摘要:
An apparatus for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system comprises a circuit card electronically connected to a set top converter. Information and data are passed between the circuit card and the set top converter. The circuit card includes means for generating menus which identify programs and channels, means for sequencing through menus; and means for selecting a program or channel through the generated menus in response to a user command.
摘要:
AN RM UNIT FOR REMULTIPLEXING MULTI-PROGRAM AUDIO-VIDEO STREAMS TRANSMITTED WITHIN AN SWITCHED DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCASTING SERVICE INCLUDES: AS; FL1 ... FLn, MS1 ... MSn SYNTACTICAL ANALYSIS AND RECEPTION MEANS RECEIVING PLURAL STREAMS, SEPARATING DATA PACKETS IN EACH STREAM THAT CAN BE TRANSPORTED DIRECTLY TO CF, AA, MA, TU MEANS FOR GENERATING OUTPUT STREAMS, FROM SERVICE PACKETS THAT MUST BE TRANSMITTED TO AN MP CONTROL UNIT FOR PROCESSING, IN PARTICULAR FOR UPDATING SERVICE INFORMATION TO REFLECT THE COMPOSITION OF OUTPUT STREAMS; ME MEANS FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE OF DATA PACKETS, SEPARATELY FOR EACH INPUT STREAM; AND CF; AA, MC, TU OUTPUT STREAM GENERATION MEANS THAT GENERATE AND SEND SERVICE USERS SINGLE PROGRAM OUTPUT STREAMS OR MULTI-PROGRAM STREAMS AT A LOWER BAND THAN INPUT STREAMS OBTAINED STARTING FROM THE PACKETS STORED IN SUCH ME TEMPORARY STORAGE MEANS AND FROM THE SERVICE PACKETS PROCESSED AND ENTERED INTO VIRTUAL ATM CHANNELS.
摘要:
Multiple digital video streams are partitioned into frames of at least two different lengths, each frame length being multiple of a minimum frame (e.g. 188 words) length. Each frame is written into a series of full cells (IFC) and one or two partial cells (PC). IFC carries the same number (48 words) of video data bits, while each PC carries video data bits and/or other overhead bits which together equal the number of video data bits in one IFC. All IFC's and PC's for the frames are sent in a time-multiplexed fashion on a communication channel at a single cell rate. The different frame lengths are such that the integer multiple of the minimun frame length, divided by the sum of IFC's and PC's per frame, is a single ratio; consequently, the video data bits in all streams have the same average bit rate, independent of the different frame lengths.
摘要:
A system and method which displays a graphical icon, such as a slider bar, on a subscriber's television or display unit for indexing to different positions in a video stream in an interactive video delivery system. The interactive video delivery system preferably comprises at least one media server which stores one or more video streams, and one or more subscribers which each include a display device, such as a television. The television displays a slider bar or other graphical icon, and the slider bar is used to index to different locations in the video stream. During video delivery, the user may use or adjust a knob on the slider bar, preferably using a remote control device, to indicate a desire to 'jump' to a different location in the movie or video stream. The media server receives the slider bar user input from the subscriber device and begins outputting the normal play stream at the desired position.
摘要:
An apparatus for increasing the functionality of a set top converter for use with a program delivery system comprises a circuit card electronically connected to a set top converter. Information and data are passed between the circuit card and the set top converter. The circuit card includes means for generating menus which identify programs and channels, means for sequencing through menus; and means for selecting a program or channel through the generated menus in response to a user command.
摘要:
A novel multiple channel architecture (265) is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals (220) connected to an operations center (202) or a cable headend (208). Program channels carry television programs. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware (262, 275, 297), databases (301) and processing hardware (285, 293) and software to accomplish these functions. During commercial breaks in the television programs, advertisements, which are also broadcast on the program channel, are displayed. However, additional feeder channels carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center (202) or the cable headend (208) generate a group assignment plan (293, 299) that assigns the television terminals (220) to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A switching plan (291) is then generated that instructs the television terminals (220) to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the altemate feeder channels during the program breaks. The television terminals (220) record which channels were viewed during the program breaks, and report this information to the cable headend (208) and the operations center (202). The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits.
摘要:
An apparatus that maintains a viewer profile database for network controllers includes a receiver for receiving programs watched data, a first database to store viewer profiles which contain categories including program categories, wherein programs watched data is stored, a processor, operably connected to the receiver to update the viewer profiles with the received programs watched data, and a second database to store advertisements, wherein advertising categories are used to group related advertisements together. The apparatus correlates the viewer profiles with the second database and selects advertisements using the correlation.
摘要:
Multiple digital video streams are partitioned into frames of at least two different lengths, each frame length being multiple of a minimum frame (e.g. 188 words) length. Each frame is written into a series of full cells (IFC) and one or two partial cells (PC). IFC carries the same number (48 words) of video data bits, while each PC carries video data bits and/or other overhead bits which together equal the number of video data bits in one IFC. All IFC's and PC's for the frames are sent in a time-multiplexed fashion on a communication channel at a single cell rate. The different frame lengths are such that the integer multiple of the minimun frame length, divided by the sum of IFC's and PC's per frame, is a single ratio; consequently, the video data bits in all streams have the same average bit rate, independent of the different frame lengths.
摘要:
Synchronous information indicates a difference (β) between a PCR value E and a counter value N (= 3240000), if the third PCR packet is assumed to arrive at a transmitting apparatus 201 at the time (time t1) the count value N becomes 3240000, on the basis of a difference (α) between the PCR value E3 and the count value N3, both generated while as many clocks as (count value N3 - reference clock value B) are being counted. Hence, the delay fluctuation generated on a network can be eliminated.