Abstract: Dynamic television audience measurement systems (AMS) and methods are disclosed. The system comprises a central level AMS sub-system, a local node level AMS sub-system, a plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, and a plurality of display devices, each monitored by a client level AMS sub-system. The central level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from panel requestors and transmits the panel definitions to and receives a merged viewership report from the local node level AMS sub-system. The local node level AMS sub-system receives panel definitions from and transmits the merged viewership report to the central level AMS sub-system, transmits the panel definitions to and receives viewership reports from the plurality of client level AMS sub-systems, and merges the viewership reports into the merged viewership report. Each client level AMS sub-systems receives panel definitions from and transmits the viewership report to the local node level AMS sub-system and compiles the viewership report.

Abstract: Methods of creating and displaying video advertisements and systems implementing the methods are disclosed. The method includes creating a user interface wherein an advertiser chooses multi-media assets and their programmatically described rendering behavior, creating a user interface wherein the advertiser chooses a time, program, and audience to display the video advertisement to, transmitting multi-media assets and their programmatically described rendering behavior as a program to be stored on each member of the target audience's viewer devices, and transmitting a signal to each member of the target audience's viewer device to render multi-media assets and corresponding program for advertisement message.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method for operating a decoder. The method comprises receiving, on a first channel, an electronic program guide data stream comprising multiple video streams which have been encoded and multiplexed for transmission on the first channel, each video stream comprising a low resolution version of a high resolution video stream which is being simultaneously received on a separate channel; decoding the electronic program guide data stream into frames, each frame defining a mosaic-style image comprising image areas for images in the electronic program guide data stream corresponding to images from each of the multiple video streams; and displaying each of the frames on a display screen coupled to the decoder.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method for operating a decoder. The method comprises receiving, on a first channel, an electronic program guide data stream comprising multiple video streams which have been encoded and multiplexed for transmission on the first channel, each video stream comprising a low resolution version of a high resolution video stream which is being simultaneously received on a separate channel; decoding the electronic program guide data stream into frames, each frame defining a mosaic-style image comprising image areas for images in the electronic program guide data stream corresponding to images from each of the multiple video streams; and displaying each of the frames on a display screen coupled to the decoder.

Abstract: A method for purchasing, downloading, and transferring audio and/or video data files through video broadcasts is disclosed. The user signals the set-top box of his video viewing system that he is interested in downloading the audio/video data file being offered. The box records the time, the channel being viewed, and, where applicable, the user ID. The box then sends this information to the controlling server when it next reports in. The server transmits the requested data, either over the Internet or by broadcasting it back to the set-top box, where it can be downloaded to a desired format.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately rendering an interactive TV application is accomplished by adjusting the contents of an on-screen buffer (OSD) to match the native physical characteristics of a target display device, preferably using fonts specific to the display device. Typically the character data is merged with graphics data and still or moving video background information and passed to the display using an analog or digital interface. Since the native resolution of the display is ideally identical to the resolution of the OSD buffer, the display device will not need to enlarge or reduce the rendering of the application. As a result, the character and graphics data will not be distorted by the display rasterizing process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method for storing program information in a memory associated with an electronic program guide system. The method comprises partitioning the memory into two areas, wherein a first of said areas is structured to hold records of a first type, each comprising a first subset of information about a program including a partial title therefor, and wherein a second of said areas is structured to hold records of a second type, each comprising a second subset of information about the program; and linking records of the first and second type through a common field.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method for operating an electronic program guide system. The method comprises displaying a first view wherein graphical indicators each of which corresponds to a broadcast channel are displayed on a display; detecting input selecting one of the graphical indicators; and displaying a second view in response to the detected input, wherein programming information relating to a channel corresponding to the selected graphical indicator is displayed on the display.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is provided a method for operating a decoder. The method comprises receiving, on a first channel, an electronic program guide data stream comprising multiple video streams which have been encoded and multiplexed for transmission on the first channel, each video stream comprising a low resolution version of a high resolution video stream which is being simultaneously received on a separate channel; decoding the electronic program guide data stream into frames, each frame defining a mosaic-style image comprising image areas for images in the electronic program guide data stream corresponding to images from each of the multiple video streams; and displaying each of the frames on a display screen coupled to the decoder.

Abstract: A method for purchasing, downloading, and transferring audio and/or video data files through video broadcasts is disclosed. The user signals the set-top box of his video viewing system that he is interested in downloading the audio/video data file being offered. The box records the time, the channel being viewed, and, where applicable, the user ID. The box then sends this information to the controlling server when it next reports in. The server transmits the requested data, either over the Internet or by broadcasting it back to the set-top box, where it can be downloaded to a desired format.