Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.

Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which interactive television program guide advertisement usage is monitored. Advertisement usage may be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are transmitted from a television distribution facility to user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are received by the user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored at the time at which advertisements are displayed by a program guide. Less important data may be filtered from the collected advertisement usage data. Other activities that may be monitored include the viewing activities of the user, which program guide screens are displayed, and which non-program-guide applications are used. Real-time ratings information (e.g., real-time ratings of the popularity of certain television programs, video games, or other applications) may be provided to users in real time.

Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.

Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.

Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which interactive television program guide advertisement usage is monitored. Advertisement usage may be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are transmitted from a television distribution facility to user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are received by the user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored at the time at which advertisements are displayed by a program guide. Less important data may be filtered from the collected advertisement usage data. Other activities that may be monitored include the viewing activities of the user, which program guide screens are displayed, and which non-program-guide applications are used. Real-time ratings information (e.g., real-time ratings of the popularity of certain television programs, video games, or other applications) may be provided to users in real time.

Abstract: A multimedia software application that can include audio, video and/or graphics, in a manner that combines the multimedia experience with the transfer of information from and between a variety of sources (126), in a variety of directions, and subject to a variety of prompts. The application provides a “Web in Page” approach, in which a series of windows have the same or similar “look and feel”, yet can be used to access and display information from a variety of sources (126), including local content (112) (hard drive or other locally stored media), and web-based online content (118), including that available from a dedicated, integrated server (114), affiliated servers (114), or even other computer users. The application of the present invention can be provided in stand-alone form, to be loaded on a client device (116) (e.g., personal computer) from either a recorded medium or downloaded online.

Abstract: A multimedia software application that can include audio, video and/or graphics, in a manner that combines the multimedia experience with the transfer of information from and between a variety of sources (126), in a variety of directions, and subject to a variety of prompts. The application provides a “Web in Page” approach, in which a series of windows have the same or similar “look and feel”, yet can be used to access and display information from a variety of sources (126), including local content (112) (hard drive or other locally stored media), and web-based online content (118), including that available from a dedicated, integrated server (114), affiliated servers (114), or even other computer users. The application of the present invention can be provided in stand-alone form, to be loaded on a client device (116) (e.g., personal computer) from either a recorded medium or downloaded online.

Abstract: A program guide system is provided in which interactive television program guide advertisement usage is monitored. Advertisement usage may be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are transmitted from a television distribution facility to user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored by monitoring when advertisements are received by the user television equipment. Advertisement usage information may also be monitored at the time at which advertisements are displayed by a program guide. Less important data may be filtered from the collected advertisement usage data. Other activities that may be monitored include the viewing activities of the user, which program guide screens are displayed, and which non-program-guide applications are used. Real-time ratings information (e.g., real-time ratings of the popularity of certain television programs, video games, or other applications) may be provided to users in real time.

Abstract: A multimedia software application that can include audio, video and/or graphics, in a manner that combines the multimedia experience with the transfer of information from and between a variety of sources (126), in a variety of directions, and subject to a variety of prompts. The application provides a “Web in Page” approach, in which a series of windows have the same or similar “look and feel”, yet can be used to access and display information from a variety of sources (126), including local content (112) (hard drive or other locally stored media), and web-based online content (118), including that available from a dedicated, integrated server (114), affiliated servers (114), or even other computer users. The application of the present invention can be provided in stand-alone form, to be loaded on a client device (116) (e.g., personal computer) from either a recorded medium or downloaded online.

Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.

Abstract: Multimedia distribution and broadcast systems and related processes are provided for transmitting multimedia contents and control information from a central uplink facility to a remote downlink via a satellite. The system is preferably implemented in order to generate sequences of multimedia that are broadcast from the remote downlink facility to viewers. The display arrangements of the multimedia sequences are varied and customized by each downlink facility using the control information in order to better inform and entertain viewers.