Abstract: Program data for use in electronic program guides is fragmented in advance of delivery to a low resource client. In the described implementation, the program data is fragmented into equal size fragments. The size of each fragment is selected to guarantee that the data fragments will fit in pre-allocated memory segments at the client. When the program data is delivered to the client, the client stores the data packets in the memory segments without making system calls to the memory.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and computer readable medium for object retransmission in an asynchronous environment without a continuous network connection in a digital media distributor (DMD) system. The system and computer readable medium include 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: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for using location information to manage spillover in an audience monitoring system are disclosed. In particular, the example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture detect spillover to generate media monitoring information. Initially, a first sensor located in a first location and a second sensor located in a second location receive a portable metering device signal. First location information is associated with receiving the portable metering device signal via the first sensor and second location information is associated with receiving the portable metering device signal via the second sensor. Media monitoring information is generated based on one of the first location information or the second location information.

Abstract: In the case when EPG data of multiple channels is displayed on a display, if the data is attempted to be downsized uniformly and displayed, information of each displayed program is displayed smaller. Hence, such information becomes very difficult for humans to see. The present invention provides an EPG display apparatus comprising second storage means of storing three-dimensional EPG data obtained by mapping all or part of two-dimensional EPG data on the side face of a cylinder in a three-dimensional space, and control means of displaying all or part of the three-dimensional EPG data stored in the second storage means on a display having a two-dimensional screen.

Abstract: A video system comprises a network interface, memory, video interface, and processing system. The network interface receives a network signal from a communication network wherein the network signal includes video. The memory stores the video from the network signal. The video interface transfers a video signal to a video display wherein the video signal includes the video from the memory. The processing system determines when to initiate the transfer of the video signal from the video interface. This determination is based on: a video display rate, a network transfer rate, a first amount of the video in the memory, a second amount of the video to be subsequently received in the network signal, and a user selection. The network transfer rate is slower than the video display rate.

Abstract: Program data for use in electronic program guides is fragmented in advance of delivery to a low resource client. In the described implementation, the program data is fragmented into equal size fragments. The size of each fragment is selected to guarantee that the data fragments will fit in pre-allocated memory segments at the client. When the program data is delivered to the client, the client stores the data packets in the memory segments without making system calls to the memory.

Abstract: A recordable media content archiving system in a subscriber network. The recordable media content archiving system comprises, among other elements, a memory for storing recordable media content characterizing information, a storage device for storing a plurality of portable mediums, and a processor configured with the memory to receive the recordable media content characterizing information into the memory, wherein the processor is further configured to provide a user interface for the recordable media content archiving system.

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 set top box (STB) includes a trusted transactional cache and associated transactional protocol and enables e-commerce transactions to be securely committed to a remote server extremely quickly and with little network overhead. The invention does away with the user concern of whether the transaction was successful. The STB operates equally well on robust private networks as on unpredictable Internet or wireless networks, and avoids upsetting users who would otherwise have to wait in front of a display screen for confirmation of completion of the transaction after a temporary communication failure with the central site. The method may advantageously be used to provide cost-effective micro-payments solutions. The STB may include a dual headed display capability in which data and video maybe be directed to separate displays. The STB may feature an embedded ticket printer, as well as an embedded barcode scanner.

Abstract: A system and method for multiplexing and remultiplexing whereby multiplexed programs from an input stream are only demultiplexed if they are to be copied or modified locally. Any multiplexed programs which are part of an input stream and which are intended to be part of the output stream are not demultiplexed but are simply passed along to be added to the transport stream with other multiplexed programs. A further inventive aspect comprises a multiplexer apparatus and process whereby dynamic bit rate adjustment is applied to eliminate the need to recalculate timebase information for altered streams.

Abstract: The invention provides an image processing apparatus and method by which a network can be used efficiently and playback and so forth with a favorable responsibility can be achieved. If a user operates an operation panel to input an instruction for normal playback, then a control circuit of a digital television monitor determines a frame to be played back at present as a noticed frame and requests the hard disk recorder for image data of successive 15 frames forwardly and backwardly adjacent the noticed frame and image data at positions of time intervals of 0.5 seconds within a range of 2 minutes forwardly and backwardly of the noticed frame through an IEEE 1394 cable. Then, when image data of the object of the request are received from the hard disk recorder, the control circuit stores the image data into a buffer which can store image data for several hours. The image data stored in the buffer are read out when necessary and displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: A method and system for decoding and storing encoded coupon data delivered via the horizontal overscan area of a video signal. An electronic coupon displays representations of coupons defined by coupon data that can be extracted from an encoded video signal that can be broadcast or played-back from video tape. The electronic coupon is equipped with a non-volatile memory that permits the coupon data to be stored for display subsequent to the transmission session (e.g., a televised program). The electronic coupon has a set-up mode which allows a user to pre-select types of coupons that the user would like to receive. Coupon data satisfying the user's selections will be stored in the electronic coupon, while coupon data not satisfying the user's selections will not be stored. A decoder extracts the coupon data from an encoded video signal and transmits the coupon data to the electronic coupon via a receiver of electronic contacts.

Abstract: Various kinds of broadcast TV signals can be watched on display devices at desirable places (rooms). High-frequency signals of CS broadcast, BS broadcast and terrestrial broadcast are received and inputted via a lead wire to a retransmission device. A high-frequency signal of a cable television broadcast is directly inputted to the retransmission device. The retransmission device subsequently converts high-frequency signals of incoming different broadcasts into common high-frequency signals and transmits them in time-series. Then, the common high-frequency signals are transmitted by wired or wireless means to a plurality of display devices that may be installed in different rooms or are portable.

Abstract: A system for recording a video session includes a video server and a client coupled to the video server using a communication path. The video server communicates a start record command. The client determines the processing capacity of the client and establishes a recording interval in response to the determined processing capacity. The recording interval indicates a time between a first recording time and a second recording time. The client records a first video frame at the first recording time in response to the start record command, and records a second video frame at the second recording time. The first video frame includes first video data and the second video frame includes second video data. The client generates a video sub-frame comprising the second video data that is different from the first video data.

Abstract: A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well-suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols.