with the work, had the work been transmitted from a start of the first period; and (d) transmitting the work starting at the synchronized point.

Abstract: An information providing system allows to intentionally modify the arrangement of clips to be reproduced from that of the first transmission. The program clips and the CM clips obtained by receiving those broadcast are stored in recorded result storage section 11 and rearrangement examining section 15 carries out a processing operation of comparing the attributes of each of the clips and the applicable profile data generated by applicable profile generating section 14. Then, the sequence of reproducing the contents clips is modified on the basis of the result of the processing operation and download operating section 16 downloads the contents clips to be added on an on-demand basis. Then, the final arrangement section 17 rearranges the sequence of reproducing the contents clips including those to be added to set up the final arrangement.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an on-demand audio or video data file arranges the data file into a sequence of N sections having substantially the same size. The data is then rearranged such that data from a each section is transmitted more frequently than data from a next section in the sequence. The data from the file is arranged in packets such that each packet includes a portion of the data from each of the sections with the portion occupied by the first section being greater than the portion occupied by the second section. Alternatively, the data is arranged in successive groups of packets where each group of packets includes more packets from the first section than from the second section. Data for live programs may use the same scheme where the number of sections or the amount of data in each section increases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an information stream comprising a plurality of compressed information frames having an associated original or source timecast parameter to produce an information sub-stream having a substantially constant timecast parameter. The invention generates an information substream having a timecast parameter that is held substantially constant, even though the timecast parameter of the input stream may vary.

Abstract: In a system for transmitting multimedia data including video data, audio data, graphic data, text data and the like via a network, sets of media data are stored in a plurality of servers in a distributed state. When requested multimedia data is assigned from a transmitter, necessary sets of data from among media data stored in the servers in a distributed state are acquired by corresponding receivers in accordance with the assignment. A synchronization control unit and a multiplexer multiplex the acquired media data based on time stamps of the data, and transmit multimedia data after the multiplexing to a client which has assigned the multimedia data. According to such a configuration, distributed multimedia servers can be constructed without taking into consideration of influence by the effective rates of transmission channels from the respective servers.

Abstract: A method for providing broadcast network services from a server by providing a broadcaster with access to an application tool, a storage device, and a streaming media tool bundled together so the broadcaster can create, upload and/or store program files using the application tools, transmit the program file to the members as streaming media, and also allow the member to download auxiliary files associated with the program file, rate the content of the program file, and/or send communications to the broadcaster related to the program file.

Abstract: A set top box (STB) includes multiple processors that handle either real time or non-real time functions within the STB. One of the processors may perform substantially all of the real time operations, such as control of a data pipeline to the STB, conditional access, and control of a program guide stored within the DVR. The other processor may control substantially all non-real time functions that are executed within the STB, such as graphics user interface and browser functions. The STB may be embodied as a digital video recorder (DVR). The additional processor(s) provide for increased overall system bandwidth, improved system security and greater system stability for an STB and/or DVR configured with these multiple processors, as compared to a conventional STB having a single micro-controller or processor.

Abstract: A data reception/playback apparatus comprises transmission request sending means for sending a transmission request to a transmission apparatus, reception means for receiving data transmitted from the transmission apparatus in response to the transmission request, playback start position selection means for selecting a playback start position from a playback start position table where at least one playback start position is stored, and playback means for playing the stream data.