Abstract: An interactive media content listing search system is herein disclosed which provides for enhanced interactive access of media content listings contained within an media content display system. Enhanced searching for available media contents is enabled by a plurality of user configurable attributes, which defines characteristics of media content that may be similar to the user's tastes. The plurality of user configurable attributes may be logically combined during the search operation using “AND” and/or “OR” boolean operators. Additionally, means are provided to allow recursive searches of available media content listings in an easy manner such that the results may be more finely tailored to suit the user's tastes. Following the search operation, the user may save the search attributes to a file that is stored within the system for use at a later time.

Abstract: An apparatus or method for draining fluid from an amusement attraction while helping prevent substantial portions of fluid from splashing out of the attraction. The apparatus may be an end component for a shutdown lane that has one or more areas or catch basins for flowing the fluid thereon or therethrough. Various sidewalls, hills, ridges, and/or drainage surfaces may be implemented by or on the end component to ideally keep water from splashing outside of the end component and to help maintain rider safety as the rider slides towards the end component. One or more stages of drainage areas or surfaces may be utilized for the end component. The apparatus may be in the form of an end component, a larger portion of an attraction, such as a shutdown lane, or discrete components that may be connected within or to a portion of an attraction.

Abstract: An apparatus or method for draining fluid from an amusement attraction while helping prevent substantial portions of fluid from splashing out of the attraction. The apparatus may be an end component for a shutdown lane that has one or more areas or catch basins for flowing the fluid thereon or therethrough. Various sidewalls, hills, ridges, and/or drainage surfaces may be implemented by or on the end component to ideally keep water from splashing outside of the end component and to help maintain rider safety as the rider slides towards the end component. One or more stages of drainage areas or surfaces may be utilized for the end component. The apparatus may be in the form of an end component, a larger portion of an attraction, such as a shutdown lane, or discrete components that may be connected within or to a portion of an attraction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing content are disclosed. An example method can comprise providing content based on a subscription agreement or other arrangement. An example method can comprise identifying a portion of the content relevant to a user and providing an offer to the user to record the portion of the content. The offer can comprise an offer price and an access condition. An example method can comprise allocating storage and recording the portion of the content. Further, access to the stored portion of the content can be provided in accordance with the access condition.

Abstract: A media content playlist generation and access system for a video entertainment network is herein disclosed whereby a plurality of media content emanating from various disparate networks may be conglomerated into a customized list. The list may contain stored media content, which are customarily stored in the head end portion of a CATV network, media content accessible via the Internet, or yet to be aired media content. The system also provides for manipulation of the playlist from various consumer electronic display devices that are interconnected to the Internet, or the PSTN, thereby allowing further customization of the playlist at the user's convenience. Additionally, a multiple user account system is provided wherein multiple user accounts may be configured in order to allow a corresponding multiple individualized playlists, which are each customized to suit each user's tastes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a playlist at a network device from a client device in communication with the network device over a network. In response to receiving the playlist, the method also includes disabling channel changes not associated with the playlist from executing during times indicated in the playlist. The method further includes transmitting a control message from the network device to the client device that requests the client device to tune to a channel conforming to the playlist when the network device receives a channel change request not associated with the playlist from the client device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a playlist at a network device from a client device in communication with the network device over a network. In response to receiving the playlist, the method also includes disabling channel changes not associated with the playlist from executing during times indicated in the playlist. The method further includes transmitting a control message from the network device to the client device that requests the client device to tune to a channel conforming to the playlist when the network device receives a channel change request not associated with the playlist from the client device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing content are disclosed. An example method can comprise providing content based on a subscription agreement or other arrangement. An example method can comprise identifying a portion of the content relevant to a user and providing an offer to the user to record the portion of the content. The offer can comprise an offer price and an access condition. An example method can comprise allocating storage and recording the portion of the content. Further, access to the stored portion of the content can be provided in accordance with the access condition.

Abstract: A method for providing parental control via a playlist is disclosed. A playlist is received from a control server. One or more channel change control messages are sent to a client in accordance with a playlist. The one or more channel change control messages include tuning information for tuning to one or more programs or channels at times indicated in the playlist. An apparatus for providing parental control via a playlist is disclosed. The apparatus may be a content delivery system headend. The content delivery system headend system may have a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend may have an input for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions.

Abstract: A novel electronic program guide (EPG) based method and system provides viewer/user groups with an improved program recommendation feature for predicting programs that are likely to be of interest.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for providing an convenient video program start over system and method for a video entertainment distribution network whereby a user may interactively revert back to the beginning of an ongoing video program that is currently broadcasted over the video distribution network. The novel system and method may be implemented on any video network having interactive television (ITV) capabilities, wherein user requests from a client are serviceable at an upstream head end, and video storage means exist for the purpose of storage of time based broadcast video programs. The system preferably utilizes a process that involves a minimally complicated sequence of commands that are easily understood and remembered by virtually any user, thereby enhancing the probability of consumer acceptance. The start over system and method may be embodied as a program of instructions, defining a controller, that are executed by a micro-processor located in the STB (client) or head end (server).

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for providing an convenient video program start over system and method for a video entertainment distribution network whereby a user may interactively revert back to the beginning of an ongoing video program that is currently broadcasted over the video distribution network. The novel system and method may be implemented on any video network having interactive television (ITV) capabilities, wherein user requests from a client are serviceable at an upstream head end, and video storage means exist for the purpose of storage of time based broadcast video programs. The system preferably utilizes a process that involves a minimally complicated sequence of commands that are easily understood and remembered by virtually any user, thereby enhancing the probability of consumer acceptance. The start over system and method may be embodied as a program of instructions, defining a controller, that are executed by a micro-processor located in the STB (client) or head end (server).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive ride, such as a flume within a flume. In one embodiment, a water ride can include a first flume ride and a second flume ride. The first flume ride can include a first middle section, while the second flume ride can include a second flume section. The second flume ride can pass through the first flume ride by having the second middle section pass through the first middle section. Thus, the second middle section can be located within the first middle section. The first middle section and the second middle section can form a pass-through section. The second flume ride can be partially supported by the first flume ride.

Abstract: A content delivery system headend is provided which includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions and a subscriber control unit. The subscriber control unit is configured to compare channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to a current subscription plan that specifies a pre-established set of channels to which the subscriber has previously subscribed. In this way tuning information for accessing channels specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests request channels included in the current subscription plan.

Abstract: A method for providing parental control via a playlist is disclosed. A playlist is received from a control server. One or more channel change control messages are sent to a client in accordance with a playlist. The one or more channel change control messages include tuning information for tuning to one or more programs or channels at times indicated in the playlist. An apparatus for providing parental control via a playlist is disclosed. The apparatus may be a content delivery system headend. The content delivery system headend system may have a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend may have an input for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses and systems for inserting advertisement segments into trick content. Advertisement segments present in the original video content are extracted from the video content and merged with other navigation segements to generate associated trick content. The advertisement segment may be inserted into the trick files may be displayed at their normal playback speed, a different apparent playback speed, or displayed in a different direction. Additionally, alternative content of the advertisement segment may be inserted into the advertisement segment to provide specialized versions of the advertisement content to be displayed in trick content mode, or the content may be completely different fro the original advertisement content, such as session specific advertisement content or even user specific advertisement content based on user preferences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interactive ride, such as a flume within a flume. In one embodiment, a water ride can include a first flume ride and a second flume ride. The first flume ride can include a first middle section, while the second flume ride can include a second flume section. The second flume ride can pass through the first flume ride by having the second middle section pass through the first middle section. Thus, the second middle section can be located within the first middle section. The first middle section and the second middle section can form a pass-through section. The second flume ride can be partially supported by the first flume ride.

Abstract: A switched digital video (SDV) system includes an SDV manager for coordinating a SDV session requested by a subscriber terminal. The system also includes a plurality of edge devices for receiving a transport stream that includes programming content and transmitting the transport stream over an access network to the subscriber terminal on one of a plurality of SDV channels. The SDV manager is configured to monitor bandwidth and cause the edge device to deliver the SDV session to the subscriber terminal in a SDV unicast stream when sufficient unused bandwidth is available or as a SDV multicast stream when sufficient unused bandwidth is not available.

Abstract: An edge quadrature amplitude modulator (QAM) including an input module configured to receive a switched digital video (SDV) stream containing at least one ad opportunity, at least one ad stream containing a plurality of alternative advertisements, and an ad playlist that contains a list of one or more of the plurality of alternative advertisements to be inserted into the SDV stream. The edge QAM also includes an ad insertion module configured to detect the at least one ad opportunity in the SDV stream and to insert one or more of the plurality of alternative advertisements in the at least one ad stream based upon the ad playlist into the SDV stream at the at least one ad opportunity and an output module configured to send the SDV stream and the one or more alternative advertisements to at least one STB.

Abstract: A content delivery system headend is provided which includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions and a subscriber control unit. The subscriber control unit is configured to compare channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to a current subscription plan that specifies a pre-established set of channels to which the subscriber has previously subscribed. In this way tuning information for accessing channels specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests request channels included in the current subscription plan.