Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing a decoy identifier, such as an MPEG PID, for a non-encrypted component. By obscuring the true identifier, an MPEG receiver that can decode ‘clear channels’ can not locate, and therefore, can not decode and present the true component for the program to a display device. By using the disclosed methodology, computer program product and system a cable television system or other provider of individualized content can broadcast a requested component without needing to encrypt the component.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating data representative of at least one intermediary transition image between a first image and a second image in the encoded domain is disclosed. Cinematic transitions can be created between encoded still images and frames from video sequences. For each corresponding location within the first and second image, a transform coded value is calculated for the at least one intermediary image using the transform encoded data of the first and second images without transform decoding the transform encoded data. The transform coded values can be fully encoded using a compression protocol and transmitted to a device for decoding and display of the cinematic transition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording a broadcast video program are disclosed. The system is coupled to a television of a user. The broadcast video program is displayed on the user's television and includes associated user selectable material. The system has an input for receiving the broadcast video program and the associated selectable material. A user interface device operates with the system allowing a user to select the selectable material. In response to selection of the selectable material, a processing module requests interactive content related to the selectable material from a processing office. In response to the selection of the selectable material, the system causes a video recorder to automatically begin recording of the broadcast video program. The interactive content is then displayed on the user's television.

Abstract: Access to interactive content at a client device through the use of triggers is disclosed. The client device is coupled to a television communication network and receives an encoded broadcast video stream containing at least one trigger. The client device decodes the encoded broadcast video stream and parses the broadcast video stream for triggers. As the broadcast video stream is parsed, the stream is output to a display device. When a trigger is identified, the client device automatically tunes to an interactive content channel. The client device sends a signal indicative of the trigger through the television communication network to the processing office. The processing office can then use the information contained within the trigger signal to provide content to the client device. The content may be interactive content, static content, or the broadcast program stitched with interactive or static content. The user of the client device can then interact with any interactive content.

Abstract: An MPEG object is an object-oriented data structure that may be used in the creation of interactive MPEG video stream. The MPEG object data structure includes an MPEG object interface defining data received by the MPEG object and data output by the MPEG object. The MPEG object data structure further includes either one or more MPEG video elements or an association to one or more MPEG video elements. The MPEG video elements are preferably defined as MPEG slices that include a plurality of encoded macroblocks. Additionally, the data structure may provide a method for receiving input through the MPEG object interface and in response to input from the client device outputting an MPEG video element. In certain configurations, the MPEG object contains a method that maintains state data for the MPEG object. The state data may be used to select between a plurality of MPEG elements to output.

Abstract: A system for creating composite encoded video from two or more encoded video sources in the encoded domain. In response to user input, a markup language-based graphical layout is retrieved. The graphical layout includes frame locations within a composite frame for at least a first encoded source and a second encoded source. The system either retrieves or receives the first and second encoded sources. The sources include block-based transform encoded data. The system also includes a stitcher module for stitching together the first encoded source and the second encoded source according to the frame locations of the graphical layout to form an encoded frame. The system outputs an encoded video stream that is transmitted to a client device associated with the user. In response to further user input, the system updates the state of an object model and replaces all or a portion of one or more frames of the encoded video stream. The system may be used with MPEG encoded video.

Abstract: A scrolling encoder encodes scrolling elements that are to be scrolled around all or a subset of the frames of a video stream or file with their movement in time and space controlled by a path to produce a video stream or file, without searching previous or subsequent frames of the video stream or file for reference blocks. The scrolling element can be an image, video, text or any combination thereof. The scrolling element is encoded using information about the contents of the scrolling element and information about a path the scrolling element is to take across a screen. The information about the contents of the scrolling element is obtained when the scrolling element is first introduced into a frame. The information about the path of the scrolling element is provided by an external component or is otherwise deduced. Optionally, the path information includes information about how the scrolling element is to change appearance. This information may be used to automatically generate error terms.

Abstract: A method for providing interactive information content in an analog cable system having only a one-way communication path from a cable head end to a communication device, such as a set-top box that is associated with a television is disclosed. A set-top box receives a plurality of interactive information content signals on at least one analog channel from the cable head end. In certain embodiments the interactive information content signals are data streams that sent over an analog carrier channel. The set-top box provides a selection screen to the television for display. A user can then use a user-input device, such as, a remote control to make a selection. In general, the user will select a key, such as a directional key and the remote control will provide the selection/directional signal to the set-top box. The set-top box then outputs a new information content signal based the received selection signal without having to transmit to the head end.

Abstract: A system and method for navigating between hyperlinks and frames on a Web page within a Web browser in a client system in communication with one or more server systems. A plurality of hyperlinks and frames are displayed on a display of a user device via the Web browser, with each hyperlink and frame representing information about their location stored in one of the server systems. A user input entered from a remote input device is received by the client system. Based on the user input, a determination is made of which one of the hyperlinks or frames is to be marked as the active frame or link, and that hyperlink or frame is then marked. An indicator is then displayed on the display device indicating to the user that the selected hyperlink or frame has been made active.

Abstract: An interactive television system, for providing interactive television service. The interactive television system has an information source available at a remote location for supplying a plurality of information services and an information network in communication with the remote location for delivering the information services to subscriber televisions. The interactive television system includes a plurality of home interface controllers. One of the home interface controllers is associated with a subscriber television. The home interface controller includes a data transceiver that is in communication with the remote location, and a selection input for receiving signals from a subscriber selection device. The home interface controller also has an interactive mode.

Abstract: A system manager for use with an interactive cable system. The cable system has (i) an information service network for delivering information services to subscriber televisions, (ii) a plurality of home interface controllers, each home interface controller associated with a subscriber television and having a data transceiver operative over a data communications link to the headend, (iii) a plurality of subscriber selection devices, each such device associated with a home interface controller and in communication with the data transceiver thereof, for permitting subscriber interaction, and (iv) a plurality of interactive controllers, disposed at the headend, each interactive controller in assignable television communication over the network with a subscriber television and in data communication with a subscriber selection device.

Abstract: In an interactive cable system having at least one processor at a headend in communication with subscribers through an information service distribution network, a frame grabber is provided for grabbing a frame of video and storing the frame in a storage medium. A video frame may be requested from the storage medium in response to control data received from a subscriber selection device, wherein a processor retrieves the video frame from the storage medium, transforms the frame into a television information signal and sends the frame to the subscriber's home interface controller for display on the subscriber's television.

Abstract: In an interactive cable system having a plurality of assignable interactive controllers which communicate with subscribers through an information service distribution network, a frame server is provided for interfacing with a plurality of subscribers. A system manager assigns either the frame server or one of the plurality of interactive controllers to subscribers requesting interactive service. The frame server preferably delivers interactive pages which need only be transmitted intermittently, such as still frame images.

Abstract: An enhanced scrambled video signal, method for making an enhanced scrambled video signal and apparatus for enhanced scrambling of a video signal are all characterized by a pattern added to a video signal. The pattern is formed from a pair of segments, including a black segment and a white segment which forms a high contrast transition therebetween. The transitions vary in horizontal location from one horizontal line to the next. The pattern causes an unauthorized television receiver to mistakenly lock onto the transitions in the pattern, as if the transitions represented horizontal sync signals, thus scrambling the video display. The apparatus for inserting the pattern may be formed by a sync detector, a video amplifier, a multiplexor and a control logic device. The video amplifier sets the video signal to a DC reference level. The sync detector detects the horizontal sync of the video signal which is sent from the video amplifier.

Abstract: An interactive television information system coupled to a cable television system having a headend for supplying information services and an information service distribution network for delivering information services to subscriber televisions. Each subscriber television is associated with a home interface controller. The home interface controllers receive the television information signals and include a data transceiver for data communications. A subscriber selection device associated with a home interface controller permits subscriber interaction through the data transceiver with an assigned interactive controller from a plurality of interactive controllers. The assigned interactive controller is in communication with the information sources and in television communication with its assigned home interface controller. Selection of an information source nay be made through channel selection of an apparent channel from any of a first group of apparent channels and a second group of apparent channels.

Abstract: An interactive television information system coupled to a cable television system having a headend for supplying information services and an information service distribution network for delivering information services to subscriber televisions. Each subscriber television is associated with a home interface controller. The home interface controllers receive the television information signals and include a data transceiver for data communications. A subscriber selection device associated with a home interface controller permits subscriber interaction through the data transceiver with an assigned interactive controller from a plurality of interactive controllers. The assigned interactive controller is in communication with the information sources and in television communication with its assigned home interface controller. Selection of an information source nay be made through channel selection of an apparent channel from any of a first group of apparent channels and a second group of apparent channels.

Abstract: A scrambling system for a cable television system in which a group of channel frequencies are reused over a plurality of service areas includes an access controller, an encoder and a plurality of simplified scrambling units. Each service area receives different television signals on the group of channel frequencies. The access controller provides signal authorization information for a given channel frequency to a plurality of receiver/decoders located in the different services areas. The access controller also provides descrambling information corresponding to the signal authorization information to the encoder for the given channel frequency. The encoder produces a conditional access code by placing the descrambling information into a scrambled reference signal. An extracting unit removes the conditional access code from the scrambled reference signal and distributes the conditional access code to each of the simplified scrambling units operating at the given channel frequency.

Abstract: An interactive television information system coupled to a cable television system having a headend for supplying information services and an information service distribution network for delivering information services to subscriber televisions. Each subscriber television is associated with a home interface controller. The home interface controllers receive the television information signals and include a data transceiver for data communications. A subscriber selection device associated with a home interface controller permits subscriber interaction through the data transceiver with an assigned interactive controller from a plurality of interactive controllers. The assigned interactive controller is in communication with the information sources and in television communication with its assigned home interface controller. Selection of an information source nay be made through channel selection of an apparent channel from any of a first group of apparent channels and a second group of apparent channels.

Abstract: A television information system for distributing television information services, including interactive service, to subscribers divided among a plurality of service areas. A system manager receives requests for service from subscribers and assigns each requesting subscriber to one of a plurality of video provider elements. The video provider element provides a television information service to the requesting subscriber. An rf processing unit associated with the video provider element places the television information service on a carrier frequency assigned to the subscriber by the system manager. An rf switch controlled by the system manager directs each carrier frequency to the service area of the corresponding requesting subscriber.

Abstract: A switching apparatus and method for routing RF scrambled signals. One of a plurality of scrambled RF television information signals is selected. A processor assigns an output carrier frequency. The selected scrambled television information signal is output by the switching apparatus on the assigned output carrier frequency.The plurality of scrambled RF television information signals is carried on an RF bus in the switching apparatus. The bus may consist of a plurality of cables. An RF switch connects a tuner to one of the cables. An amplifier is connected to the tuner. An amplitude information signal is decoded off the RF bus and is used for controlling gain of the amplifier. An up converter applies the output of the amplifier onto the assigned carrier frequency.