摘要:
A method and apparatus for reconstructing lost data from a failed disk drive in a disk array. The disk drive array formed into at least one parity group including data extents divided into data segments and parity segments that are generated from the data segments. The method includes providing access to the array, identifying a failed drive and failed parity group associated with the failed drive, and retrieving the parity segments from operative drives in a parity group containing the failed drive in an instance data is being read from the failed parity group. Parity information is reconstructed for the failed disk drive from the parity segments on the operative disk drives, and data segments of the extent associated with the failed disk drive is reconstructed from the reconstructed parity information, and the parity segments and data segments on the operative disk drives of the failed parity group.
摘要:
A digital information distribution system having a plurality of nodes that are connected to one another by counter-rotating data paths. Each node comprises a ring terminal that selects data packets from the data paths for use by the node and passes the remaining data packets to neighboring nodes. The data paths communicate data using asynchronous serial interface packets that transport video data or IP data.
摘要:
An interactive program guide (IPG) may include a program grid section and a multimedia section. The program grid section typically contains program information organized in a grid with a time axis and a channel axis. The multimedia section may include video for advertisement, previews, and other purposes. Such an IPG may be rendered and encoded at a server and distributed to client terminals in the form of compressed bit streams.For certain IPGs, the program grid section may comprise alternating stripes of background with different shades (lighter/darker) or different colors. Typically, the alternating background stripes may be used to visually separate text information into timeslots or channels.Blank areas of the background may be “skip” encoded to “save” a portion of the bit rate. Meanwhile, the quantizer stepsize for encoding that section may be lowered so as to utilize the saved bits to improve the viewing quality of the program grid section. Additionally or alternatively, the quantization matrix for encoding the program grid section may be optimized for encoding text (rather than being, for example, a standard quantization matrix).Encoding may be performed on the program grid section such that encoded macroblocks do not cross a border between two stripes. In other words, each encoded macroblock in the program grid section may be within a single stripe. Additionally or alternatively, low-pass frequency filtering may be applied on the background stripes. Such low-pass filtering reduces visual defects due to ringing from edges between stripes.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for storing, retrieving and distributing multimedia information having frequently accessed multimedia information stored in solid state memory and less frequently accessed multimedia information stored in a mass storage device.
摘要:
A method and system are provided for delivering content items to online users. The content items are to be displayed on user operated devices in response to a specified query. Subsets of items are generated from a set of content items responsive to the specified query. The subsets are selected to generally satisfy delivery requirements associated with each item. A different one of the subsets is delivered to each user making the query.
摘要:
A method for transmitting data to a receiver comprises the steps of transmitting a pre-conditioning signal to the receiver, and beginning to transmit at least one data packet to the receiver within a given period after beginning transmission of the pre-conditioning signal. The preconditioning signal is separate from a leader of the data packet to be transmitted.
摘要:
A method and system are provided for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users. The method includes providing a database containing multiple user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to the terminal device. Each of the possible users of the group are associated with at least one of the user input pattern profiles. Current input patterns from use of the terminal device are detected. The current input patterns are combined and then dynamically matched with one of the user input pattern profiles, and the possible user associated with the matched user input pattern profile is selected as the current user. The system for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users includes a database containing multiple user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to the terminal device. Each of the possible users is associated with at least one of the user input pattern profiles. The system detects current input patterns from use of the terminal device, and then combines the patterns and dynamically matches the patterns with one of the user input pattern profiles. The system selects the possible user associated with the matched user input pattern profiles as the current user.
摘要:
This invention is a method of allocating bandwidth for a television program delivery system. This method selects specific programs from a plurality of programs, allocates the selected programs to a segment of bandwidth, and continues to allocate the programs until all the programs are allocated or all of the available bandwidth is allocated. The programs may be selected based on a variety of different factors or combination of factors. The selected programs may also be prioritized so that higher priority programs are distributed before lower priority programs in case there is not enough bandwidth to transmit all of the programs. This invention allows a television program delivery system to prioritize a large number of television programs and distribute these programs based on their priority levels. The invention also permits a television program delivery system to dynamically allocate bandwidth over time or based on marketing information, such as consumer demand.
摘要:
An apparatus for providing multiple session-based services at a terminal, an exemplary apparatus includes a memory configured to support a plurality of software layers including a service layer communicating with terminal resources via a root layer disposed therebetween; and a processor, for executing instructions associated with a plurality of service layer applications, a root layer application and a control mechanism; each of the service layer applications communicating with terminal resources to provide thereby a respective user interface; wherein the control mechanism selectively causing at least one of the service layer applications to enter an active state, the user interface associated with a service layer application being adapted in response to the service layer application entering the active state.
摘要:
A method and an apparatus are used to target virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. The virtual objects may be targeted based on individual subscriber information or on information related to groups of subscribers. When a frame of a program includes a virtual object location, a default or an alternate virtual object is displayed. The virtual object location may change over space or time. The virtual object may be interactive, and may be used to link a subscriber to a remote location, such as an Internet web site. An operations center or a cable headend may generate a group assignment plan that assigns the subscribers' television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A retrieval plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to select the desired virtual object for display. The television terminals record which virtual objects were displayed, and report this information to the cable headends and the operations center. The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software, and corresponding features in the televisions to accomplish these functions.