Systeme unifie de communication a programmation regroupant les communications de l'art anterieur (telles que par exemple la television, la radio, l'impression transmise electroniquement, et les communications par ordinateur) ainsi que les nouveaux mass medias specifiques aux utilisateurs. Unified programming communication system involving communications of the prior art (such as eg television, radio, print transmitted electronically, and computer communications) and new mass media specific users. Dans le systeme unifie, des moyens (205) et procedes mettant en oeuvre des systemes d'ordinateurs ont la capacite de produire des informations specifiques a un utilisateur particulier, simultanement a chaque poste (26) d'une pluralite de postes d'abonnes (26). In the unified system, means (205) and methods employing computer systems have the ability to generate specific information to a particular user, simultaneously with each station (26) a plurality of subscriber stations ( 26).

Signal processing apparatus and methods.

The present invention relates to an interactive digital system (1) enabling viewers full and active participation in experiencing a live broadcast event. Particularly, the presentation of the live event is personalized for the viewer through the provision of options, including multiple video streams, associated with different camera angles, for example, and integrated audio and graphic segments. Further, information obtained from related Web sites can be integrated into the live program.

A digital interactive system for providing full interactivity with live programming events

An interactive cable television system is disclosed which utilizes a standard cable television distribution network for simultaneously providing a plurality of viewers with an interactive television program comprising a plurality of signals related in time and content. Video signals are transmitted in a digital format, more than one signal being multiplexed onto a data stream on a single channel. The video signals may be compressed for efficiency. A receiver, in conjunction with a signal selector, selects a particular NTSC channel for playback, then selects a particular video signal from the data stream, and decompresses the video signal for playback. Seamless switching between video signals on different channels is provided. An alternative embodiment is disclosed wherein the various signals which comprise the interactive program are switched at the head end rather than at the receiver. The multiple choice control unit selects a desired signal by relaying the multiple choice selections of the user through a relay box back to a remotely located switching station. The switching station routes the correct video signal down the appropriate cable channel for the particular user.

Compressed digital-data interactive program system

The system of the present invention provides actual interactive choices to members of an audience in the form of three dimensional (3D) objects in space, and after each member of the audience reaches out at, points at, or looks at the 3D object of choice, the system responds and alters the audio and/or video feedback to each member. Specifically, a 3D video production is presented on a screen and at several points during the presentation a character or person, appearing on the screen, requests each user to respond to a question by physically selecting one of several possible 3D objects, the 3D objects appearing through the 3D effect to be floating directly in front of each user. The 3D answer options could be three 3D characters, for example. Selection of one of these objects is facilitated through a unique user interface unit, embodied in either a helmet, gun, or wand configuration. Each of these alternative user interface units allow the interactive selection to be made by physical gestures. The user interface unit is comprised of a detection device, a processor and associated circuitry, and attached headphones. Immediately upon making a selection, the user interface unit determines the choice made by the user, matches the choice with a distinct prerecorded audio feedback response, and presents to the user a distinct and individualized audio response. These personalized feedback responses are seamlessly communicated to each user through a set of headphones, and thus, amount to minimally perceived alterations from the common audio presentation. Interactive realism is enhanced through the preferred lip synching of the audio feedback response to the video character's mouth movements.

Three-dimensional (3D) video presentation system providing interactive 3D presentation with personalized audio responses for multiple viewers

An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for timesensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters.

Methods and apparatus for providing quality of service guarantees in computer networks

A mobile radio system uses a predetermined number of control channels over which a hand-shake routine is performed to determine called station availability, before one of a limited number of talk channels (local and repeater) is assigned for communication between a calling and the called station. After locating an idle talk channel (local channels are searched first), the control channel to which the called station is predeterminedly assigned is attempted to be accessed. Transmission times on the control channel are a function of the called station's identification code, thus creating a logical ring. Provision is made for message based priorities, emergency numbers and high priority for stations having experienced a previous unsuccessful attempt to access a control channel.

Deterministic multi-access method for a decentralized mobile radio system

A computer software architecture and operating method for an expert system that performs rule-based reasoning as well as a quantitative analysis, based on information provided by the user during a user session, and provides an expert system recommendation embodying the results of the quantitative analysis are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the expert system includes the important optional feature of modifying its reasoning process upon finding the quantitative analysis results unacceptable in comparison to predetermined acceptance criteria.

Expert system method and architecture

The present invention comprises a local area network wherein a network control center is provided to maintain a dynamic logical ring. In accordance with the method of the present invention, the local area network is provided with a transmission medium having first and second channels, wherein prospective entrants to the logical ring are solicited over the first channel and wherein information transfer among BIUs occurs over the second channel. The network control center is provided for continuously soliciting successors and resolving contentions over the first channel. Further, the network control center is adapted to add entering stations to the logical ring by receiving the token and transmitting next neighbor packets over the second channel. Additionally, the network control center may be adapted for monitoring communications over the second channel to determine when a station has received the token and failed and, thereafter, to reestablish the logical ring.

Method and apparatus for maintaining a dynamic logical ring in a token passing LAN

Method and apparatus are provided for transmitting message signals in a high speed local area network which method performs as efficiently during intervals when few stations have messages to transmit as it does during intervals when many stations have messages to transmit. A station wishing to transmit a message first monitors the transmission medium to determine whether it is busy and, if not, initiates transmission of its message signal. If there are not predominant stations attempting to initiate transmission, then the subject station will continue its transmission until the completion thereof. If, however, a predominant station should attempt to initiate transmission at the same time as the subject station, i.e., a collision occurs, the predominant station wins and continues its transmission until the conclusion thereof. The subject station, being pre-empted, monitors a control bit contained in the preamble of each message signal to determine whether the control bit is set. When the subject station receives a message signal preamble having a control bit which is not set, the subject station sets the control bit, thereby reserving the right to transmit the next message signal.

Implicit preemptive lan

A bus communication system has each of a plurality of bus interface units (BIUs) connected to a transmission bus at respective spaced locations along the bus. Each BIU includes a transmission system operable in both a contention mode and a token-passing mode. In the contention mode, the transmission system completes the transmission of information packets only after the BIU senses the bus and determines that no additional information packets are being transmitted on the bus. During the token-passing mode, the transmission system transmits an information packet only after the expiration of a time interval unique to that BIU and determined by the relative location both of that BIU and of the last BIU to transmit either an information or a start-up packet on the bus. A control system causes the transmission means to switch between the contention and token-passing modes of operation as a function of the transmission activity on the bus.

Mehmet E. Ulug

Papers

Deterministic multi-access method for a decentralized mobile radio system

Expert system method and architecture

Method and apparatus for maintaining a dynamic logical ring in a token passing LAN

Implicit preemptive lan

Bimodal bus accessing system