Abstract: A system is disclosed for delivering targeted advertising data over a network including but not limited to a first video server processor interface for sending data for rotating one of the set of follow-on advertisements off of the on-screen picture in picture queue display to an off-screen storage; and a second video server processor interface for sending data rotating another one of the follow-on advertisements from the off-screen storage to the on screen picture in picture queue display.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes providing, by a server, media content to a set top box; the media content includes an advertisement and a closed captioning line and the set top box is associated with a display device. The method also includes facilitating access to a shopping application for download at a communication device separate from the set top box, and inserting into the closed captioning line an identifier of a commerce event. The method further includes transmitting to the set top box a message for presentation on the closed captioning line on the display device, receiving a request to provide information regarding an advertised product to the communication device, and transmitting to the communication device the information regarding the advertised product. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for delivering targeted advertising data over a network including but not limited to a first video server processor interface for sending data for rotating one of the set of follow-on advertisements off of the on-screen picture in picture queue display to an off-screen storage; and a second video server processor interface for sending data rotating another one of the follow-on advertisements from the off-screen storage to the on screen picture in picture queue display.

Abstract: A method and system of virtual multicasting content is disclosed. The method and system disclosed enable the receipt of virtual multicast content without requiring the expensive investment in the infrastructure necessary for a network to be multicast enabled. The virtual multicasting may be performed according to a method of virtual multicasting multicast content on non-multicast enabled networks, comprising the steps of determining if an attached network is multicast enabled, if the attached network is not totally multicast enabled, querying for virtual multicast requests for the multicast content from non-multicast enabled client computers, listening for virtual multicast requests, and determining, based on the virtual multicast requests, which client computers request the multicast content, from the unicast addresses, and the requested methods of delivery for the multicast content.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a set-top box device, an e-mail notification request including a set-top box identifier associated with the set-top box device and linked to an internet protocol television account identifier. The method includes accessing stored information that includes a plurality of set-top box identifiers and that links respective set-top box identifiers with corresponding e-mail accounts. The method further includes determining, based on the stored information and the set-top box identifier, an e-mail account of a first user maintained at a mail server, where the determination includes associating the internet protocol television account identifier with the e-mail account. The method further includes determining whether an e-mail has been received for the e-mail account at the mail server.

Abstract: A method and system of virtual multicasting content is disclosed. The method and system disclosed enable the receipt of virtual multicast content without requiring the expensive investment in the infrastructure necessary for a network to be multicast enabled. The virtual multicasting may be performed according to a method of virtual multicasting multicast content on non-multicast enabled networks, comprising the steps of determining if an attached network is multicast enabled, if the attached network is not totally multicast enabled, querying for virtual multicast requests for the multicast content from non-multicast enabled client computers, listening for virtual multicast requests, and determining, based on the virtual multicast requests, which client computers request the multicast content, from the unicast addresses, and the requested methods of delivery for the multicast content.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing interactive content. The method may include sending, from a media device, a request for one or more interactive applications to a first content source that is distinct from a second content source that provides video content to the media device. The request may indicate one or more locations to be polled for the one or more interactive applications. The method may include generating, at the media device, a menu of selectable interactive applications displayable at a display device. The selectable interactive applications may include at least one of the one or more interactive applications corresponding to the request.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing interactive content. The method may include sending, from a media device, a request for one or more interactive applications to a first content source that is distinct from a second content source that provides video content to the media device. The request may indicate one or more locations to be polled for the one or more interactive applications. The method may include generating, at the media device, a menu of selectable interactive applications displayable at a display device. The selectable interactive applications may include one or more available interactive applications identified by the first content source in response to the request.

Abstract: A system and method (the “Channel Dancer”) of delivering broadband content that has been personalized for a recipient user is disclosed. By excelling in the personalization of the user's view of broadband content on the Internet and otherwise, the system and method develop “stickiness” with the user that maximizes the benefits and effectiveness of advertising and related activities. The system preferably comprises a network operations center (“NOC”) that receives and packages content, with promotional materials, on virtual channels, a transmission medium that transmits the virtual channels, a broadband ISP with a point-of-presence (“POP”) server that receives the virtual channels and routs virtual channels to a user machine, based on requests received from client software (the “client”) resident on the user machine and filtering performed by the client based on a personal profile of the user.

Abstract: A set-top box generates a multimedia signal that includes streaming video for a plurality of currently available multimedia channels. A user configures a plurality of favorite channels. Streaming video from the favorite channels is provided in a plurality of viewports on a display. A user presses a favorites button on a remote control to prompt an application server to signal a content server to provide a compound video signal including streaming video from each favorite channel. The set-top box produces a resultant video signal including the streaming video from each favorite channel in a corresponding viewport. The viewports correspond to a mosaic template that may be hosted by the application server and accessed by the content server.

Abstract: A multimedia processing device (MPD) includes a relevance engine that is adapted to track a user's viewing preferences over time and to automatically determine which of the programs available in a given time slot is most probably preferred by that user. The relevance engine can then create a sequential play list, with each entry in the list corresponding to the program the user most likely wants to watch at that time. The user can thus be provided with a personalized multimedia channel (PMC) with the play list providing the program for each time slot. The user may be enabled to “tune” to the PMC like any other channel. When the user “tunes” to the PMC, the MPD will take the appropriate action to display the program selected by the PMC.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a set-top box device, an e-mail notification request including a set-top box identifier associated with the set-top box device and linked to an internet protocol television account identifier. The method includes accessing stored information that includes a plurality of set-top box identifiers and that links respective set-top box identifiers with corresponding e-mail accounts. The method further includes determining, based on the stored information and the set-top box identifier, an e-mail account of a first user maintained at a mail server, where the determination includes associating the internet protocol television account identifier with the e-mail account. The method further includes determining whether an e-mail has been received for the e-mail account at the mail server.

Abstract: A method for distributing dynamic event notification data in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system including receiving at an IPTV server the dynamic event notification data indicating an occurrence of a dynamic event; identifying at the IPTV server a current IPTV viewer associated with an IPTV end user client device; retrieving at the IPTV server an event filter for the current IPTV viewer; filtering at the IPTV server the dynamic event notification data through the event filter for the current IPTV viewer; and sending from the IPTV server to an end user client device associated with the current IPTV viewer, the dynamic event notification data when the dynamic event notification data passes through the event filter.

Abstract: A method to deliver a notification of receipt of an e-mail includes associating a set-top box identifier with at least one e-mail account. Through a mail server external to an IPTV network, it is determined whether an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account. In response to determining that an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account, an e-mail delivery notification is generated and transmitted to the e-mail delivery notification to a set-top box device identified by the set-top box identifier.

Abstract: A set-top box generates a multimedia signal that includes streaming video for a plurality of currently available multimedia channels. A user configures a plurality of favorite channels. Streaming video from the favorite channels is provided in a plurality of viewports on a display. A user presses a favorites button on a remote control to prompt an application server to signal a content server to provide a compound video signal including streaming video from each favorite channel. The set-top box produces a resultant video signal including the streaming video from each favorite channel in a corresponding viewport. The viewports correspond to a mosaic template that may be hosted by the application server and accessed by the content server.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for delivering targeted advertising data over an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network including but not limited to displaying in a picture in picture queue display, a set of follow-on advertisements comprising less than all of the plurality of follow-on advertisements; rotating one of the set of follow-on advertisements off of the on-screen picture in picture queue display to an off-screen storage; and rotating another one of the follow-on advertisements from the off-screen storage to the on screen picture in picture queue display. A system and computer program are disclosed for practicing the method.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing subscription data are described. Subscription data may be received from a subscription data source. The video content may be provided for presentation. A determination may be made of whether the subscription data is contextually relevant to the video content. The subscription data may be provided for presentation in accordance with the determination and the providing of the video content.

Abstract: A method for near real time data communication is disclosed. The method includes determining available data from a first discovered device, and inserting a listing for the first discovered device into an electronic program guide (EPG). A system is disclosed for near real time data communication is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing subscription data are described. Subscription data may be received from a subscription data source. The video content may be provided for presentation. A determination may be made of whether the subscription data is contextually relevant to the video content. The subscription data may be provided for presentation in accordance with the determination and the providing of the video content.

Abstract: A method for near real time data communication is disclosed. The method includes discovering a first device associated with a first location, determining available data from the first discovered device, and inserting a listing for the first discovered device into an electronic program guide (EPG). A data structure in memory is disclosed that includes a device identifier field for containing data indicating an identifier for a discovered device, a name field for containing data indicating a name associated with the discovered device, a receiver available field for containing data indicating a data receiver is available for the discovered device location, an electronic program guide (EPG) field for containing data indicating an EPG and an EPG2 field for inserting listings for discovered device data into the EPG for display to a user at an STB. A system is disclosed for near real time data communication is also disclosed.