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: 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, each of which is configured to be played for a user under the user's control. At least one of the first set of programs has a counterpart in the second set of programs. A notification signal is transmitted to distinguish at least one of the second set of programs on the server from programs not on the server.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for pre-storing a portion of a program distributed on a plurality of distribution conduits and in a linear schedule with staggered start times is described. A first start time of the program is determined for a first distribution conduit, and a second start time of the program is determined for a second distribution conduit. A stagger time between the first start time and the second start time is also determined. A segment of the program equal in length to the stagger time is stored.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for distributing programming. A first set of program segments is transmitted according to a schedule of programming. A second set of program segments is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of program segments having a counterpart in the second set of program segments. User authorizations to program segments on the server are maintained. Such user authorizations may include a record of the number of times a user has previously been given program control over a particular program segment from the server and a limit on the number of times the user is authorized to have program control over the particular program segment from the server. A request from the user for program control over the particular program segment is detected and a determination is made whether to grant program control over that program segment in accordance with the user authorizations.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for customizing a video service in a content distribution system is disclosed. In one step, preference information entered by a user of the content distribution system is received and influences a profile for that user. Interaction of the user with the video service is observed to influence the profile. The video service is customized based, at least in part, on the profile. A program guide is generated and customized according to the profile. The profile is modified to remove older interaction information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for distributing programming. A first set of program segments is transmitted according to a schedule of programming. A second set of program segments is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of program segments having a counterpart in the second set of program segments. A database is maintained that records user authorizations to program segments on the server. A request from a user for program control of a particular program segment is detected and a determination is made whether to grant program control to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for controlling the viewing of a video program by an end user. In one embodiment, the system comprises a program distribution system adapted to provide programs to one or more end user viewing devices, and a viewing control system in communication with the program distribution system and the end user viewing devices. In one embodiment, the viewing control system comprises a parental control programming system adapted to receive parental control rules from an end user. The parental control rules may define program viewing limits for one or more time periods.

Abstract: According to the invention, a video distribution system is disclosed. The video distribution system distributes a video program in a first aspect ratio and includes information to convert the first aspect ratio to a second aspect ratio. Included in the video distribution system are a distribution point and a video converter that is located remotely from the distribution point. The video converter receives the information and the video program from the distribution point. The video converter uses the information to guide conversion between the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method is disclosed for playing a video program for a user that has an associated commercial that can be avoided to some extent if the user is authorized. In one step, the video program is received with the associated commercial and made available for display. An attempt by the user to avoid normal playback is detected. A playback point in the video program for the associated commercial is determined. The attempt is correlated to the playback point in the video program for the associated commercial. It is determined whether the user is authorized to avoid normal playback of the associated commercial. If the user is not authorized to avoid normal playback of the associated commercial, the attempt is thwarted.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for generating a personalized menu promoting other video programs available from a video content delivery system is disclosed. The video content delivery system provides a plurality of channels of video content simultaneously. In one step, it is determined that a triggering event has occurred with a video content delivery conduit. First information about one or more users is gathered. The one or more users are associated with an account with the video content delivery system. Alternative video programs are determined and personalized for the one or more users based, at least in part, upon the first information. The context for the triggering event is analyzed to produce second information. A configuration of the personalized menu is determined based, at least in part, upon the second information. The personalized menu is formulated for presentment to the one or more users.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a system for delivering video program content and promotional information to viewing devices at a user location. The system comprises a program distribution system adapted to provide video programs to one or more viewing devices at a user location. In addition the system comprises a viewing control system in communication with the program distribution system and the viewing devices. In one embodiment, the viewing control system is adapted to establish one or more viewing limits for video programs provided to a user during a time period, determining whether the user reaches the one or more viewing limits during the time period, and if the user reaches one or more of the viewing limits during the time period, provide promotional information to the user based on the viewing limit reached. In some embodiments, the video programs comprise programs selected from group including pay per view video on demand (VOD) programs, near VOD programs and subscription VOD.

Abstract: A system for controlling the viewing of programs at a user location having one or more viewing devices. The system comprises a viewing control system, which is adapted to count a number of viewings of a program during a time period, determine whether the number of viewings exceeds a viewing limit for the time period, and prevent further viewings of the program if the number of viewings exceeds the viewing limit for the time period.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for customizing a video service in a content distribution system is disclosed. In one step, preference information entered by a user of the content distribution system is received and influences a profile for that user. Interaction of the user with the video service is observed to influence the profile. The video service is customized based, at least in part, on the profile. A program guide is generated and customized according to the profile. The profile is modified to remove older interaction information.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for formulating a program guide screen is disclosed. In various steps, program description information and promotional data is received. The promotional data comprises one or more of the following: a video clip, a video clip with audio accompaniment, an audio clip, an animation, an animation with audio accompaniment, a still image with audio accompaniment, a still image, a plurality of still images, and a plurality of still images with audio accompaniment. A predetermined program is associated with the promotional data and program description information. The guide screen is formulated with the promotional data and program description information.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for suggesting alternative content for a video service in a content distribution system is disclosed. In one step, it is detected when a user stops viewing a program associated with a content provider. Alternative programs associated with the content provider are determined without considering content from other providers. Those alternative programs are presented to the user.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for receiving a program by a user location is disclosed. The program is sent from a content provider. In one step, at least a first segment of each of a first number of programs sent from the content provider before any user request for any of the first number of programs is recorded. The user request for one of the first number of programs is detected. At least a second segment of each of a second number of programs sent from the content provider is also recorded if the user request is not detected before a stagger period expires. The one of the first number of programs is recorded if the user request is detected before the stagger period expires.

Abstract: A system is provided by which a single active video signal, along with a plurality of audio and data streams can be made to represent a number of different screens of information at a cable TV set. The system uses essentially only the bandwidth of a single video channel to provide a viewer with a plurality of screens, one or more of which include the same active video picture, simultaneously with other screens which display only audio and text/graphics. This multiple-screen capability is provided by a mapping function which creates an effective plurality of channels that are dynamically and seamlessly switched.