Abstract: A video segment can be shared over a computer network by first receiving the video segment at a receiving computer on the network. The receiving computer assures that the video segment is in a streaming video format, and creates at least one identification tag for the video segment. The receiving computer also stores the video segment, and communicates the identification tag to another computer on the network. Upon subsequent receipt of that identification tag, the receiving computer streams the video segment to a destination computer on the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a full duplex wideband communications system for a local (e.g. in-home) coaxial network. The system employs a Frequency-division duplex (FDD) scheme that allows identical wideband modems to communicate with each other. To achieve this, the wideband modems contain a duplexer and a switch that allows reversing the connection of the wideband transmitter and receiver to the duplexer. Each wideband modem includes a control modem that is used to control access to the wideband channels. A wideband transmitter, which may be included in a modem associated with a server set-top terminal (STT), transmits a video presentation to a wideband receiver, which may be included in a modem associated with a client STT.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing broadcast programs. The method of providing a broadcast program in a client apparatus, includes generating final frame information identifying a frame corresponding to a broadcast watching stop time of a broadcast program that a user has been watching; transmitting the final frame information to a server that provides the broadcast program through the Internet; requesting the broadcast program from the server; receiving the broadcast program starting from a final frame searched for by the server based on the final frame information; and providing the broadcast program to the user. It is possible to provide a broadcast program from the stopped part of the broadcast program at a desired time after a user stops watching the broadcast program, even though the broadcast program is not recorded by the client apparatus.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a plurality of devices at a physical drop to receive access to video and/or data services from a plurality of video/data service providers in a digital broadband network serviced by a telecommunication services provider utilizes a broadcast manager, in communication with the video/data service providers, for transmitting an electronic message in a modified format determined by the telecommunication services provider, wherein the electronic message contains information identifying the physical drop, a type of the device being provisioned a the physical drop, and a maximum number of devices for the device type allowed to receive corresponding service at the physical drop. A broadband digital terminal, in communication with the broadcast manager and the physical port, is programmed to receive the electronic message and store the corresponding information.

Abstract: A serial transmission protocol and architecture are provided that can be used to transmit uncompressed multimedia (e.g., video/audio/control data) over a high speed serial forward communication channel. A backward channel is also provided, for communicating control data. The protocol is implemented with a flexible packet format that supports all different modes of video data, and also supports 24 bit and 30 bit video data (or higher). An example application where the architecture and protocol can be used is a home entertainment multimedia system. A mechanism to implement EDID pass-through and protocols such as HDCP is also provided.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on-demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for minimizing the startup delay of streaming media transmitted through networks. A server maintains a portion of the media stream stored in an initial burst transmit buffer. At startup, the stored portion is transmitted at a rate higher than the fixed frame rate, exploiting the full available bandwidth. The initial burst transmission fills up the de-jitter receive buffer at the receiving end faster, thereby shortening the startup delay. Then transmission is switched to the regular rate, from the regular buffer. A variable bit rate transcoder is optionally used for the data of the initial transmission. The transcoder diminishes the size of these frames, so they can be transmitted faster. This shortens the start up delay even more. A receiver has a buffer with a fill level started at a value lower than a final value. This triggers the beginning of play out faster, further shortening the delay time.

Abstract: A digital video broadcast (DVB) receiver and methods are provided for processing Internet data. The DVB receiver receives at least one announcement message mapping an Internet protocol address to a transport stream packet identifier. Using the information, the DVB receiver may configure a demultiplexer to filter service components according to an Internet protocol address.

Abstract: Stream data is transmitted from a distribution server to a client without any loss of data. The capacity of a reception buffer to be prepared at the client can be made small and the network bandwidth necessary for data redistribution can be narrowed. A relay server interposed between the distribution server and client buffers stream data in an auxiliary storage device. When the relay server or client detects a loss of stream data, a redistribution request is transmitted to the distribution server or another relay server at the preceding stage.

Abstract: A system for delivering contents includes a center system which delivers the contents, a plurality of terminal systems which receive the contents from the center system and displays the contents, and communication lines connecting the center system to the plurality of terminal systems. The center system includes a delivery-schedule setting unit which sets a schedule of delivery, and a contents-delivery unit which delivers the contents to the terminal systems according to the schedule of delivery during a time period when a load on the terminal systems is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A digital broadcast (DB) receiver and methods are provided for processing Internet data. The DB receiver receives service identification information mapping a broadcast service component to a unique transmission stream. The DB receiver also receives at least one announcement message mapping an Internet protocol address to a broadcast service component. Using the information, the DB receiver may configure a demultiplexer to filter transmission streams according to an Internet protocol address.

Abstract: A video content transmitting system is provided in which a video content transmitting server among a plurality of servers is automatically determined as to which server can establish a network bandwidth of each of all routes for video content transmission to a proper address of a video content play terminal by using a network protocol usable by the terminal. Information of a network protocol and a network route bandwidth used between the server and terminal is stored at a protocol information manager and a bandwidth information manager. In response to a video content transmission request from a terminal, bandwidths necessary for the routes to the terminal are established and video contents are transmitted by using the network protocol usable by the terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for improved distribution of content on a communication network. The system and method are adapted to receive a video request message from a client, identify a location of the client, identify a location of one or more overlay nodes nearest to the client, identify a location of one or more network servers nearest to the client, generate network organization information, and publish the network organization information to at least the client.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, A communication apparatus for receiving content data obtained by sequentially receiving a broadcast wave to transmit the content data to a different communication apparatus the communication apparatus comprising: a communication section that communicates with the different communication apparatus through a network; a tuner section that receives the broadcast wave; and a presentation section that presents a content list to the different communication apparatus through the communication section, the content list including an item with respect to a channel receivable at the tuner section; wherein the item does not include an acquisition information for the different communication apparatus to acquire the content data.

Abstract: A control program for a supervisor processor in a video-on-demand system directs the supervisor processor to perform the steps of: a) transfer a group of video data packets, from an externally stored complete video into a memory for the supervisor processor; b) build in the supervisor processor's memory, a respective subgroup of internet protocol headers for each video data packet in the group; and c) construct, in the memory of a co-processor, a transmission control list which indicates how each video data packet in the group, and its respective subgroup of internet protocol headers, can be accessed from the supervisor processor's memory by the co-processor.

Abstract: A method and system for provisioning a specific device to receive video and/or data services from a plurality of service providers at a physical drop in a digital broadband network serviced by a telecommunication services provider utilizes a broadcast manager for transmitting an electronic message in a modified format determined by the telecommunication services provider, wherein the electronic message contains information identifying the physical drop associated with the specific device. A broadband digital terminal, in communication with the broadcast manager and the physical-port, receives the electronic message, stores the information, and upon receiving a sign-on request from a requesting device that is requesting access to one of the video and/or data services, determines whether the requesting device is authorized to access the requested video and/or data service based on the stored information.

Abstract: A system and method to schedule data for transmission. The system comprises data generating means, developing means, and transmission scheduling means. The data generating means generates data comprising content data and metadata relating to the content data. The developing means develops a set of input data. The transmission scheduling means produces a continuously updating schedule for transmission of copies of the content data based on the metadata and the set of input data.

Abstract: A communications network configuration for delivery of multimedia services comprises a packet network to which a plurality of terminal devices are connected, a service provider network for providing multimedia services to the terminal devices, a virtual circuit switched network intermediate the packet and service provider networks, and a gateway distributed over the circuit switched network. The distributed gateway comprises a client application unit interfacing the circuit switched network to said packet network and a virtual channel interface unit interfacing the circuit switched network to the service provider network. The client application unit binds logical channels for a multimedia call to association tags for respective virtual channels of the circuit switched network and forwards said association tags to the virtual interfacing unit.

Abstract: To allow many users to efficiently use functions of a processing server that performs predetermined processing, via a network and also prevent a time during which an user can use the processing server, from being shortened due to a difference between the times recognized by the user side and processing server side. In a content supply system 100, in order to use a streaming server 102 to perform a live distribution, an user PC 106 to be used makes a reservation for a time zone, etc. to a server reservation control center 101 over the Internet 103. When the reservation is accepted, the server reservation control center 101 sends the real time information of the service provider side that controls the service time of the streaming server 102 based on the reservation, over the Internet 103.

Abstract: A method of securely receiving data on a user's system from a web broadcast infrastructure with a plurality of channels. The method comprising receiving promotional metadata from a first web broadcast channel, the promotional metadata related to data available for reception; assembling at least part of the promotional metadata into a promotional offering for review by a user; selecting by a user, data to be received related to the promotional metadata; receiving data from a second web broadcast channel, the data selected from the promotional metadata, and wherein the data has been previously encrypted using a first encrypting key; and receiving the first decrypting key via a computer readable medium, the first decrypting key for decrypting at least some of the data received via the second web broadcast channel. In another embodiment, a method and system to transmit data securely from a web broadcast center is disclosed.

Abstract: Stream data is transmitted from a distribution server to a client without any loss of data. The capacity of a reception buffer to be prepared at the client can be made small and the network bandwidth necessary for data redistribution can be narrowed. A relay server interposed between the distribution server and client buffers stream data in an auxiliary storage device. When the relay server or client detects a loss of stream data, a redistribution request is transmitted to the distribution server or another relay server at the preceding stage.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system provides efficient commercial distribution for renting and/or selling movies, video programs, video games and electronic data. Data input stations upload original video data from videotapes, videocassettes, videodisks or film, or from electronic data format on transferable storage media or over a telecommunications line. A video data capture computer converts the original video data into a preferred video data storage format and stores the video data files in a first generation video data storage unit. The video data files are sorted by categories and classified in indexed master files stored on a second generation video data storage unit. NTSC, PAL and/or HDTV versions of the video data files are created and stored in separate data storage units for serving different markets. Customers access the system through computer servers connected to the Internet.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment network system has a video-on-demand (VOD) application which allows viewers to create their own customized lists of preferred video content programs, such as movies, games, TV shows, and so forth. Viewers are permitted to select criteria for grouping various video content programs into manageable sets. Lists of programs are provided in one or more scrollable lists, the scrolling rates of which are programmable. Once grouped, previews for the set of programs are displayed. The VOD application allows the viewers to browse the previews at their own rate, skipping forward to the next preview or backward to the previous preview. During this automated browsing, the VOD application enables the viewer to add any of the programs of interest to a customized list. The viewer can retrieve the customized list at any time. If the viewer orders a program from the customized list, the program remains available to the viewer for a rental period (which is adjustable).

Abstract: The present invention is applied to the distribution of music and videos via the Internet. Single stream content is divided into a plurality of parts A to D in a time-series manner, and a first part A is transmitted via stream distribution, and remaining parts B to D are transmitted via buffering distribution such that decoding of a receiver's side can be started upon the end of decoding an immediately preceding part.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed. The system includes a transmission device that converts a transport stream in to a transport stream file (TSF), a transmission medium coupled to the transmission device and a set top appliance, coupled to the transmission medium that receives the TSF.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting a plurality of informational video programs over a single digital transport stream to a plurality of receivers, wherein the receivers are operative to select from the transport stream data identified with any given program and to decode the identified data into a displayable video signal.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting the bit rate of a data transmission. A sending endpoint transmits data, such as video conferencing data across a network to a receiving endpoint. The receiving endpoint maintains information about the performance of the network and uses the information to determine when to request an increase or a decrease in the transmission rate. The information is maintained as a set of called parameters. The called parameters provide historical and statistical information about the call. For example, by maintaining information that indicates the number of intervals since the last increase was attempted and the number of intervals that the last increase was maintained, the receiving endpoint can avoid oscillating between a higher bit rate and a lower bit rate.

Abstract: Flexible systems and methods are disclosed that may be used for provisioning, configuring, and controlling a host embodied in a cable set top box or other digital device attached to a digital communication network, such as cable distribution network. An enhanced services system maintains various host files for various types of hosts that a cable subscriber may purchase and connect to the cable network. The Enhanced Services Server interacts with the host using the host files. The host files may be downloaded from the host manufacturer into a database that distributes the modules as required to the various enhanced services systems. The host may be purchased by the cable subscriber and provisioning may be initiated by the retailer at the time of purchase using a provisioning network interacting with the appropriate cable system serving the subscriber. This abstract is not intended to limit or construe the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for transmitting video images allows a viewer to receive at a receiving display device, all or a selected portion of a video stream of frames, in a storage-efficient format from a transmitting device and view the received video stream of frames before the transmission is complete. The video system also allows a viewer to receive at the receiving device, all or a selected portion of a video stream of frames, in a high-resolution format, by marking sections of interest within the received stream of frames in the storage-efficient format and requesting enhancement of those marked sections of interest. This apparatus preferably includes a source device, a transmitting device and at least one receiving device. Preferably, the transmitting device and the receiving device communicate over a network such as the Internet Protocol network. Alternatively, the transmitting device and the receiving device communicate over any appropriate data network.

Abstract: Decoding device with a decoding module (4) that decodes digital digitally encoded image data. The decoding of said image data is dependent on the programming of an FPGA circuit. In a first embodiment, the key generator for the decoding module is provided with an FPGA circuit. In a second embodiment, the decoding module is provided with an FPGA circuit. The FPGA circuit and/or the FPGA memory can be located in a removable chip-card. The content of the FPGA memory can be updated by the sender over different possible transmission channels.

Abstract: A video on demand system includes a head-end coupled through a proxy server to plural client terminals. The proxy server performs (or cooperates with another component in performing) various functions, including user interface definition, security, system administration (e.g. channel management, load distribution, and failover), and protocol translation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preprocessing and preprocessing content in an interactive information distribution system. Content is retrieved from a storage medium and encapsulated in accordance to an Internet Protocol (IP) format. The encapsulated content is then uploaded for storage in a stream caching server and for future streaming of content to different types of access networks.

Abstract: Efficient messaging techniques that facilitate interactive program guide (IPG) delivery and allow a terminal to specifically designate requested items of information from a server. The IPG can be provided via a number of IPG pages, with each page including a number of defined regions. In one method, selection for a particular region of a particular page is received at a terminal and a determination is made whether the selected region is currently received. If the answer is no, a request for the selected region is generated and sent to a server. The request can conform to a particular message format that includes a number of fields, e.g., a region ID field that identifies the selected region, a subtype field that identifies a particular type, a time slot field that identifies a specific time slot, and a page offset field that identifies a specific page from among many.

Abstract: A method, system and software for broadcasting, receiving, providing and/or configuring an electronic program guide (EPG). A broadcast station broadcasts a template to a system where program information is inserted into the broadcasted template, thereby creating a station specific EPG. The template accesses program information, service information, event information, user interface information, etc., for configuration and presentation of the EPG to the user. User interface assets and other associated information such as program information, tuning information, etc., may be accessed through a local data base or even through a broadcast signal containing the desired information. Event handling instructions are provided for selecting programs and events and accessing service information, tuning information, etc., for selected programs and events. Additionally, application program interfaces are accessible for execution, tuning, program, and scheduling information, etc.

Abstract: Methods for managing delivery of video sequences of an interactive program guide (IPG) over a communications network to a plurality of terminals are provided. In one embodiment, the method pre-allocates a broadcast bandwidth in the communications network for common video sequences to be transmitted by a broadcast technique. The common video sequences are transmitted in the broadcast bandwidth to the plurality of terminals by way of the broadcast technique. A request for a specific video sequence is received from a specific terminal via the communications network. A demandcast bandwidth is allocated in the communications network for the specific video sequence. The specific video sequence is transmitted in the demandcast bandwidth to the specific terminal via the communications network.

Abstract: In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, a broadcast program stream is transmitted to broadcast programming content, and the broadcast program stream is recorded in a headend of the system to enable a user to perform network private video recorder (NPVR) functions (e.g., rewinding, pausing, and fast-forwarding) on the programming content in the recorded program stream. In accordance with the invention, a delay is introduced into the transmission of the broadcast program stream to reduce the unsynchronization between its transmission and that of the recorded program stream. In an illustrative embodiment, the amount of the delay is a function of the time required for recording the broadcast program stream and processing a user request for a recorded program stream. In another embodiment, the amount of the delay is predetermined.

Abstract: A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.

Abstract: A WEB server includes a control unit for HTTP server, a table of addresses of VOD servers, and a table of identifiers of video data. The control unit accesses these tables, in response to a request from a user of a terminal device for a display of video data, to retrieve therefrom an address of a video server and an identifier of a title of video data related to information on a WEB page accessed by the user, then transfers the address and the identifier to the terminal device. This enables the user of a video-on-demand system to easily obtain video data associated with information on the WEB server.

Abstract: A home video server system includes a source control library and a streaming library. A stream controller is connected between the source control library and the streaming library. Moreover, a plurality of network display terminals can be connected to the streaming library via a network connection. The source control library can choose between a plurality of media sources for streaming video content. When the sources for the streaming video content change, the connection between the network display terminal and the streaming library remains the same.

Abstract: For transmitting delay-critical data in a digital, time division form in an additional channel of a cable television system, the slots of the channel are further divided into smaller mini slots, for the indication of which the same cyclic indication is used as with which the superframes controlling the use of the channel indicate the original slots. A method based on mini slots is compatible with DAVIC 1.0 and 1.1 specifications.

Abstract: A network control system which transmits mass data efficiently, speedily, and reliably, and which includes a controller that can easily decide what a target has transmitted. The controller and the target are used in this network control system. The network control system includes the a controller for transmitting a message, the target for performing processing according to the message, and an initiator for establishing a connection for data transmission between the controller and the target, and the system performs data transmission by using plural protocols. Either or both of the controller and the target is/are present in a device, and the target is constructed so as to receive a message by a first one of the plural protocols and to transmit data onto the connection by a second one of the plural protocols according to the received message.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention enables a user to utilize a personalized video recorder (PVR) to order and receive specific television shows that are unavailable from his or her television content provider. Specifically, the PVR is coupled to the Internet such that it can receive an electronic programming guide (EPG) containing worldwide television programming from an EPG server computer. The PVR user utilizes the EPG to request delivery of a specific television show that is typically unavailable to him or her. Upon reception of the request, the EPG server computer locates via the Internet a PVR situated within a broadcast region of the requested television show. Next, the EPG server computer programs the PVR to record the requested television show when it is broadcast. Once the PVR records the television show, it is transmitted to the EPG server computer which transmits it to the requesting PVR.

Abstract: A system enables connection information and content description information to be separately transmitted from a broadcaster to a receiver. Thus, the description of the content may be provided to a receiver prior to the time that the information needed to specify the connection to the service such as a channel is known. By uncoupling the content description and connection information, the assignment of connection information may be managed dynamically in the broadcast network.

Abstract: A method of presenting, at a client terminal, a video program stored in a server linked with the client terminal via transmission path of a limited transmission band width. Each frame of the video program comprises a basic data portion and at least one level of quality supplement data portions. In the method, in response to one of play control commands from a user, the client terminal determines a start position in the video program according to the issued play control command. The play control commands includes a play, a stop, a head search, a jump forward and a jump backward command. In response to the issued play command, the terminal obtains and uses the basic data portions for playing the video program. In response to the stop command, the terminal obtains the quality supplement data portions for the last displayed frame and uses them for displaying a quality-enhanced version of the last displayed frame.

Abstract: A method for further processing data recorded on a computer arranged in a computer network. A quantity of data is recorded on the computer and stored in a memory. A quantity of supplementary data describing a property of the quantity of is generated centrally or peripherally in real time and stored. This quantity of supplementary data is used to specifically access or extract a selected quantity of the quantity of data recorded and stored.

Abstract: Through the association of an IP address with each data stream, a single system may be used by a network card or a tuner to select multicast IP data. Each data stream is identified by a unique IP address. More particularly, a locator adapted for identifying a data stream is associated with one of a plurality of data streams. The locator is then mapped to an IP address. When it is determined that the IP address corresponds to a data stream locator associated with a data stream, a tuner is instructed to read the data stream associated with the data stream locator. However, when it is determined that the IP address does not correspond to a data stream locator, a network card identified by the IP address is instructed to read data from the associated network. Since each data stream may be associated with a plurality of multicast IP addresses, a multicast group address is specified to identify the appropriate multicast IP data transmitted in the data stream.

Abstract: A Fax-compatible Internet appliance includes a network connection section for communication with a network using both data protocols and fax protocols, a video section including a video signal output for outputting video signals to be displayed on a video display, a user interface signal receiver for receiving user interface signals generated by a reduced-keyset user interface device, and a processing unit which controls the network connection section and the video section to generate video signals for displaying received fax messages on the video display. The processing unit provides user interface functions via the video display and user interface signals, the interface functions enabling the user to control transmission, reception and display of fax messages solely through the reduced-keyset user interface unit.

Abstract: Broadcast information is classified in categories to facilitate user selection and filtration of the broadcast information which is processed for presentation to the user. The broadcast information is transmitted in the form of a meta frame and one or more category frames which are repeated in a continuous cycle. Meta frames and category frames are distinguished and identified by major and minor codes following a frame starting delimiter. The meta frame contains a description of each of the available categories, together with an identification of respective category major and minor codes, the frequency on which the respective category frame is transmitted if multiple frequencies are employed, and the relative position of the respective category frame within transmission cycle.

Abstract: A system is provided that can easily capture the same broadcast stream from an arbitrary application. An interface between application and a reception route selection mechanism describes in a unified mode a broadcast resource capture specification method and a communication resource capture specification method. The interface employs a description scheme in which an application does not recognize whether or not a broadcast stream is captured through broadcast or communication. In the reception route selection, the reception route selection mechanism checks for a broadcast time contained in the identifier of a broadcast stream to be input so that a zone where a broadcast time is earlier than the current time by using a communication resource receiver while a zone where the broadcast time is later than the current time is selected by using a broadcast resource receiver.

Abstract: A communications system consisting of a server system that stores software applications, a broadcast system that broadcasts the software applications, and a multiplicity of portable clients that each include a receiver having a tuner that is selectively tunable to receive a selected one of the software applications broadcasted by the broadcast system. The portable clients can be any type of portable data communications device, such as a hand-held, palm-top, or notebook computing device, a PDA, an intelligent cellular phone, or any other personal multimedia appliance or Network Computer (NC). The broadcast system can be any suitable satellite or terrestrial air or cable broadcast system. The software applications can consist of a broad spectrum of different software applications, such as word processing, video games, spreadsheets, address books, calendars, and the like.