Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first content type may be displayed on a display device in a full mode. Next, a first user input may be received. In response to the received first user input, a shrunken version of the first content type may be displayed on the display device and at least one content element corresponding to a second content type may be displayed on the display device. Then a second user input selected from the at least one content element corresponding to the second content type may be received. The second content type may then be displayed on the display device in the full mode in response to the received second user input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adapting the delivery of assets and/or content to set top terminals within a heterogeneous information distribution system based on graphics and/or processing capability of set top terminals receiving the assets and/or content.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data to a receiver comprises the steps of transmitting a pre-conditioning signal to the receiver, and beginning to transmit at least one data packet to the receiver within a given period after beginning transmission of the pre-conditioning signal. The preconditioning signal is separate from a leader of the data packet to be transmitted.

Abstract: Techniques to monitor operation of an information distribution system and delivery of programming, guide data, and other information by the system. These techniques may be used for diagnostics, quality control, and other purposes, and for various types of systems. In accordance with one method, a directive is received to monitor a particular channel at a particular terminal. In response to the received directive, a command is sent (e.g., via a remote control unit) to the terminal. Contents are then received from the terminal, captured, and reported. The reported contents may be used to visually verify the contents being delivered to the terminals, check what the viewers may observe, mimic and test interactive experiences of the viewers, observe actual viewing conditions at the terminals, and perform other tests and diagnostics. The received contents may be captured as one or more video frames, as a video sequence, or in some other format.

Abstract: A system for more efficient utilization of the finite bandwidth available for distribution of interactive program guide (IPG) video sequences. The system utilizes a session manager and a transport stream generator to enable a set top terminal to access an entire array of guide pages from the IPG within the constraints imposed by the limited bandwidth available in the distribution network. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a system that includes a session manager (SM) and a transport stream generator (TSG) within a distribution control center. The SM monitors and controls usage of demand-cast stream bandwidth within the distribution network. The TSG receives information from the SM on each demand-cast stream. The information includes which set top terminals, if any, are currently acquiring the stream. The TSG uses the information to control the demand-cast streams multiplexed into the transport stream for distribution to the set top terminals.

Abstract: A plurality of network devices may be reset. In order to reset the plurality of network devices, a first file may be received including a plurality of host names corresponding to a plurality of network devices. Next, a second file may be received comprising a plurality of security keys respectively indexed with a plurality of network device IDs. Then, data may be created based on the first file and the second file. The data may include a plurality of qualified names each respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of network devices. The data may also include a plurality of security keys each respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of network devices. Next, the data may be sent to a programming module configured to send reset signals to each of the plurality of network devices.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting files from a sender to a receiver in a television distribution system, for example, a cable television distribution network, is provided. The files are transmitted without the need for transmitting a directory over an out of band communications link. In an exemplary embodiment, a filename corresponding to a file to be transmitted is provided to a transform. The transform calculates a PID based on the filename. The calculated PID is incorporated into the MPEG2 data stream carrying the corresponding file contents. When an application program running in the receiver requests a file, the filename of the requested file is provided to a transform operating in the receiver. The transmitter and receiver transforms are identical. The transform provides a corresponding PID at its output. The PID is used to tune a PID filter on the receiver end such that the requested file is selected from the incoming MPEG bit stream for processing by the processor.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal having electronic mail capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity, and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide electronic mail capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g., 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports electronic mail through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g., 308), processing circuitry (e.g.

Abstract: A video-on-demand conditional access information distribution system includes establishing a session with a set top terminal by defining an in-band communications channel for transporting content to the set top terminal, and communicating to the set top terminal via the defined in-band communications channel, an authorization message and descrambling message suitable for determining a descrambling key for descrambling a program stream. The set top terminal sends a request for content via an out of band communications channel and a scrambled program stream is provided to the set top terminal via the defined in-band communications channel. The authorization message is sent prior to the set top terminal receiving the descrambling message and the scrambled program stream, which includes video-on-demand content requested by the set top terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for reporting customer feedback. The disclosed systems and methods may include extracting data in response to content selections by the customer, wherein the extracted data indicates customer preference data based on a content selection. Furthermore, the disclosed systems and methods may include storing the extracted data into a data repository and categorizing the extracted data for use by the content operator. Moreover, the disclosed systems and methods may include receiving a query requesting categorized data from the data repository and reporting the categorized data to the content operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing in-band messaging through a video switch or other functional element forming a multiplexed content stream prior to transport processing and/or transmission of the multiplexed content stream via an in-band communications channel.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for communicating optical signals in a multipath optical network, such as ring network architecture. The system and methods provided are operable to bypass a faulty node in the optical network under various conditions. Faulty nodes may be associated with various failures, such as equipment failure, power failure, etc. The system and methods utilize an apparatus for communicating optical signals to adjacent nodes, bypassing the failed node, when a certain amount of power is provided to the node or apparatus. The system and methods utilize an apparatus for communicating optical signals to equipment located at an associated node when an amount of power is not provided to the node or apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide a geographical network alarm viewer (GNAV) application that receives, tracks, aggregates, reports, and maps data associated with cable telephony services outages occurring in a cable services network. The GNAV application integrates network map data and identification information associated with customer locations, equipment, and associated network alarm data from a network operations center. All customer location addresses associated with individual network alarms are located and mapped on a geographical network map. Because the alarms are received, tracked, aggregated, reported, and mapped in real-time, service personnel may respond to network outages in a more efficient manner, and service technicians and service vehicles may be directed to repair service outages based on more accurate location and service outage timing data.

Abstract: A headend system includes an apparatus. The apparatus comprises receives a plurality of separate MPEG input streams; merges the plurality of separate input streams, and outputs a merged stream that is capable of being processed by a single PID processor in a television converter apparatus.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first input may be received and a currently displayed programming content may be shrunken. Next, the shrunken programming content may be displayed. Then, in response to the received first input and concurrent with the shrunken programming content, a media guide comprising at least three display elements may be displayed. At least one of the three display elements may be customized for a user. Each one of the three display elements may include a first content element, a second content element, a third content element, a fourth content element, or a fifth content element. The first content element may display available programming channels. The second content element may display programs available on the available programming channels. The third content element may display description information. The fourth content element may display actions that can be taken.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for the communication of a data stream and management of faults in a multipath data network having a protected ring-in-ring network architecture. The data stream is communicated over redundant paths between various nodes located throughout the network. Each node is capable of dropping and inserting data from the data stream before passing it on to the next node. A single transmitter in communication with an intelligent splitter at each node is utilized to simultaneously transmit the data stream over the redundant paths. In the event of a fault over one of the paths in the network, the intelligent splitter manages the operation of the single transmitter so that the data stream is communicated over an alternate path to circumvent the fault.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) emulator comprises a dynamic random access memory, a controller that refreshes content of the dynamic random access memory, and an input/output port coupled to the controller. The input/output port provides a hard disk drive interface. An operating system of a computing system in which the HDD emulator is installed uses the dynamic random access memory as a swap storage space.

Abstract: A system for ordering events comprising a switch for receiving calls, the switch adapted to receive the caller's calling number and the called number; an interactive voice response unit for providing recorded voice response, the interactive voice response unit configured with multiple applications; a data storage component configured with customer information and event information, said customer information including account number and calling number data and the event information including event title; a temporary data container for storing customer data received from the data storage component for use in call processing; and wherein the system is configured to retrieve the customer data from the data storage component based on the calling number and to store the customer data in the temporary data container for use in subsequent call processing applications.

Abstract: A content mark may be provided. First, an invitation input may be received from a first user. The invitation input may comprise a recommendation to a second user to take an action regarding content to be delivered over a content delivery system. In addition, the invitation input may include a pointer corresponding to a predetermined point in the content to be delivered. Next, the invitation input may be transmitted to the second user. Then an acceptance of the invitation input may be received from the second user. In response to the received acceptance, the content may be transmitted to the second user. The content may be configured to start at the predetermined point determined, for example, by the first user.

Abstract: A user interface may be provided. First, a first input may be received, and in response to the received first input, at least a portion of a plurality of content elements may be displayed. Then, a second input indicating a selection of a one of the displayed plurality of content elements may be received. In response to the received second input, a displayed full version of a programming content and the displayed plurality of content elements may be removed. Also, in response to the received second input, a shrunken version of the full version of the programming content and a more detailed version of the selected one of the plurality of content elements may be displayed. Next, in response to a received third input, the more detailed version and the displayed shrunken version may be removed and the full version of the programming content may be redisplayed.