Abstract: An interactive program guide (IPG) may include a program grid section and a multimedia section. The program grid section typically contains program information organized in a grid with a time axis and a channel axis. The multimedia section may include video for advertisement, previews, and other purposes. Such an IPG may be rendered and encoded at a server and distributed to client terminals in the form of compressed bit streams. For certain IPGs, the program grid section may comprise alternating stripes of background with different shades (lighter/darker) or different colors. Typically, the alternating background stripes may be used to visually separate text information into timeslots or channels. Blank areas of the background may be “skip” encoded to “save” a portion of the bit rate. Meanwhile, the quantizer stepsize for encoding that section may be lowered so as to utilize the saved bits to improve the viewing quality of the program grid section.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing an end-user to interact with a system in order to execute an application. Multiple application packets are broadcast to a plurality of end-users, such that the upstream transmission of data from end-users is greatly reduced. Each end-ser further receives media packets, whereas visual objects relating to the application can be displayed on an end-user display unit with visual objects originating from the media packets.

Abstract: This document discloses systems and methods for enabling viewers to control and manage programming and to control external consumer electronic devices through the use of a STB or other device. This invention provides command information that is embedded into an EPG signal and transmitted from a headend or transmission facility through a distribution network to the end user. By way of example, the program data includes volume, lighting, internet or environmental tag information for controlling external devices, such as a surround sound entertainment system, home environment system, personal computer, etc. A set top box or other properly configured consumer electronics device either receives data from the external device to effect programming or transmits data to the external device to optimize the viewing experience or to supplement information produced by the EPG.

Abstract: A geographically specific signal communication receiver in a television receiver that selects one or more messages or warnings that are of interest for display by the television screen from a group that includes other messages or warnings that are not of interest. Each message or warning has an associated code that is compared with one or more codes stored in the receiver and when there is a match between the received code and the stored code, the received message or warning associated with the matched received code is passed to a video display for presentation.

Abstract: In a digital receiver which can easily store broadcast information, a one-period amount of data is separated from a data broadcast signal. The one-period amount of data has an amount of data corresponding to plural frames which are periodically repetitively transmitted in the data broadcast signal. The one-period amount of data is stored in a data storage device, thereby simplifying the construction of the data storage device.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an improved transport demultiplexor that can receive and filter different data types before sending the data to system memory. The preferred embodiment provides a string comparator to facilitate real time filtering of continuous incoming data before loading the data into system memory. The string comparator preferably uses a bit-maskable matching filter that filters system data in real time as the data is being delivered to system memory. When data matching the filter is located, the destination address of that data is determined and delivered to the processor. This allows the processor to quickly locate the desired data and thus facilitates the real time processing of that data.

Abstract: A multicasting system for reception of multimedia information comprising: a content switch coupled to a multimedia content source and at least one multimedia smart terminal. The multimedia content source includes a plurality of multimedia contents, wherein each multimedia content is supported by a primary multimedia stream transmitted over a primary dedicated channel having a primary bandwidth. At least one multimedia smart terminal is configured to receive from the content switch over a network each multimedia content as a secondary multimedia stream transmitted over a secondary channel having a secondary bandwidth. The content switch includes a bandwidth scaler configured to scale each primary multimedia stream to a plurality of secondary multimedia sub-streams that are substantially synchronized.

Abstract: A system for localizing an EPG program schedule, including an EPG service provider station including a database of channels and corresponding EPG program schedule information, a database manager identifying a plurality of channel line-ups potentially receivable at a viewing location, a transmitter, and a receiver, a multimedia viewer situated at the viewing location including an automatic channel line-up identifier identifying a first line-up of television channels receivable at the viewing location, a channel line-up processor at the viewing location calculating a channel line-up from among the plurality of channel line-ups that substantially matches the first line-up, a receiver receiving from the EPG service provider station the plurality of channel line-ups, and a transmitter transmitting to the EPG service provider station the identifier of the channel line-up calculated by the channel line-up processor, and a network connection linking the multimedia viewer to the EPG service provider, wherein the EPG s

Abstract: A channel matrix for use with a television receiver includes rows and columns of channel numbers, each corresponding to one channel in a group of channels. The matrix includes a group selector that is activated to display different groups of channels. The channel matrix is used to tune the television receiver, to perform other functions such as channel locking and favorite channel selection or to display channel status such as including minor channels or having certain V-chip ratings. A desired channel may be selected by navigating a cursor across the rows and columns of the matrix until the desired channel is beneath the cursor and then pressing a selection key. A channel status display, associated with the matrix, displays information about the selected channel or about the channel under the cursor before it is selected. Display enhancements include visual cues such as highlighting, underlining, and displaying of icons; audio cues; and the ability to select an entire group of channels.

Abstract: The invention to which this application relates is a television system which allows a visual or other form of indication to be generated to a user of the system that a programme which they select to watch has previously been viewed by them and is therefore a repeat showing of the programme. This prevents the user from having to try and guess whether they have previously viewed the programme before selecting the programme from, for example, an Electronic programme Guide (EPG). The system includes a database in which information for those programmes which are selected by the user to view is input and in which the information is stored for a period of time period thereafter to allow comparison with data for programmes which are subsequently selected to be viewed by the user.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for delayed synchronization of an event on a plurality of client apparatuses. First, a plurality of client apparatuses are connected via a network and an event is stored in memory on the client apparatuses. The event is then simultaneously played back on the client apparatuses utilizing the network. During the simultaneous playback, a request may be received from one of the client apparatuses for that particular client to be included in the synchronized event. In response to the request, information is transmitted to the requesting client apparatus utilizing the network. This information is adapted for identifying a location in the memory where the event is currently being played back on the remaining client apparatuses. This allows the simultaneous playback of the event on the requesting client apparatus.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to television programs, commercials in particular, by offering viewers some incentive to watch. In one embodiment, viewers are notified that they can receive frequent-flier miles for answering one or more simple questions at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and that the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing delay distortion of upstream transmissions in a cable television (CATV) distribution plant. Upstream transmission in a CATV distribution plant, i.e., from the customer premises toward the head-end, is made difficult by delay distortion caused by diplexing filters used in bi-directional amplifiers and other components in the CATV distribution plant. A database storing information relating to each cable modem (CM) in the CATV distribution plant is maintained, and the delay distortion for each upstream transmission is calculated using information queried from the database. Delay distortion in the upper portion of the upstream bandwidth in a CATV distribution plant is preferably minimized by assigning CMs having a transmission path that causes relatively minimal delay distortion to the upper portion of the upstream bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a database in a memory. Program identifying information is received from a service provider, the program identifying information comprising at least one service provider search criteria and information describing a channel on which a program is transmitted. A database is generated in a memory as a function of the channel identifying information and at least one of the service provider search criteria. Preferably, user-input search criteria is also received and it is determined whether the user-input search criteria corresponds to the service provider search criteria. A channel identified by the channel identifying information is selected if the user-input search criteria corresponds to the service provider search criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating a broadcast interoperable protocol (BIOP) message for effectively generating a broadcast interoperable protocol message in a data/object carousel of a data server. A BIOP message in the conventional art has a problem that the size of data transmitted from a server to a client is large and accordingly the BIOP is generated in a non-effective way. In order to solve the above problem, there is provided a method for generating a BIOP message in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of classifying the series of objects as a module, obtaining an interoperable object reference (IOR) to the objects, and forming the objects in a single broadcast interoperable protocol message. Thus, the BIOP message is easily generated for a large amount of object data, so that the large amount of data can be transmitted to a plurality of clients in real time with ease.

Abstract: A program configuration management apparatus restores the configuration of programs in the receiving apparatus to an original state if programs downloaded for version-up contain bugs. The program configuration management apparatus includes a program download unit for downloading programs via communication channels, a program management unit for storing the downloaded programs as well as previous versions of the downloaded programs into an object storing unit, and a history information management unit for storing history information concerning the downloaded programs into a history information storing unit. On receiving a previous version reinstallation designation for a specific program from a broadcast center, the program management unit validates a previous version of the specific program stored in the object storing unit by referring to the history information storing unit via the history information management unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying available television programs with an indication of the recommendation score assigned to each program by a television programming recommender, includes a television programming recommender for evaluating each of the programs in an electronic programming guide (EPG) in a conventional manner to identify programs of interest to a particular user. An indication of the numerical recommendation scores associated with each program are also displayed to the user, for example, using program grids listing the available television programs. The numerical recommendation scores can be displayed with each program directly or can be mapped onto a color spectrum or another visual cue, such as a variable size-of-text or rate of blinking, that permits the user to quickly locate programs of interest. Television channels can be sorted in the program grid according to a normalized recommendation score for the time period being examined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the insertion and transport of advertisements in a digital environment, including methods for directing advertisements (ads) at subscribers and substituting advertisements in a program stream with targeted advertisements. The insertion methods are based on synchronous, plesiochronous, or asynchronous techniques. These methods may operate at constant bit rates or at available bit rates. An ad manager is used to select targeted advertisements, and dynamic ad linking is used to substitute an advertisement in a program stream with an alternative targeted advertisement.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for generating a video signal having an auxiliary data payload complying with a data payload protocol selectable from at least two available data payload protocols is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the method comprises the steps of generating a data reference signal (which describes an auxiliary data payload protocol including an auxiliary data payload clock speed) at a baseline clock speed compliant with both of the two data protocols; appending the auxiliary data payload signal at the auxiliary data payload clock speed to the data reference signal; and inserting the data reference signal and the appended auxiliary data payload signal in a portion of at least one line of a video frame. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatus comprises a generator, for generating at least one line of a video frame having a data reference signal at a baseline clock speed compliant with two data protocols and an appended auxiliary data payload.

Abstract: A method of multicasting video to multiple client nodes via intermediate nodes that includes accessing video information descriptive of the video to be multicast, accessing information describing a distribution tree of nodes from a source of the video to the multiple clients nodes via one or more internetwork nodes, accessing rate constraints of nodes in the distribution tree, accessing buffer allocations of the nodes in the distribution tree, and determining one or more smoothed transmission schedules for each node in the distribution tree based on the accessed video information, the accessed information describing the distribution tree, the accessed rate constraints of nodes in the distribution tree, and the accessed buffer allocations of the nodes in the distribution tree, the one or more transmission schedules describing the transmission of video data to one or more children nodes.