The Directv Group, Inc.

The Grass Valley Group, Inc.

Hughes Electronics Corporation

Utah Scientific, Inc.

Leon J Stanger

James A Michener

Robert H Plummer

Robert G Arsenault

Chao-Kung Yang

Daniel M Miner

Heather Truong

Birney D Dayton

Kevin Culwell

Uy X Nguyen

Ernest C Chen

Joseph Santoru

Hanno Basse

Guangcai Zhou

Tung-Sheng Lin

Shamik Maitra

Dennis Lai

David L Hershberger

Patrick J Loner

Jim C Williams

Michael R Munsell

Mitch C Jacobs

John Edward Liron

Richard F Purpura

William L Rorden

Ronald C Ward

Donald J Breier

Richard Kent Newman

Brion Johnson

Michael B Lackey

Steven B La Barge

William C Holton

Fergus Doyle

Blair Pettyjohn

David E Feldstein

Carol A Patrick

An audio loudness data collection module collects and stores audio data. The data can be stored for a first time period. A monitoring system can access and store the audio data collected and stored by the loudness data collection module according to a second time period. The stored audio data can be processed and displayed to a user in a number of ways. The data can also be used to provide loudness data control. For example, a loudness data control module can perform an audio AGC function to control audio loudness.

System and method to monitor audio loudness and provide audio automatic gain control

A method and apparatus for adaptively controlling a transmission signal for transmission to at least one receiver in a terrestrial region is disclosed. The method selects a transmission signal mode having a modulation scheme, code scheme, and code rate from a plurality of transmission signal modes according to received information, generates a transmission signal according to the selected mode, and transmits the generated transmission signal to the receiver.

Adaptive coding and modulation for spot beam satellite broadcast

A method and apparatus for providing a virtual video on demand services is disclosed. The method and apparatus disclose the storing of a segment of the video program in advance for VOD viewing at a later time. When the subscriber selects VOD service, a pre-stored video segment is retrieved for presentation to the subscriber. Remaining video program segments simultaneously broadcast on a plurality of channels are recorded in parallel while the pre-stored video program segment is retrieved and presented to the user.

Virtual video on demand using multiple encrypted video segments

A method and apparatus for synchronizing audio and video portions of a media program signal is disclosed. In a transmitting embodiment, the method comprises the steps of identifying a video event according to an video event discriminant in the video signal, and inserting a timing signal into the audio signal, and the apparatus comprises a video analysis module for identifying a video event according to an video event discriminant in the video signal, a timing signal generator for generating a timing signal, and a mixer for inserting the timing signal into the audio signal.

Audio video timing measurement and synchronization

A method and apparatus for synchronizing audio and video portions of a media program signal is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of detecting an audio event in the audio portion of the media program signal, measuring the timing interval from the audio event to a subsequent video synchronization pulse in the video portion of the media program signal, and storing the timing interval in a third portion of the media program signal. The apparatus comprises a voice detector for detecting an audio event in the audio portion of the media program signal, a timer for measuring the timing interval from the audio event to a subsequent video synchronization pulse in the video portion of the media program signal, and a processor for storing the timing interval in a third portion of the media program signal.

Method and apparatus for lipsync measurement and correction

Methods of testing receiver video fidelity are disclosed. One example method includes producing a video test signal; coupling the video test signal into an input of the receiver, wherein the video test signal is configured to cause a decoder to output a step function signal upon processing the video test signal; coupling the step function signal to a display rate converter; and measuring signal characteristics of signals provided at a receiver output.

Methods and apparatus to test receivers

A system and method for adding auxiliary data Dto an output data stream from a statistical multiplexer is disclosed. An auxiliary multiplexer accepts a statistically multiplexed data stream, and substitutes auxiliary data packets for null data packets. The auxiliary multiplexer controls the number of null packets in the statistically multiplexed data stream by controlling the target bandwidth Bof the statistical multiplexer, or by modifying the statistical multiplexer equation to make the auxiliary data stream a participant in the negotiation process of allocating throughput among the data sources.

Exploitation of null packets in packetized digital television systems

A video broadcast system is provided with an apparatus for processing a plurality of program signals corresponding to, for example, movies or other prerecorded programs, to selectively reduce the bandwidth required to transmit or broadcast the program signals. The signal processing apparatus includes a rate controller for generating a rate reduction factor based upon the data rates of the first and second program signals, a first channel processor coupled to receive the first program signal, and a second channel processor coupled to receive the second program signal. Each of the channel processors includes a data path for selectively reducing the bit rate of the program signals based upon the rate reduction factor.

Video system with selectable bit rate reduction

An apparatus for statistically multiplexing a plurality of video signals is provided with first and second complexity detectors which generate first and second complexity signals which relate to the complexity of first and second video signals, respectively, and first and second encoders for compressing the first and second video signals at variable compression rates to generate a first and second compressed video signals. The apparatus also includes a controller for controlling the variable compression rates of the encoders based on the complexity signal signals and a multiplexer coupled to receive the compressed video signals. The apparatus may be provided in a broadcasting system, such as a satellite is broadcasting system. The broadcast system may include a transmitter coupled to receive the video signals from the multiplexer, a satellite coupled to receive the video signals from the transmitter, a receiver for receiving video signals from the satellite, and one or more decoders connected to receive video signals from the receiver.

Statistical multiplexer for video signals

An apparatus for statistically multiplexing a plurality of video signals is provided with a complexity detector, coupled to receive a pre-compressed video signal, for generating a complexity signal which relates to the complexity of the pre-compressed video signal, an encoder for compressing a non-compressed video signal at a variable compression rate to generate a compressed video signal, a controller for controlling the variable compression rate of the encoder based on the complexity signal, and a multiplexer coupled to receive the pre-compressed video signal and the compressed video signal. The apparatus may be provided in a broadcasting system, such as a satellite broadcasting system. The broadcast system may include a transmitter coupled to receive the video signals from the multiplexer, a satellite coupled to receive the video signals from the transmitter, a receiver for receiving video signals from the satellite, and one or more decoders connected to receive video signals from the receiver.

Statistical multiplexer for live and pre-compressed video

A circuit for preserving a predetermined timing relationship between a synchronization signal including periodic sync codes and a digital signal composed of successive frames of which the nominal duration is equal to the period of the sync codes includes a delay device connected to receive the digital signal. The delay device is selectively adjustable to impose a controllable delay on propagation of the digital signal. A FAW detector detects a frame alignment word in the digital signal, and a time measurement circuit measures the time that elapses between occurrence of a sync code and detection of a frame alignment word. A delay adjustment circuit is responsive to the time measurement circuit to adjust the delay imposed by the delay device.

Switching apparatus for digital signals

Growing community of inventors

Farmington, UT, United States of America

Leon J Stanger