Abstract: A streaming content-on-demand service provider (400), upon receiving (301) from a remotely located content consumer (100) an on-demand request (406) for present delivery of a particular identified item of streaming content, allocates (303) a multicast address/port to which a multicast stream (411) comprising the streaming content will be provided. The content consumer (via, for example, a corresponding client platform) can then use this multicast address/port to receive the particular identified item of streaming content. Such an approach will serve to permit the initiation of a new stream of content to serve an initial request for such content. This approach will also permit, if desired, late joiners to begin receiving, mid-stream, content that has already begun streaming in response to an earlier client request for such content.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider processor (201) receives (101) audio-visual content (302) from at least a first content provider (203), which audio-visual content is to be distributed to end users (205) of the audio-visual content service provider processor. That audio-visual content service provider processor then facilitates distribution (102) of the audio-visual content to the end users (pursuant, for example, to a corresponding broadcast schedule (304)). This audio-visual content service provider processor also, however, locally records (104) the audio-visual content, in the absence of any corresponding specific requests from the end users, to thereby hold a recorded version of the audio-visual content for subsequent re-broadcasting to the end users.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider processor (201) receives (101) audio-visual content from at least a first content provider (203), which audio-visual content is to be distributed to end users (205) of the audio-visual content service provider processor. That audio-visual content service provider processor then facilitates distribution (103) of the audio-visual content to the end users (pursuant, for example, to a corresponding broadcast schedule). This audio-visual content service provider processor also receives (104) metadata that comprises conditions regarding the audio-visual content.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider (400) processor (401) receives (101) at least one on-demand broadcasting request for particular audio-visual content from an end user (405). The processor then determines (102) at least one future time at which the on-demand broadcasting request can likely be satisfied and provides (103) a corresponding dynamic programming guide to the end user that comprises, at least in part, this at least one future time.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider (200) processor (201) receives (102) an end user (203) selection of at least one particular Internet media content channel via an audio-visual content service provider-end user interface. The audio-visual content service provider then provides (103) on-demand access to this at least one particular Internet media content channel to this end user as a selectable viewing channel along with other televised audio-visual content channels. By one approach, the audio-visual content service provider can receive the described end user selection via a browser-based interface.

Abstract: A low-latency storage memory system is built from multiple memory units such as high-density random access memory. Multiple access ports provide access to memory units and send the resultant data out interface ports. The memory units communicate with the access ports through an interconnected mesh to allow any access port to access any memory unit. An address virtualization mechanism using address translators allows any access port of the memory storage system to access requested data as abstract objects without regard for the physical memory unit that the data is located in, or the absolute memory addresses within that memory unit.

Abstract: A customized album recording system is under the control of a central microprocessor or mini-computer. A master library or storage medium is filled with a repertoire of recorded information items (such as musical selections) which may originate with any suitable source, such as phonograph records, tapes, sound tracks, compact discs, or the like. Each information item is stored in the library under its own address. On read out, an operator keys in the addresses identifying the selected items which are read out of the library medium and stored in a large capacity memory, usually to provide about forty-five minutes of total listening time. Then, all of the music is read out of that large capacity memory and recorded at a high speed onto a suitable album size medium, such as a tape cassette, for example. The source music and the customized album music are usually recorded in an analog form. The music which is processed within the system is in a digital form.

Abstract: A customized album recording system is under the control of a central microprocessor or mini-computer. A master library or storage medium is filled with a repertoire of recorded information items (such as musical selections) which may originate with any suitable source, such as phonograph records, tapes, sound tracks, compact discs, or the like. Each information item is stored in the library under its own address. On read out, an operator keys in the addresses identifying the selected items which are read out of the library medium and stored in a large capacity memory, usually to provide about forty-five minutes of total listening time. Then, all of the music is read out of that large capacity memory and recorded at a high speed onto a suitable album size medium, such as a tape cassette, for example. The source music and the customized album music are usually recorded in an analog form. The music which is processed within the system is in a digital form.

Abstract: A customized album recording system is under the control of a central microprocessor or mini-computer. A master library or storage medium is filled with a repertoire of recorded information items (such as musical selections) which may originate with any suitable source, such as phonograph records, tapes, sound tracks, compact discs, or the like. Each information item is stored in the library under its own address. On read out, an operator keys in the addresses identifying the selected items which are read out of the library medium and stored in a large capacity memory, usually to provide about forty-five minutes of total listening time. Then, all of the music is read out of that large capacity memory and recorded at a high speed onto a suitable album size medium, such as a tape cassette, for example. The source music and the customized album music are usually recorded in an analog form. The music which is processed within the system is in a digital form.

Abstract: A customized album recording system is under the control of a central microprocessor or mini-computer. A master library or storage medium is filled with a repertoire of recorded information items (such as musical selections) which may originate with any suitable source, such as phonograph records, tapes, sound tracks, compact discs, or the like. Each information item is stored in the library under its own address. On read out, an operator keys in the addresses identifying the selected items which are read out of the library medium and stored in a large capacity memory, usually to provide about forty-five minutes of total listening time. Then, all of the music is read out of that large capacity memory and recorded at a high speed onto a suitable album size medium, such as a tape cassette, for example. The source music and the customized album music are usually recorded in an analog form. The music which is processed within the system is in a digital form.

Abstract: A customized album recording system is under the control of a central microprocessor or mini-computer. A master library or storage medium is filled with a repertoire of recorded information items (such as musical selections) which may originate with any suitable source, such as phonograph records, tapes, sound tracks, compact discs, or the like. Each information item is stored in the library under its own address. On read out, an operator keys in the addresses identifying the selected items which are read out of the library medium and stored in a large capacity memory, usually to provide about forty-five minutes of total listening time. Then, all of the music is read out of that large capacity memory and recorded at a high speed onto a suitable album size medium, such as a tape cassette, for example. The source music and the customized album music are usually recorded in an analog form. The music which is processed within the system is in a digital form.

Abstract: A duplicate recording system uses video cassettes for storing master library recordings. On both the recording and the duplicating ends of the system, all signals are buffer stored in an electronic memory while the signals are in a digital form. This buffer storage completely isolates the recording/reproducing steps so that the usual parameter of restraints disappear. For example, the duplication ratio may be any value within the capabilities of the recording/reproducing machines. This isolation eliminates expensive setup procedures heretofore required to switch from one to another duplicating ratio. The buffer storage also provides a more precise transfer with greater fidelity of the recorded signals. A computer calculates a smoother analog curve when the digital-to-analog conversion is made.

Abstract: A customized album recording system is under the control of a central microprocessor or mini-computer. A master library or storage medium is filled with a repertoire of recorded information items (such as musical selections) which may originate with any suitable source, such as phonograph records, tapes, sound tracks, compact discs, or the like. Each information item is stored in the library under its own address. On read out, an operator keys in the addresses identifying the selected items which are read out of the library medium and stored in a large capacity memory, usually to provide about forty-five minutes of total listening time. Then, all of the music is read out of that large capacity memory and recorded at a high speed onto a suitable album size medium, such as a tape cassette, for example. The source music and the customized album music are usually recorded in an analog form. The music which is processed within the system is in a digital form.

Abstract: A duplicate recording system uses video cassettes for storing master library recordings. On both the recording and the duplicating ends of the system, all signals are buffer stored in an electronic memory while the signals are in a digital form. This buffer storage completely isolates the recording/reproducing steps so that the usual parameter of restraints disappear. For example, the duplication ratio may be any value within the capabilities of the recording/reproducing machines. This isolation eliminates expensive setup procedures heretofore required to switch from one to another duplicating ratio. The buffer storage also provides a more precise transfer with greater fidelity of the recorded signals. A computer calculates a smoother analog curve when the digital-to-analog conversion is made.