Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an interactive, visual complement to one or more audio programs. In one aspect, the system comprises an audio subsystem for generating an audio signal corresponding to a sound recording. The system also comprises a video subsystem for generating a video image specification based, at least in part, on the sound recording. In one aspect, the audio signal and video image specification are transmitted to an audio/video signal transmission system. The transmission system receives the video image specification and generates a video signal that conforms to the video image specification. The video signal and the audio signal are transmitted to at least one consumer receiver. In this way, the system provides a visual complement to an audio program.

Abstract: Systems and methods of assembling an elementary stream from an encapsulated multimedia transport stream are disclosed. An exemplary method includes: receiving a command from a user mode video playback component; in response, processing layer-2 packets received through a network interface driver binding to assemble, into an MPEG elementary stream, multimedia transport packets encapsulated within; and supplying the stream to a decoder. The receiving and processing steps are performed in kernel mode. Also disclosed is an exemplary digital home communication terminal that includes a network interface, memory, and a processor. The processor executes code to: receive a command from a user mode video playback component; process layer-2 packets received through a network interface driver binding, in order to assemble into an MPEG elementary stream multimedia transport packets encapsulated within the received layer-2 packets; and supply the elementary stream to a decoder.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which DVR viewer metrics are collected and saved in a “Watched Log” data base including identifying titles and other features of recorded DVR programs. User viewing metrics are collected and saved for use in determining whether or not future shows are recorded. After a DVR user watches a TV or other video show episode, the show episode will be added to the Watched Log. Subsequently, before recording a new TV show, the DVR device can determine the viewer's actions with regard to previous similar shows and factor such information into a decision regarding the recording of the new show.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented to allow the extension of a data cable modem service, for example DOCSIS, over a wireless link. According to the invention a wireless hub transceiver is connected to a distribution coax cable of, for example, a DOCSIS based system. The downstream data is transferred over a wireless link to a remote subscriber radio frequency (RF) unit connected to a cable modem that provides the downstream data to the subscriber. Similarly, upstream data is sent from the subscriber cable modem over the wireless link to the wireless hub transceiver where such data is inserted back to the distribution coax cable.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a plurality of devices at a physical drop to receive access to video and/or data services from a plurality of video/data service providers in a digital broadband network serviced by a telecommunication services provider utilizes a broadcast manager, in communication with the video/data service providers, for transmitting an electronic message in a modified format determined by the telecommunication services provider, wherein the electronic message contains information identifying the physical drop, a type of the device being provisioned a the physical drop, and a maximum number of devices for the device type allowed to receive corresponding service at the physical drop. A broadband digital terminal, in communication with the broadcast manager and the physical port, is programmed to receive the electronic message and store the corresponding information.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on-demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: A conditional access system in which entitlement control messages (ECMs) containing the encryption keys used to encrypt a program transmission, are sent to a set-top box over a secure communications channel separate from the channel used for transmission of the encrypted program.

Abstract: A data structure stored on computer readable media is presented comprising one or more data tags, each data tag used to provide information regarding a broadcast advertisement. Also provided are one or more electronic program guide action tags, each electronic program guide action tag used to define a valid electronic program guide feature that may be accessed from within the broadcast advertisement. The data structure is operative to provide a link between the broadcast advertisement and an electronic program guide to provide access to electronic program guide features defined by the electronic program guide action tags from within the broadcast advertisement.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on-demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed of a network including a primary device, a plurality of remote devices, and a shared peripheral device. The network allows the remote devices to operate the peripheral device, such as a DVD player, VCR, or camcorder, via the primary device and the network. The peripheral device is typically connected to the primary device and shared among all devices. The network also includes a splitter/isolation module (SIM) that routes the signals between the primary device and the plurality of remote devices.

Abstract: A remote device is capable to receive network address information, such as uniform resource locator (URL) addresses, and other supplemental content that are available along with television signal. A set top box coupled to a television receives the network address information via triggers. The set top box transmits a television program from a first channel to a television, and transmits network address information associated with a second channel to the remote device. After receiving the network address information, the remote device can display the corresponding supplemental content while a viewer is watching the first channel on the television. The supplemental content can include program-related address information and/or non-programming-related content. In another technique, the viewer can subscribe certain channels, such that supplemental content on the subscribed channels is obtained and stored, and can be made available to the remote device via the set top box or via a different communication link.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced content for play across multiple play platforms employs steps of delivering media content to a client device; delivering HTML content to a client device, the HTML content being accessible and usable by a plurality of client device platforms; activating a browser to access the HTML content, the browser being located on and compatible for use with the client device; activating firmware on the client device to access the media content; and incorporating the accessed HTML content with the accessed media content.

Abstract: A system and method of adding hyperlinked information to a television broadcast in which an interactive content icon is used. The broadcast material is analyzed and one or more regions within a frame are identified. Additional information can be associated with a region, and can be transmitted in encoded form, using timing information to identify the frame with which the information is associated. The system comprising a video source and an encoder that produces a transport stream in communication with the video source, an annotation source, a data packet stream generator that produces encoded annotation data packets in communication with the annotation source and the encoder, and a multiplexer system in communication with the encoder and the data packet stream generator.

Abstract: Heterogeneous video may be independently encoded in a processor-based system and transmitted for display on a display device. In the display device, the independent video streams may be de-packetized for display on the same display at different frame rates. Thus, each of the video sources may be displayed in a separate portion of the display at its native frame rate. For example, an electronic programming guide may be transmitted for display at one frame rate and displayed in a distinct region on the display screen while video corresponding to an ongoing television program may be displayed in another portion of the display screen at its native frame rate.

Abstract: A system and method are described for allowing cable operators to actively block, pass through, modify, append, filter, or replace triggers corresponding to various forms of enhanced content being transmitted across a cable system. Accordingly, cable operators may offer enhanced content customized for their subscribers and earn additional fees for local advertising and other closely allied services.

Abstract: The broadcast program transmission/reception system includes a pay broadcast program site containing pay broadcast programs, multiple CM information management sites each of which stores multiple commercials, multiple viewer's terminals, and a commercial sponsor site. The viewer's terminal requests a pay broadcast program list from one of the CM information sites and then a pay broadcast program among the pay broadcast program list. The CM information management site requests the pay broadcast program requested by the viewer's terminal from the pay broadcast program site, and receives the pay broadcast program. After that, the CM information management site edits the received pay broadcast program by inserting commercials therein and transmits the pay broadcast program with commercials to the viewer's terminal. Concurrently, the CM information management site accumulates the number of transmitted pay broadcast program/commercials.

Abstract: A system for broadcasting enhanced television content may provide for early notification of web hosting facilities when uniform resource locators may be broadcast with television content. When uniform resource locators are broadcast with television content, a large number of users may attempt to simultaneously access the hosting web site for the uniform resource locator. By providing early warning through the television broadcast system, the web servers which handle the load of attempted web accesses may gear up for the load spike. Through an automatic system, a relatively failsafe procedure may be implemented to ensure that the web hosting facilities receive notice sufficient to enable them to prepare for the onslaught of attempted accesses.

Abstract: A method and system for provisioning a specific device to receive video and/or data services from a plurality of service providers at a physical drop in a digital broadband network serviced by a telecommunication services provider utilizes a broadcast manager for transmitting an electronic message in a modified format determined by the telecommunication services provider, wherein the electronic message contains information identifying the physical drop associated with the specific device. A broadband digital terminal, in communication with the broadcast manager and the physical-port, receives the electronic message, stores the information, and upon receiving a sign-on request from a requesting device that is requesting access to one of the video and/or data services, determines whether the requesting device is authorized to access the requested video and/or data service based on the stored information.

Abstract: Providing interactive access to video programming and video content information in a multimedia system. A processing device of the multimedia system receives video content information associated with video programming that is to be broadcast. The video content information includes at least video identification information and video content information. The display device of the multimedia system presents a first interface image that presents the video content information for one of the video programs of the video programming. In response to viewer input, a second interface image is displayed on the display device presenting video content information for another one of the video programs of the video programming or for more detailed information associated with the video program. In this manner, the viewer can conveniently navigate through the video content information and identify information that is useful in selecting a program to watch.