Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.

Bell Atlantic Corporation

Daniel O'Callaghan

Eugene L Lew

Bruce W Kostreski

Henry G Hudson, Jr

Multiple player games implemented by computer are improved to permit playing without any delay penalty for stations remote from another station. Delay times are compensated using measurement of round trip delay times to each station and the stations participating in the game determine the proper master station based on shared information.

Method and apparatus for multi-player gaming over a network

Dynamic programming of a digital entertainment terminal (DET) facilitates operation of the terminal to offer a variety of functionally different broadband services. The terminal can be reprogrammed, as-needed, for each different service offered by one or more information service providers. The terminal includes a network interface module which couples the terminal to a specific type of communication network for receiving a digital broadband channel and providing two-way control signaling communication between the terminal and the network. The terminal also includes a control processor with a program memory. The control processor receives user inputs and controls operations of the terminal and sending and receiving of control signals over the two-way control signaling channel. The program memory stores data received over the digital broadband channel as software executable by the control processor. The audio/video processor converts compressed, digital information received over the broadband channel into signals for driving an audio/video display device, such as a standard television set. The control processor executes the software received and stored in the memory to control subsequent operations of the terminal, including at least some operations of the audio/video processor and at least some responses to user inputs.

Dynamically programmable digital entertainment terminal using downloaded

In a video distribution system, methods and apparatus for rapid channel selection are implemented to reduce the channel-to-channel latencies which might otherwise occur in modern video decoding systems, such as MPEG-2.

Method and apparatus for rapid channel selection

In a video distribution system, methods and apparatus for rapid channel selection are implemented to reduce the channel-to-channel latencies which might otherwise occur in modern video decoding systems, such as MPEG-2. In addition, methods and apparatus are implemented for providing fast forward, fast reverse and channel pause functionality when utilizing staggered start times for a particular program source.

Growing community of inventors

Fairfax Station, VA, United States of America

Daniel O'Callaghan