Abstract:
A plurality of digital services (V'1-V'N' and A'1-A'N') are carried in a multiplex data stream (162) to a plurality of remote locations. The multiplex data stream (162) comprises a continuous sequence of frames (156). Each frame (156) comprises two consecutive fields, and each field comprises a plurality of lines. A first group of the lines in each field defines a transport layer region of that field, and a second group of the lines defines a service data region. Portions of the service data region of each field are allocated to respective ones of the video services in proportion to respective data rates of each service. A multiplex control packet is generated (104) for each field that specifies, for each service, which portion of the service data region is allocated to that service. A multiplex map (104) is transmitted with each field, and therefore, the number and location of packets may be dynamically adjusted on a per field basis.
Abstract:
A server in a subscriber television network (100) receives service instances from a headend (102) of the subscriber television network (100). The server is adapted to encrypt according to an encryption scheme and re-transmit service instances to a client-receiver (110). The server reformats the service instance from a first format into a second format the client-receiver can access the service instance.
Abstract:
Video and audio data are prepared in the form of a packetized elementary stream having a header, a presentation time stamp, and the video itself. The packetized elementary stream is allocated into the payload section of one or more transport packets. Transport packets are usually 188 bits in length herein and include a synchronization block and prefix data followed by the payload data. The multiplex/encryptor (64) combines individual transport packets (62) into a frame of data (60).
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing program selection in a packet-based communications system. A program definition (110) is generated for each program (BS , BS , ...BS ) that specifies which of the elementary streams carried on a particular frequency channel comprise that program. The program definition for each program is periodically, and frequently, transmitted to each subscriber location (72, 74) on the frequency channel carrying the elementary streams of the selected program, extracts a program definition for the selected program from the tuned frequency channel, and then obtains from the frequency channel the elementary streams (V, A, CC) specified in the extracted program definition as comprising the selected program.
Abstract:
The encryption apparatus for encrypting each of a plurality of services (22) comprises a random signal generator (24), which generates a random quantity that comprises a global seed and a random seed. The encryption apparatus (22) further includes an SK memory (52), a seed encryptor (50), seed generators (38, 40, 42), service encryptors (26, 28, 30), a multiplexer (54), spreading function generators, and a transmitter (56).
Abstract:
A system for recalling surfed channels includes functionality that stores identifications of surfed channels and recalls each of the surfed channels in response to a user pressing a button on a device.
Abstract:
A method for transferring DHCT setting includes receiving by a first digital home communication terminal (DHCT) a request for transmitting a DHCT setting from the first DHCT to a second DHCT, and transmitting the DHCT setting from the first DHCT to the second DHCT. Systems and other methods for transferring DHCT settings are also provided.
Abstract:
The Logical Channel Table (LCT), utilizing simple conventional channels or Composite Channels, provides mapping between a Logical Channel Number (LCN) representing a service and the transport stream (TSID) / program number (PN) on which the service can be found. The LCT entry contains a Composite Channel Indicator (CCI), which when set to '1', indicates that the selected channel is a composite channel thereby indicating the home channel of the Composite Channel. The LCT provides the Composite Channel Table (CCT) to the decoder (10) so that the tuner (12) can be returned to the actual program designated in the CCT for current viewing. Each entry in the CCT associates a Composite Channel Number (CCN) with a LCN and represents the "present" definition for the composite channel. As time progresses, the CCN is used as a "pointer" to the LCN which is the currently active service for the composite channel. These tables work with conventional MPEG-2 service definitions to decode multi-service transport streams.
Abstract:
A packet of data, which contains a timestamp value and which is to be transmitted through an ATM network, is encapsulated in a convergence sublayer protocol data unit (92) having a header (96) and a payload (94). The CS-PDU is then segmented into successive segments (106, 108, 110 and 112) with one segment (106) containing the CS-PDU header (96). The segments (106, 108, 110 and 112) are inserted in respective ATM cells (114, 116, 118 and 120) and transmitted through the ATM network. At each node in the ATM network, any variable delays imposed on the cell (114) that contains CS-PDU header (96) are added to a time reference correction field (100) in the CS-PDU header (96). At a destination node, the accumulated delay value in the TRC field (100) of the CS-PDU header (96) can be added to the timestamp value of the packet to compensate for the variable delays imposed by the ATM network.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing objects to a remote digital home communication terminal (remote DHCT) via a gateway device located at a customer premises. One such method, among others, includes receiving a message from a remote DHCT requesting a carousel object, receiving the carousel object from a server device, and transmitting the carousel object to the remote DHCT.