Abstract: A novel multiple channel architecture is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals connected to an operations center or a cable headend. Advertisements are displayed during commercial breaks in the television programs. Such advertisements may be broadcast on the same channel as the television program. In addition, feeder channels may carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center or the cable headend generate a group assignment plan that assigns the television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence, household income and other demographic data, and programs watched data gathered by the television terminals. A switching plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the alternate feeder channels during the program breaks.

Abstract: An open cable set-top box diagnosing system in which a point of deployment (POD), separated from a main circuit unit, having a newly defined interface is used to check an operation state of an open cable set-top box, transmits the checked state to a predetermined server, according to which the operation state of the open cable set-top box is diagnosed. The open cable set-top box diagnosing system includes an open cable set-top box for checking its own operation state by using a diagnosis resource by a communication protocol between a point of deployment (POD) separated from the main circuit unit and the main circuit, and a head end for providing a service corresponding to a request signal received from the open cable set-top box or providing a broadcast program to the open cable set-top box, and checking the operation state of the open cable set-top box.

Abstract: Dynamic rate control can be implemented in a television-based entertainment environment when forwarding coded data. Real-time information flows are encoded, transcoded, compressed, etc. into data streams that may be forwarded to other components within an apparatus or to other apparatuses across a network. In a described implementation, a bitcount accumulation of a data stream is monitored in multiple overlapping windows. The data stream is compared to a data limit in each window of the multiple overlapping windows to determine whether an expected bitcount accumulation has been exceeded. The data stream is modified responsive to the comparison(s). For example, if the bitcount accumulations in each window exceed the expected bit accumulations at the corresponding relative positions of each window, then the bit rate of the data stream can be modified by reducing bit rate consumption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for object retransmission in an asynchronous environment without a continuous network connection in a digital media distributor (DMD) system. The method includes receiving objects in a receiver from a central site, generating a response document in the receiver, and sending the response document asynchronously to the central site. The received response documents are then utilized in the central site to determine which object to retransmit to the receiver. In another aspect of the present invention, the central site manages the inventory of objects in the receiver by instructing the receiver to delete objects not needed.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A broadcasting service system and a delay broadcasting method in broadcasting service using the broadcasting service system, any of audiovisual systems is connected to a broadcasting set when any audiovisual system request a repeater station to view program contents broadcasted by a broadcast station, and advertisement contents stored in a advertisement contents storage are broadcasted to the audiovisual systems connected to the broadcasting set. An advertisement effect measurer measures an advertisement effect on the basis of a number of the connected audiovisual systems viewing the advertisement contents and a broadcasting time of the advertisement contents and allows the broadcasting set to start of the broadcasting of the program contents to the connected audiovisual systems only when the measured advertisement effect meets a predetermined target advertisement effect.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for identifying a plurality of events which are played back simultaneously on a plurality of networked client apparatuses. First, a plurality of events are stored in memory on a plurality of client apparatuses. The events each have a unique identifier associated therewith and which are stored in the memory. In operation, the client apparatuses are adapted to be coupled to a host computer via a network. The identifier of the event which is stored in the memory of the client apparatuses is then retrieved utilizing the network. Such identifier is subsequently compared with an identifier of a scheduled event. If the comparison renders a match, the playback of the event is begun on each of the client apparatuses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for blocking specific television commercials from the viewer's television based upon the characteristics of the television commercial and a program to place the blocked television commercials into an archive. An archive interrogation program then acquires the users search criteria and sends the search criteria to the content search program for a list of matches. The matches are displayed to the user and the user can select a segment for viewing.

Abstract: The invention recommends television programs that are similar to shows identified by a user by computing a similarity metric between programs both in a user-specified selected set and in an identified time interval. The selected set comprises programs currently of interest to the user, for allowing the user or viewer to easily select one or more programs of interest. The similarity metric is a sum of weighted scores for each matching attribute between programs in the selected set and programs in the identified time interval. Shows that are actually selected for viewing are observed and the weightings, wi, assigned to each matching program attribute are adjusted, so that over time, the similarity metric, SM, more accurately reflects the viewer's idea of “similar shows.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for efficiently communicating between a provider of video on demand services and a cable television subscriber. The communication is implemented using a message protocol specifically optimized to communicate between a multimedia application server and a set top subscriber box. The message format includes unique identifiers for addressing and synchronization to permit the multimedia application server to manage the communication process.

Abstract: A system for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The system includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive digital system enabling viewers full and active participation in experiencing a live broadcast event. Particularly, the presentation of the live event is personalized for the viewer through the provision of various options, including multiple video streams, associated with different c125 amera angles, for example, and integrated audio and graphics segments. Further, information obtained from related Web sites can be integrated into the live program. Various video and audio streams are collected from a live event and forwarded to a central control studio. Graphics are created at the central studio on a personal computer or chyron device. After receiving the video, audio and graphics signals, the signals are digitized and compressed in digital compressors. These signals are then combined with special data codes into a “digital package,” and subsequently, transmitted over a cable distribution system.

Abstract: A device for generating metadata for a programming event receives data corresponding to a programming event that includes descriptive information and timing information. The device analyzes the data to determine goodness of fit scores for the programming event corresponding to categories of a classification hierarchy. The device then stores metadata for the programming event that includes goodness of fit scores, time data and descriptive data. The stored goodness of fit scores may be a representative subset of all goodness of fit scores for the programming event. Also disclosed are processes performed in a device for generating metadata for programming events. Also disclosed is metadata encoded in a computer readable medium.

Abstract: An anonymous aggregated data collection system aggregates media access information in an anonymous data collection component without associating the media access information with any one particular client device. The anonymous data collection component further prevents a network operator, content provider, or third party from correlating the media access information obtained from a client device with any one particular subscriber by comparing a unique identifier of the client device with corresponding subscription account and subscriber personal identification information.

Abstract: A menuing system for a video distribution system provides an interactive display to allow a user to select and control the delivery of program material. A central host computer processes initial request for service from users and maintains a database of currently available program materials and other system resources. In response to a user's request for service, the central host computer assigns one of a plurality of assignable computing devices (ACDs) to communicate with the user. The ACD reads the database and presents an interactive menu to the user on the user's audiovisual display monitor. Using a graphical user interface (GUI) the user may then respond to the menu by selecting an item for viewing. The menuing system may have a number of levels that the user may parse through to allow the user to select desired program material. Upon selection by the user, the ACD passes the request on for further programming.

Abstract: A remote response system utilizes portable response devices that receive user input and transmit user input over existing communication systems. Certain response devices communicate over wireless systems such as paging systems, while other response devices communicate over plain old telephone systems by sending data bursts or by dialing different, established telephone numbers. A user of a remote response device can communicate with a presenter of programming that is broadcast over audio/visual mediums in real time without requiring a personal computer.

Abstract: A broadcast system composed of a first broadcast apparatus and a second broadcast apparatus. The first broadcast apparatus broadcasts a broadcast program composed of contents stream data and attachment data, and provides the second broadcast apparatus with the broadcast program. The attachment data contains information that indicates timing with which the attachment data is to be reproduced in synchronization with the contents stream data. The image sync information contains PCRs generated by the PCR generating apparatus of the first broadcast apparatus based on the standard time for the first broadcast apparatus. The image sync information replacing apparatus of the second broadcast apparatus replaces the PCRs with other PCRs which are newly generated based on the standard time for the second broadcast apparatus so that it can correctly reproduce the attachment data in synchronization with the encoded contents stream data.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving, processing, and storing electronic data transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of a video signal. The system provides a flexible mechanism for reading electronic data from video signals including those in National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) and Phase Alternation by Line (PAL) formats. Some implementations provide for receiving electronic programming guide data transmitted at a single byte rate or at multiple byte rates. The data is stored on a computer-readable medium such as a hardrive for further processing and use.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide network delivery data transmitting methods and receiving methods which allow the selection of content data as desired by user. In a data transmitting system, a specification information packet for specifying a content source used, plural packet sequences each attached with identification information, and a correspondence information packet for relating the content sources with the identification information are multiplexed with on on-air stream, which is transmitted to each receiving system via a network. On the basis of the received specification information packet and correspondence information packet, each receiving system selects desired content data from plural pieces of content to view the selected content data at the same time or in a switched manner.

Abstract: Television tuning device screen saver advertising is disclosed. The television tuning device that is connectable to the Internet. While the user has his or her device connected to the Internet, advertising information may be cached. When the device enters a screen saver mode, the previously cached information is displayed. The advertising information can be targeted to the user based on demographic and other information, and can be interactive. The advertising information may also cause the device to tune to a particular channel related to the advertising information, such that both are displayed. The advertising information is unrelated to any sponsor of the television tuning device.