摘要:
An apparatus and a method for constraining the delivery rate of a plurality of bitstreams, such as MPEG bitstreams, using a single software process (510-570).
摘要:
A method and apparatus for recovering data from a failed disk drive in a disk drive array. The method and apparatus includes storing data on an array of disk drives by dividing extents (406) of data into data segments and defining a parity group (404) including at least one data segment from a plurality of data segments (402) from different extents. Parity segments (410) are generated from the data segments in the parity group and stored in the parity group. Furthermore, a second parity segment (408) is generated from the parity segments and stored with the parity group. The method and apparatus then outputs data in realtime to users in a normal disk access mode from parity groups without the failed disk drive, and outputs recovered data in realtime to users in a normal disk access mode from parity groups without the failed disk drive, and outputs recovered data in realtime to the users in a parity correction mode from the parity group containing the failed disk drive.
摘要:
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.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for maximizing the number of content titles available within a video on demand system by storing an initial portion of each title on a primary storage device (110, 220) and a remaining portion of each title on a secondary storage device (115; 115R; 128), wherein the secondary storage device is used to provision the primary storage device in response to a subscriber request for a title having an initial portion stored on the primary storage device.
摘要:
An interactive information distribution system (100) includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment (124). The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment (124). The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel (109). A communication network (110) supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment (124).
摘要:
A method and apparatus for providing an interactive menu structure within an interactive information distribution system (100). The menu structure is embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator and a set top terminal (136) that provides certain functionality for the set top terminal. The menu structure has each menu (e.g., menu instructions, graphics and video) contained in downloadable applets (300) which are sent upon request from the service provider equipment (108) to the set top terminal for display. As such, the navigator functions are actually distributed between the service provider equipment and the subscriber's equipment (106). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real-time interactive session that allows the user to rapidly navigate through a plethora of menus to find particular information which they desire to view.
摘要:
A method (200) and apparatus for masking the effects of latency within an information distribution system (100). The apparatus comprises a set top terminal (108) that requests and receives information from an information server (102). The information is generally displayed upon a conventional television (110) coupled to the set top terminal which contains a central processing unit (122) and an information stream decoder (130) programmed to implement the method. Upon execution of certain functions selected by a subscriber usually via a remote control (112), the method recalls (205) a predefined image from memory and begins to fade (206) the presently displayed image into a predefined image, e.g., a white screen. Simultaneously, the presently playing sound is also faded into the predefined sound, e.g., no sound. The decoder within the set top is reset (210). Lastly, the set top terminal fades (214) up from the predefined image to the new decoded video stream and from the predefined audio to the new audio stream.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for providing an interactive menu structure within an interactive information distribution system (100). The menu structure is embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator and a set top terminal (136) that provides certain functionality for the set top terminal. The menu structure has each menu (e.g., menu instructions, graphics and video) contained in downloadable applets (300) which are sent upon request from the service provider equipment (108) to the set top terminal for display. As such, the navigator functions are actually distributed between the service provider equipment and the subscriber's equipment (106). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real-time interactive session that allows the user to rapidly navigate through a plethora of menus to find particular information which they desire to view.
摘要:
A method (400; 500; 600) and apparatus (200) for migrating one or more users from a source server module (220) to a destination server module (220) in a manner avoiding information discontinuities or otherwise degrading the user's viewing experience.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for streaming content to an access network in an interactive information distribution system (100). The method initially encapsulates the content in accordance to an Internet Protocol (IP). In one embodiment, the content is configured as a plurality of a MPEG-2 packets contained in a payload of a Realtime Transport Protocol (RTP) packet (352 - 356) that is contained in an IP packet (300). The content is then transcoded into a format supported by the access network, and streamed over a distribution network to a remote server (201) or to a subscriber terminal that is coupled to the access network (104). The apparatus is embodied as at least one stream caching server (102) for streaming said content as an Internet Protocol (IP) packet to at least one access network via a stream distribution network in response to a request for content, where the content is encapsulated within the IP packet. A packet processor (144) is coupled to the at least one stream server for processing the encapsulated content within the IP packets into at least one packet in a format native to the at least one access network.