Abstract: In an implementation of on-screen display image rendered with MPEG hardware, image data corresponding to an image and formatted for on-screen display is received. MPEG frames are generated from the on-screen display image data and the MPEG frames are decoded to generate the image for display as an MPEG image. For example, a graphical user interface can be generated for display as the MPEG image. Further, additional on-screen display image data can be processed to generate an on-screen image for display over the MPEG image. For example, an on-screen image, such as text or a graphic, can be generated for display over the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A conditional access system employs a hybrid hardware/software architecture that is secure, yet allows easy renewability. The system has a security module implemented on a single embedded IC that performs all of the cryptographic functionality and stores all cryptographic keys used in decryption of content. Conditional access policies are established by one or more software components that execute on a processor separate from the security module. Content deemed accessible by the software components is passed to the security module, where it is decrypted using the keys maintained in the module. The decrypted content is then transferred out from the security module to a processor for further processing. With this hybrid architecture, the cryptographic keys and algorithm primitives are securely maintained within the embedded module, and not exposed to other components.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for using broadcast television systems as an implicit portal for solicitation of video on demand programs. A viewing device is monitored for the occurrence of a specific event, such as a channel change or the detection of a trigger mechanism programmed into a content program. When the event is detected, a user is prompted to notify the user of the availability of video on demand content related to the channel or program the user is watching. If the user indicates that he is interested in such content, available video on demand programs are presented to the user for selection. Means are also provided to prevent redundant and other unwanted prompts from appearing on the user's display.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided which allows a user to navigate through channels with programs that share related attribute information, such as a common category. The channels can include at least one broadcast channel that presents programs at scheduled times, and at least one on-demand channel that presents programs for viewing at user-specified times.

Abstract: In an implementation, a first MPEG video stream is selected from a broadcast channel and the MPEG video stream is decoded to generate a first image for display. A second MPEG video stream is selected from the broadcast channel and decoded to generate a second image for display such that the second image is combined for display with at least a section of the first image.

Abstract: A three-dimensional electronic program guide (EPG) is displayed as multiple two-dimensional areas within a three-dimensional television viewing environment. Each two-dimensional area contains a particular category of EPG data. A viewer navigates the three-dimensional EPG using an input device, such as a joystick or other game controller.

Abstract: A television viewing system that supports a three-dimensional television viewing environment renders media content, advertisements, program listings, and program recommendations in multiple two-dimensional areas within a three-dimensional environment. A viewer navigates the three-dimensional environment using an input device, such as a joystick or other game controller.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system encodes multiple video streams from media content, such that the video streams have staggered intra-frame intervals. When a client device requests a video stream, the video-on-demand system selects one of the multiple video streams based on the position of the intra-frames, and transmits the selected video stream to the client device.

Abstract: A media recommendation system gathers negative user feedback associated with media content. Based on the gathered feedback, the media recommendation system extracts a list of recommended media content from program data describing available media content.

Abstract: Seamless channel changing in a digital-television-based entertainment network can be implemented, for example, by providing an intra frame to a client device upon a change to a new channel even when the broadcast video data is previously compressed on a macroblock basis. In an exemplary implementation, a method includes: receiving a stream of broadcast video data that is encoded on a macroblock basis; continuously decoding the stream of broadcast video data into successive decoded images; and transmitting, responsive to a channel change message received from a client device, an intra frame that has been encoded from a decoded image of the successive decoded images. Other exemplary implementations are described herein.

Abstract: A program guide includes a program time display that corresponds to when a program will be broadcast for viewing, and includes a program channel display that corresponds to the program and to the program time display. The program time display and the program channel display are also viewable after the program has been broadcast for viewing. The program guide also includes a selectable control that initiates a request to receive the program for viewing after the program has been previously broadcast.

Abstract: Fast channel changing in digital-television-based entertainment networks can be implemented, for example, by electing to tune to channels at opportune tuning times. In an exemplary implementation, a method includes: receiving a channel change request that indicates a requested new channel from a client device; preparing a broadcast video data stream of the requested new channel that is offset in time behind a current broadcast time for broadcast video data of the requested new channel; and streaming the broadcast video data stream responsive to the channel change request. In another exemplary implementation, a system includes: a storage device that retains broadcast video data for multiple channels; a video data extractor that accesses the retained broadcast video data and retrieves an intra frame of broadcast video data that is in the past for a requested channel; and a video data distributor that transmits the retrieved intra frame of broadcast video data.

Abstract: A program guide data text search system generates a directed acyclic word graph that includes words from program guide data. When receiving a request to search for and display programming information, the directed acyclic word graph is searched to determine whether the requested information is included in the program guide data. An indication is provided to notify a viewer whether or not the requested information is available in the program guide data.

Abstract: Client-based searching of carousel data that is broadcast from a carousel file system is described. The broadcast carousel data is segmented and individual segments are hashed according to a hashing function to produce hash index values that are representative of associated data segments. The hash index values are broadcast by the carousel file system to the client. When a viewer specifies a search, the client computes a hashed search query and compares it to the hash index values. When a match occurs, there is a possibility that the data segment associated with the matching hash index value might satisfy the query. Such data segments are identified and the client retrieves those data segments as they are broadcast from the carousel file system. The client is then able to perform searching on the data segments according to the viewer-specified search and present the results to the viewer.

Abstract: A device receives a request to update displayed information. The displayed information is updated and multiple information groups are progressively displayed. The display of the multiple information groups are terminated if a second request to update the displayed information is received. The multiple information groups are prioritized and the highest priority information groups are displayed prior to lower priority information groups.

Abstract: Program data for use in electronic program guides is selected for storage at a low resource client according to a preference for current program data over program data for a future time. In the described implementation, a memory representative of the client memory is disproportionately allocated for different time units (e.g., 24-hour days) to be represented in an electronic program guide. Analysis is conducted as to whether program data for the different time units can fit in the portions of memory and adjustments to the amount of program data for respective time units are made. Different-size sets of program data are eventually selected such that more program data will be stored in the portion of memory corresponding to the current time unit and progressively less program data will be stored in other portions of memory corresponding to future time units.

Abstract: Program data for use in electronic program guides is sorted in advance of delivery to a low resource client. In the described implementation, the program data is sorted according to a parameter that is likely to be searched at the client, such as by program title, actor name, and so forth. In one example, the program data is sorted according to a stopped name version of the program title. When delivered to the client, the low resource client is able to perform fast binary searches on the sorted program data.

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: Program data for use in electronic program guides is fragmented in advance of delivery to a low resource client. In the described implementation, the program data is fragmented into equal size fragments. The size of each fragment is selected to guarantee that the data fragments will fit in pre-allocated memory segments at the client. When the program data is delivered to the client, the client stores the data packets in the memory segments without making system calls to the memory.

Abstract: Video advertisement targeting based on local information accessible to the video receiver. This local information includes local state and user behavior characteristics that are relevant to the targeting of the video advertisements. A video receiver monitors and stores state and user behavior characteristic associated with the video receiver. In addition to the core content such a television program or a Web page sought by the viewer, the video receiver receives a number of video advertisements as well as targeting instructions from the video stream. The video receiver processes these instructions to select a relevant video advertisement based on the locally stored characteristics. Then, the video receiver displays the selected video segment.