Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method. For example, the method includes storing movie content with a distribution station that can be subsequently purchased and/or rented. The movie content can be encrypted. A determination can be made as to whether a storage apparatus is coupled with the distribution station. Provided the storage apparatus has been coupled with the distribution station, a determination can be made as to whether the storage apparatus is authorized to receive the movie content. Provided the storage apparatus is authorized to receive the movie content, encrypted movie content can be downloaded to the storage apparatus from the distribution station. Note that the download of movie content to the authorized storage apparatus can be part of a purchase and/or rental transaction.

Abstract: A method and system of providing a non-skippable sub-advertisement stream. The general idea of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention is that when a user of an electronic digital recording/play back device causes it to fast forward through or skip over a recorded television advertisement, an overlay screen corresponding to the skipped advertisement is displayed on a portion of a television screen once the user resumes watching the recorded television show in normal play back mode. As such, the user is exposed to content of the skipped advertisement while viewing the recorded television show. In this manner, the user of the electronic digital recording/play back device is unable to easily avoid viewing content corresponding to the skipped advertisement.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention enables a personalized video recorder (PVR) to reliably record automatically a pay-per-view show that it receives from a set-top box. Specifically, a PVR is communicatively coupled to a set-top box thereby enabling the set-top box to request and receive from the PVR its control commands. The set-top box stores these control commands enabling it to control the functionality of the PVR. Therefore, a user may utilize an electronic programming guide (EPG) provided by the set-top box to program the PVR to record (for example) a pay-per-view show. Upon completion of the programming process, the EPG of the set-top box orders the pay-per-view show while the set-top box transmits the programming instructions to the PVR. After receiving the programming instructions, the PVR adds them to its programmable task list. Subsequently, the PVR receives the ordered pay-per-view show from the set-top box and records it.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a sender client provides to a server a message giving the location of one or more potentially large media files, such as video clips. The server relays this location message to each recipient. A receiver client, in response to the location message, accesses or makes a local copy of the media file from either the sender client or another peer client that is also a receiver of the message. The sender and receiver clients may be personal video recorders (PVRs), personal computers, workstations, video camcorders or personal digital assistants. The server may be, for example, a PVR, a personal computer, a workstation, and an application service provider. The server may be accessed via the Internet. The location message can include information about the media file clip it contains, such as its title, date/time stamp, copyright indication or one or more text fields.

Abstract: A system for processing an object specified by an object specifying language such as HTML, JAVA or other languages relying on relative positioning, that require a rendering program utilizing a minimum set of resources, translates the code for use in a target device that has limited processing resources unsuited for storage and execution of the HTML rendering program, JAVA virtual machine, or other rendering engine for the standard. Data concerning such an object is generated by a process that includes first receiving a data set specifying the object according to the object specifying language, translating the first data set into a second data set in an intermediate object language adapted for a second rendering program suitable for rendering by the target device that utilizes actual target display coordinates. The second data set is stored in a machine readable storage device, for later retrieval and execution by the thin client platform.

Abstract: The general idea of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention is to provide a dynamic media distribution infrastructure. For example, once a client computer downloads encrypted media content (e.g., audio, video, graphics, information, software, data, etc.) from an existing media supplier, it becomes a part of the media distribution infrastructure. Specifically, the client computer is now able to provide that specific downloaded media content to other requesting client computers in an encrypted format. It should be appreciated that within the present embodiment, a directory server computer regulates the distribution of media content over the dynamic media distribution infrastructure.

Abstract: A client for providing customized audio/video (A/V) and animation programming over a network is disclosed. The client includes content processing logic configured to: allow a user to specify a content portal page, transmit the content portal page to a server, receive a personalized program from the server, wherein the personalized program is created based on the content portal page, the personalized program including one or more content files selected from a number of content files, each of the content files including A/V and/or animation data, and execute the personalized program for consumption by the user. The personalized program is executed such that the one or more content files included in the personalized program are shown to the user in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A method for providing customized audio/video (A/V) and animation programming over a network is disclosed. The method includes configuring a server to: store a number of content files, each of the content files including A/V and/or animation data, receive a content portal page, create a personalized program based on the content portal page, the personalized program including one or more content files, and transmit the personalized program, and configuring a client to: allow a user to specify the content portal page, transmit the content portal page to the server, receive the personalized program from the server, and execute the personalized program for consumption by the user. The personalized program is executed such that the one or more content files included in the personalized program are shown to the user in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A server for providing customized audio/video (A/V) and animation programming over a network is disclosed. The server includes memory configured to store a number of content files, each of the content files including A/V and/or animation data, content processing logic configured to: receive a content portal page, create a personalized program based on the content portal page, the personalized program including one or more content files, and transmit the personalized program. The content portal page is specified by a user using a client. The personalized program is executable by the client for consumption by the user. The personalized program is executed such that the one or more content files included in the personalized program are shown to the user in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A system for providing customized audio/video (A/V) and animation programming over a network is disclosed. The system includes a client configured to allow a user to specify a content portal page and a server configured to: store a plurality of content files, each of the plurality of content files including A/V and/or animation data, receive the content portal page from the client, create a personalized program based on the content portal page, the personalized program including one or more of the plurality of content files, and transmit the personalized program to the client. The client is further configured to execute the personalized program for consumption by the user. The personalized program is executed such that the one or more of the plurality of content files included in the personalized program are shown to the user in a continuous manner.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention enables a user to utilize a personalized video recorder (PVR) to order and receive specific television shows that are unavailable from his or her television content provider. Specifically, the PVR is coupled to the Internet such that it can receive an electronic programming guide (EPG) containing worldwide television programming from an EPG server computer. The PVR user utilizes the EPG to request delivery of a specific television show that is typically unavailable to him or her. Upon reception of the request, the EPG server computer locates via the Internet a PVR situated within a broadcast region of the requested television show. Next, the EPG server computer programs the PVR to record the requested television show when it is broadcast. Once the PVR records the television show, it is transmitted to the EPG server computer which transmits it to the requesting PVR.

Abstract: A client system and a dedicated server are provided, the client system having an internet module providing communication with the server, a television tuner operative to receive a plurality of video channels carrying video data, and a video processing unit operative to provide a video output signal for displaying images on a television.

Abstract: A system for processing an object specified by an object specifying language such as HTML, JAVA or other languages relying on relative positioning, that require a rendering program utilizing a minimum set of resources, translates the code for use in a target device that has limited processing resources unsuited for storage and execution of the HTML rendering program, JAVA virtual machine, or other rendering engine for the standard. Data concerning such an object is generated by a process that includes first receiving a data set specifying the object according to the object specifying language, translating the first data set into a second data set in an intermediate object language adapted for a second rendering program suitable for rendering by the target device that utilizes actual target display coordinates. The second data set is stored in a machine readable storage device, for later retrieval and execution by the thin client platform.