Abstract: A method is described for rendering subpicture images comprising: reading a subpicture image from a digital versatile disk (“DVD”); identifying regions within the subpicture image for which ? is below a specified threshold value; and rendering on a video screen only those regions of the subpicture image for which ? is above the specified threshold value.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for an interactive video casting network can be provided that is capable of being customized per element or as a scene of one channel or universally on all channels. For example, a user can select a desired appearance (e.g., a skin or schema) of individual elements related to a channel, such as scroll bars, backgrounds, icons, GIFs, menus, and the like. Alternatively or in addition, a user may choose to customize the appearance of items/elements such as graphical overlays, pop-up screens, trigger indicators, buttons, interactive applications, web pages, and the like. Non-exhaustive and non-limiting examples of skin themes may include, space, travel, animals, architecture, cartoons, etc. The skins may include settings related to shapes, color and pattern schemes, graphics, animation, and other variations.

Abstract: A method includes reading selected portions of video content from a digital versatile disk (“DVD”), said selected portions of video content separated by periods of time to provide a fast forward or rewind mode; generating a transport stream of transport stream packets containing said selected portions of video content; and in response to detecting said fast forward or rewind mode, causing a transport stream decoder to decode said transport stream packets without synchronization.

Abstract: Participant input for an interactive show, such as input submitted by the show's viewers or listeners, is managed. The received participant input is stored in a server. Software or other techniques/tools processes the participant input stored in the server to sort, identify, classify, or select submissions that may be appropriate to address during the interactive show or during other times. While the participant input is being processed, the participant who sent the submission need not be kept on hold or otherwise have to keep the line of communication open, and instead, the participant can terminate the communication with the interactive show. An alert can be subsequently sent to the participant if or when the participant's submission is to be addressed in the interactive show.

Abstract: A viewer can initiate and then defer a transaction conducted via an interactive television system. The transaction can involve obtaining information or ordering goods or services available from a network, such as the Internet, that is accessible via the interactive television system. As an example, while the viewer is watching a television commercial, the viewer can begin a transaction to order a product advertised in the commercial. If for some reason the viewer does not complete the transaction by the time the commercial has finished broadcasting, the viewer can complete the transaction at a later time. A user input device is useable to initiate the transaction, to store information related to the transaction, and then to use the stored information to complete the transaction if the transaction has been previously deferred.

Abstract: A method of capturing a scene within a field of view of a wide-angle lens coupled to a camera comprising storing image data of the scene in an image collection array, digitizing the scene image data into digitized scene image data for storage in a memory, receiving selections of a plurality of subsets of the digitized scene image data, and performing distortion compensation on the selected subsets of the digitized scene image data.

Abstract: A system and method are described in which a decoder decodes data from a plurality of data streams. In one embodiment, the decoder is restored to the state it was in the last time it processed data from each data stream by re-decoding data stored in a replay buffer before decoding new data from each respective data stream. In one embodiment, multiple decoders are grouped together to process data from a plurality of satellite transponders.

Abstract: A tool usable in an interactive television environment comprises a module having code to analyze a dynamic text string and to determine where to split or truncate the text string, at spaces, for each row and/or into substrings for each page. The module takes onto account the pixel width of the characters in the text string and the available rows of the display area of the television to write the text string. The module can truncate the text string after a particular number of lines at a space and append an ellipsis, or the module can dynamically write code to accommodate the entire text string in a “page flipper,” where the user sees substrings of the text string on each page (broken at a space at the end of each page) and can “page” forward or backward through the entire text string.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: Audio enhancements can be provided for a shopping channel of an interactive television system. The audio enhancements allow a viewer of the shopping channel to customize the audio portion of the shopping experience, as well as providing the viewer with instructional voiceovers. The audio enhancements can be uploaded by the user, and then selected from a list of enhancements that are made available via the shopping channel. Implicit or explicit profiling may also be used to determine the audio enhancements to present to the user on the shopping channel.

Abstract: An apparatus is described comprising: a decoder which decodes a plurality of data streams, the decoder having a state associated with each of the data streams; and state restoration logic to restore the decoder's state upon switching from decoding one data stream to another data stream.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for extracting digital data from a medium. Digital audio extraction techniques are implemented with additional features that improve the quality of the resulting audio playback files. In one embodiment of the invention, a user can extract digital audio data from a source medium and store the data as a file or, alternatively, stream the data into a memory. The file/stream can then be analyzed to determine the precise locations, in time, at which the sound levels represented by the data cross a specified threshold, particularly at locations near and between track edges. This information can be stored for reference. Subsequently, the file/stream can be accurately divided into smaller segments wherein each segment contains one or more complete and distinct tracks, and the data representing sound levels below the specified threshold can be excluded from the resulting segments. The segments may then be encoded and/or further divided into standard playback files.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: A method for efficiently transmitting several multimedia streams to one or more multimedia receivers comprises transmitting a first plurality of channels within a first plurality of frequency blocks having a first frequency range, said first frequency range being the range to which a legacy group of multimedia receivers are capable of tuning; and simulcasting said first plurality of channels within one or more alternate frequency blocks having an alternate frequency range, said alternate frequency range being the range to which an alternate group of multimedia receivers are capable of tuning.

Abstract: An information system having a plurality of user options is provided. A graphical representation is uniquely associated with each user option. In response to a single user action, the graphical representations are successively displayed in a focus area within the display screen. When the user sees a graphical representation of a desired option, the user takes some additional action and the successive display of graphical representations is discontinued. The graphical representation of the desired user option is then displayed in the focus area within the display screen, and may be visually enhanced. Once navigation has been discontinued, the user may select the user option associated with the displayed graphical representation.

Abstract: A broadband data broadcast system that allows rich multimedia content to be delivered to a plurality of subscribers is disclosed. The broadband data broadcast system operates by multiplexing a plurality of rich multimedia digital information streams together at a centralized data broadcast center. The data broadcast center then broadcasts the multiplexed digital information stream on a broadcast medium such as satellite broadcasts, radio frequency broadcasts, or digital television broadcasts. A large number of receiver systems receive the broadcast signal and demodulate the broadcast signal to retrieve the multiplexed digital stream. The receiver system extracts a subset of digital information streams that the particular receiver system's owner has designated are of interest. The receiver system caches the interesting digital information stream for later access. The receiver system outputs the interesting digital information streams to a client system upon demand.

Abstract: A method implemented on a multimedia storage apparatus comprises storing digital multimedia content in an interim storage buffer at a first compression ratio, the first compression ratio being the ratio at which the digital multimedia content was transmitted by a multimedia content broadcaster; decompressing the multimedia content; recompressing the multimedia content at a second compression ratio specified by a user, the second compression ratio being higher than the first compression ratio; and storing the recompressed multimedia content in a long term storage buffer.

Abstract: A method implemented on a multimedia storage apparatus comprises storing digital multimedia content, compressed using a first compression type, in an interim storage buffer, the first compression type being the type at which the digital multimedia content was transmitted by a multimedia content broadcaster; decompressing the multimedia content; recompressing the multimedia content using a second compression to create recompressed multimedia content; and storing the recompressed multimedia content in a long term storage buffer.

Abstract: An interactive information aggregator is provided for off-broadcast access to trigger information, which can include interactive television triggers, accompanying content and data, network addresses. The aggregator can be implemented in an interactive television system so as to perform real-time capture and aggregation of trigger information through cooperation with content providers, use of a network of collection devices deployed in the interactive television system, or generation of trigger information by third-party entities. The aggregated information can then be made available to ancillary devices used by viewers, independently of being provided to a set top box and television. For instance, the aggregated information can be provided to ancillary devices that do not have direct access or capability to process television broadcast signals.