Abstract: Methods and arrangements to supplement static contents are contemplated. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to supplement static contents by receiving a command to play static contents, the static contents comprising primary content and an original preview. The embodiments may include deciding to replace the original preview in the static contents, selecting replacement content for the original preview, downloading the replacement content, and playing the replacement content in place of the original preview. In some embodiments, the replacement content may include newer previews, advertisements, announcements of live performances, public service messages, anti-piracy messages, updates on awards, and corrections to the static contents. In some embodiments, the static contents may be tagged with information about the static contents which is used to select replacement content. In some embodiments, replacement content may be selected via the application of rules.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program by which a content provider can display an incentive for a user to remain with their current channel or program. When the user attempts to leave the current program, a pop-up window containing an incentive to remain with the current program is displayed. The user must respond to the pop-up window in order to proceed, whether the user chooses to leave or remain with the current program.

Abstract: A method and system of displaying a document including an embedded link within text of the document. The method includes receiving an open document command. It is determined whether at least one link is embedded in the text of at least a portion of the document, responsive to the open document command. Content associated with the embedded link is retrieved based on the determination. The retrieved content and document are displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a television viewer with a summary of a portion of a program that he or she has missed, after switching to the program at some time after the program has begun. Generally, the times at which the viewer first tuned to a program, left the program and then returned to it would respectively be monitored. A summary for a missed portion of the program, as determined from these times, would then be furnished to the viewer. In a useful embodiment of the invention, a method is carried out in association with an array of data transmission channels, wherein the channels are respectively connectible to a video receiver or like device, and video content is simultaneously transmitted through each of the channels.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of controlling the playback of the event steam information of a particular television channel by a digital video recorder (DVR). The DVR is a computer system configured with a hard drive and video decoder/encoder devices. The hardware environment of DVR (100) further comprises an input interface (102), tuner (105) MPEG-2 encoder (110), MPEG-2 decoder (120), external mass storage device (125), and central processing unit (CPU) (135), internal memory (127), operating system (140), and event stream generator (250). The system and method of controlling the playback function of the present invention is primarily implemented within event stream generator 250. Event stream generator (250) generates a new video stream for playback onto the television by incorporated the broadcasted event stream information into the selected video stream.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing selected applications to be visually persistent without obscuring or being obscured by other visually non-persistent applications is presented. Selected visually persistent applications are permanently assigned a first portion of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) display area. Subsequently opened visually non-persistent applications are then assigned a remaining second portion of the GUI display, such that there is no display overlap between visually persistent and non-persistent applications.

Abstract: A method, universal remote controller (URC), and computer program product that enables the tracking, recording, and reporting of the amount of time spent interacting with different media devices with the URC. The URC is enhanced with additional hardware and software components that provide the associated functionality of tracking the time that a user interacts (via the URC) with each media device. The combined hardware and software components utilities complete the following functional operations: (1) stopping and starting one or more timers as a user interacts in pre-defined ways with the media devices (e.g., turning the device on and off); (2) storing the usage times recorded on the respective timers; and (3) compiling and transmitting the data to a computer system for analysis. A computer system is utilized to complete the analysis and reporting of the time usage data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that dynamically orders entries in an electronic list such as a ‘buddy list’. In this order, the most recently contacted and most frequently contacted entries in the list will be placed at the top of the list in descending order. The location of each entry in the list will contain a counter field. Each time the entry is accessed the count in that field for that entry will be incremented by one. At the completion of the transaction, the method of the present invention will determine if the transaction necessitates a reordering of the entries in the list. If a reordering is necessary, the method will reorder this list according the number of times the user has accessed each entry.

Abstract: A method and implementing system are provided in which data, such as video and/or audio data, are presented and recorded on media for subsequent reference, management and/or processing. Original files are divided into segment files which are smaller than the original file. Each segment file may then be processed and/or viewed individually and, after viewing, the segment file is marked as having been viewed, and the marked segment files are immediately available for use in recording new files before all of the segmented files of the original file have been viewed. In one example, a user is enabled to select the size of the segmented files for any of the recorded, and/or scheduled to be recorded, data files.

Abstract: A method and implementing system are provided for enabling the use of predetermined geometric models and polygonal representations of geographic areas in developing GPS-related application programs. In an exemplary embodiment, a development process uses GPS streams of data and a set of rules or a syntax for referencing predetermined shapes in defining various geographical areas of interest. Different areas are defined in terms of polygons and named for storage in a database for retrieval in the development of programs related to the areas. GPS data streams are used to locate or define key points in the area polygons and these points are related to GPS signals received by an application device to enable processing and development of various applications which depend upon receiver device location.

Abstract: A method for storing a television program in a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and modifying the marketing in the television program to the user's location. The software embodiment of the present invention is a Rules Engine located in the DVR. The DVR records the television programming and the Rules Engine sends a program ID and a user ID to the service provider. A service provider program (SPP) receives the program ID and user ID and determines the user's location from the user ID. The SPP acquires local marketing content specific to the user's location based on the user ID and the marketing ID. The SPP sends the local marketing content back to the Rules Engine. The Rules Engine then modifies the marketing in the recorded television programming with the local marketing content and displays the television programming upon user request.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of delivering a text message from a digital telephone to a landline telephone are provided. When a text message is sent from a digital telephone to a landline telephone, the message is gone first to an intermediary device. There, an audio file is made out of the text message. Once done, the intermediary device places a call to the landline telephone. When the call is answered by either a person or an answering machine, the intermediary plays the audio file. Hence, the text message is delivered orally. If the landline is a digital telephone both the text message and the audio file may be downloaded to the landline telephone. If the landline telephone further has a screen to display text, either the text version of the message or the speech version of the message may be retrieved.

Abstract: A Digital Guide System (DGS) assembles and delivers contextual, narrative content information to an end-user requiring a guided or self-guided tour of a physical space. DGS consists of a Content Management System application (CMS), a Channel Administration application (CA), a Content Repository (CR) and a Channel Device application (CDA). CMS allows developers to build content information in discrete narratives using a modular story-building methodology. The CMS stores all information relevant to editorial control and content development in the CR. The CA is a browser-based registration and device management application that delivers content information to devices in channels designated for that content information by the CMS. The CDA allows the user to navigate through the content information using the modular story based organization and collects usage information in a user log for transmittal to the CA.