Diva Systems Corporation

Pixel Tools Corporation

Sedna Patent Serivces, LLC

Mark D Conover

Donald F Gordon

Philip A Thomas

Christopher Goode

Brooks Cole

Daniel Illowsky

Fleming M Oliver

A method for producing a compressed video bitstream having a plurality of frames from data that specifies a single still image. The still image is encoded into data specifying a single intra ('I') frame having an amount of data that approaches, but remains less than, storage capacity of a buffer memory included in a decoder. A single copy of the I frame data is then combined in the compressed video bitstream with data for at least one null frame. Decoding of the compressed video bitstream assembled in this way produces frames of decoded video that do not appear to pulse visually.

Encoding a still image into compressed video

A method and apparatus for providing an interactive menu structure within an interactive information distribution system. The menu structure is embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator and a set top terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and a video session manager which provides support functionality for the set top terminal. The menu structure has each menu (e.g., menu instructions, graphics and video) contained in downloadable applets which are sent upon request from the service provider equipment to the set top terminal for display. As such, the navigator functions are actually distributed between the service provider equipment and the subscriber's equipment. Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real-time interactive session that allows the user to rapidly navigate through a plethora of menus to find particular information, which they desire to view.

Method and apparatus for providing a menu structure for an interactive information distribution system

A method and apparatus for processing an information stream comprising a plurality of compressed information frames to produce an information sub-stream having a reduced number of information frames. In the case of an MPEG video information stream, the information sub-stream is suitable for use as a fast-forward (FF) or rewind (REW) stream in, e.g., a video on demand (VOD) system utilizing such streams.

Method for generating information sub-streams for FF/REW applications

A for method watermarking a compressed video bitstream selects for modification numerous sites within an MPEG compressed video bitstream, each of which sites includes a DCT coefficient which is apt for modification. Watermarking sites are preferably located in MPEG B frames, and the DCT coefficient to be modified preferably has a run-length of zero (0). The method then embeds the watermark by modifying the DCT coefficient for at least some of the selected sites. A list specifying the watermarking sites may be transmitted together with the compressed video bitstream to permit further watermarking by subsequent bitstream receivers. A system for detecting an unauthorized copy of a watermarked video forms a synchronized, frame-by-frame difference between a possibly unauthorized copy of the watermarked compressed video and an un-watermarked copy of the video. Data in the watermarking site list permits readily locating watermarks within the possibly unauthorized copy.

Embedding watermarks into compressed video data

A method and apparatus for providing an interactive menu structure within an interactive information distribution system. The menu structure is embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so-called navigator and a set top terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and a video session manager which provides support functionality for the set top terminal. The menu structure has each menu (e.g., menu instructions, graphics and video) contained in downloadable applets which are sent upon request from the service provider equipment to the set top terminal for display. As such, the navigator functions are actually distributed between the service provider equipment and the subscriber's equipment. Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real-time interactive session that allows the user to rapidly navigate through a plethora of menus to find particular information which they desire to view.

A method and apparatus for masking the effects of latency within an information distribution system. The apparatus comprises a set top terminal that requests and receives information from an information server within the information distribution system. The information is generally displayed upon a conventional television that is coupled to the set top terminal. The set top terminal contains a central processing unit and an information stream decoder that are programmed to implement the method. The method is a routine which is executed when a subscriber selects certain functions, usually via a remote control, that are available for the set top terminal to perform. Upon execution, the method recalls a predefined image from memory and begins to fade the presently displayed image into a predefined image, e.g., a white screen. Simultaneously, the presently playing sound is also faded into the predefined sound, e.g., no sound. The decoder within the set top terminal is reset to flush from its buffer and residual sound or video information from the previously decoded video. Lastly, once the new video stream has arrived and begins to be decoded, the set top terminal fades up from the pre-defined image to the new video stream and from the pre-defined audio to the audio stream that accompanies the video stream. At this point, the subscriber's selected function has been fully implemented without display of the detrimental affects usually associated with a latency delay.

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Cupertino, CA, United States of America

Mark D Conover