Abstract: A system and method allowing a broadcaster to deliver short-term cyclic data along with the main content of the broadcast stream, synchronized with that main content, and for allowing users to have access to that information for longer periods than a typical data broadcast system would allow. Additional data content is added to the main content stream and is broadcast along with it. The additional data content is initially broadcast shortly prior to the time of its relevance to the main content and is buffered upon reception. In addition, it is rebroadcast cyclically over a short period, allowing viewers who tune in late to take advantage by acquiring the material during and briefly after the time of its initial relevance. If a viewer tunes in after the cyclic broadcast period has elapsed or if there was an error in the receiving or buffering of the additional data content, a return channel can be used to request that the material be retransmitted.

Abstract: A system and method for replacing all or part of the original audio of a digital program with other audio enables a user to customize a digital program soundtrack. The method includes receiving the audio portion of the digital program as an audio data stream including multiplexed associated audio and data packets, selecting at least one of the audio packets to be replaced by a replacement audio packet, and replacing the at least one of the audio packets with a replacement audio packet thereby customizing the audio portion of the digital program during program playback. The method also enables customizing an audio portion of a transmitted analog program. The method includes receiving first and second audio signals, receiving information transmitted in a vertical blanking interval of the transmitted analog program, interpreting the information and removing a replaceable audio signal, and replacing the replaceable audio signal with a user-selected audio signal.

Abstract: An approach that provides personalized control of a characteristic of a virtual universe establishment is described. In one embodiment, there is a virtual universe establishment characteristics control tool that comprises an establishment characteristic preference component configured to receive from a visiting resident a specified establishment characteristic preference for interacting with the virtual universe establishment. The virtual universe establishment characteristics control tool further comprises an establishment characteristic change component configured to change the establishment characteristic of the virtual universe establishment in accordance with the received establishment characteristic preference.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for identifying sources of memory retention in an executing application. A size of a set of objects is tracked over multiple periods. A period is determined to be a growth period if the size for the set of objects increases above a previous maximum size, and the number of growth periods is counted. The set of objects is flagged as having potential undesired object retention (a memory leak) if the number of growth periods is greater than a threshold number. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for replacing all or part of the original audio of a digital program with other audio enables a user to customize a digital program soundtrack. The method includes receiving the audio portion of the digital program as an audio data stream including multiplexed associated audio and data packets, selecting at least one of the audio packets to be replaced by a replacement audio packet, and replacing the at least one of the audio packets with a replacement audio packet thereby customizing the audio portion of the digital program during program playback. The method also enables customizing an audio portion of a transmitted analog program. The method includes receiving first and second audio signals, receiving information transmitted in a vertical blanking interval of the transmitted analog program, interpreting the information and removing a replaceable audio signal, and replacing the replaceable audio signal with a user-selected audio signal.

Abstract: A personalized data delivery system for dynamically integrating viewer-specified data with visual content includes an input port for receiving a visual content signal, an output port for displaying enhanced visual content on a display, and an interface operatively coupled to the input and output ports. The personalized data delivery system may also include an input/output port for receiving data from a data content source other than the visual content signal and/or for sending requests for viewer specified data to the data content source. Parameters for the selection and display of data can be customized by the viewer. The interface includes at least one processor responsive to one or more viewer personalization parameters and operative to integrate at least a portion of the received data with the visual content signal in accordance with the personalization parameters.

Abstract: For a network with a distributed hierarchical broadcast architecture, a method for efficiently and reliably distributing data content and remotely managing the storage of content. Both the distribution and the storage management methods are rule-based, utilizing network resources in an efficient manner. Simple and reliable mechanisms are provided for ensuring both data integrity and control over storage utilization. At each stage throughout the network hierarchy, content is distributed to nodes in the subsequent stage based on rules. The rules may be modified at each stage. Only one device in the hierarchy is required to maintain detailed information of the storage characteristics of storage devices and content therein in stages which are subsequent to it in the network. The recipient device owner specifies a set of preferences which may be used for local filtering, or which the owning (or other) entity may use to select data which targets the client's interests.

Abstract: The present invention uses multiple broadcast television channels to distribute high volume of data to a client device from a server. Multiple analog channels are broadcast, at least one of which contains video/audio programs and control data inserted into the analog signal's VBI; and at least one separate channel contains a digital data stream which is modulated onto an analog channel and associated with channels containing those video/audio programs. STBs designed to implement this invention are equipped with at least two tuners in order to tune to two of those channels simultaneously. One tuner is used to tune to the video/audio channel, and extract the control data in the VBI. The second tuner is used to tune to the channels containing the data itself.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for an interactive television commerce environment, acting as a central point of control and information for enabling and facilitating information distribution and transactions in this environment. The apparatus is an essential element of an interactive television (ITV) commerce system, and enables the introduction of interactive commerce services in cable, satellite, and other broadcast networks. Other services provided include interfacing with off-line interactive ads, historical review and tracking services for users, and providing feedback and ITV ad modification capabilities to advertisers. The apparatus, residing at a local head end, can also add to or modify ads by inserting content of local relevance.

Abstract: A personalized data delivery system for dynamically integrating viewer-specified data with visual content includes an input port for receiving a visual content signal, an output port for displaying enhanced visual content on a display screen, and an interface operatively coupled to the input port and the output port. The personalized data delivery system may also include an input/output port for receiving data from a data content source other than the visual content signal and/or for sending requests for viewer specified data to the data content source. Parameters for the selection and display of data can be customized by the viewer. The interface includes at least one processor being responsive to one or more viewer personalization parameters and operative to integrate at least a portion of the received data with the visual content signal in accordance with the personalization parameters. Memory included in the interface and coupled to the processor at least temporarily stores the personalization parameters.

Abstract: An interactive TV content creation tool imports video and other assets, including WebPages, Java script, etc., as a series of resources for interactive TV content creation for real time audience estimation and program ratings. A processing system embeds hyperlinks into one or more objects contained in a program frame as desired. Each hotlink has attributes. These attributes include shape, name, description and Z-order. The hotlink can have one of several shapes, including rectangle, ellipse and parallelogram. The hotlink types are included in an object tree which is displayed in a window to a creator. A hotlink type is selected in the hotlink tree, and a window displays a linked properties tab available for the selected object. There are several link types available; linking to a URL, another interactive TV content file, a video clip, an audio clip, an image, or a tracking action and transaction action. There are different parameters for different actions. One parameter is a tracking script.

Abstract: A generic high bandwidth adapter providing a unified architecture for data communications between buses, channels, processors, switch fabrics and/or communication networks. Data is carried by data stream packets of variable lengths, and each packet includes a header control information portion required by communication protocols used to mediate the information exchange, and normally a data portion for the data which is to be communicated. A packet memory stores data packets arriving at a plurality of generic adapter input/output ports. The packet memory is segmented into a plurality of buffers, and each data packet is stored in one or more buffers as required by the length thereof.

Abstract: A generic high bandwidth adapter providing a unified architecture for data communications between buses, channels, processors, switch fabrics and/or communication networks. Data is carried by data stream packets of variable lengths, and each packet includes a header control information portion required by communication protocols used to mediate the information exchange, and normally a data portion for the data which is to be communicated. The generic high bandwidth adapter comprises a processor subsystem including a processor for processing the header control information portions of data packets. The processor has access to data packets stored in a packet memory which stores data packets arriving at four generic adapter input/output ports. The packet memory is segmented into a plurality of buffers, and each data packet is stored in one or more buffers as required by the length thereof.