Robert John Mack

US Patent:

6400720, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

Jun 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/337064

Inventors:

Shlomo Ovadia - Yardley PA
Robert Mack - Collegeville PA

Assignee:

General Instrument Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04L 1228

US Classification:

37039564, 3703952, 370465, 370474

Abstract:

A method is provided for transporting variable length packets such as IP packets and fixed length packets of length N, such as MPEG video packets, in standard digital transmission frames such as DS-3 frames. Each frame comprises a plurality P of sections having a fixed length M which is greater than N. A fixed length trailer is added to each of the variable length packets. Each variable length packet with the added trailer is segmented into an integer number of segmented packets of length N. Padding bits are added if necessary to provide the integer number of segmented packets. A header and trailer are added to each of the segmented packets and fixed length packets to expand them into an expanded packet length M. P of the expanded packets are combined into a frame for transmission.

US Patent:

6801915, Oct 5, 2004

Filed:

Jul 28, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/362530

Inventors:

Robert Mack - Neshanic Station NJ 08853

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

707100, 707 2, 707 3, 707101, 707102

Abstract:

A plurality of data records is provided, each data record having paired keys comprised of a first key and a second key. The first key identifies each data record in a certain manner and the second key identifies each data record in a different manner. The paired keys can be used to for example, by the first key identifying the original business identity which the data record belongs to, while the second key may identify the current business identity which the data record belongs to. In this way pre-merger data, for example, and post merger data can be retained. In one embodiment an apparatus is provided comprising a first table of data records and a second table of data records. The tables of data records may be stored in a computer memory. Each first table data record may correspond to an entity and may be comprised of a first field having a first set of data identifying a first characteristic of the corresponding entity, a second field having a second set of data identifying a second characteristic of the corresponding entity; and a third field having a third set of data identifying a third characteristic of the corresponding entity. Each second table data record may correspond to an entity and each second table data record may be comprised of a fourth field having a fourth set of data identifying a fourth characteristic of the corresponding entity.

US Patent:

7765566, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

Jun 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/872688

Inventors:

Christopher W. Brown - Horsham PA, US
Arthur P. Jost - Mount Laurel NJ, US
Robert Edward Mack - Collegeville PA, US

Assignee:

General Instrument Corporation - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04N 7/16
H04N 7/18

US Classification:

725 31, 725 25, 725 86, 725 87

Abstract:

A method for controlling flow of a video content signal through a communications system, such as a video on-demand system creates a unique message for each individual video content signal and attaches the unique message to each individual video content signal prior to transmitting the video content signal through the communications system to a designed end user system. In one exemplary embodiment, the unique message comprises an in-band signaling message, such as a message inserted in a program map table in an MPEG packetized signal.

US Patent:

7979475, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Jul 10, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/500957

Inventors:

Robert Mack - Hillsborough NJ, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

707803, 707792, 707802

Abstract:

A method, apparatus, and system for configuring, designing, and/or implementing database tables is detailed that provides a framework into which a remainder of database tables are developed. Also detailed is a method to develop this framework of database tables. This so developed framework provides a platform for integrating data from multiple databases. A method is also provided for maintaining and managing master data as a single source of reference data to multiple databases that are based upon this framework.

US Patent:

8554801, Oct 8, 2013

Filed:

Jun 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/152683

Inventors:

Robert Mack - Hillsborough NJ, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/30
G06F 7/00

US Classification:

707802, 707741, 707791, 707962

Abstract:

A method, an apparatus, and a system for configuring, designing, and/or implementing database tables are detailed that provides a framework into which a remainder of database tables is developed. Also detailed is a method to develop this framework of database tables. This so developed framework provides a platform for converting multiple independent heterogeneous databases into standardized homogeneous databases.

US Patent:

20070255730, Nov 1, 2007

Filed:

Apr 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/308723

Inventors:

Robert Mack - Hillsborough NJ, US

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G06F 9/44

US Classification:

707100000

Abstract:

A method is provided including storing a first set of characteristics for each of a first set of one or more defined objects in a computer memory, storing a second set of characteristics for each of one or more data item classes in a computer memory, and storing a third set of characteristics for each of one or more data items in a computer memory. The method may further include linking the first set of one or more defined objects to one of the one or more data item classes and assigning a first data item of the one or more data items to a first data item class of the one or more data item classes.

US Patent:

20080075285, Mar 27, 2008

Filed:

Sep 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/859862

Inventors:

Christopher Poli - Doylestown PA, US
Joseph Amorese - Sellersville PA, US
Robert Mack - Collegeville PA, US
Lawrence Vince - Lansdale PA, US
Charles Zimmerman - Mount Laurel NJ, US

Assignee:

GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04N 7/167
H04N 7/173

US Classification:

380211000, 725087000

Abstract:

A method for delivering encrypted content to a subscriber terminal on-demand through a communication network is provided. The method begins when SRM receives a request for content from the subscriber terminal. In response to the request, the SRM directs a video server to transmit the content as an unencrypted transport stream to an encryptor. The packets in the unencrypted transport stream include a header with a destination address associated with the subscriber terminal. The encryptor encrypts the content in the unencrypted transport stream to generate an encrypted transport stream. The encryptor also inserts in the packet headers of the packets in the encrypted transport stream the destination address associated with the subscriber terminal obtained from the packet headers in the unencrypted transport stream. Finally, the encrypted transport stream is transmitted to the subscriber terminal over the communication network.

US Patent:

20110078757, Mar 31, 2011

Filed:

Sep 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/569873

Inventors:

Christopher Poli - Doylestown PA, US
David H. Brouda - Chalfont PA, US
Glen P. Goffin - Dublin PA, US
Robert E. Mack - Collegeville PA, US

Assignee:

GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION - Horsham PA

International Classification:

H04N 7/173

US Classification:

725120, 725132

Abstract:

A method of provisioning a set-top box (STB) with a provisioning server is disclosed. In the method, a provisioning request is received from a STB, where the provisioning request includes a provisioning stream identifier, an authorization server identifier, and a STB address. The provisioning server requests a provisioning system generate a configuration for the STB, where the configuration includes a channel map and basic code. The provisioning server receives the configuration from the provisioning system. The provisioning server prepares provisioning information, including the configuration for the STB and sends the provisioning information to the STB using the identifier for the STB.