Abstract: A data storage management and scheduling system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of television and Web page program material on a client system storage medium. A schedule of time versus available storage space is generated that is optimal for the viewer's scheduled program recordings. The programs include television broadcast programs and Universal Resource Locators (URLs). A program is recorded if at all times between when the recording would be initiated and when it expires, sufficient space is available to hold it. All scheduling conflicts are resolved as early as possible.

Abstract: A Personal TV System receives a plurality of video segments constituting a TV program and information describing each segment, and controls the display of the segments to a viewer in accordance with preferences of the viewer and with the description of each segment. Segments may be omitted or replaced with substitute segments. The viewer may review his preferences and edit or replace them. In a multi-viewer household, the system may prompt a viewer to confirm her preferences. A TV program may contain interactive segments, and when the viewer chooses to interact with a particular segment, the system automatically stores all subsequently received segments for later viewing while the viewer interacts with the selected segment. The system may present TV program choices to the viewer selected and arranged in accordance with her preferences.

Abstract: A method to deliver video content is disclosed and includes sending a bandwidth change request from a set-top box device associated with a home network to a server via an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) access network. The bandwidth change request includes a requested bandwidth change event and an upper limit overhead bandwidth factor. The method also includes receiving video packets related to the bandwidth change event from the server at an increased rate corresponding to the upper limit overhead bandwidth factor.

Abstract: A circuit, electrical device or other apparatus for band stacking and/or band translating multiple transmissions. Such transmissions may be satellite transmissions, terrestrial transmissions, signals carried across a wired network such as a cable network, and so forth. Two sets of left-hand polarized and right-hand polarized signals may be accepted by an embodiment. One left-hand polarized signal and one right-hand polarized signal may be band stacked such that the left-hand polarized signal occupies a first frequency and the right-hand polarized signal occupies a second frequency, thereby permitting the two signals to be transmitted simultaneously across a single transmission line as a first unique signal. The second left-hand polarized signal and second right-hand polarized signal may likewise be combined into a second unique signal for transmission. The first and second unique signals may be stacked as a first stacked output and a second stacked output by a band translating circuit.

Abstract: A method of identifying a target synchronization point pair including a source synchronization point corresponding to a source end and a destination synchronization point corresponding to a destination end is provided. The method includes receiving a source scan-line image corresponding to a first video source from the source end; selecting at least a comparing frame out of the source scan-line image; providing a destination scan-line image corresponding to a second video source at the destination end; and determining the target synchronization point pair by comparing the comparing frame and the destination scan-line image.

Abstract: A method and system for performing chaincast communication to multiple communication systems within a system of coupled electronic devices. In one implementation the electronic devices can be computer systems and the system of coupled electronic devices includes the Internet. The present invention provides a system wherein a broadcast source communicates broadcast information (e.g., encoded audio radio content, encoded audio/video television content, program instructions, etc.) to a first group of electronic devices. The first group of electronic devices can be instructed by a transmission scheduler to then communicate (e.g., forward) the broadcast information to other electronic devices which devices can also be instructed to communicate to more devices, etc., thereby reducing the bandwidth requirements of the communication channel between the broadcast source and the first group of electronic devices.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) organizes and presents programming information to the viewer and allows for creation of queries to facilitate both simple and complex searches of the programming information. The EPG is configured to automatically identify programs that a viewer is likely to prefer. The EPG collects viewing preferences of a viewer and, using these preferences; automatically develops queries for identifying programs that the viewer is likely to watch. The EPG also enables multiple viewers to merge their individual queries into one composite query or to run queries in background to periodically check for programs and notify the viewer when a program is identified. Queries are saved in an EPG database in a hierarchic structure with directories and sub-directories to make it easy for a viewer for organizing and retrieval. Also the EPG creates queries for a channel, network name or program using a 10-key keypad. The EPG is configured to interpret the data as representing all possible choices.

Abstract: The system enables listeners and viewers of a broadcast to access additional information associated with a broadcast. Listeners and viewers utilize a user device to connect to a database containing program descriptions (e.g. audio, text, video or combination thereof) further describing the programming and ancillary information. The database is indexed by the broadcast's program list or schedule thereby allowing a user of the system to search and select a particular program description of interest. Hearing or viewing program descriptions enables users to preview excerpts and review a broadcast before purchasing an item heard or viewed on a broadcast.

Abstract: A method is provided for distributing programming. A first set of programs is transmitted in real time according to a schedule of programming. A second set of programs is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of programs having a counterpart in the second set of programs. A request from a user for program control over one of the programs in the first set of programs is detected. A determination whether the requested program has a counterpart program stored on the server is made. If so, the counterpart program form the server is played under the control of the user.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for enhancing a television advertisement simultaneously displayed on a number of remote receivers. In one embodiment, one or more advertisement templates are stored in memory on each of the remote receivers. The templates include formatting information and data fields into which can be inserted predefined types of information. For example, a selected template may be adapted to receive and display an advertiser's name, product, and a hyperlink to the advertiser's web site. A content creator, (e.g., a program producer, broadcaster, affiliate, cable company or satellite provider), embeds an advertisement summary in a data service channel of a broadcast signal. The advertisement summary includes a resource identifier unique to a selected one of the advertisement templates.

Abstract: A system for scheduling caching of in-band data operates as part of a computerized system to receive and store data broadcast in-band in a channel at a scheduled time. The scheduled caching system determines the scheduled time and channel for the in-band data broadcast and causes a real-time clock in the computerized system to schedule a subsequent execution of the scheduled caching system at approximately the scheduled time. When the scheduled caching system subsequently executes, the scheduled caching system instructs tuning circuitry in the computerized-system to tune to the scheduled channel, receives the in-band data from the tuning circuitry and stores the in-band data on mass storage for subsequent processing. The scheduled caching system also powers on the tuning circuitry and parses the in-band data from other content broadcast in the channel if necessary.

Abstract: A feed signal equalizer for a feed amplifier for two-way coaxial cable systems, of the type having a distribution centre distributing feed signals, and having reception facilities for receiving return signals from said cable system, the system having feed amplifiers for receiving feed signals, and having return amplifiers, and the feed signal equalizers are settable to provide varying amplifier specifications, and having receptacles for receiving plug-in equalizer components for varying the specifications of the feed amplifier, the equalizer components having a range of varying performance characteristics so that a component can be selected and plugged in to the feed signal equalizer to produce the performance specifications desired at a predetermined location in the cable system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.

Abstract: A dual mode tuner/receiver is disclosed in which both analog and digital signals can be received and processed. A low pass filter allows all channels below a selected frequency enter the circuit. A precisely controlled dual conversion circuit creates an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. An automatic carrier detection circuit monitors the IF signal and determines whether the signal is of analog or digital format and intermediate frequency filters are adjusted based upon the type of signal detected. A coherent oscillator circuit generates in-phase and quadrature reference signals that are used by video and audio detectors for further processing of the IF signal. In-phase and quadrature outputs are provided for digital signals and composite video and audio outputs are provided for analog signals.

Abstract: A CATV system including a CATV network, a multiplicity of subscriber units, apparatus for transmitting over said CATV network encrypted information individually addressed to a subscriber unit and apparatus associated with each of said multiplicity of subscriber units for decoding the encrypted information addressed thereto.

Abstract: In a two way cable system that includes a controller and a plurality of user terminals, a method of granting rights for upstream data transmission from the user terminals includes processing contention requests to generate contention grants and maintaining a list of connections, each connection having specified therefor a predetermined bit rate. The controller sends a downstream data stream to the user terminals and receives an upstream data stream from the user terminals. The downstream data stream includes a plurality of grant fields, and the upstream data stream includes upstream data slots and upstream control slots.

Abstract: An electronic program guide executing in a set top box provides real-time guide EIT information to users for periods beyond the six hours of conventional systems. Each transport providing information to the set top box contains a predetermined number of hours of full EIT data and a predetermined number of days of sparse EIT data. The sparse EIT data allows users to see information for programming in real time days into the future without having to tune to a different transport.

Abstract: A telecasting service is provided that offers video programs upon viewer demand, and which includes an interactive interface for facilitating viewer selection of video programs. The interactive interface allows the viewer to scan through a list of video programs available on the demand telecasting service. The interactive interface also provides the viewer with still images, full-motion previews, and textual descriptions of the available programs. The demand telecasting service distinguishes subscribers from non-subscribers, and provides an interactive facility for allowing non-subscribers to subscribe to the system.

Abstract: Through a memory device and a control circuit on the transmitter side, temporal gaps are inserted into the data stream, said temporal gaps being removed again on the receiving side by an additional memory device. Consequently, the necessary continuous data stream is able to be reproduced for the transmission of the video signals. The gaps in the data stream of the base station and the data and the requests are evaluated by a user-side control circuit, from these, switch-over signals are generated, and the user devices are switched over. The base state switches the station to receive mode in the temporal gaps of the video signals or of the data stream. The present invention is applicable to the transmission of continuous signals using a backward channel via microwaves.

Abstract: An image information processing apparatus of this invention receives an information signal, converts the input information signal into digital data, temporarily stores the converted digital data, parallel/serial-converts the temporarily stored digital data, and controls the operation of the parallel/serial processing in accordance with the contents of information indicated by the temporarily stored digital data when the parallel/serial-converted digital data is converted into an analog signal and the analog signal is transmitted onto the transmission path, thereby allowing easy transmission of image information and a control code using a smaller number of transmission path and realizing a cost reduction.