Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for upgrading a set top terminal for use with a cable television program delivery system. A hardware upgrade or expansion card is connected to a set top terminal to enhance the functionality of the set top terminal and to allow the set top terminal to receive digital audio programs. The hardware upgrade includes audio signal processing circuitry such as a tuner, demodulator, demultiplexor, decryptor, and decompressor. A microprocessor in the hardware upgrade enables the upgrade to accept subscriber inputs so as to select a particular digital audio program for listening. Subscriber inputs may be generated from a remote control and a menu system of the set top terminal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus suggests programs for viewing by a subscriber. Terminals installed at a subscriber's home and at central locations, such as bookstores, video rental stores and libraries, provide responsive or intelligent search functions to suggest programs for viewing according to a subscriber's viewing preferences. Responsive searching includes posing questions to and receiving answers from the subscribers. Intelligent searching includes gathering historical data, such as the subscriber's history of programs watched. The programs include videotapes, videodiscs, television programs and electronic books. Subscribers indicate their selection and order the programs using a menu system. An automated billing system tracks the programs ordered.

Abstract: A method of defining extent for storing a plurality data streams having different bit rates. The method calculates the size of the extent for a given data stream then periodically inserts at least one null packet into the extents to enable any bit rate to be able to be stored using a fixed extent size for the stream.

Abstract: A method for streaming content striped in RAID 5 format from an array of disk drives to subscribers to minimize disruptive service from a disk drive failure. The method includes accessing content data on an extent-by-extent basis from a plurality of disk drives in an array and streams the content data to the subscribers on an extent-by-extent basis, sequentially, from the plurality of disk drives. Upon detection of an actual disk drive failure the method transitions to a stream regeneration mode of operation, which includes reading the content data substantially simultaneously from all extents in a parity group and regenerating a failed portion of the content data from a failed extent in the parity group corresponding to the failed disk drive. The content data in the parity group is streamed to the subscribers, extent-by-extent, immediately following the regenerating of the content data from the failed extent in the parity group.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport encoded asset data and content data, multiplexing the transport encoded content data with a plurality of NULL transport packets to provide “place holder” for the asset data transport packets, and replacing the NULL transport packets with asset data transport packets prior to transmitting the multiplexed transport stream to a set top box.

Abstract: Techniques presented reduce latencies or delays in the delivery of an interactive program guide. In accordance with a first technique, a method for providing an interactive program guide comprises: providing a plurality of transport streams; providing a group of interactive guide pages within each said transport stream, where the group of interactive guide pages comprise related pages. In accordance with a second technique, a method for providing an interactive program guide comprises: forming a first transport stream including video packets with a first set of packet identifiers; and forming a second transport stream including video packets with a second set of packet identifiers, where the first set of packet identifiers and the second set of packet identifiers include a common packet identifier.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating, transmitting and receiving a user interface for an interactive information distribution system. The user interface is generated in a head end of the system as a digital bitstream and transmitted to subscriber equipment for display. Operation of the user interface is facilitated by functions on both a local level within the subscriber equipment and on a system level within the head end. One embodiment of the user interface is an interactive program guide.

Abstract: A novel electronic program guide (EPG) and its associated method allows a viewer/user to navigate through a multitude of programs and locate a program or programs of interest using three contemporaneously available, distinct modes of operation which depend on the degree to which the viewer/user is decided regarding programs to view or reproduce.

Abstract: A method of data management for efficiently storing and retrieving data in response to user access requests. The method includes receiving a request from at least one client for a title not resident in a storage server, where the title includes a play track having a plurality of chapters. The retrieval from a secondary storage device of play track portions proximate chapter delineation points is initiated, and bandwidth capacity and quality-of-service (QoS) parameters associated with the secondary storage device is determined. In the case of a client request to begin presentation of the title at one of the chapters, streaming of retrieved portions of the play track chapter to the client is initiated, masking latency associated with the secondary storage device is provided, and retrieval of at least unretrieved portions of the play track chapter and subsequent play track portions from the secondary storage device is initiated.

Abstract: Techniques to create, generate, and deliver customized interactive program guide (custom-IPG). In one method, selections indicative of a set of channels to be included in the custom-IPG are received. In response, one or more custom-IPG screens having included therein the set of selected channels are rendered at a head end. The custom-IPG screens can be formed as subsets of the regular IPG screens, or as new screens. The rendered custom-IPG screens are provided from the head end to a set top terminal upon receiving a viewer request for the custom-IPG. Command indicative of a particular location at which to overlay the custom-IPG screens may also be received. In this case, the custom-IPG screens are re-rendered at the indicated location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting the delivery of assets and/or content to set top terminals within a heterogeneous information distribution system based on graphics and/or processing capability of set top terminals receiving the assets and/or content.

Abstract: A storage server for efficiently retrieving data from a plurality of disks in response to user access requests. The server comprises a plurality of processors coupled to disjoint subsets of disks, and a custom non-blocking packet switch for routing data from the processors to users. By tightly coupling the processors to disks and employing an application-specific switch, congestion and disk scheduling bottlenecks are minimized. By making efficient use of bandwidth, the architecture is also capable of receiving real-time data streams from a remote source and distributing these data streams to requesting users. The architecture is particularly well suited to video-on-demand systems in which a video server stores a library of movies and users submit requests to view particular movies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering data from a failed disk drive in a disk drive array. The method and apparatus includes storing data on an array of disk drives by dividing extents of data into data segments and defining a parity group including at least one data segment from a plurality of data segments from different extents. Parity segments are generated from the data segments in the parity group and stored in the parity group. Furthermore, a second parity segment is generated from the parity segments and storied with the parity group. The method and apparatus then outputs data in realtime to users in a normal disk access mode from parity groups without the failed disk drive, and outputs recovered data in realtime to the users in a parity correction mode from the parity group containing the failed disk drive.

Abstract: A data packet structure capable of efficiently propagating a payload through a multi-user, digital video distribution system. The system is capable of delivering multimedia data (video and audio information) using the Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) packets as payload within a unique packet structure. The packet structure enables routing of the packets through a variety of network topologies. Specifically, the packet structure comprises a packet header, a routing information field, a private data field, digital data payload, and an error correction code field. Such a packet structure enables the network to deliver digital video through a point-to-point, star, ring, dual ring, and other network topologies to a user that is identified in the routine information field.