289 results about "Multimedia network" patented technology

Private Multimedia Network (PMN) complements, and is an improved alternative to digital videoconferencing and multimedia delivery systems. PMN's desktop and meeting room delivery system is designed to support the exponential growth of enterprise team-based initiatives. PMN provides “one-stop-shopping” for the full multimedia rubric. It delivers user-friendly control and cost/effective TV and broadcast quality videoconferencing and other multimedia services to organizations with “critical mass” campuses and building complexes. Though digital systems dominate the videoconferencing marketplace, PMN's hybrid digital/analog architecture has no digital peer in breadth or quality of service within or between campuses. The novel architecture leverages advances in analog video short-haul technology, digital long-haul technology, and telephony audio and control technology to deliver four-level multimedia services: 1) premise; 2) campus; 3) multi-site; and 4) ubiquitous (any site with ITU compatible multimedia equipment (e.g., videoconferencing) and communication links). On balance, the price/performance afforded by PMN's centralized Telco-based control and audio delivery combined with its decentralized broadcast quality video distribution raise videoconferencing and other multimedia services to a new level of ubiquity. Just as telephones and PC LANs, PMN delivers expensive Boardroom and mobile cart videoconferencing capabilities to every desktop via existing multimedia wall plates. The key phases for this invention are: Lip-synchronization across differing network communication links and protocols; Ubiquitous multimedia service; Cost/effective room and desktop deployment; Telco control and audio; Broadcast quality video; Isochronous Quality; Centralized control and distributed operation; and Interoperable architecture.

The invention relates to a method for routing Internet traffic. The method generally includes the steps of receiving a packet from multimedia network, allocating a message block header for the packet, wherein the header is used to hold behavior aggregate values for internal router mapping, and queuing and routing the packet to a differentiated services network domain in a manner that ensures a specific QoS.

Multi-media networks will require that a data flow be given certain quality-of-service (QOS) for a network connection but pre-negotiation of this sort is foreign to the current data networking model. The real time traffic flow in the data network requires distinct limits on the tolerance to delay, and the variations in that delay. Interactive voice and video demand that the total delay does not exceed the threshold beyond which human interaction is unacceptably impaired. The present invention allows the network to discover the nature of the service for each traffic flow, classifies it dynamically, and exercises traffic conditioning by means of such techniques as admission control and scheduling when delivering the traffic downstream to support the service appropriately.

A system and method is provided for event data collection and processing in a multimedia network. The server can include an event collection manager that receives messages containing event data from plural settop devices. Upon message receipt, the event collection manager accesses a database to identify a data aggregation group for the set top that sent the message and anonymously stores the event data in association with the data aggregation group. The data aggregation group can be associated with a policy that specifies anonymous storage of event data based on event type. For example, the data aggregation policy may specify storage of individual event types with personal identification information. Conversely, the aggregation policy may specify anonymous storage of individual event types anonymously excluding personal identification information. Aggregate reports can be generated from the stored event data by aggregation group.

System and method for packet messaging and synchronization through a packet based display interface includes using a multiple packet transport protocols, translating packet messages between protocols and achieving time code synchronization with a packet protocol between multiple devices in a multimedia network. A packet based display interface includes a dual data transport module to communicate packet messages using first and second packet transport protocols across a bidirectional link and a media transport module to communicate video packets across a unidirectional link. A method for communicating packet messages between source and slave devices in a multimedia network includes translating messages between different packet transport protocols. An apparatus for synchronizing a sink device to a source device includes a counter module configured to be adjusted based on a received source global time code value and a transport module to transmit a sink global time code value to the source device.

A system and method for providing a graphical, development interface through which clients can develop a web-cast event, including a multi-media web-cast player. The system and method also dynamically generating the web-cast player using the selections of the client. During the development process, the client selects various user perceptible attributes for the web-cast player, uploads and manages content, schedules and creates events and otherwise manages the development and production of web-cast events. Production software operating on a server system remote from the client dynamically generates the web-cast event and communicates the event to a plurality of end users, who interact with the player.

A video client receives an advertising map over a subscription multimedia network, where the advertising map includes a schedule of default advertisements during a programming break and indications of available alternate advertisements. The video client provides, for display to a user, indicators for the schedule of default advertisements and receives user input to alter the schedule of default advertisements. The video client retrieves advertising content for the altered schedule and presents, on the display and during the programming break, the advertising content for the altered schedule.

SIP signaling may be used to indicate the presence of SPAM on a multimedia network. A new SIP method type, SIP header, extension to an existing header, SIP error code or SDP message, may all be used to indicate that the session is related to SPAM or to communicate the identity of the person that has sent an unsolicited communication. SPAM signaling may be performed before the called party has been alerted, by an intermediate network element/service, or by the called party after the session has been established. SIP signaling may be used after the session has been torn down. The SPAM indication mechanism may be used whenever SIP signaling is used to establish a session, including for voice telephone calls, Instant Messaging session/page mode, Audio/Video Session, Presence information exchange, FAX, or any combination of these media types.

A near video-on-demand (VOD) service enabled using a digital video recorder (DVR) for the simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data. A DVR is connected over a network to a multimedia network source. A VOD selection is requested by the DVR from the network source. A multimedia data signal is received by the DVR from the network source. The data signal contains the requested VOD selection. A first received portion of the received data signal is stored on the DVR. The first received segment is played by the DVR for display on a display device. Simultaneously during the playing of the first received segment, a second received segment of the received data signal is received from the network source and stored on the DVR while the first received segment is played the display device. Thus, the requested VOD selection begins playing on the display device prior to the reception of the entire compressed multimedia data signal so that a requested VOD selection can begin being displayed nearly instantaneously after the request for it is made. A video-on-request (VOR) service is also enabled using a DVR. VOR selection data is received by a centralized database device, such as a network server, from a plurality of users. Each VOR selection data includes at least one requested video selection and video recorder identifying information for identifying each particular video recorder. A transmission priority of requested video selections is determined dependent on the frequency of requests ‘received from the plurality of users. A transmission channel and time is determined based on the transmission priority. DVR control signals are transmitted to automatically tune in the determined transmission channel at the determined transmission time and record the particular video selection.

An arrangement is provided for remotely provisioning a commonly-utilized PIN from a wide area network (“WAN”) to one or more terminals to thereby enable content to be securely shared over a local area network (“LAN”). The LAN and WAN share portions of a common network infrastructure, but operate at different frequencies. A billing system at the headend of the WAN identifies particular terminals associated with a subscriber who orders a networked DVR service. A PIN server at the headend generates the common PIN that is transmitted to the identified terminals over the WAN. The terminals are able to form a secure LAN through an authentication process utilizing the common PIN. Terminals which are not authenticated are denied access to the LAN thus ensuring that content stored on the DVR is not unintendedly consumed by terminals that are not authorized to receive it.

The invention discloses a multimedia network instructional system which comprises an administrator side, a teacher side and N student sides, wherein the administrator side is used for carrying out instructional resource administration and training business administration; the teacher side is used for performing an instructional activity and carrying out a learning supporting activity; the student sides are used for carrying out course learning and communicating with a teacher and other students; the administrator side feeds back information to the teacher side or monitors the work of the teacher; the teacher side provides or correct an instructional document and an instructional resource for the administrator side; the administrator side implements a service for the student sides, and provides a course constructing module for the student sides; the student sides can mutually learn and communicate with the teacher side, and provide a course feeding-back module for the teacher side; the student sides can learn and communicate with one another, and complete a course implementing module. The multimedia network instructional system can support instructional activities of on-line learning of the students, instruction giving of the teacher and examinations, provides personalized services for users at different levels and with different demands, and provides services of learning other languages by a mother language for the users.

The invention provides a solution for alleviating problems related to operation and administration of multi-user application programs, particularly real-time applications, in systems of networked computers by means of a novel feature, implemented as an enhancement of a selected call control protocol, such as the H.323 or SIP protocol. Each client, server, Gatekeeper and optional firewall means of a system according to invention is provided with a specific real-time codec with a common interface adapted to a multimedia call control protocol, such as H.323 or SIP, the codec being adapted to co-operate with each of said means. Thus, for example, each of said client means is allowed to use its data communication protocol of choice without the need for the same data communication protocol choice on the server side of the application.

The invention relates to a multimedia network service platform for independent travel. The multimedia network service platform comprises a spot information database, a ticket database, a heuristic independent travel arrangement module, an instant tracking service module, an all-weather telephone help requesting module, a feedback module and an interactive community module, wherein the heuristic independent travel arrangement module can omnidirectionally plan the travel journey with high efficiency for users; and the instant tracking service module and the all-weather telephone help requesting module can provide instant information service for the users during the trip so as to solve the sudden problem and difficulty occurring during the trip. The platform can provide more comfortable travel experience for the users.

Apparatus and methods for wireless data transmission in a multimedia network are disclosed. Disclosed is a network having a source coupled to a sink using a virtual channel that includes a wireless communication channel. A source end of the system provides a packetizing data stream having a stream of payloads such that each payload is associated with its respective originating source stream. The system configured to encode the packetized data stream for wireless transport. A non-wireless source end of the system receives quality of service information from downstream. Thereby enabling adjustments to the source content and packetized data streams.

A videoconferencing and data collaboration system is disclosed, wherein user systems exchange A/V data along with other computer data via conferencing devices over a packet network. The conferencing devices are configured to process and transmit A/V data to other devices participating in a conference. Each transmitting conferencing device uses DSP to encode A/V for transmission to the packet network. Once A/V data using the DSP is received, each receiving conferencing device decodes the A/V data and forwards it to a respective terminal for viewing via the digital link. The conferencing devices also share computer data and files over the digital network, where user modifications are tracked by transmitting short messages that indicate key depression or mouse movement.

A near video-on-demand (VOD) service enabled using a digital video recorder (DVR) for the simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data. A DVR is connected over a network to a multimedia network source. A VOD selection is requested by the DVR from the network source. A multimedia data signal is received by the DVR from the network source. The data signal contains the requested VOD selection. A first received portion of the received data signal is stored on the DVR. The first received segment is played by the DVR for display on a display device. Simultaneously during the playing of the first received segment, a second received segment of the received data signal is received from the network source and stored on the DVR while the first received segment is played the display device. Thus, the requested VOD selection begins playing on the display device prior to the reception of the entire compressed multimedia data signal so that a requested VOD selection can begin being displayed nearly instantaneously after the request for it is made. A video-on-request (VOR) service is also enabled using a DVR. VOR selection data is received by a centralized database device, such as a network server, from a plurality of users. Each VOR selection data includes at least one requested video selection and video recorder identifying information for identifying each particular video recorder. A transmission priority of requested video selections is determined dependent on the frequency of requests ¹received from the plurality of users. A transmission channel and time is determined based on the transmission priority. DVR control signals are transmitted to automatically tune in the determined transmission channel at the determined transmission time and record the particular video selection.

A method for enabling traffic to be carried between devices which may use different communications protocols employs a multimedia service provide, which provides an interface between two devices or between a device and a multimedia network. The service provider enables conversion between the communications protocols used by the two devices by comparing the protocols used by each device and, preferably, carrying out a conversion which minimises the amount of traffic conversion required. If two devices are interfaced to an intermediate network via respective service providers, the service providers preferably negotiate before communication between the devices begins to ensure, if possible, that traffic conversion is only performed by one of the service providers. Each device is connected to the service provider at a network access server of a type matched to the device type and traffic conversion is carried out as required using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode Virtual Channel switch controlled by a multimedia server.