Abstract: A method and system are provided for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users. The method includes providing a database containing multiple user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to the terminal device. Each of the possible users of the group are associated with at least one of the user input pattern profiles. Current input patterns from use of the terminal device are detected. The current input patterns are combined and then dynamically matched with one of the user input pattern profiles, and the possible user associated with the matched user input pattern profile is selected as the current user. The system for identifying a current user of a terminal device from a group of possible users includes a database containing multiple user input pattern profiles of prior user inputs to the terminal device. Each of the possible users is associated with at least one of the user input pattern profiles.

Abstract: Indexing techniques to maintain track of IPG pages and allow a terminal to determine whether a selected IPG is currently received and available, which regions are to be assembled together to generate the selected page, and which packet identifiers (PIDs) are to be processed to recover the needed regions. In one method, a “roster” is formed which includes a number of record elements, with each record element being associated with and identifying a respective IPG page received at a terminal. Each record includes a page ID field that specifically identifies the associated IPG page. A number of fields may be included in each record element such as fields for a guide PID, a video PID, a data PID, and so on. The roster is updated to reflect changes in IPG pages received at the terminal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method providing improved fault tolerance through redundancy of hardware and software suitable for use in a head-end of an interactive information distribution system. Communications between each of a head-end controllers and each of the server modules are coincidentally sent along at least two signal paths to provide to additional fault tolerance in the event one of the signal paths becomes inoperable. In one embodiment, a video switch comprises a plurality of I/O ports coupled between a plurality of server modules and a plurality of subscriber equipment for transferring video information between the server and the subscriber equipment. A primary and secondary switch controller are each coupled to the head-end controllers and the plurality of I/O ports. The primary switch controller is used for routing data packets containing said video information between the plurality of I/O ports.

Abstract: A processor in a television program delivery system receives programs watched information from terminals in a television delivery system. The processor arranges the programs watched information in a database or programs watched matrix so that the frequency of programs watched may be determined. The programs watched matrix may consist of time slots and program categories. The processor determines a program count for programs or program categories. The program count may then be used to send programming to the terminals. The terminals may provide the programs watched information in response to a cyclic polling message generated by the processor or by using a random access routine. The programs watched information may be provided over a cable or a telephone line.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a music interface in a media-rich interactive program guide. In one implementation, an interactive music interface page includes one or more (e.g., two) display regions, a channel description region, and (possibly) a header region. The display regions, channel description region, and the header region are respectively configurable to display a listing of a number of music channels, information for a particular music channel, and one or more objects (icons) used to identify the music interface page. Each display region can include a particular (stripped) background and can further be configurable to display a video. In constructing the music interface page, a set top terminal (STT) may retrieve graphics for the page. The background and commonly used icons may be pre-loaded to the STT. In case of icon changes, the pre-loaded icons may be periodically or occasionally sent from a head end to the STT.

Abstract: A data structure for representing program data that includes a number of streams. Each stream comprises a group of pictures (GOP) having a first picture and remaining pictures. The data structure includes a first set of one or more elements for representing data for the first pictures in the GOPs, and a second set of one or more elements for representing data for the remaining pictures in the GOPs. At least one element in the first set represents data for the first picture of at least one respective GOP, with each such first picture having been encoded as a reference I picture. Each remaining element (if any) in the first set represents data for the first picture of a respective remaining GOP, with each such remaining first picture having been encoded as either a difference picture or a P picture. Each element in the second set represents data for a particular remaining picture in one of the GOPs, with each such remaining picture having been encoded as either a P or B picture.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allocating management functions within an interactive information distribution system between service providers and content providers whereby content providers lease respective portions of available resources within the service provider and manage content provided to subscribers from said leased resources.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for adaptably distributing video server processes among processing elements within a video server such that video server operation may be adapted in a manner facilitating rigorous timing constraints.

Abstract: Techniques for seamlessly inserting a second compressed video stream (e.g., for an advertisement) into a first compressed video stream (e.g., for a program video), which can be implemented in an ad insertion processor that typically includes a real time encoder (e.g., an MPEG encoder), a buffer, a profiler, a multiplexer, and a splicer. The profiler receives the first compressed video stream and provides a “profile” for the stream, which may include bit rate and other information about the stream. The real time encoder receives and encodes a second video in accordance with a particular encoding scheme to generate the second compressed video stream. The real time encoder further controls the encoding of the second video based at least in part on the profile of the first compressed video stream such that the profiles for the two streams are approximately similar at the point in time the second stream is inserted into the first stream.

Abstract: A system for automatically pausing a video program in response to detection of the occurrence of a communications event or triggering event. In response to an incoming phone call, message, web page, or other communications information, the system pauses the video program and displays an indication of the occurrence of the communications event. The system also buffers the video program while paused, permitting a user to replay missed portions of it. Alternatively, the system waits for a triggering event, which includes the user's access to the communications event, in order to pause the video program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the operators of television broadcasting systems or other content distribution systems to effectively alter the program viewing patterns of viewers or subscribers to direct viewership traffic to selected television programs or other content. In a recommendation based EPG system, the rating or recommendation assigned to a program is increased or decreased in accordance with the desire of the operator to increase or decrease viewership or in exchange for monetary or other consideration from content providers, advertisers or others. In one aspect, a boost value is applied to alter the recommended rating/ranking of program content, including selectively in a manner which may be substantially imperceptible to viewers. In another aspect, a sponsored program is assigned a premium position in a list of programs in exchange for receipt of monetary or other consideration.

Abstract: An 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 having audio associated with the video portion, the apparatus separately encodes the video and audio portion and the graphics portion. The video portion is slice-base encoded using a predictive 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. 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: Techniques for searching a program guide database. In accordance with a method, one or more search criteria (e.g., keywords) are received and a request for a search is then sent, along with the search criteria, to a head end of an information distribution system. In response, one or more search results are received from the head end. In this server-centric system, the program guide database is searched at the head end. The search results can be displayed on one search result IPG page (or more, if necessary) or displayed one at a time on the respective IPG page that includes the search result. Upon receiving an indication that a particular search result has been selected, one or more streams associated with the selected search result can be retrieved and decoded to recover the selected program, which can then be displayed.

Abstract: A data structure stored on computer readable media is presented comprising one or more data tags, each data tag used to provide information regarding a broadcast advertisement. Also provided are one or more electronic program guide action tags, each electronic program guide action tag used to define a valid electronic program guide feature that may be accessed from within the broadcast advertisement. The data structure is operative to provide a link between the broadcast advertisement and an electronic program guide to provide access to electronic program guide features defined by the electronic program guide action tags from within the broadcast advertisement.

Abstract: An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide is generated by a set top terminal that receives a television signal from an operations center and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a television screen associated with the terminal. The guide is used to select programs and interactive features for display on the screen. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item. The menus include an introductory menu displayed when the guide is started, a main menu that allows access to program submenus and interactive submenus, and during program menus. The during program menus include both overlay menus that are displayed during a program and hidden menus that are not displayed.

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.

Abstract: A novel network manager for use with a cable television system headend capable of monitoring and managing headend components and set top terminals in a television delivery system. The invention relates to methods and apparatus that manage and coordinate the reception of requested video on demand programs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing lost data from a failed disk drive in a disk array. The disk drive array formed into at least one parity group including data extents divided into data segments and parity segments that are generated from the data segments. The method includes providing access to the array, identifying a failed drive and failed parity group associated with the failed drive, and retrieving the parity segments from operative drives in a parity group containing the failed drive in an instance data is being read from the failed parity group. Parity information is reconstructed for the failed disk drive from the parity segments on the operative disk drives, and data segments of the extent associated with the failed disk drive is reconstructed from the reconstructed parity information, and the parity segments and data segments on the operative disk drives of the failed parity group.

Abstract: A system for automatically pausing a video program in response to detection of the occurrence of a audio communications event or triggering event. In response to an incoming phone call, message, web page, or other communications information, the system pauses the video program and displays an indication of the occurrence of the audio communications event. The system also buffers the video programming while paused, permitting a user to replay missed portions of the video programming. Alternatively, the system waits for a triggering event, which includes the user's access to the audio communications event, in order to pause the video program. The audio (voice) portion of a phone call or voice mail message is converted to text for display to a recipient of the call.

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.