Abstract: Disclosed is a system that permits a variable number of disparate streams of data to be packaged together as content into a single distinct program referred to as an omnimedia package. A framework definition may be specified and created for the omnimedia package to allow a client set top box to decode the information and provide access to streams comprising video, audio and metadata information. The framework definition may be employed by a broadcast system to create a broadcast stream. A mechanism is described that permits a content provider to define a framework for delivering a package of related content. The framework definition encapsulates information necessary to build, format, transmit and display the disparate content streams. Data may be downloaded to a receiver prior to the broadcast of an associated program. The present invention may be implemented on terrestrial, cable, satellite, VDSL and other transport systems, including those that support upstream communication.

Abstract: In an interactive media system including interactive TV and interactive streaming media systems, a software program performs a check to determine if a product advertised is available in different versions. If different versions of the product are available, a software program employs a database of preferences to identify a product that matches or most closely matches preferences. CRM systems can be used to collect and control the preference information, product information, including a preference specific version, if available, is displayed. An icon supporting single action ordering is displayed contingent upon the presence of billing and shipping information. Demographic information may be combined with customer preference information to identify advertisement types and versions. Advertisements may be associated with images contained in a program or advertisement of an interactive media presentation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that optimizes transmission bandwidth of a broadband transmission system such as a cable television, satellite system, or wireless information service. Requests for content items from users are employed to add or delete content items from a list. Content items in the list are ranked relative to the number of requests received or by rate of request. Package groups are created with most requested content items being broadcast more frequently than less requested content items. Transmit groups are produced from package groups and placed in a broadcast queue. A transmit process transmits groups retrieved from the queue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that allows a video program to be broken up into video segments using markers that mark the beginning/end of each segment. Each video segment is then associated with a tag that describes the content and other information such as rating information relating to the subject matter of the video segment. Video segments can then be selected or excluded during either real time or nearly real time broadcast or on delayed broadcast to exclude the viewing of certain video clips based on user preferences or to allow the viewing of only certain chosen subject matter in accordance with user preferences.

Abstract: Information received from television receivers is processed to determine channels viewed. Channels not viewed may be reallocated as data channels to support data services. If information received from a television receiver indicates that a channel assigned to data services is tuned for viewing, data services are cancelled or reassigned and broadcast of a program is restored in that channel. In another embodiment of the invention, channels not viewed are transmitted at a reduced data rate, and bandwidth made available by the reduction in data rate may be assigned for data services. If information received from a television receiver indicates that a channel configured for reduced data rate transmission is tuned for viewing, data services are cancelled, reduced, or reassigned and the program is broadcast at a higher data rate. A software program operable on a receiver transmits channel information when the receiver is enabled or when a channel is selected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a remote control device that interacts with a set-top box to provide selective programming and/or enhanced content based upon the identity of the user of the remote control. The present invention utilizes preference and profile data corresponding to the current user to control the video output and/or enhanced content of the display. The present invention can also select or exclude video or enhanced content based upon tags that describe video content and the identity of the user based upon the use of a personalized remote control. The present invention can employ recognition techniques, such as word recognition, image recognition and sound recognition to restrict or select video content based upon the identity of the user of a personalized remote control device.

Abstract: The present invention is an interactive system and method whereby participants may engage in a contest that is simultaneously or subsequently broadcast. The broadcast signal may be for the purpose of a pure entertainment source or may be an enticement to play the shown or other interactive games. The games may be computer simulation games, role-playing games, strategy games, question and answer games, casino games, or other games as desired. The broadcast signals may show a specialized view of the game being played and may contain live commentary or other enhancements. The games may be played with set top boxes connected to a television, a broadcast network, and a server system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that provides rate controlled insertion of asynchronous data into a synchronous stream in a broadcast system. A calculation of the transmission time for an asynchronous data file is determined from the file size, available data transfer rate, redundancy transmission factor, bandwidth scale factor and connect time latency. Transmission time may be employed to schedule transmission of asynchronous data for use at a predetermined time. Transmission time for multiple files may be combined to determine a transmission start time for a first file such that a last asynchronous file is transmitted by a predetermined time.