Abstract: A technique is described which may be used to synchronize a plurality of different access controllers which control a plurality of distinct ports at the Head End of an access network. In the context of a cable network, the technique of the present invention may be used to synchronize desired upstream and/or downstream channels across different line cards within a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS). The technique involves utilizing a master time reference device which maintains and updates a current time reference, and periodically distributes synchronization signals to desired line cards in the system in order to synchronize these line cards. In a specific embodiment, the synchronization signals include current timestamp data generated from the master time reference device and distributed to all (or selected) line cards in the system.

Abstract: A system for searching for programs is provided. The system may provide the user with an opportunity to indicate an interest in a given program. The system may provide the user with an opportunity to request that the system locate programs that are related to the given program in which the user has indicated an interest. The system may locate program listings that are related to the given program. The located program listings may be related to the given program based on attributes of the given program. The system may display a list of located listings and allow the user to select listings from the list. The system may tune to a program selected from the list, may display an information display screen for a program selected from the list, etc. The system may provide the user with an opportunity to configure and save search parameters. The system may sort related program listings based on the attributes of the given program.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for integrating convention television viewing with Internet-related activities. A viewer accesses both conventional television features and Internet-related features from a single, familiar options panel. The options panel provides the user with a set of buttons that invoke features of both the television mode and of Internet mode. The options panel is selectively accessible at any time while either accessing the Internet or while viewing conventional television programming, the providing the user with a unified viewing experience.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving program material for subsequent replay is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of receiving access control information and the program material encrypted according to a first encryption key, the access control information including the first encryption key and control data; further encrypting the access control information and the encrypted program material according to a second encryption key; encrypting the second encryption key according to a third encryption key to produce a fourth encryption key; and storing the encrypted access control information and encrypted program material and the fourth encryption key.

Abstract: A program delivery system using a compression apparatus capable of compressing incoming video and non-video signals, such as audio and data signals. The system includes a frequency modulator which modulates the incoming audio, data or other non-video signals, unto selected video frequencies. A Fourier transformer generates a set of sinusoidal transform components corresponding to the incoming video, audio, data or other non-video signals, and a selector chooses the most desirable Fourier sinusoidal transforms. A multiplexer multiplexes only the selected Fourier transform components for further processing.

Abstract: A digital television system including a transmission means for transmitting digital audiovisual information on a plurality of channels and means for introducing in real time an event message concerning a live event broadcast on at least one channel into the datastream of at least one other channel, where the event message includes information regarding the occurrence of an event and the channel on which the event has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining a source of a leakage signal from a distribution cable of a cable television distribution system. The method includes the steps of sampling the leakage signal from the distribution cable of the cable television distribution system at each of a plurality of geographic locations within an environs of the cable, forming a leakage signal profile relating each sample with a respective location of the plurality of geographic locations; and determining a source location of the leakage signal based upon the formed profile.

Abstract: An Ad Management System (AMS) for managing sales and insertion of targeted advertisements into advertising opportunities (“avails”). The AMS provides advertisers an ability to describe their advertisements (ad characteristics) in terms of target market demographics, required ad bandwidth, ad duration, and other ad specific parameters. The AMS receives the ad characteristics and matches the ads to the avails. The AMS tracks different avails including duration and bandwidth of the avail, and uses a number of schemes to determine if the ad can be placed in the avail. The AMS targets advertisements by correlating subscriber characteristics to the ad characteristics. The subscriber characteristics may be associated with groups of subscribers (e.g. nodes in cable television environments) or to individual subscribers.

Abstract: A method and system manages and controls the download of programming, i.e., code objects, to a set-top terminal connected to a cable television system so as to prevent disruptions to service that may arise if only some of the objects specified are successfully downloaded and might, therefore, function improperly or conflict with existing applications. When the message to download new or additional code objects lists two or more objects to be acquired, the set-top terminal will only enable and execute downloaded objects if all the listed objects are successfully acquired. If only some of the objects the terminal has been instructed to download are acquired, those downloaded objects may either be purged or stored in memory without being enabled and executed. The system operator may specify in the message instructing the terminal to acquire new objects, whether the listed objects must be implemented as a group or not at all.

Abstract: A programme retrieval system and method wherein a desired broadcast programme can be retrieved without fail by setting up a proper relationship between a time length of pre-registered video/audio data and a retrieval time period per channel, and a storage medium containing programme retrieval computer program capable of retrieving a desired broadcast programme in the above-mentioned manner. In retrieval of a desired broadcast programme, a channel changeover is performed at a time interval which is less than a time value attained through division of a time length of a key programme part pre-registered by a user (retrieval key) by the number of retrieval object channels, and a determination is formed regarding whether or not a programme particle input at each time interval of changeover is found in the retrieval key.

Abstract: A system is provided in which contributors such as individuals in the home may create personal television channel programming. Personal television programs may be distributed to multiple viewers over a communications network such as the Internet. Personal television program schedule information may be stored in a database that is also used to store program schedule information for traditional television channels. Viewers may use a program guide or other interactive television application to view program schedule information, to set reminders, to set favorites, to establish parental controls, and perform other such functions. Links may be provided from displayed personal television channels to web sites, chat rooms, e-mail applications, and other such features.

Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. The invention's construct allows items called video loopsets to be stored on a storage device and displays single or multiple video loopsets in the background area of the screen on a TV or monitor. Temporal elements are drawn onto the screen over the video loops. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. Whispering arrows are provided on each screen that tell the user that more information is available in that particular direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for building and maintaining a database in a digital television receiver from information received in MPEG and PSIP tables uses the MPEG tables as a master to facilitate creating, updating, and deleting the database. Each database entry is encapsulated in a memory chain control structure such that freeing memory does not-require consideration of the specific content of data in the database.

Abstract: A cable modem system prevents an up-link noise from entering a cable so as to efficiently use the bandwidth of a CATV transmission path. The cable modem system performs data communication using the transmission path of a cable television system which includes a cable television station apparatus and a plurality of subscriber units connected to each other by the transmission path. A gateway apparatus receives an original data signal supplied by one of the subscriber units via a telephone network. The gateway apparatus converts the original data signal into a converted data signal so that the converted data signal complies with a protocol corresponding to a destination address included in the original data signal. The gateway apparatus sends the converted data signal to the cable television station apparatus via the transmission path. A line end terminal unit is provided in the cable television station apparatus so as to receive the converted data signal sent from the gateway apparatus.

Abstract: A receiver includes a CPU. The CPU can determine whether a variable N has reached a predetermined value X or not. The variable N is the number of channels over which broadcast signals could have been consecutively received. If “YES” is determined in the determination, the CPU performs presetting according to a CATV broadcast channel plan.

Abstract: The method and device carry out communication between a settop box and a target network through nay of a number of head ends. When a connectivity between the settop box and the target network through a first head end is lost, a call is initiated over a wireless communication link. A second, alternative, head end is selected based on the settop box, the first head end and the target network. Subsequently, the settop box is coupled through the second head end to the target network.