Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for allocating content elements addressed for a content opportunity in a transport stream within a household-addressable media network. A content opportunity may include an advertising slot in a programming stream. The content elements may include advertising content configured to be run during the advertising slot. The advertising slot may be transmitted in a programming stream providing television programming and the advertising content may be provided in a commercial feed. The media network may be configured to transmit various content formats, such as high definition (HD), standard definition (SD), and variations thereof. Systems may be configured to allocate the highest profile corresponding content elements if there is sufficient resources available. If sufficient resources are not available, the system may allocate lower profile versions of the content elements.

Abstract: Systems which allow for the insertion of targeted advertisements or other messages into programming content, e.g., using Digital Video Recording (DVR) technology are disclosed. Systems use storage to pre-load advertisements, record content with commercials breaks, and merge the advertisements into the recorded content in the background, so that they are available when the content is viewed in time-shifted mode.

Abstract: A method and system for authoring templates for personalized video message campaigns in general, and personalized TV commercial campaigns in particular. The invention allows for campaign templates to be authored and edited in such a way that commercials can be automatically generated later on in the process, when the target audience and context are known, while at the same time adhering to the existing (post) production workflows and tools. The invention maintains assembly information for messages in a format that allows easy assembly of variations of commercials at any point in the creation, editing, post-production and delivery process.

Abstract: A method of preparing data streams to facilitate seamless switching between such streams by a switching device to produce an output data stream without any switching artifacts. Bi-directional switching between any plurality of data streams is supported. The data streams are divided into segments, wherein the segments include synchronized starting points and end points. The data rate is increased before an end point of a segment, to create switch gaps between the segments. Increasing the data rate can include increasing a bandwidth of the plurality of data streams, for example by multiplexing, or compressing the data. The present invention can be used, for example, with MPEG or AC-3 encoded audio and MPEG encoded video segments that are multiplexed into MPEG-2 transport streams. Also included are specific methods for preparing MPEG video streams and multiplexing MPEG video with MPEG or AC-3 audio streams to allow a receiver to create seamless transitions between individually encoded segments.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, systems and methods that allow a television broadcast facility or a headend to insert in-band messages, where the inserted message allow receivers to switch to, insert, or otherwise show addressable advertisements to its viewers.

Abstract: A system and method for stitching separately encoded MPEG video fragments, each representing a different rectangular area of the screen together into one single full-screen MPEG encoded video fragment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for push-based dynamic bandwidth allocation deliver addressable, advertising content in a digital network. Bandwidth is allocated on a push basis in response to receiving a trigger from a content distribution stream. The trigger contains data indicating an addressable break. A portion of bandwidth is then allocated to an addressable content stream based on the data of the trigger. The addressable content stream is then streamed to a receiver during the addressable break and the receiver is tuned from the broadcast stream to the addressable content stream for the duration of the addressable break. The additional bandwidth is de-allocated at the end of the addressable break.

Abstract: A method and system for authoring templates for personalized video message campaigns in general, and personalized TV commercial campaigns in particular. The invention allows for campaign templates to be authored and edited in such a way that commercials can be automatically generated later on in the process, when the target audience and context are known, while at the same time adhering to the existing (post) production workflows and tools. The invention maintains assembly information for messages in a format that allows easy assembly of variations of commercials at any point in the creation, editing, post-production and delivery process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for packaging media and data for transmission over a broadband communications network link for display at a terminal destination. Features of the method included creating desired media segments for transmission to the terminal destination and for creating targeting information, for example in whole or in part in the form of metadata, for transmission to the terminal destination. Other features include packaging the created media segments and the created targeting information in a single package and unpacking the single package for display of the targeted media at the terminal destination.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for storing or caching targeted content on a receiver device using existing bandwidth within a media network are described. For example, unused bandwidth within a transport stream may be detected and targeted content may be inserted into the transport stream within the unused bandwidth. The targeted content may include targeted advertisements for a household addressable media network. The transport stream may be transmitted to the receiver device which may access and store the targeted content responsive to various targeted content signals. For instance, the transport stream may include targeted content signals configured to trigger the receive device to access and store the targeted content. The transport stream may include a commercial feed transport stream.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, systems and methods that allow a television broadcast facility or a headend to insert in-band messages, where the inserted message allow receivers to switch to, insert, or otherwise show addressable advertisements to its viewers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for allocating content elements addressed for a content opportunity in a transport stream within a household-addressable media network. A content opportunity may include an advertising slot in a programming stream. The content elements may include advertising content configured to be run during the advertising slot. The advertising slot may be transmitted in a programming stream providing television programming and the advertising content may be provided in a commercial feed. The media network may be configured to transmit various content formats, such as high definition (HD), standard definition (SD), and variations thereof. Systems may be configured to allocate the highest profile corresponding content elements if there is sufficient resources available. If sufficient resources are not available, the system may allocate lower profile versions of the content elements.

Abstract: A system and method for stitching separately encoded MPEG video fragments, each representing a different rectangular area of the screen together into one single full-screen MPEG encoded video fragment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for push-based dynamic bandwidth allocation deliver addressable, advertising content in a digital network. Bandwidth is allocated on a push basis in response to receiving a trigger from a content distribution stream. The trigger contains data indicating an addressable break. A portion of bandwidth is then allocated to an addressable content stream based on the data of the trigger. The addressable content stream is then streamed to a receiver during the addressable break and the receiver is tuned from the broadcast stream to the addressable content stream for the duration of the addressable break. The additional bandwidth is de-allocated at the end of the addressable break.

Abstract: Systems and methods for push-based dynamic bandwidth allocation deliver addressable, advertising content in a digital network. Bandwidth is allocated on a push basis in response to receiving a trigger from a content distribution stream. The trigger contains data indicating an addressable break. A portion of bandwidth is then allocated to an addressable content stream based on the data of the trigger. The addressable content stream is then streamed to a receiver during the addressable break and the receiver is tuned from the broadcast stream to the addressable content stream for the duration of the addressable break. The additional bandwidth is de-allocated at the end of the addressable break.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for packaging media and data for transmission over a broadband communications network link for display at a terminal destination. Features of the method included creating desired media segments for transmission to the terminal destination and for creating targeting information, for example in whole or in part in the form of metadata, for transmission to the terminal destination. Other features include packaging the created media segments and the created targeting information in a single package and unpacking the single package for display of the targeted media at the terminal destination.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable storage media for storing or caching targeted content on a receiver device using existing bandwidth within a media network are described. For example, unused bandwidth within a transport stream may be detected and targeted content may be inserted into the transport stream within the unused bandwidth. The targeted content may include targeted advertisements for a household addressable media network. The transport stream may be transmitted to the receiver device which may access and store the targeted content responsive to various targeted content signals. For instance, the transport stream may include targeted content signals configured to trigger the receive device to access and store the targeted content. The transport stream may include a commercial feed transport stream.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, systems and methods that allow a television broadcast facility or a headend to insert in-band messages, where the inserted message allow receivers to switch to, insert, or otherwise show addressable advertisements to its viewers.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer-readable media for a decentralized application system that enables participating parties to automate the buying and selling of TV media units and/or aggregated TV and premium video audiences is described. The value-based TV/premium video media exchange application system allows the participants to interact with the system directly and/or automate transactions and execution between systems, while ensuring proper governance over each participants own rules and economics associated with the transactions, as well as individual campaign constraints and requirements. The decentralized application system significantly lowers current transaction and execution barriers, timing and costs, while providing a highly accountable and trusted system across all of the exchange participants.

Abstract: Systems and methods for push-based dynamic bandwidth allocation deliver addressable, advertising content in a digital network. Bandwidth is allocated on a push basis in response to receiving a trigger from a content distribution stream. The trigger contains data indicating an addressable break. A portion of bandwidth is then allocated to an addressable content stream based on the data of the trigger. The addressable content stream is then streamed to a receiver during the addressable break and the receiver is tuned from the broadcast stream to the addressable content stream for the duration of the addressable break. The additional bandwidth is de-allocated at the end of the addressable break.