 Sampling signal analyzer |
| One embodiment of the present invention provides a sampling signal analyzer in which the frequency ... |
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| Synchronous read channel employing an expected sample value generator for acquiring a preamble |
| The objects of the present invention are achieved by utilizing an improved method and circuit for ... |
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| Evaluation of signal-processor performance |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Having broadly portrayed the nature of the present invention, ... |
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| Method, system, and apparatus for unambiguous phase synchronization |
| OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for ... |
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| System and method for selecting the correct group of replicas in a replicated computer database system |
| Disclosed herein is a system, method and computer program product of a special utility in ensuring ... |
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| Network management system |
| It is therefore a first object of the invention to provide a network management system which can ... |
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| Pattern write control circuit |
| It is an object of the present invention to provide a pattern write control circuit which allows ... |
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| High speed image processing computer |
| In accordance with the present invention, the disclosed methods and apparatus of the image computer ... |
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| Programmable logic device with two dimensional memory addressing |
| This and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the ... |
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System for interactively distributing information services
| Details |
Inventors: Gordon, Donald; Goode, Christopher; Star, Jack Van der; Knight, Stanley; Chin, Danny;
Assignee: DIVA Systems Corporation (Redwood City, CA)
Primary Examiner: Grant; Chris
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Thomason, Moser & Patterson, LLP
An interactive information distribution system includes service provider equipment for generating an information stream that is coupled to an information channel and transmitted to subscriber equipment. The service provider also generates a command signal that is coupled to a command channel and transmitted to the subscriber equipment. The service provider also receives information manipulation requests from the subscriber via a back channel. A communication network supporting the information channel, command channel and back channel is coupled between the service provider equipment and the subscriber equipment. |
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION The disadvantages heretofore associated with the prior art are overcome by the present invention.
The present invention is a system for interactively distributing information services.
The system contains an information server, a video session manager, a bi-directional cable transport network, and subscriber equipment (e.
g.
, a set top terminal, an input device, and a display device).
The system uses three independent communications channels to facilitate distribution and interactive control of the information distribution process.
Specifically, an information channel propagates program information and a command channel propagates control information from the service provide to the subscriber equipment, and a back channel propagates command and control information from the subscriber equipment to the service provider.
The information channel may also be utilized to transport control information to the subscriber equipment.
Consequently, the service provider sends through the command and/or information channels selection menus to the subscriber equipment such that a subscriber can select a particular program.
The program selection request is propagated through the back channel to the service provider.
The service provider then sends the program through the information channel for display on the subscriber equipment.
The subscriber can manipulate (e.
g.
, fast-forward, pause, rewind, perform context based branching and the like) the presentation via commands sent from the subscriber equipment to the service provider.
More specifically, the server provides a video session manager with a plurality of program streams that generally comply with the MPEG-2 transport protocol.
The program streams are generated using a common, high accuracy clock signal (synchronization clock) such that the data in the plurality of streams is synchronous.
The video session manager interacts with the server to request particular information program streams in response to subscriber demands.
Once a subscriber requests use of the service provider navigator to facilitate selection of viewable programming, the video session manager opens a "session" for a given subscriber and sends requested program streams through the cable transport network to the subscriber's set top terminal via the information channel
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Processing Data 
