Abstract: A method, an apparatus comprising a network manager and a system for communicating with at least one server across a network includes at least one group identifier unit for determining if a communication is intended for a server by determining if a unique identifier included with a communication received by the server identifies a group in which the server is a member. In at least one embodiment, the network manager is configured to define at least one group of servers, determine a unique identifier for the at least one group of servers and include, with a communication to the servers connected to the network, the determined unique identifier for the group of servers for which the communication is intended. Accordingly, a communication is only accepted by a server which is identified as a member of the intended group of servers for which a communication is intended.

Abstract: A display banner containing current and dynamically varying information is realized by a method for generating a display of a banner image, wherein the banner image occupies at least a portion of the video display. A file including certain instructions is used to define static and dynamic elements of the banner image. As the instructions from the file are executed to begin composing the banner image for display, a current content for each dynamic element is determined and the related dynamic element is updated accordingly. The static elements and the updated dynamic elements are then assembled into the current banner image for display. In this way, embodiments of the present invention are able to dynamically create banner images with current information just in time for their display.

Abstract: Asynchronous message delivery to a media player is defined wherein the message provides instructions to change the SMIL (or XML) based play list dynamically at runtime without creation or provision of any entirely new play list. This play list modification does not result in a visible, distracting transition as would normally occur during an instruction to reload the SMIL play list. Changes to the media presentation occur without the visually disruptive page reload.

Abstract: In various embodiments of the present invention, the determination of what content to distribute or play is determined by a set of triggers (events) and rules for processing the triggers. The rules are simple and actionable and the triggers are clear and unambiguous and relate directly to the rules. In such embodiments, a schedule can be accomplished by following the trigger and the rules, for example, to play a sequence of media at the occurrence of the triggers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system for controlling a peripheral device in communication with a content playout device. In various embodiments of the present invention, high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) applications are provided for communication between a control device and a content playout device for controlling the operational functionality of a peripheral device via the content playout device using HDMI communication means and, in one embodiment, vendor specific commands. That is, associated control signals are provided for controlling and communicating with peripheral devices connected to a playout device, such as a display, for, in various embodiments, affecting the presentation of specific or requested content.

Abstract: A method for using a message service for communication in a content distribution environment includes soliciting a response from a user where the user is instructed to respond using a message service and an advertised point of contact. In response to a received message, an action associated with the received message is initiated and the location for execution of the initiated action is identified using the point of contact information communicated by the user. In circumstances in which shoppers have text-message enabled cell phones, a shopper can be solicited, in a display presenting content, to text a message to an identified point of contact for additional related content. A play-out system can then play the requested additional content on a display in close proximity to the shopper, where the display is identified using the point of contact information communicated by the user in the message.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present provide a method, apparatus and system for the control and override of the playout of playlists. That is, the various embodiments of the present invention provide a means of effecting changes to a playlist and remove the need to provide a totally new playlist. In one embodiment of the present invention, a media playback system dynamically applies change instructions in real-time to existing playlists rather than building new playlists. More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention a method for providing a dynamic override of at least a portion of a playlist includes identifying a location in the playlist that requires change and changing a media portion presented during the intended presentation time of the identified location in the playlist without modifying the playlist.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for dynamic content distribution and grouping includes a server for providing a plurality of content channels, at least one tuning/decoding means for receiving/decoding at least one of the plurality of content channels, and at least one respective display means for displaying the at least one received/decoded content channel. In such embodiments of the present invention, the server is configured to dynamically configure the at least one tuning/decoding means to receive/decode at least one of the plurality of content channels. More specifically, in embodiments of the present invention, the server dynamically configures the at least one tuning/decoding means by communicating a channel change command to the at least one tuning/decoding means over a dedicated radio-frequency channel or, in an alternate embodiment, using an internet protocol.