Scientific Atlanta

About: Scientific Atlanta is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Signal & Cable television. The organization has 680 authors who have published 982 publications receiving 45034 citations.

TV schedule system and process

Abstract: A system (90) controls a television receiver (126) to allow user selection of broadcast programs from schedule information. A data processor (110) is connected to receive the schedule information from an FM receiver (94), decoder (98) and data demodulator (102). A user remote control transmitter 116-remote receiver (118) combination supplies user selection inputs to the data processor (110). The data processor (110) selects programs from the schedule information based on the user inputs. The schedule information for the selected programs is stored in a memory (111), and is used by the data processor (110) to control a programmable TV tuner (132) to provide the broadcast signals for the selected programs to the TV receiver (126) at the time of broadcast. The system (90) can also be used to control a VCR (150) for unattended recording of the selected programs.

Method and apparatus for providing interactive electronic programming guide

Abstract: A subscription television system is provided that transmits a plurality of television signals to a plurality of subscribers. The television signals include pay-per-view programs (purchased by feature) or near-video-on-demand programs (purchased for a period of time for unlimited viewing) that are provided only to subscribers that purchase the programs. Data (16) representing an electronic programming guide is also transmitted. The electronic programming guide can be displayed by a subscriber terminal at the subscriber's location. The electronic programming guide is a grid (Fig. 4A and 4B) listing television programs by date, time and channel. A subscriber can select programs for watching or recording from the electronic program guide. Moreover, the subscriber can purchase pay-per-view or near-video-on-demand programs from the electronic programming guide.

Method of providing video on demand with VCR like functions

Abstract: A near video on demand time shifting feature for a subscriber terminal emulates the video cassette recorder functions of pause, fast forward, and rewind for a NVOD service subscription. The subscriber terminal stores global transactions concerning NVOD events in an event portion of memory. The subscriber terminal provides an on screen display feature for assisting in ordering the NVOD service and a user interface which provides the functions of pause, fast forward and rewind. When viewing a NVOD event, if the subscriber selects the pause function, the subscriber terminal causes a pause on screen display to be viewed for one time increment. After the elapse of the time increment, the subscriber terminal will tune the channel of the next showing which is one time increment earlier than that presently viewed. If the subscriber selects the rewind function, the subscriber terminal will tune the channel of the next showing which is one time increment earlier than that presently viewed. If the subscriber selects the fast forward function, the subscriber terminal will tune the channel of the previous showing which is one time increment later than that presently received.

Electronic document verification system and method

Abstract: The integrity or the signator of an electronic document can be verified by embedding a security object, for example, supported by an object linking and embedding (OLE) capability, in the electronic document at a location selected by the signator. The embedded security object includes security information and an identifier for invoking the processing of the security information. The security information may include a document digest that characterizes the electronic document at the time the security object was embedded, a signature digest that identifies the signator and that characterizes the instance of the embedded security object, and the signator's electronic chop, which may be the signator's digitized signature or other graphic image. In addition, the security information can be encrypted using either private key encryption or public key encryption. When the electronic document is later displayed, the identifier invokes processing that decrypts the security information and calculates the document digest based on the current state of the electronic document. The signator of the electronic document can be verified based upon the result of the decryption. The integrity of the electronic document can be verified if the decrypted document digest matches the calculated document digest. If the signator and the document integrity are confirmed, the electronic chop is displayed in the document. If, however, the signator or document integrity are not verified, the electronic chop is not displayed. In addition, a warning message may be displayed if verification fails.

Interactive information services control system

Abstract: A digital video, audio and data distribution system which enables a set top terminal (STT) (30) associated with a customer's television set or the information presentation device to request interactive digital video, audio and data control system messages transmitted via a bi-directional signalling path. The requested interactive service is transmitted from the service provider over a portion of the banwidth of a broadband transmission network (128) which is dedicated to interactive digital services. A video Session Connection (VSC) is provided for setting up and maintaining interactive sessions between the set-top terminal and a video service provider during the time the interactive programming is provided to the customer. The set top terminal (30) and service provider (20) establish the Video Session Connection via a two way signalling path within the bandwidth of the transmission medium into the customer's home.