Abstract: A controlled content distribution system (CCDS) employs a peer-level application into which a content producer can import digital content (e.g., video, audio, graphic, image, text, code files, etc.) The content producer identifies distribution parameters including an initial distribution list and a level limit representing the maximum number of levels, or degrees of separation for allowed distribution in a FOAF social network. Distribution parameters also include an alteration definition for one or more allowable levels in the network. Alteration definitions may identify a file degradation characteristic, file augmentation, or deletion parameter for altering the digital content from its original form. Alteration definitions often vary at each level. A distribution package is created by the CCDS and includes the digital content, a configuration data file, a key ID and a license key seed. The distribution package is processed at a FOAF license server before being sent to additional content recipients.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment containing a memory. The system allocates the memory among different categories of program guide data used by the program guide. When new channels are added to the channel line-up, the program guide adjusts its memory allocation accordingly. When it is desired to install a new non-program-guide application on the user television equipment in addition to the program guide, memory can be reallocated to accommodate the new application.

Abstract: A favorites list of program channels which a cable TV user likely prefers is generated automatically from which the user may select a program channel to watch. Each program channel in the favorites list is identified based on a measure of the duration in which the program channel is continuously tuned to. In an embodiment, this measure varies nonlinearly with such a duration. The favorites list may further comprise sublists of program channels which may correspond to different periods of a day, week, etc. The favorites list may be generated from programs watched on multiple viewing devices.

Abstract: Promoted listings are defined in terms of priorities, which may be static, geographically dynamic, or demographically dynamic. The priorities are associated with program data that describes media programs that are scheduled for broadcast or other type of transmission. The program data and priorities are transmitted to client devices that are configured to generate a display of the program data based, at least in part, on the priorities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the managing advertisements in a digital environment, including methods for selecting suitable advertising based on subscriber profiles, and substituting advertisements in a program stream with targeted advertisements. The Ad Management System (AMS) 100 of the present invention manages the sales and insertion of digital video advertisements in cable television, switched digital video, and streaming video (Internet) based environments. The AMS 100 provides advertisers an ability to describe their advertisements (ads) in terms of target market demographics, required ad bandwidth, ad duration, and other ad specific parameters. The AMS 100 receives the ad descriptions that include some or all of the aforementioned parameters, and matches the ads to the advertising opportunities (“avails”) available in the programming stream. The AMS 100 tracks different avails including duration and bandwidth of the avail, and uses a number of schemes to determine if the ad can be placed in the avail.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps for the: calculation of a rate of potential use of an entity of the picture k for a backward predictive coding of the picture k?s, according to the number of vectors of the backward motion vector field of the picture k?s pointing to the entity of the picture k or in its near surroundings and/or calculation of a rate of potential use of an entity of the picture k for a forward predictive coding of the picture k+p, according to the number of vectors of the forward motion vector field of the picture k+p pointing to the entity of the picture k or in its near surroundings, coding of the picture entity or the picture comprising the entity according to the rate of use of the picture entity. The applications concern the hybrid type compression diagrams.

Abstract: A cost-efficient digital CATV network to improve signal quality, provide reliability, and offer the ability to meet demands for interactive services is described. Analog or digital video downstream channels are converted to a digital format by a digital headend transmitter. Relatively costly error-encoding for digital video channels is also part of the digital headend transmitter. Downstream analog and digital video channels in the digital format are transmitted using time-division multiplex technology from a headend to nodes using standard network protocols, such as SONET. Standard network protocols provide error-monitoring and status indication of transmit data, thus ensuring high signal quality and reliability. Time-division multiplexing facilitates easy adding or dropping of information to a transmit path. Flexibility to add or drop information is critical in providing interactive services. Data from interactive services can be added or dropped at points of presence throughout the digital CATV network.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method of the digital broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal into which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, extracting transmission parameter channel (TPC) signaling information and fast information channel (FIC) signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, acquiring a program table describing virtual channel information and a service of an ensemble, which is a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, using the extracted FIC signaling information, selectively detecting a first message descriptor mapped with time information or a second message descriptor not mapped with time information, using the acquired program table, performing a control operation to display a message defined in the detected message descriptor.

Abstract: A device for and a method of decreasing the data rate of a digital return path link in a Cable Television Hybrid Fiber-Coax system (CATV system) is disclosed. At the node of the CATV system, the bandwidth of the a digital data stream representative of an analog return signal is limited to a desired frequency band. The bandwidth-limited data stream is then digitally re-sampled at a predetermined multiple of a center frequency of the frequency band. The re-sampled data stream is then separated into two data streams. Then, these separate data streams are digitally decimated to a lower data rate, interleaved and serialized for transmission to a head end of the CATV system. A reverse process reconstructs the original analog return signal's signal components within the desired frequency band at the head end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display control apparatus and method that make it possible to easily recognize detailed information relating to an overlap time slot in an apparatus capable of setting recording reservations for programs whose broadcast time slots overlap with each other. Program-11 that will be broadcast from 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. on channel-123 and program-14 that will be broadcast from 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. on channel-124 have an overlap broadcast time of 11:40 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Of a block of program-11, a portion of the overlap time slot is given a color (hatched) meaning that an action corresponding to a set reservation will be executed in spite of the overlap in broadcast time with the other program. Of a block of program-14, a portion of the overlap time slot is given a color (dotted) meaning that an action corresponding to a set reservation will not be executed because of the overlap in broadcast time with the other program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for receiving a plurality of video signals using a single video signal transmitted using a point-to-multipoint connection; the plurality of video signals originate from various locations of an event. Information received using a reception unit comprises at least one of the plurality of video signals, at least one of the plurality of sound track signals related to the at least one of the plurality of video signals, data transmitted using the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the single video signal and graphics.

Abstract: The video encoder in accordance with the present invention divides input image signal into macro blocks, estimates motion vectors of each macro block and finally encodes the input image signal. The encoder determines the number of macro blocks adjacent to a current macro block. If the number of adjacent macro blocks is equal to or more than two, the encoder calculates a motion vector of the adjacent macro blocks and selects a macro block that has the largest motion vector. Then it defines a least search area that the current adaptive motion vector can have, and compares the least search area with the motion vector of the largest adjacent macro block, and finally determines the largest value as the search area of the adaptive motion vector. Next, the encoder compares the search area of the adaptive motion vector with the search area of the user-defined motion adaptive vector to thereby determine the least value as the search area of the final adaptive motion vector.

Abstract: A content delivery proxy system and method delivers content to an unsupported client device within a content delivery system by converting messages and data from the unsupported client device into content delivery system supported messages and data. Client log-in messages received from the unsupported client device are converted into a content delivery system supported format and sent to the content delivery system, and user entitlement information of a user of the unsupported client device is requested from the content delivery system. If the user is a subscriber of the content provider, an unsupported client device identifier is created for the client device. A user interface for selecting content from the content delivery system is displayed on the client device in a client device supported format, and selections on the user interface are sent to the content delivery system. Selected content is provided to the client device in the proper format for playback on the client device.

Abstract: Aggregating media content catalog data from a plurality of content providers. The catalog data is merged according to rules and provided to a user on a scheduled basis or on demand. In an embodiment, the merged catalog data represents an incremental update to previously delivered catalog data.

Abstract: An automatic level controlled system for delivering satellite signals to at least one Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD). The system includes a plurality of inputs, designed to receive a plurality of satellite signals, wherein the satellite signals are directed to the inputs based on an originating satellite for each of the satellite signals, an automatic level controller, coupled to the inputs, for adjusting a signal strength associated with each the satellite signals such that each of the signal strengths are within a predetermined range, a multiswitch, having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein at least one input of the multiswitch is coupled to the automatic level controller, and an interface, wherein at least one of the outputs of the multiswitch provides a signal to the interface, such that at least one new IRD coupled to an output of the interface receives a portion of a satellite signal based on commands sent to the interface from the new IRD.

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: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.

Abstract: A direct broadcast system having a high altitude communication device that transmits broadcast signals, which are received by an antenna, is provided. The system includes an outdoor unit (ODU) electrically coupled to the antenna. The ODU includes a low noise block converter (LNB) that receives and amplifies the broadcast signals. An ODU receiver is electrically coupled to the ODU and selects a desired frequency of the broadcast signals. Integrated receiver and decoders (IRD(s) are electrically coupled to the ODU receiver via a single distribution cable. The IRD(s) convert the broadcast signals into IRD output signals. Methods of performing the same are also provided, herein, including a transport select method and a service select method for receiving the broadcast signals. A direct broadcast system installation method and wireless communication between the ODU and the IRD(s) are also provided.

Abstract: Multiple systems for delivering satellite signals are described.

Abstract: An interactive technique for generating a supplementary, program-related output. A programming signal and a supplementary, program-related data signal are combined into a broadcast signal which is then broadcast from a program signal source. The broadcast signal is received, and the programming signal of the received broadcast signal is performed with reproduction equipment for an audience. The supplementary, program-related data signal of the received broadcast signal is stored, and retrieval of the stored supplementary, program-related data signal is enabled interactively with the programming signal being performed. In response to a control signal being actuated by a member of the audience tuned to the programming signal being performed, the stored supplementary, program-related data signal is retrieved and used to generate the supplementary, program-related output.