Abstract: Content delivery system may include a metadata tunnel system component which is responsive to defined subaudible tones in programming, for instance programming provided for a broadcast. An action may be based on a characteristic or aspect of the subaudible tone, for instance frequency and/or duration. The metadata tunnel system may selectively generate or provide modified or new metadata to downstream components (e.g., injector system, encoder). The metadata tunnel system may provide metadata that causes a content provider identifier that identifies a content provider to appear in an alternative feed of programming (e.g., streaming programming) at points downstream of a broadcaster, for instance at end user media players. The metadata tunnel system may provide metadata that inhibits an injector system from injecting (e.g., inserting, substituting) new content into the alternative feed of programming created from portions of broadcast programming.

Abstract: Content delivery is provided responsive to mediacast content consumer requests by providing personalized mediacasts to each of a plurality of mediacast content consumers. Each of the personalized mediacasts includes a variety of replaceable programming and non-programming content segments and a variety of non-replaceable programming and non-programming content segments. Replacement programming and non-programming content segments may be targeted, for example selected based in part on one or more selection criterion associated with the mediacast content consumer, or provided by the broadcaster or Webcaster. A buffering scheme may be employed to inherently adjust asynchronicity between a broadcast or Webcast and a personalized mediacast. Actual insertion of replacement programming and non-programming content segments may occur upstream of a content consumer device or at the content consumer device.

Abstract: Content delivery is provided responsive to content consumer requests by providing dynamically generated manifests to content consumers, the manifests providing retrieval information to retrieve content or media fragments of content from segments of a broadcast or Webcast and alternative or replacement content. Alternative or replacement content may be targeted, for example selected based in part on characteristics associated with the content consumer. Content fragments may be cached with CDNs, for example based on a defined preference. Actual insertion of alternative content may occur upstream of a content consumer device or at the content consumer device.

Abstract: Content providers or media outlets may provide opportunities to place insertion or replacement material, for example, advertisements, into alternate streams or feeds of programming. A clearinghouse of such for various content providers may be automatically maintained and updated. Entities with insertion or replacement material may reserve, bid on or automatically place insertion or replacement material. An insertion system component may automatically insert material in an alternative feed of programming, for example, automatically replacing locally relevant advertisement in a broadcast with more general or even more specific advertisements in a Web feed of the programming. Organization of the insertions or replacement may be automatically determined based on various criteria.

Abstract: A method, and an associated system, for sending to a first group of recipients only the content portions of a continuity source data-flow which takes the form of ordered, successive, alternating content and non-content segments. From a methodologic point of view, the invention involves, in a manner which utilizes content-segment material buffering, delivering fully, and in correct order, to the first recipient group the material in each content segment, via steps including (a) bridging each gap between next-adjacent content segments at least partially with transmitted injection material that differs from the non-content segment material in the gap, which injection material ends in time no sooner than the end of the gap, and (b) employing, as needed, and as a part of such full delivering of content-segment material, time-progressive, time-length-variable buffering, and subsequent, progressive buffer-delivering, of any content-segment material which overlaps in time with the transmission of injection material.

Abstract: A method, and an associated system, for sending to a first group of recipients only the content portions of a continuity source data-flow which takes the form of ordered, successive, alternating content and non-content segments. From a methodologic point of view, the invention involves, in a manner which utilizes content-segment material buffering, delivering fully, and in correct order, to the first recipient group the material in each content segment, via steps including (a) bridging each gap between next-adjacent content segments at least partially with transmitted injection material that differs from the non-content segment material in the gap, which injection material ends in time no sooner than the end of the gap, and (b) employing, as needed, and as a part of such full delivering of content-segment material, time-progressive, time-length-variable buffering, and subsequent, progressive buffer-delivering, of any content-segment material which overlaps in time with the transmission of injection material.

Abstract: A method and system of use of a Content Distribution Network (CDN), wherein server functionality and client functionality are unbundled. Client software, which governs the accesses and request of the information from the CDN (i.e., server) is provided by a “thin” client architecture. The thin client software is capable of running on an as needed basis, therefore not allocating significant portions of available memory, except when being accessed. The server functionality retains the bulk of the software functionality to manage locally stored content, process content requests, and forward the requested data to content requesters running the client software.

Abstract: User Relayed Broadcasting (URB) software creates a media file segmentation and distribution system for affordable broadband live media broadcasting over the Internet to vast audiences. It solves the bandwidth problem for live broadcast servers, eliminating the need to choose between quantity and quality when broadcasting live media over the Internet. URB receives a data stream from a conventionally-encoded media source, segments it into small files, uploads the files to users who re-upload them repeatedly in a chain-letter style multiplier network, and then plays the files back continuously through a conventional media player half a minute later. In effect it only simulates live broadcasting—it isn't live and it isn't broadcasting. It is file-sharing, or rather file-distributing, of media files using a very brief create-distribute-redistribute-play cycle and a time-synchronization protocol.