Abstract: In a system that includes a processor and a display device on which video programming can be displayed, a method for transitioning to a video advertisement by displaying a related banner advertisement. The method includes generating, on the display device, a display screen on which a video advertisement is to be displayed, the display screen being generated at a time before a time at which the video advertisement is available to be displayed. A banner advertisement is displayed on the display screen at a region that coincides with a region where the video advertisement is to be displayed. The banner advertisement can have a subject matter that is related to that of the video advertisement or alternatively have any subject matter. When the video advertisement becomes available to be displayed, the method can include replacing the banner advertisement with the video advertisement.

Abstract: Techniques employable to compress and decompress images are presented herein.

Abstract: A system for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The system includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.

Abstract: Sprite interface and code-based functions is described. In an embodiment, a sprite interface is implemented in managed code to provide an interface to sprite animation functions for a gaming application. A sprite application is implemented in native code to provide the sprite animation functions via the sprite interface when initiated by the gaming application. The gaming application, sprite interface, and the sprite application can be implemented in a low-end computing-based device, such as a television-based client device.

Abstract: Techniques employable to compress and decompress images are presented herein.

Abstract: Automatic content presentation is described. In an embodiment, a subscription content on-demand system includes subscription on-demand channels that each provide on-demand content which can be selected for viewing. The system also includes a promotional preview to display preview segments of the on-demand content that is available via a subscription on-demand channel, where the promotional preview is configured to enable content navigation of the promotional preview. A user interface displays promotional media that corresponds to the on-demand content, where a display of a promotional media that corresponds to on-demand content substantially coincides with a display of a preview segment in the promotional preview that corresponds to the on-demand content.

Abstract: Remotable porting layer is described. In an embodiment, a porting layer remotes an embedded application to a computing system platform that is different than a computing system platform for which the embedded application was developed. The porting layer includes a communications protocol that receives data communications from the embedded application via IP-addressable ports of a socket-based interface. The porting layer can transfer the data communications to any of a graphic component, an event component, or a state information component of the computing system platform which processes the data communications according to the computing system platform and hardware configuration.

Abstract: A system that includes a content distribution facility coupled to at least one client device for presenting programming via a presentation device having a screen. The system displays on the screen first content having an associated characteristic. In response to an event other than user selection of a program, the system displays a message stored in at least one of the distribution facility and client device. The message includes subject matter corresponding to the characteristic.

Abstract: A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communication of content over a network are described. In an implementation, a method is described which includes mapping a network address of a request for content to a multicast address and determining if the requested content is available via the multicast address. If not, the request is communicated to a content provider that is configured to provide the content for communication via multicast address.

Abstract: A system is described that is specifically adapted for use in a resource-constrained set-top box environment. The system uses an interpreter-based common language runtime (CLR) that is specifically configured for use in the set-top box environment. The system also includes a unique application manager and UIpane manager that are specifically configured for use in the set-top box environment. The application manager pauses a current application when another application presents a user interface presentation which interferes with the current application's user interface presentation. In addition, the system includes graphics functionality for providing transitions effects, for allowing a user to change color palette and resolution, and so forth. The graphics functionality directly uses the graphics capabilities of the set top box (such as the set top box's line control register) whenever possible to enable applications to execute more quickly.

Abstract: A mixed-media service collection for multimedia platforms allows simultaneous access to various mixed-media services for rendering multimedia content, depending on current client conditions. In one implementation, in response to the client accessing a service collection, for example, by changing channels, only some of the mixed-media services in the service collection are simultaneously actuated based on client conditions. The client conditions may include the availability of subsystems to implement services and the client's authorization to receive services. If client conditions do not allow some services in the service collection to be actuated, then other services in the service collection are available to be actuated instead.

Abstract: Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate.

Abstract: Strategies are described for performing retry analysis in an environment which involves the transmission of media information from a source module to a target module. In the context of the source module, the retry analysis determines whether the source module should satisfy the retry requests issued by the target module. In the context of the target module, the retry analysis determines whether the target module should generate the retry requests in the first place. Novel request reporting formats are also described. The target module performs analysis to determine what reporting format it should use to convey the retry requests to the source module.

Abstract: An electronic program guide system receives data that identifies various types of available media content. A data-driven media guide is then generated to display visual representations of the available media content. The media guide is dynamically generated based on attributes associated with the various types of available media content.

Abstract: Data destined for a client is compressed at a server in a manner that produces a compressed data string that can be searched in its compressed state. The server constructs a code table that assigns codes from a standard code set (e.g., ASCII code set) that are normally unused to selected character pairs in the data string (e.g., the most frequently occurring character pairs). During compression, the selected character pairs are replaced with the corresponding codes. Identifiers are inserted into the compressed data string to separate substrings. To search the compressed data string at the client, a search query is compressed and compared to the compressed substrings. The substring identifiers are used to quickly locate each successive compressed substring. When a match is found, the matching substring is decompressed by replacing the code in the compressed substring with the corresponding character pair in the code table.

Abstract: Data destined for a client is compressed at a server in a manner that produces a compressed data string that can be searched in its compressed state. The server constructs a code table that assigns codes from a standard code set (e.g., ASCII code set) that are normally unused to selected character pairs in the data string (e.g., the most frequently occurring character pairs). During compression, the selected character pairs are replaced with the corresponding codes. Identifiers are inserted into the compressed data string to separate substrings. To search the compressed data string at the client, a search query is compressed and compared to the compressed substrings. The substring identifiers are used to quickly locate each successive compressed substring. When a match is found, the matching substring is decompressed by replacing the code in the compressed substring with the corresponding character pair in the code table.

Abstract: Failover and load balancing in a server cluster is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving a plurality of requests from a plurality of clients, wherein each said request is for accessing a service provided by a plurality of servers arranged in a server cluster. A partial service map is generated for each of the clients such that each of the partial service maps reference a subset of the plurality of servers.

Abstract: Reducing the amount of input required by a user to enter an electronic message. When an electronic message is received, one or more language expressions associated with the electronic message are displayed to a user. The user may select one or more of the language expressions and have the full text of all the selected language expressions included in a reply electronic message. Icons, which represent a user's capability to engage in an electronic messaging session, may also be displayed. When a user changes their capability to engage in an electronic messaging session, for instance when they go offline, a command may be sent to other users. This command may take the form of a character sequence not normally occurring in written language, which is interpreted by network devices and changes the display of the icon associated with a the user who went offline.

Abstract: A method for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The method includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.