Abstract: Architecture is provided for selecting an ad insertion system/server from a plurality of ad insertion systems/server for receiving broadcast transmissions and inserted advertisements. A gateway, as part of the architecture, selects an ad insertion system, in accordance with a developed client profile and a network factor associated with the communication performance of the ad insertion system. The gateway associates the developed profile with a client, and the gateway receives information relating the network factor from at least one ad insertion system. The gateway also ascertains the casting services (IP multicasting, IP multicasting proxy, and IP unicasting) supported by client. The ad insertion system may use the information about the supported casting services, with a developed client profile and a network factor for selecting an ad insertion system.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for grouping program identifiers into multimast groups. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising receiving a request for satellite services from a requester device, wherein the request includes at least one program identifier, creating a second group of program identifiers, comparing the requested program identifier with a first group of previously requested program identifiers stored on a satellite service providing device and moving the matching program identifier from the first group of program identifiers to the second group of program identifiers if the requested program identifier matches one of the program identifiers in the first group of program identifiers, wherein a multicast of the second group of program identifiers is adapted to be shared by the requester device and another device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for inserting sync bytes into a video transport stream. More specifically, there is provided a method comprising determining a parsing procedure supported by a first set top box, appending a first transport packet to comply with the parsing procedure of the first set top box, and transmitting the first transport packet to the first set top box.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for allocating resources in an efficient manner in a gateway service device. The apparatus includes of a gateway server or head end unit connected to a plurality of end user terminals. The gateway server contains a controller for managing the allocation of receiving resources used for providing services to the end user terminals. The method includes receiving a service request, comparing the request to services already in use and, if a match is found, providing an updated data stream containing new information regarding the service to the end user terminals.

Abstract: A method for sharing information in a network includes steps of enabling a user to define a data segment, recording the defined data segment, transmitting first information associated with the defined data segment to a remote location, and receiving second information associated with the defined data segment from the remote location. An apparatus for performing the foregoing steps is also provided.

Abstract: A system for personalizing received transmissions includes a content source that provides multiple transmission streams over a transmission media. A plurality of receivers is included wherein each receiver selects portions of one or more of the transmission streams in accordance with a playlist for each user. The receiver renders the portions of the received transmissions in accordance with a schedule.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.

Abstract: Architecture is provided for selecting an ad insertion system/server (30) from a plurality of ad insertion systems/server for receiving broadcast transmissions and inserted advertisements. A gateway (710), as part of the architecture, selects an ad insertion system (30), in accordance with a developed client profile and a network factor associated with the communication performance of the ad insertion system. The gateway associates the developed profile with a client (32), and the gateway (710) receives information relating the network factor from at least one ad insertion system (30). The gateway (710) also ascertains the casting services (IP multicasting, IP multicasting proxy, and IP unicasting) supported by client (32). The ad insertion system (30) may use the information about the supported casting services, with a developed client profile and a network factor for selecting an ad insertion system (30).

Abstract: A system for personalizing received transmissions includes a content source that provides multiple transmission streams over a transmission media. A plurality of receivers is included wherein each receiver selects portions of one or more of the transmission streams in accordance with a playlist for each user. The receiver renders the portions of the received transmissions in accordance with a schedule.

Abstract: A method for sharing information in a network includes steps of enabling a user to define a data segment, recording the defined data segment, transmitting first information associated with the defined data segment to a remote location, and receiving second information associated with the defined data segment from the remote location. An apparatus for performing the foregoing steps is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system and process for navigating through a large amount of information (e.g., audio files, text files, video files, device functions, etc.) using audio cues representative of the information. The audio cues are arranged in a multi-level tree data structure such that the user can select general categories (e.g., music classification) and navigate down to a specific data segment (e.g., a particular song or song list). Each audio cue is a brief burst of sound (e.g., a lyric from a particular song) representative of a predetermined number of additional audio cues or a particular data segment. The audio cues are selectable by a user and permit the user to navigate through the information or data segments without having to remember visual or alphanumeric elements (e.g., song title, artist name, or track number). The audio cues are stored in a storage device that can be accessed using a wireless device (e.g., a remote control or wireless mouse) or a wired device (e.g.