Abstract: Techniques to efficiently deliver interactive program guide (IPG) to a number of terminals. Each IPG page can be decomposed into a guide portion that is specific to each IPG page and a background portion that is common for all IPG pages. The background portion can be further decomposed into a time-varying video portion and other static portions. In one method for regenerating a selected IPG page, packets with a first PID for a first sequence of pictures having included therein one or more slices defined for at least a time-varying portion (e.g., the video portion) retrieved and decoded. Packets with a second PID for a second sequence of pictures having included therein one or more slices defined for at least a portion specific to the selected IPG page (e.g., the guide portion) are also retrieved and decoded. The second sequence can be coded with one I, P, or B picture for each GOP, and can be combined as and replaces an I, P, or B picture, respectively, in the first sequence or the last picture in the GOP.

Abstract: A program guide in which a video layer includes a plurality of video objects including title objects, each title object having associated with it a channel and at least one time slot, the video layer being formed in response to a received video stream; and a graphics layer comprising a plurality of graphics objects including title overlay objects, each of the title overlay objects selectively imparting at least a visual de-emphasis to a respective title object in the video layer, the visual de-emphasis being imparted to title objects not being associated with a desired time slot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining video frame sequences with a video display of an interactive program guide (IPG). The apparatus comprises a plurality of compositors that combine background information, video frame sequences and program guide graphics into a single video frame sequence. The sequence is then digitally encoded to form an MPEG-like bitstream. The same background information and informational video is composited with a different program guide graphic to form another video sequence that is also encoded. A plurality of such sequences are produced with each sequence having a different program guide graphic. Each sequence is encoded and then multiplexed into a transport stream such that all the encoded sequences are transmitted to a subscriber's terminal using a single transport stream. As such, the subscriber can transition from one program guide to the next without interruption of the background or video display as the program guide graphic is changed.

Abstract: An information delivery system provides programming, such as video programming, by dynamically allocating the programming to channel slots, based on the availability of the channel slots. Programming with high viewership statistics is transmitted substantially continuously and programming with lower viewership statistics is transmitted “on-demand” in response to requests by users by way of a subscriber station. The subscriber stations maintain a map, provided by a corresponding session control manager, of currently available and currently transmitted channels. The information delivery system, in a preferred embodiment, takes the form of a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) system.

Abstract: A system for generating and sending a Logical Node identification signal as part of a data stream is disclosed. The system also includes subscriber stations capable of receiving and extracting Logical Node identification information from a data stream. The subscriber stations create new messages including the Logical Node identification signal and send the message to the transmission network system control such that switching of data streams to appropriate channel over the information transmission network is done consistent with the network topology.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station for transmission of the video programming, the remote server decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then transmits the video programming to the subscriber station. In accordance with a second aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form, decrypts the video programming, re-encrypts the video programming into a second encrypted form, and then stores the video programming. After the remote server receives a request from a subscriber station, the remote server simply transmits the video programming. In accordance with a third aspect, a remote server receives video programming in a first encrypted form and stores the video programming.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing and transmitting both video and graphics portions of an interactive program guide (IPG). For an IPG that comprises a graphics portion and at least one video portion, the inventive system separately encodes the video portion and the graphics portion. The video portion is slice-base encoded using a predictive encoder, e.g., an MPEG encoder, that produces a bitstream comprising intra-coded picture slices and predictive-coded picture slices. The graphics portion is separately slice-base encoded to produce encoded slices of the graphics image. The encoded slices of the graphics portion can be stored in a database and recalled as needed for transmission. To transmit an IPG, a transport stream is created containing the intra-coded and predicted picture streams as well as the encoded slices that comprise a graphics image that is to be included in the IPG. The receiver reassembles the components of the IPG into a comprehensive IPG.

Abstract: A digital information distribution system having a plurality of nodes that are connected to one another by counter-rotating data paths. Each node comprises a ring terminal that selects data packets from the data paths for use by the node and passes the remaining data packets to neighboring nodes. The data paths communicate data using asynchronous serial interface packets that transport video data or IP data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing a plurality of video sequences, where each sequence has information that is common with other video sequences. The invention ensemble encodes the video sequences into an MPEG compliant transport stream using less predicted frame information than separately encoding each video sequence. One illustrative application of the invention is efficiently encoding and transmitting a user interface such as a program guide, interactive program guide, electronic program guide, navigator and the like. The user interface is illustratively embodied in an interactive program guide (IPG).

Abstract: Stream indexing for delivery of an interactive program guide. In accordance with a first aspect, a method of stream indexing for delivery of an interactive program guide comprises: assigning a first plurality of packet identifiers to program guide content for a current time period; and assigning a second plurality of packet identifiers to program guide content for a plurality of lookahead time periods.

Abstract: A method providing integrity analysis of content data streams within an information distribution system. On-demand content is divided into a plurality of content portions to be severally distributed among disk drives of an array of disk drives. A data structure is used for dividing the content into the plurality of content portions. Method is used to check integrity of content prior to provisioning thereof.

Abstract: A master subscriber station is provided that supports a relatively low cost slave subscriber station. The slave subscriber station relies upon the master subscriber station for certain functions and therefore can be implemented as a lower cost design. Duplication of functionality is therefore minimized, resulting in lower complexity and lower overall costs. The master subscriber station has the ability to process multiple video streams such that one or more of the additional streams can be sent via coaxial cabling to a slave subscriber station, as well as receive and process user control signals from the slave subscriber station. The slave subscriber has the ability to receive and demodulate video and audio streams sent by the master subscriber station, as well as send user control commands back to the master subscriber station over the same coaxial cable that delivers the video streams to the slave subscriber station.

Abstract: A data structure suited to efficiently representing a plurality of image streams including common and non-common portions. Specifically, a plurality of similar group of picture (GOP) data structures representing the corresponding plurality of image streams including common and non-common portions is adapted to provide a first encoded stream comprising only P-picture and B-picture access units of one of the similar GOP data structures, and a corresponding plurality of encoded streams comprising only respective I-picture access units of the similar GOP data structures. In this manner, the redundant P-picture and B-picture access units within the encoded streams are eliminated, thereby greatly reducing the bandwidth or memory resources needed to transmit or store the plurality of image streams.

Abstract: A multimedia stream incorporating interactive support for multiple types of subscriber terminals. The multimedia stream is created by multiplexing several component streams. The component streams include a video stream, an audio stream, and an interactive data stream. The interactive data stream includes data specific to different types of subscriber terminals multiplexed together.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for migrating one or more users from a source server module to a destination server module in a manner avoiding information discontinuities or otherwise degrading the users' viewing experience.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an information stream comprising a plurality of compressed information frames to produce an information sub-stream having a reduced number of information frames. In the case of an MPEG video information stream, the information sub-stream is suitable for use as a fast-forward (FF) or rewind (REW) stream in, e.g., a video on demand (VOD) system utilizing such streams.

Abstract: Methods for slice-based encoding of program guides and user interfaces. The program guides include multiple video streams for picture-in-picture and other applications. A method for encoding the program guide includes encoding a first set of slices for each of a plurality of graphics pages; and encoding a second set of slices for each of a plurality of video streams. The user interfaces are multi-functional and may be used for electronic commerce and other applications. A method of generating the user interface includes encoding a set of slices for each of a plurality of objects, each object being characterized by an identity, at least one attribute, and at least one operation. In one embodiment of this method, the plurality of objects include an electronic commerce object, where the electronic commerce object is attributed with a first hyper text markup language (HTML) page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating a plurality of information signals onto respective unique intermediate frequency (IF) carrier signals, summing the respective IF carrier signals to provide a stacked IF carrier signal and upconverting the stacked IF carrier signal to a radio frequency (RF). Advantageously, the invention reduces the cost and complexity of modulation and frequency conversion processes in those systems requiring a multiplicity of audio, video or data carriers placed side by side or in a consecutive order within a defined frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A data structure, method and apparatus providing efficient retrieval of data from a segmented information stream. The invention utilizes a segmented data stream having an initial directory payload portion and a following payload portion including one or more object tables. The directory includes table descriptors associated with each object table including various field indicative of parameters of the respective object table. One of the fields comprises a bit array having at least one bit corresponding to each of the segments in the respective object table. By changing a state of a corresponding bit upon receiving a table segment, the memory and processing resources required to read the segments associated with a table are decreased.