Abstract:
A client TV (18) in a home entertainment network receives and buffers an audio/video stream from a server (12), before playing the stream. In the case of buffer underflow, the client TV (18) requests the server (12) to raise the transmission rate. If this causes an ensuing buffer overflow, the client TV (18) requests the server (12) to reset the transmission rate or stop transmitting altogether for a short time.
Abstract:
An input signal such as a HDTV signal is split into a primary signal, which can be decoded if desired, and an secondary signal, which can remain compressed. The primary signal may be delayed and then both signals are transmitted to a receiver. If no error in the primary signal is detected, the primary signal is used to display data. Otherwise, the secondary signal, which arrives before the primary signal and consequently which is available for substitution, is displayed.
Abstract:
A method of synchronizing decoders within a network to a server includes receiving a set of timestamps and local clock signals upon receiving the beacon interrupt signal, computing differential timestamp and local clock values based on values of timestamp and local clock signals, respectively, within the sets of timestamp and local clock signals, determining whether the differential local clock value has a predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value, and transmitting a clock rate adjustment command signal to the decoder when differential local clock value does not have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value. The clock rate adjustment command signal adjusts (he local system time clock of the decoder such that a subsequent differential dock value will have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value. For each decoder within the network, the decoders are substantially synchronized and the decoding delay can be kept below humanly perceptible levels.
Abstract:
GUI presentation in a home network is improved by using a video encoding tailored for GUI, while using normal video encoding for video presentation. Also, GUI command response time is shortened by reserving, for transmission of commands originated by a user input device (12), a time slot in a contention free period (CFP) of a transmission cycle between a client device (14) receiving the commands and a server (2) executing them.
Abstract:
A user interface includes a thin display device (2) and at least one control device (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411). The control device (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411) is associated with a portion of the thin display device (2). A method of implementing a user interface for a device includes displaying data about a function of the device on a thin display device (2), the data being displayed in association with a control device (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411) that controls that function of the device.
Abstract:
A power line communication (PLC) bridge circuit consistent with certain embodiments has a first coupler that couples data signals to and from the first power line circuit and a second coupler that couples data signals to and from the second power line circuit. The first and second power line circuits are fed AC power from separate legs of a distribution transformer, and share a single neutral connection. A first communicati~n transceiver is connected to the first coupler for transferring data signals to and from the first coupler. A second communication transceiver is connected to the second coupler for transferring data signals to and from the second coupler. A controller examines data signals from the first transceiver and determines if the data is destined for the second transceiver, wherein data that is not destined for the second transceiver is considered local data.
Abstract:
A method, in accordance with one embodiment, of managing power consumption in a network, comprising receiving an instruction for a first device in an active power state and serving as a network master node to enter into a power management state, the network master node adapted to perform a network administrative function while in an active power state, the power management state having a lower power consumption than the active power state; sending data from the first device to a second device serving as a network slave node, the data enabling the second device to start performing the network administrative function while in an active power state; and placing the first device into the power management state after sending the data.
Abstract:
An audio client in a home entertainment system has a detachable remote commander (109) with a display screen. A menu of music available at the server (201) is downloaded to the remote commander (109) from the server (201) over the network (200) and through the client device (202, 203). The user can easily select a tune he/she wants to listen to using the remote commander (109). With storage and decoding capability, the commander (109) can be used as a portable audio player.
Abstract:
A method, in accordance with one embodiment, of managing power consumption in a network, comprising receiving an instruction for a first device in an active power state and serving as a network master node to enter into a power management state, the network master node adapted to perform a network administrative function while in an active power state, the power management state having a lower power consumption than the active power state; sending data from the first device to a second device serving as a network slave node, the data enabling the second device to start performing the network administrative function while in an active power state; and placing the first device into the power management state after sending the data.
Abstract:
A method, in accordance with one embodiment, for adjusting a transmission rate of a network device for a transmission based upon network bandwidth utilization on a network comprising transmitting a data stream at a current transmission rate utilizing a first bandwidth allocation; receiving a transmission rate recovery request from a master device on the network; receiving an additional bandwidth allocation from the master device on the network when the current transmission rate is less than an original transmission rate; and transmitting the data stream at an increased transmission rate utilizing a total bandwidth allocation, the total bandwidth allocation including the additional bandwidth allocation and the first bandwidth allocation.