Abstract: In one form, the present teachings provide a method and apparatus for broadcasting an event. The method includes receiving data related to an event via an uplink. Another aspect of the method includes determining whether the data is broadcast on a recurring basis. The method also includes determining whether a transponder channel associated with multiplexed program channels has any unused data or bandwidth to broadcast a portion of the data along with the multiplexed program channels. Additionally, the method includes broadcasting the portion of the data in a data stream.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed transmit a composite channel to a receiver. The composite channel may be a static channel that contains different original channels of content in different locations on a displayed page, or may be a dynamic channel that is processed by the receiver to display a multiple different video streams on a single display device.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed transmit a composite channel to a receiver. The composite channel may be a static channel that contains different original channels of content in different locations on a displayed page, or may be a dynamic channel that is processed by the receiver to display a multiple different video streams on a single display device.

Abstract: The systems and methods disclosed transmit a composite channel to a receiver. The composite channel may be a static channel that contains different original channels of content in different locations on a displayed page, or may be a dynamic channel that is processed by the receiver to display a multiple different video streams on a single display device.

Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a method and a system for mobile media point-of-sale (POS). A mobile media-receiving device may receive, via a first network (e.g. a broadcasting network), a media file for playback to a user. The media may include media and media identifying data. Upon receipt of the media file, the media-receiving device may transmit a user-initiated request to purchase a copy of the media from a POS source. The media-receiving device may transmit the request and the media identifying data, using a portable storage device or a wireless network, to a computer-networking device. The computer-networking device may receive the request, the media identifying data, and the user's purchase information and transmit this information, via a second network that is separate and independent from the first network, to a POS source to complete the purchasing transaction of the media file.

Abstract: A broadcast programming receiver includes first and second tuners, a user interface, a memory, output circuitry, and control logic. The first tuner is configured to receive the programming, while the second tuner is configured to receive an interactive application. The user interface is configured to receive a request for the application, and the memory is configured to store the application. The output circuitry is configured to transfer the programming to an output device. The control logic is configured to cause the first tuner to receive the programming, to transfer the programming from the first tuner via the output circuitry to the output device, to receive the request from the user interface, and to cause the second tuner to receive the application and store the application in the memory in response to the request while causing the first tuner to continue to transfer the programming to the output device.

Abstract: A method of generating a condensed list of channels for display on a client device of a broadcasting system may include: monitoring channels viewed via a client device configured to receive a plurality of channels; selecting a subset of the plurality of channels based at least in part on a frequency of viewing and/or an amount of time of viewing of the channels; and associating the subset together to generate a condensed list of channels. A related system may include: a client device configured to receive a plurality of channels from a source of programming; and a processor configured to monitor channels viewed via the client device, to select a subset of the plurality of channels based at least in part on a frequency of viewing and/or an amount of time of viewing of the channels, and to associate the subset together to generate a condensed list of channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for communication between a plurality of client devices of a broadcast system. The communication may be, for example, a recommendation of a program that is communicated from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers via their client devices. The communication also may be a comment regarding a program, for example, recently viewed at the client device of the one subscriber. In general, the communication may be a message from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers. Further, the communication may be configured to perform a function on one or more other client devices. Such a function may include, but is not limited to, setting a timer to record a program, ordering or purchasing a program or service, cancelling an ordered/purchased program or service, setting or altering user preferences, controlling access to channels, etc.

Abstract: A method/system for accounting for viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: generating an account associated with a client device, the account including a balance; monitoring viewing/recording of programs via the client device; and deducting from the balance based on the viewing/recording of programs via the client device. A method/system for providing viewing/recording of programs via a client device may include: receiving a request to view/record a program via a client device; evaluating the request in view of an account associated with the client device; and allowing the program to be viewed/recorded via the client device based on the evaluation. A method of generating such an account may include: receiving a user request for an account associated with a client device; and setting an initial balance of the account based on the user request, the initial balance including an amount of viewing/recording of programs via the client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for control of one or more feeds of a multi-feed channel. Such control may implement functions such as pausing, playing, rewinding, fast forwarding, slowing, replaying and zooming. The control may be selectively applied to the feeds so that one, selected ones or all of the feeds are controlled. Thus, implementations may allow a user to selectively interact with video feeds, as well as corresponding audio feeds, while viewing the multi-feed channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for selectively recording of at least part of a program based on an occurrence of at least one video or audio characteristic in the program. The systems and methods may involve receiving or transmitting a program including a video stream and an audio stream, and monitoring at least one of the video stream and the audio stream for at least one video or audio characteristic. Based on the occurrence of the video or audio characteristic, at least part of the program may be recorded or instructions for recording at least part of the program may be transmitted. In some embodiments, only a segment of the program may be recorded or instructed to be recorded. In some embodiments, segments from a plurality of programs may be recorded and associated together. In such embodiments, the segments may be presented as a single recording.

Abstract: A process of processing, displaying and/or otherwise presenting non-program data may include: receiving and processing, displaying and/or otherwise presenting program data at a client device; analyzing the program data processed, displayed and/or otherwise presented at the client device; and processing, displaying and/or otherwise presenting non-program data at the client device based on the analysis of the processed, displayed and/or otherwise presented program data. A system for processing, displaying and/or otherwise presenting non-program data may include: a receiver configured to receive a signal including program data; and a processor configured to analyze program data received by the receiver and to cause non-program data to be processed, displayed and/or otherwise presented based on the analysis of the processed, displayed and/or otherwise presented program data.

Abstract: In one form, the present teachings provide a method and apparatus for broadcasting an event. The method includes receiving data related to an event via an uplink. Another aspect of the method includes determining whether the data is broadcast on a recurring basis. The method also includes determining whether a transponder channel associated with multiplexed program channels has any unused data or bandwidth to broadcast a portion of the data along with the multiplexed program channels. Additionally, the method includes broadcasting the portion of the data in a data stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for implementing and using interactive information. In one embodiment, a user may specify certain information that should be collected by the embodiment. The embodiment may monitor or search through one or more data streams for all information matching or corresponding to the user's specifications.

Abstract: A method and system for ink jet printing of characters in a variable rate document transport creates a correct column pitch for the document speed. An endorser control system includes a processor having a DMA unit for retrieving column data at a column data rate wherein the processor controls the variable document travel rate. The system further includes a sequencer for converting the column data into dot data. The DMA unit in conjunction with a compare match timer writes the column data from the processor memory to the sequencer at the specified column data rate.