Lanny Starkes Smoot

Bio: Lanny Starkes Smoot is an academic researcher from Telcordia Technologies. The author has contributed to research in topics: Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network & Integrated Services Digital Network. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 32 publications receiving 2135 citations.

Communications Architecture and Buffer for Distributing Information Services

Abstract: A store-and-forward architecture which stores and distributes information programs to subscribers includes: information warehouses which archive information programs and dispense information programs in segments to central offices in bursts; central offices which manage subscriber's requests for service and buffer segments of information programs for delivery to subscribers in real-time under the subscriber's interactive control; and customer premises equipment. The central offices employ CO buffers, and each CO buffer includes: processors (402, 405), for administering internal buffer operations and processing subscribers requests based upon the service presentation script and a program presentation map; interfaces (43, 46) for providing external access; busses (411, 412) for internal transport; buffer storage (403, 404) for storing segments of information programs; and memory storage (407, 413) for storing the script and map.

System and method for recording, playing back and searching multimedia events wherein video, audio and text can be searched and retrieved

Abstract: A system for recording and playing back multimedia events includes recording sources, a preprocessor, a delivery processor, and user control units. The recording sources each captures a continuous temporal record or track of the multimedia event and transmits the captured track to the source preprocessor where tracks are coded into digital blocks and digitized blocks of tracks received simultaneously are time stamped with the same relative time, and therefore synchronized in time. Tracks of the multimedia event are also compressed and preprocessed to generate other representations of the multimedia event, which further assist users in searching through the multimedia event. The delivery processor services users' requests for multimedia events and delivers events to requesting users according to users' interactive commands. The delivery processor also generates stacked representations of the tracks of the multimedia event, which representations provide visual cues to assist the user in conducting rapid and intelligent searches through the multimedia event. The user control unit receives requests and interactive commands from the user to be transmitted to the delivery processor and multimedia events from the delivery processor for presentation to the user. Our inventive method for recording and playing back multimedia events entails: capturing tracks of various aspects of a multimedia event; coding the tracks into digitized blocks; time stamping each block; and compressing and preprocessing each track as instructed in a source mapping table; transmitting tracks of the multimedia event to the user as requested; and adjusting the delivery of tracks based upon relative time information associated with a new position established after searching through a track of the multimedia event.

Teleconferencing terminal with camera behind display screen

Abstract: A teleconferencing terminal which enables teleconference participants to communicate with eye contact is disclosed. The terminal alternates rapidly between an image capture mode and an image display mode. Illustratively, during operation in the image capture mode a front surface screen is made transparent and a video camera acquires a head-on image of a teleconference participant. During operation in the image display mode, the front surface screen is made translucent for display of a video image via rear projection. Preferably, operation in the image capture mode takes place during the vertical retrace interval of the image to be displayed.

Television system for displaying multiple views of a remote location

Abstract: A television system (100) comprises a sending station (70), a composing station (80) and a receiving station (90). The sending station (70) comprises a sequence of cameras (1, 2, 3,..., N) arranged so that the fields of view merge contiguously to form an aggregate field of view. The composing station (80) includes circuitry which enables a local viewer at the receiving station (90) to select an arbitrary and continuously variable subsection of the aggregate field of view for display on a local monitor (200).

Eye contact video-conferencing system and screen

Abstract: Our video-conferencing system (10) comprises stations (20, 30) which are remotely located from one another and interconnected by a transmission system (12). Each station includes a camera (23, 33), a projector (21, 31), and a screen (22, 32), which is simultaneously translucent with respect to the projector and transparent with respect to the camera. The projector as well as the camera are placed behind and in line with the screen, thus allowing greater viewing reciprocity and eye-contact and projecting a stronger feeling of reality to the video-conferencing parties. Our screen includes segments which discriminates between projected light and light to be captured by the camera based upon polarization or angle.

Intelligent electronic appliance system and method

Abstract: An intelligent electronic appliance preferably includes a user interface, data input and/or output port, and an intelligent processor. A preferred embodiment comprises a set top box for interacting with broadband media streams, with an adaptive user interface, content-based media processing and/or media metadata processing, and telecommunications integration. An adaptive user interface models the user, by observation, feedback, and/or explicit input, and presents a user interface and/or executes functions based on the user model. A content-based media processing system analyzes media content, for example audio and video, to understand the content, for example to generate content-descriptive metadata. A media metadata processing system operates on locally or remotely generated metadata to process the media in accordance with the metadata, which may be, for example, an electronic program guide, MPEG 7 data, and/or automatically generated format. A set top box preferably includes digital trick play effects, and incorporated digital rights management features.

Ergonomic man-machine interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based control system

Abstract: An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation which may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Dense wavelength division multiplexing networks: principles and applications

Abstract: The very broad bandwidth of low-loss optical transmission in a single-mode fiber and the recent improvements in single-frequency tunable lasers have stimulated significant advances in dense wavelength division multiplexed optical networks This technology, including wavelength-sensitive optical switching and routing elements and passive optical elements, has made it possible to consider the use of wavelength as another dimension, in addition to time and space, in network and switch design The independence of optical signals at different wavelengths makes this a natural choice for multiple-access networks, for applications which benefit from shared transmission media, and for networks in which very large throughputs are required Recent progress in multiwavelength networks are reviewed, some of the limitations which affect the performance of such networks are discussed, and examples of several network and switch proposals based on these ideas are presented Discussed also are critical technologies that are essential to progress in this field >

Adaptive pattern recognition based control system and method

Abstract: An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation that may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a video cassette recorder (VCR), medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Network controller for cable television delivery systems

Abstract: A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. The invention is particularly useful in program delivery systems with hundreds of channels of programming, a menu driven program selection system, and a program control information signal that carries data and identifies available program choices. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information. The invention processes this data and information to generate packages of advertisements, as well as account and billing reports, targeted towards each set top terminal. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software to accomplish these functions.