Abstract: A method for recording linear content and delivering it for time-shifted viewing is described. The linear content may be recorded live by the content delivery system in response to user requests. The content delivery system divides the recording into at least two portions, the first portion of sufficient duration to permit real time continuous playback of the recorded content on the customer premises equipment (CPE) if the first portion has previously been transmitted to the CPE and the second has not been transmitted. The content delivery system transmits the first portion to the CPE prior to playback, and the second portion is streamed to the CPE after playback has begun. The playback is under control of the CPE from local storage.

Abstract: A system for and method of transmitting audio and visual programming content, by identifying an amount of broadcast transmission capacity available for transmitting the content to one or more users. The content is separated into at least first and second portions based on user demand for the content and/or the identified available broadcast transmission capacity. The first portion of the content is transmitted, to a receiver/STB associated with at least one of the users, using the identified broadcast transmission capacity; and the second portion of the content is transmitted to the receiver using transmission other than broadcast transmission. The content can include nonlinear content. Transmission other than broadcast transmission can include unicast transmission, which can be in response to a user request and/or an initiation by a server. The received nonlinear content can be stored at the receiver for play back at a time different from the time of transmission.

Abstract: A system for and method of transmitting audio and visual programming content, by identifying an amount of broadcast transmission capacity available for transmitting the content to one or more users. The content is separated into at least first and second portions based on user demand for the content and/or the identified available broadcast transmission capacity. The first portion of the content is transmitted, to a receiver/STB associated with at least one of the users, using the identified broadcast transmission capacity; and the second portion of the content is transmitted to the receiver using transmission other than broadcast transmission. The content can include nonlinear content. Transmission other than broadcast transmission can include unicast transmission, which can be in response to a user request and/or an initiation by a server. The received nonlinear content can be stored at the receiver for play back at a time different from the time of transmission.

Abstract: A content delivery system that works in a broadcast and linear content environment causing real time display of received linear content. The system limits the display of the linear content by determining a time to automatically change the display of the linear content based upon program guide information and other factors, unless a signal is or has been received from a user indicating further interest in the content.

Abstract: A method for recording linear content and delivering it for time-shifted viewing is described. The linear content may be recorded live by the content delivery system in response to user requests. The content delivery system divides the recording into at least two portions, the first portion of sufficient duration to permit real time continuous playback of the recorded content on the customer premises equipment (CPE) if the first portion has previously been transmitted to the CPE and the second has not been transmitted. The content delivery system transmits the first portion to the CPE prior to playback, and the second portion is streamed to the CPE after playback has begun. The playback is under control of the CPE from local storage.

Abstract: A content delivery system that works in a broadcast and linear content environment causing real time display of received linear content. The system limits the display of the linear content by determining a time to automatically change the display of the linear content based upon program guide information and other factors, unless a signal is or has been received from a user indicating further interest in the content.

Abstract: A method for recording linear content and delivering it for time-shifted viewing is described. The linear content may be recorded live by the content delivery system in response to user requests. The content delivery system divides the recording into at least two portions, the first portion of sufficient duration to permit real time continuous playback of the recorded content on the customer premises equipment (CPE) if the first portion has previously been transmitted to the CPE and the second has not been transmitted. The content delivery system transmits the first portion to the CPE prior to playback, and the second portion is streamed to the CPE after playback has begun. The playback is under control of the CPE from local storage.

Abstract: A system for and method of transmitting audio and visual programming content, by identifying an amount of broadcast transmission capacity available for transmitting the content to one or more users. The content is separated into at least first and second portions based on user demand for the content and/or the identified available broadcast transmission capacity. The first portion of the content is transmitted, to a receiver/STB associated with at least one of the users, using the identified broadcast transmission capacity; and the second portion of the content is transmitted to the receiver using transmission other than broadcast transmission. The content can include nonlinear content. Transmission other than broadcast transmission can include unicast transmission, which can be in response to a user request and/or an initiation by a server. The received nonlinear content can be stored at the receiver for play back at a time different from the time of transmission.

Abstract: A viewer interface for a content delivery system is described. In one embodiment, a method for displaying programming content described. This method, occurring in a receiver controller, includes receiving a user identification from an user interface device; in response to the user identification, activating an interactive graphical display personalized for a viewer identified by the user identification; and displaying, in the interactive graphical display, a menu of programming content that can be personalized for the viewer according to the viewer's viewing preferences, wherein the programming content can be received from at least one of a broadcast transmission and unicast transmission. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for programming content reconstruction in a content delivery system are described. In one embodiment, a method to repair programming content at a receiver controller includes receiving a programming content on the receiver controller from a broadcast transmission; identifying, if present, a portion of the programming content received on the receiver controller that is corrupted; determining in a broadband network, other servers and receiver controllers connected to the broadband network that have an uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content; sending a request to one of the other servers and receiver controllers for the uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content and receiving the uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content from the one of the other servers and receiver controllers. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a remote control for interacting with a video programming system are described. In some embodiments, a remote control unit for an intelligent video programming system having user-dedicated buttons, biometric identification systems, mechanical identification systems, electromechanical identification systems, or voice-activation identification systems on the remote control unit to allow a user to self-identify that user to the intelligent video programming system. Upon pressing this user-dedicated button or otherwise activating a self-identification system on the remote control unit, content personalized for that user is presented and the user's navigational behavior is tracked to further the presentation of personalized content for that user. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A content delivery system that works in a broadcast and linear content environment causing real time display of received linear content. The system limits the display of the linear content by determining a time to automatically change the display of the linear content based upon program guide information and other factors, unless a signal is or has been received from a user indicating further interest in the content.

Abstract: A method for recording linear content and delivering it for time-shifted viewing is described. The linear content may be recorded live by the content delivery system in response to user requests. The content delivery system divides the recording into at least two portions, the first portion of sufficient duration to permit real time continuous playback of the recorded content on the customer premises equipment (CPE) if the first portion has previously been transmitted to the CPE and the second has not been transmitted. The content delivery system transmits the first portion to the CPE prior to playback, and the second portion is streamed to the CPE after playback has begun. The playback is under control of the CPE from local storage.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for requesting content over a public network is described. A customer premises equipment (CPE) can receive a time-varying signal over a private broadcast network. The signal can be used to generate authorization information on the CPE for content access over the public network. When a request for content that must be served over the public network is made at the CPE, the validity of the authorization information can be verified before the request is sent to the content delivery system.

Abstract: A system for and method of transmitting audio and visual programming content, by identifying an amount of broadcast transmission capacity available for transmitting the content to one or more users. The content is separated into at least first and second portions based on user demand for the content and/or the identified available broadcast transmission capacity. The first portion of the content is transmitted, to a receiver/STB associated with at least one of the users, using the identified broadcast transmission capacity; and the second portion of the content is transmitted to the receiver using transmission other than broadcast transmission. The content can include nonlinear content. Transmission other than broadcast transmission can include unicast transmission, which can be in response to a user request and/or an initiation by a server. The received nonlinear content can be stored at the receiver for play back at a time different from the time of transmission.

Abstract: A viewer interface for a content delivery system is described. In one embodiment, a method for displaying programming content described. This method, occurring in a receiver controller, includes receiving a user identification from an user interface device; in response to the user identification, activating an interactive graphical display personalized for a viewer identified by the user identification; and displaying, in the interactive graphical display, a menu of programming content that can be personalized for the viewer according to the viewer's viewing preferences, wherein the programming content can be received from at least one of a broadcast transmission and unicast transmission. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a remote control for interacting with a video programming system are described. In some embodiments, a remote control unit for an intelligent video programming system having user-dedicated buttons, biometric identification systems, mechanical identification systems, electromechanical identification systems, or voice-activation identification systems on the remote control unit to allow a user to self-identify that user to the intelligent video programming system. Upon pressing this user-dedicated button or otherwise activating a self-identification system on the remote control unit, content personalized for that user is presented and the user's navigational behavior is tracked to further the presentation of personalized content for that user. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A networked antenna transport system unit receiving at least broadcast transmissions is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus for redirecting content includes an antenna element array for receiving content from a broadcast transmission. This antenna element array is coupled to receiver electronics via an amplifier and a switch for processing the received content; the receiver electronics is further coupled to a sender module which is remotely coupled to a receiver module in a receiver controller via a local area network; and the sender module is configured to transmit the processed received content via the local area network to the receiver module in the receiver controller for storage and selective display on a display device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for programming content reconstruction in a content delivery system are described. In one embodiment, a method to repair programming content at a receiver controller includes receiving a programming content on the receiver controller from a broadcast transmission; identifying, if present, a portion of the programming content received on the receiver controller that is corrupted; determining in a broadband network, other servers and receiver controllers connected to the broadband network that have an uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content; sending a request to one of the other servers and receiver controllers for the uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content; and receiving the uncorrupted version of the corrupted portion of the programming content from the one of the other servers and receiver controllers. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Essentially all of the processing parameters which control processing of a source audio signal to produce an encoded audio signal are stored in an audio processing profile. Multiple audio processing profiles are stored in a processing profile database such that specific combinations of processing parameters can be retrieved and used at a later time. Audio processing profiles are organized according to specific delivery bandwidths such that a sound engineer can quickly and efficiently encode audio signals for each of a number of distinct delivery media. Synchronized A/B switching during playback of various encoded audio signals allows the sound engineer to detect nuances in the sound characteristics of the various encoded audio signals.